VCI Events Steps into a New Stage with Newest Team Member Jim Richardson

VCI Events, an engineering-led Audio-Visual Event Company, is proud to welcome Jim Richardson to our team of industry experts.

Jim is officially joining the VCI Events team as a Business Development Specialist, or as we call him, The Alchemist.

Well-known and respected throughout the live events industry, Jim’s approach to providing clients with the highest level of service, paired with his experience in building a strong team culture, is unmatched.

35+ Years of Broadcast and Live Event Industry Experience

Jim Richardson is a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in the broadcast and live event industry. Most recently serving as the Vice President of Client Relations at a brand new event technology company, Jim brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of success to his role at VCI Events.

With a comprehensive background in technology and business, Jim possesses a deep understanding of sales management, team management, as well as operations and engineering management in relation to production and technical solutions. His extensive knowledge has been honed through years of experience in various high-level positions within reputable companies.

Throughout his extensive career in the broadcast technology sector, Jim has nurtured valuable production relationships in virtually every major city across the United States. Having resided in various key locations such as Nashville, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, and Dallas. He has worked extensively in cities including Chicago, Seattle, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., New York, Baltimore, and Orlando.

Jim’s Most Notable Roles and Achievements

Notably, Jim excelled as a Senior Account Relations executive at an internationally known staging company, where he skillfully managed large-scale corporate events, custom activations, and complex display events. In 2019, he helped spearhead the launch of multiple xR Studio initiatives in collaboration with disguise, assuming the role of their North America CSP.

Prior to this time, Jim enjoyed a 23-year tenure at Bexel, where he held multiple leadership roles. As an executive, he provided guidance to the company’s operations, engineering, and sales divisions in North America. Jim contributed to Bexel’s significant growth, reaching a remarkable $50 million in revenue through successful acquisitions and integrations.

Looking Towards the Future at VCI Events

As VCI Events continues to evolve as a brand, Jim is a natural next step in reaching our vision of being seen by both our clients and our peers as the group of event professionals that care more about our customers, our craft, and our community than any other technical solutions provider in the events industry.

We are excited to see what this next stage of excellence for our company looks like with Jim at the helm of our business development sector.

Shure Microflex Wireless Conference System

In today’s world, wireless communication systems have revolutionized the way we interact with each other. With the experience of online communication through the Covid-19 pandemic, people have come to expect high-quality, seamless integration during conference calls, meetings, and other group communication activities. As a solutions-focused company, we want to provide our customers with just that; a top-of-the-line experience while interacting with each other in a live setting with presenters on stage in addition to participants on the web. VCI’s newest tool to achieve this goal is the Shure Microflex Wireless Conference System.

MXCW640 Wireless Conference Unit with MXC416DF 16″ gooseneck microphone, MXCWNCS Networked Charging Station with SB930 Rechargeable Batteries, and MXCWAPT Access Point Transceiver

The Shure Microflex Wireless Conference System is a complete solution for high-quality distributed audio in live events. The system consists of MXCW640 Wireless Conference Units, MXCWAPT Access Point Transceivers, MXCWNCS Networked Charging Stations with SB930 Rechargeable Batteries, and an intuitive software interface that allows users to configure, monitor, and control the system.

The Shure MXCW640 Wireless Conference Units are designed to be sleek and unobtrusive, using no wires, making them ideal for use in any meeting configuration. Each unit is equipped with a microphone, a loudspeaker, speak and mute/function buttons, a touchscreen display, and an 11-hour Smart Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery. A locking connection is on board for a variety of MXC-series gooseneck microphones. When a user presses the button to speak, an LED status indicator a-lights, and their name is displayed on the other units indicating who is currently talking. An NFC ID Card feature allows a participant to sit anywhere and scan their card, making their identification known in their new location, for open and unassigned seating arrangements. Up to 8 participants can be speaking simultaneously, as the in-built auto-mixing of active speakers provides a lower risk of feedback and better isolation of speakers from room noise and inactive participants. All audio passed through the system is protected by AES-128 encryption, for safe, private discussions. The onboard loudspeaker provides highly intelligible local reinforcement and stays on even when the microphone is active. Dual 3.5mm headphone jacks with individual volume controls on either side of the unit are available for translation channels or foldback. A TRRS input on the back of the unit enables a remote caller to listen and be heard over the mix when a cell phone is connected.

