LVPR_MTV

LightViper™ Lights-up The MTV 2007 Music Video Awards

Annapolis Junction, MD, October, 2007 — FiberPlex, Inc., announced that their LightViper™ audio transport system was recently acquired by New York-based, live entertainment television audio/video production infrastructure specialists, Wireless First. The eleven-year-old firm’s first usage for the advanced fiber optic audio system was for their client, NBC-TV’s Macy’s July 4th Parade in NYC, NY. For this assignment, 64 channels of fiber optic audio were utilized for the live TV broadcast; audience mics as well as all host/talent mics were transported to the network’s uplink broadcast production vehicle located approximately 1,500 feet away from the presenter’s street-side booths. Two standard Model 1832 “plug n’ play” LightViper fiber optic audio “snake” systems were customized for Wireless First. Instead of the standard cable fan outs on the “mixer box” tail-end, FiberPlex provided custom rack mount connector panels for all the analog audio I/O; all the system components were mounted and tested in a customer-supplied 19” flight case.

After acquiring a second 64-channel LightViper customized system, Wireless First deployed a total of 128 channels (two custom racks of 64 channels of LightViper) to handle the pre and post-show audio for the MTV 2007 Music Video Awards in Las Vegas, NV on September 9, 2007. This job also required a long 1,500 foot audio run from four separate stage locations in the Palms Casino to remote production vehicles.

Kevin Sanford, Owner and Chief Engineer for Wireless First, commented on his firm’s large investment in the LightViper system:

“The LightViper worked without a hitch at both live locations. Based on the performance and how easy and fast it was to deploy at the July 4 Macy’s live remote — our first hands-on with the system — we immediately ordered a second identical system so we could handle the MTV Awards with LightViper audio fiber entirely. Just a few weeks after the Macy’s job, we shipped-out 128 channels of fiber audio to Las Vegas, all racked-up and ready to roll. As it turned-out, we used every channel, all 128.

At the Awards production ‘camp’, there was a lot of optical fiber infrastructure, particularly for the extensive video. I couldn’t help but note that our LightViper systems were the only ones that didn’t have problems. This didn’t surprise me, really. I have a lot of experience working with other fiber optic equipment in the broadcast business; most of it is very cumbersome, overly-complicated and needs babysitting. The LightViper makes installation and troubleshooting much easier; it really is a straightforward and reliable ‘plug n’ play’ solution.

We’re now working with FiberPlex engineers to consolidate both our audio and intercom transport on one piece of glass. I’m a very happy LightViper user. And I’ll be even happier when this comes together.

Editor’s Technical Notes:

Fiberplex manufactures the LightViper fiber optic audio cable transport systems. The LightViper systems offer total signal path isolation between both stage and mixer as well as between the mixer and power amplification; the cable is totally immune to ground loops, RFI, EMI and electromechanical noise, and runs of up to 1 1/4 miles (6,600 feet) can be easily accomplished without signal loss or degradation. FiberPlex includes a limited lifetime warranty with all of its LightViper system components.

Links: http://www.wirelessfirst.com

NOTE: LightViper™ is a registered trademark of FiberPlex, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

10840-412 Guilford Rd, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701• Phone: 301-604-0100 • Fax: 301-604-0773