RTS ODIN Intercom Setup

RTS ODIN Intercom is a robust matrix intercom system, used for mission critical communication worldwide such as live television production and large theater and sports events.

The advantage of a matrix intercom system, compared to traditional 2-wire (party line) systems:

  • extremely high audio quality
  • complete control over who can talk and listen to whom
  • no interference from cellphones
  • full integration with
    • phone lines
    • studio cameras
    • external locations
    • handheld radios
    • in-ear transmitters (IFB) for talent and performers
    • program audio and other audio sources
  • scalable: hundreds of operators can be integrated into a single system
  • can be extended via internet, ethernet or fiber

How to setup a basic matrix intercom setup using an RTS ODIN matrix frame, and one or more RTS Omneo keypanels.

The Omneo technology allows RTS Intercom equipment to be interconnected the a local ethernet network. Omneo is basically Dante (from Audinate) networked audio in super low latency, plus networked control and signaling signals. Fantastic quality audio, plus easy installation via your existing infrastructure.

In a separate posting, we’ll discuss how to setup Roameo (wireless keypanels fully integrated with ODIN and Omneo).

What do you need:

  • RTS ODIN Intercom Matrix
  • A managed gigabit ethernet switch, such as the Cisco SG300 series or the Ubiquiti Edgeswitch series
  • An RTS Omneo keypanel (such as the KP3016, KP4016, KP5032, DKP3016)
  • network cables
  • Windows computer for configuration. Possibly a Mac running Windows under VMWare may also work.
  • Optionally, a DHCP server to distribute IP addresses and network information to the devices (you can also enable a DHCP daemon on the ethernet switch)

If you are only using analog keypanels, such as the KP12, KP12CLD, KP32, KP3016A, then these devices will not connect to the ODIN using Omneo but instead a direct cable connection between the matrix and the panels is required. We’ll discuss this in a different tutorial.

Step one: Prepare your setup

Download the latest software from the RTS Software archive (https://www.rtsintercoms.com/nl/rts/library?type=software&c=1). Look for the RTS Software Suite. At the time of writing (August 2019) the most recent version is 7.30 (https://www.rtsintercoms.com/nl/rts/file?i=100167&lg=eng).

The software suite should contain:

  • IPedit (sometimes internally named RVONedit). This software finds your network-enabled RTS devices on the network. You will use this to configure the network settings for each device, and to interconnect the audio streams between devices.
  • AZedit. This software lets you configure everything else. The names (‘alphas’) of the ports, who can talk to whom, the layout of the buttons on all key panels, etc.
  • Firmware Upgrade Tool. There is a lot of development going on on Omneo devices and ODIN. It’s wise to make sure you’re running the latest version of the firmware on all the devices.
  • DNS-SD. A helper tool for IPedit that lets you discover RTS devices on the network.
  • Firmware and related packages for RTS Intercom panels and ODIN.

The software is Windows only. The main installer wants you to install a lot of components, so you’ll be clicking thru a lot of installation wizards.

While the software is downloading, check the wiring:

  • The ODIN has two power supplies. Preferably both power supplies should be connected to a power source.
  • The ODIN has a lot of UTP connections on the back. Make sure that the following two connections have network cables to the switch:
    • one of the Omneo ports
    • the Control port
  • On the Keypanel, the power should be connected, and one of the Omneo ports (there may be only one) should be connected to the ethernet switch.
  • The Windows computer should also be connected to the same network as the internet devices. You may need to disable your Wifi connection as this may interfere.

Step 2: Network Configuration and IPedit

Start IPedit on the Windows computer. In the left pane, the RTS devices should appear. They will probably have very cryptic names.

If you don’t see them appear, then you should first check whether they have DHCP enabled for the correct interfaces.

On the ODIN, use the rotary button to the right (‘ENC 2’) of the display to go to the network settings. Enable DHCP on both the Omneo interface, and the Control interface.

TO DO: Create and insert video

On the keypanel, you will also have to enable DHCP on the Omneo interface.

TO DO: Create and insert video

Step three: AZedit

TO DO

RTS Intercom connector pinouts

Learn how to interface RTS (ODIN) intercom matrix system frames with analog key panels such as KP12 and KP32.

RTS Matrix AIO Connector RJ45 pin-out

The RJ45 connector is used for several purposes. The ODIN intercom matrix frame provides 16 analog RJ45 connections. The 16 ports can be used to connect keypanels (such as KP12CLD, DKP16, KP32), but you can also use these ports to connect audio equipment such as program audio, in-ear transmitters, 2-way radios, monitor speakers, telephone hybrids etc. 4-wire audio is balanced audio on line-level.

Be aware that AIO ports from other manufacturers such as Riedel may have different pin usage.

RTS Matrix AIO Connector RJ12 pin-out

The RJ12 connector is used on older but still very useful keypanels such as the KP32 and KP12. The RJ12 connector provides two-way analog balanced audio (also known as 4-wire) and control signals between the matrix (frame) and the key panel.

Connecting an older (KP12, KP32) panel to a newer RTS intercom system? Some panels have 6-pin RJ12 connectors, instead of the 8-pin RJ45 connector. Pins 1 and 8 on the RJ45 are redundant. You can either use a straight RJ12-RJ12 cable, or make an interface cable with the following pin connections.

RTS ODIN GPIO connector pinout

Connect cue lights, buzzers, et cetera to the intercom system.

The GPIO 24-Position Terminal Block Connector is used to provide connections to relays (outputs) and opto-isolators (inputs).