The touchscreen display is the visual hub for all local settings. Here, a custom image can be displayed. Different roles are selected for each unit, which will change how the unit operates and the permissions allowed. In scenarios where voting will take place, there are options for yes/no answers, yes/no/abstain, and 5 button scale. Each of these voting scenarios can be configured for open which will display the results on each unit or in secret which will provide only the Chairperson’s unit the result, that they can choose to share.

The MXCWNCS Networked Charging Station is a vital component of Shure’s Microflex Wireless Conference system. It provides secure charging and storage for up to 10 batteries, with built-in circuitry that ensures safe charging which prolongs the life of the batteries, and partially discharges the batteries for safe transport. Using MXC Networked computer interface allows for real-time information on the charging status of the units, battery health, and firmware updates.

The conference units, charging stations, and computer web applications are networked together via an MXCWAPT Access Point Transceiver. Operating on both 2.4 and 5 GHz frequency bands, bidirectional audio is routed seamlessly thanks to automatic frequency coordination, interference detection, and avoidance. Each access point is equipped with a Dante networked audio connection for 10 input and 10 output channels and an additional analog XLR input and output for any local pop-up routing.

A professional VCI audio engineer will use a networked computer to access the MXC Web Applications. They will assign roles, names, and seat numbers to each MXCW640 Wireless Conference Unit, and route all the necessary inputs and outputs. After configuration is complete, the interface will be utilized as a real-time controller and information display to monitor batteries, frequencies, audio levels, and more across all devices on the network.

VCI Events is excited to offer the Shure Microflex Wireless Conference System to our customers. This system will be ideal for corporate meetings, where clear and natural audio is essential for effective communication; for government agencies and contractors, where secure communication is essential for protecting confidential information; for boards and associations, where members can use the device to vote, provide input, ask questions, and participate in discussions, improving the overall effectiveness of the committee. It may soon too, be considered a new standard for Q&A, ensuring the highest quality transmission and assurance of recording all audience participation.

Wireless Conference Unit:

MXCW640 Wireless Conference Unit with MXC416DF 16″ gooseneck microphone

-4.3-inch color touchscreen displays user controls, voting, or meeting information

-Can display a custom PNG at 480×272 pixels

-10-pin modular lockable connection for MXC-series gooseneck microphones

-Built-in loudspeaker remains on when the microphone is activated

-Speak and mute/function buttons with LED status indicators

-NFC ID card slot for participant identification

-Dual 3.5mm headphone jacks with volume controls

-SB930 removable rechargeable Li-Ion battery (included) provides over 11 hours of runtime

Access Point Transceiver:

MXCWAPT Access Point Transceiver

-Controls up to 125 MXCW640 wireless conference units

-Bi-directional wireless connection provides audio to and from conference units and enables real-time control of all settings

-Operates in 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz frequency bands, including DFS spectrum

-Automatic frequency coordination, interference detection, and avoidance

-Dante digital audio (10 inputs/10 outputs)

-Analog audio input and output (XLR)

-One Ethernet cable for audio, control, and PoE power

-AES-128 encryption for enhanced privacy

-Display for basic system configuration without a laptop

-LEDs indicate power, wireless connection, and network status

-Includes wall/ceiling mounting plate

Networked Charging Station:

MXCWNCS Networked Charging Station with SB930 Rechargeable Batteries

-Accommodates up to 10 SB930 rechargeable batteries

-5-segment LEDs on the unit display the charge status individually for every battery

-RJ-45 Ethernet connection enables remote monitoring of battery charge status in hours and minutes via Microflex Complete Wireless graphical user interface

-Charges 10 batteries to 50% charge in 1.5 hours, 100% charge in 4 hours

-Selectable storage mode partially discharges batteries for long-term storage or shipment

-Includes hardware for wall and rack mounting

-Includes IEC power cable

-Battery powers MXCW640 wireless conference unit for over 11 hours

-5-segment LEDs on the battery display the charge status

Web Application:

MXCW Web Application Devices Tab

-Convenient, remote access to configure, monitor, and control the system

-Monitor battery charge and statistics

-Assigning names and seat numbers

MXCW Web Application Wireless Monitoring Tab

-Set up routing for wireless, analog, and Dante network channels to floor and up to 8 group mixes, as well as individual conference units

