Straight Arrow News, a recently launched digital news start-up based in Omaha, Nebraska, is utilizing a Clear-Com Eclipse HX digital matrix system, LQ Series IP interfaces and the Agent-IC mobile app as its new programming schedules and production workflows continue to develop.
The production team is initially focused on pre-recorded segments such as studio shoots with its anchors and morning news updates, all produced through their main facility and control room in Omaha. Later in 2022, Straight Arrow expects to significantly expand its workload, adding live shows, remote productions and streaming to Facebook Live and other online platforms.
“We’re not building for now, we’re building for the future,” said Chris Childs, director of technical pperations. “What we have right now is more than we need, but we wanted something that could scale with us as we grow. We’ve invested a lot to get this site off the ground, so the last thing we want is to go back to management in two years and say we need to upgrade our equipment. Eclipse HX is highly scalable, and it will easily accommodate our communications needs as they grow in complexity.”
Straight Arrow has installed a Clear-Com Eclipse HX system, drawn to its ability to interface with any 2-wire, 4-wire, IP (Dante, AES67, native) and wireless communication device. They also included an LQ device to ensure future system expansion as well as enhanced communications with SIP telephony and mobile apps, such as Agent-IC.
For now, the Eclipse HX system is mainly used for in-studio productions, handling the communications among the control room and three camera positions within the Omaha location. The team also uses the system for mix-minus feeds to and from its news bureaus in New York and Washington, DC, where the morning show interviews are recorded.
“They [Clear-Com] are a huge help in making sure everything is in place during rehearsals and script read-throughs,” says Rusty Havener, senior production specialist. “We can talk to everyone at once, or easily set up private channels for side conversations.”
The next phase of Straight Arrow’s growth includes more live programming, which will give the team an opportunity to put the Agent-IC mobile app to use. The app allows the core intercom system — in this case Eclipse HX — to be accessible from anywhere on a user’s smart device over 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE or Wi-Fi.
During one of Straight Arrow’s first tests with Facebook Live, the Agent-IC app allowed a Steadicam operator to maintain communications with the control room without being tethered by headset cables, and to move freely between three pedestal-mounted cameras. “We didn’t want to wire him up any more than was necessary,” Havener explains. “This [Agent-IC] is a great resource for field shoots. It provides communication among camera operations as well as reporters and producers regardless of where they are geographically. Clear-Com continues to deliver quality products to meet, and exceed, our needs here at Straight Arrow News.”
