Industry

Wireworks Celebrates 35 Years
Hillside, NJ - Wireworks celebrates 35 years of manufacturing audio/video cabling products and custom panels. Beginning on Broadway and expanding over the past three decades into other markets including broadcast, Wireworks designs and manufactures cabling products that are commonly used in theatre, auditorium/arena, education, corporate, government and houses of worship.

Company founders, Gerald Krulewicz and Larry Williams first recognized the need for professional multi-channel audio products while working in lighting and sound on Broadway in the early 1970s. At that time, individual microphone cables were manually bundled together for multiple-microphone cable runs from the stage to front of house. Based on this first-hand experience, Krulewicz and Williams founded Wireworks in 1974 and introduced the first full line of commercially available multi-channel audio cables. Throughout the 1970s Wireworks continued to create new products, including large-scale multi-pin disconnects, colored microphone cables and a line of audio and video cable assemblies. In addition, the company established the a method of audio cabling that became a Broadway standard that is specified on new shows.

Wireworks tells more of its story:

Throughout the 1980's Wireworks expanded its product lines to include the world's first manufactured combined audio/video multi-cables for broadcast use. The company also introduced its do-it-yourself configuration tool for Wireworks universally adaptable, modular multichannel system, the Microphone Multicable Components Group (MMCG). The Crystal Cathedral, Walt Disney's Epcot Center, the Reagan/Gorbachev Geneva Summit, Liberty Weekend, the Pan American Games, the Indy 500, the Calgary Winter Olympics and the still running Phantom of the Opera on Broadway are just a few projects that relied upon Wireworks during this decade.

The company's audio/video multipin system, AV2000, can accommodate audio, video, data and control signals in a single hybrid connector. During the '90s, Wireworks received both LDI and Eddy Awards for its cabling products, many of which were incorporated into distinctive installations at the White House, Euro Disney, the Normandy Beach reenactment, The Tonight Show and many others.

Along with the new millennium came an entire new line of products from Wireworks: Wirelux, a flexible line of premium audio cables including Musilux, Instalux, Studilux, Ultralux and Speakerlux. The Salt Lake Olympics, the X Games, Metropolitan Opera and XM Radio's studio headquarters in Washington, DC, were all enhanced by products from Wireworks.

To date, Wireworks has been involved in thousands of installations worldwide.

Broadcast Electronics Turns 50
Quincy, IL - Mar 19, 2009 - Broadcast Electronics is marking its 50_th year in business. The company was founded on June 18, 1959, and introduced its first product: the first broadcast cart machine. In 1965 the company introduced the first multi-deck tape cartridge machine. Audio playback continued to be a part of BE's plan when it introduced the first microprocessor-based program control system in 1978. In 1989, this experience with automation BE introduced the first automation system based on the open PC platform: The Audio Vault.

RF has also been a part of the company's history. In 1979 when the company introduced the first single-tube high-powered FM transmitter, which featured a patented folded half-wave cavity that eliminates plate-blocking capacitors and sliding contacts. BE also developed a new exciter that year, which would later develop into the current FXI exciter line. The company has since been involved in solid-state designs and HD Radio applications.

To celebrate the milestone, Broadcast Electronics has created a contest to find the oldest operating Broadcast Electronics transmitter. The owner of this transmitter will qualify to win a BE STX LP 1kW transmitter. The transmitter can be used as a main or standby transmitter. Contest details and submission information is available online. Entries can be submitted through June 1, 2009.

On June 18, a panel of BE judges will mark the company's official anniversary date by selecting a winner based on transmitter age, site conditions, and application, among other qualifications.

Broadcast Electronics will mark the anniversary at its booth at the 2009 NAB Show, and also at an event to be held at the company's Quincy, IL, headquarters on June 18, 2009.

Products from the Floor

Studio Technologies Model 45
Booth Number C11843
Two-wire to Four-wire interface
The Model 45 is designed to interface a two-wire full-duplex party-line intercom circuit with a four-wire audio circuit associated with a matrix intercom system. Other specialized audio system interfacing applications can also be supported. The unit provides a full-featured two-channel interface which includes two hybrid circuits with automatic nulling capability. For flexibility, the Model 45 can be powered by the connected two-wire party-line circuit or by means of an external source of 24Vdc. When powered by an external source, the Model 45 is capable of supplying dc power to the two-wire intercom circuit. This unique feature allows direct operation of devices such as user belt packs. Audio level meters provide confirmation of system performance during setup and operation. Standard audio connectors are used for all input and output signals.

Clark Wire and Cable CAT5-Flex
Booth Number C10108
Cable
The CAT-5-Flex cable is a truly distinctive product. The black pressure extruded polyurethane jacket makes this cable extremely resistant to cuts and abrasions, while maintaining unbelievable flexibility. The stranded conductors give a very high flex life minimizing breakdowns. A true field cable, it is resistant to sunlight, oil and water. Compatible with standard RJ45 connectors (stranded conductor rated).

NKK Switches GB2 Series
Booth Number N2816
Pushbutton switches
With a footprint of just 7mm high, 7mm wide and 2.5mm thick, the GB2 Series of ultra thin and ultra miniature pushbutton switches are suited for high density PCB mounting and other applications where board space is at a minimum. These switches are also suitable for block or ganged mounting. The GB2 Series features off-center plungers that further facilitate mounting in tight spaces, and the unique plunger design also helps prevent accidental actuation. These switches are momentary circuit, single pole-single throw and feature an off momentary on configuration. They carry a rating of 0.4Vac maximum at 28Vac/dc maximum and their mechanical and electrical life is recommended for 50,000 operations minimum. They can be ordered in straight PC, straight PC with support bracket and right angle bracketed PC in a single or double switch mounted configuration.

Zaxcom Deva Mix-8
Booth Number N3114
Control panel
Zaxcom's Deva Mix-8 eight-fader mixing control panel integrates directly with the company's Deva and high-resolution Fusion audio recording systems to provide a more compact, mobile, and precise control panel for audio mixing. The Deva Mix-8 incorporates the familiarity of fader-based mixing controls into a control panel that's compact enough for over-the-shoulder use. All mixing functions and powering of the unit are supported through a single cable connecting the Mix-8 to its host system.