-Activate encryption with the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES-128)

MXCW Web Application Audio Input Tab

-Wireless connection over 802.11b, 802.11a/g, and/or 802.11n standards

-Install firmware using Shure Update Utility

Ross Ultrix Carbonite Integrated Production System

Many years ago, Videocam (now VCI) brought one of the first Multi M/E 20+ input analog component switching and routing air pack systems to the AV production world. Back then, the dual rack system comprised a 20 input GVG 200-2, 80 Analog Video DA’s and a 32×32 routing switcher. The system was a full bandwidth 525 component system capable of 6 Mega (Million) Hertz of bandwidth. For the capability, capacity, and flexibility demands of 21st century productions, VCI is pleased to introduce the Ross Ultrix Carbonite Hyper-Converged Production Platform.

This system is designed around an uncompressed 12G SDI backbone. The massive bandwidth provides for resolutions from 480i (NTSC) up to 3840×2160 (and all common resolutions in between) at frame rates from 23.976P to 59.94i to 59.94P. The system has a bandwidth of 12 Giga (trillion) bits per second.

The performance and signal quality of our new Ross Video system is three orders of magnitude greater than that of the Grass Valley Group system from the late 1990’s.

Uncompressed resolution and frame rate agnostic routing and switching are only the beginning. At the core of the VCI Hyper-Converged Platform is the industry-leading Ross FR5 Ultrix Carbonite integrated production system. The standard video I/O configuration of our system is 68×68 but is readily expandable to 100×100 with existing design provisions.

The production switcher is the newest version of one of the most reliable digital switching systems in the world, the Ross Carbonite. The Carbonite SDPE (Software Defined Production Engine) in the VCI system can be configured as a 1 M/E, 2 M/E, or 3 M/E. The system boasts an additional 4 “mini-M/E’s”, 12 DVE channels, 14 Keyers, 4 chroma Keyers, and 4 clip players with Alpha Channels as well as virtually unlimited media player capacity (limited only by the size of external drives). We are excited about the abundance of creative capability that is sure to increase the content quality of every viewable screen.

On the routing switcher side, the Ross Ultrix Carbonite, includes 16 channels of embedded audio for each I/O as well as a MADI audio level allowing the assignment of audio sources in any combination from any sources, including DANTE, to any destinations. The audio matrix can be as large as 3456×3456. This makes it possible to potentially record isos with every microphone in the mixer being assigned to an individual channel of a record machine, without your video engineer or EIC being involved.

Additionally, the system is fully licensed with Input Frame Synchronizers, Clean Switch Router Outputs, Ultra-Mix Audio Mixer, 2 Carbonite Multiview, 2 Ultrix Multiview, and Ross X-Pression Live CG.

A Focusrite Rednet D64R MADI-DANTE Interface provides 64 channels of DANTE I/O’s to the Ultrix router’s MADI level which puts the Audio Engineer in control of their record assignments. Any or all of 16 channels of audio on each incoming video source can also be assigned individually to any combination of destinations in any channel location. We can even give the Audio Engineer a soft panel that allows him or her to change breakaways or assignments on the fly.

The result of these enhanced audio capabilities brings a meaningful workflow improvement by putting the Audio Engineer in complete control of audio assignments system wide.

Rounding things out are several dozen Cobalt Digital 12G DA’s, Ref DA’s, Time Code DA’s and other various Open Gear solutions including dual Ross SPG-8620 SPG’s with an ACO-2200 Auto Failover, a Phabrix QX 12G Test Generator and Instrumentation Rasterizer, a 15″Lilliput 12G monitor, and a multitude of additional terminal equipment providing the greatest possible operating environment and workflow flexibility. We even put a 5″12G Lilliput on the rear bulkhead to make it extra easy to confirm signal presence. Not to mention BPS router panels, soft router panels, intercom user stations, PGM audio monitors and Lilliput 12G monitors at operator stations. Custom operator environments have been fabricated for the Switcher Operator, Camera Shader, and Robo Cam Operator. 52″, 12G 4K Production Monitors, Intercom Stations, Program Audio Monitors, and a Small HD 22″OLED Reference Monitor for shading along with POE switches and UPS’s finish off the core system components. Additional workstations for Playback, Graphics, and Records are available as well.

Additionally, we made this system as fault-tolerant as possible with redundant power supplies on all critical equipment. We employed dual uninterruptable power supplies each powered from a discreet leg, two sync generators and an auto-failover, we even installed a 16X16 auxiliary 12G router just to monitor signals directly, outside of the Ultrix, and allow emergency switching in the event of a catastrophic system failure. This system was designed by former broadcast engineers for mission-critical use.

To crown it all, we’ve added gorgeous new Panasonic AK-UC4000 4K cameras with AK-UCU600 CCU’s and HRP-1010 POE RCP’S.

The Ross Ultrix Carbonite Hyper-Converged Production Platform is our “Top-of-the-Line” solution for high-volume input/output live event environments. We are proud to bring this system into service in the United States and look forward to being your number one technical services provider.

Transmission Rack:

(1) Custom 29”x 52” Dual Rack Case

(1) Redundant Power Distribution

(1) Ross Ultrix FR5 64×64 with Carbonite SDPE Blade

(1) Ross ACO-2200 Auto Changeover

(1) Phabrix QX 12G SDI Test Generator and Instrumentation Rasterizer

(2) Ross Open Gear Frames containing:

(7) Cobalt Digital 9915 4×16 12G DA’s

(2) Ross SPG-8260 Sync Generators

(3) Analog Audio DAs for Time Code and Camera Program Audio Monitors

(1) 12G Audio Embedder/De-Embedder

(3) Analog Video DAs for Reference, Return VF, and prompter

(1) Utah Scientific UHD-32 16×16 12G Routing Switcher

(1) Evertz 5010-24 24fps (23.976) and 30fps (29.97 and 59.94) Time Code Generator capable of

all system compatible frame rates.

(1) Focusrite Rednet D64R MADI-DANTE, DANTE-MADI Interface

(1) Clear Com LQ-R4W8, with Agent IC, for Camera Intercom Interfaces

(1) 17” Lilliput 12G Monitor

(1) Utah Scientific UDS-CP2 Control Panel

(1) Ross Ultra Touch 2 R/U Control Panel

(1) Cisco 48 port 1Gb Ethernet Switch

(2) APC 1500W Smart Uninterruptable Power Supplies

Broadcast TD (Switcher Operator) Position:

(1) Custom 29” x 52” Laminated Formica Desktop Case

(1) Ross TD-2S Switcher Panel

(1) 15” Ross TouchDrive Touchscreen

(1) Lenovo Laptop for Ross DashBoard

(1) Clear Com HRM-4X User Station

(1) Wohler 1 R/U PGM Audio Monitor

(2) 52” 12G 4K Sharp MV Monitors

(1) 8 Port POE Ethernet Switch

(1) 750W Uninterruptable Power Supply

Camera Shading Position:

(1) Custom 29” x 52” Laminated Formica Desktop Case

(1) Small HD OLED 22” Reference Monitor

(1) Lilliput 17” 12G Monitor

(2) Ross RCP-18 Panels

(1) Ross Ultra Touch Control Panel

(Up to 8) Panasonic RCP’s and Robocam Controller

(1) Clear Com HRM-4X User Station

(1) Wohler 1 R/U PGM Audio Monitor

(1) Samsung 32” MV Monitor

(2) 8 Port POE Ethernet Switches

(1) 750W Uninterruptable Power Supply

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]In 2018, VCI Event Technology celebrates an important milestone in business. Founded in 1993, VCI Event Technology has established itself as a premier meetings and special events provider of audio, video, lighting, staging, LED and projection technology to event producers, agencies, motion picture studios, and major corporate clients alike.

“A 25-year anniversary is a very special time for any organization” said Evan Goldschlag, President and CEO “It’s something that everyone can appreciate and be very proud of. We have team members who have been here from the beginning and many new people that have joined the team. They have all done a remarkable job of building the foundation that will support VCI Event Technology and our customers for many years to come.”

Headquartered in Anaheim, California since its inception, VCI’s steady and remarkable growth from a regional audio visual supplier to a global multi-disciplined production partner has been an organic process. Evan further says that “our on-going success is based on our focus to a quality product, team culture and the simple premise of putting our customers’ needs at the center of everything we do.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_wp_custommenu nav_menu=”30″ title=”VCI Success Stories”][/vc_column][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]