Product specifications

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Forward Thinking
F
orward Thinking is a philosophy that
is applied to everything we do. Every
component we build, every system we specify
is derived from one fundamental challenge:
How can we better carry our
users’ communication?
In the early days of television production,
intercommunication among the crew was
accomplished using carbon microphone conference
line intercom systems. These systems used
telephone company equipment and telephone
company technology. This technology was not
intended to conference more than two stations,
and television production needed as many as 30
stations to conference together. As the number of
stations ranged from 10 upwards, the performance
of the system was severely degraded. Some
improvements were made over the years, but
the system’s flaws were never fully addressed.
In 1975, the founders of RTS took a systems
approach to solve the fundamental system design
problem. After six months of intensive work, the
problem was solved, and products were developed
to utilize the solution. This first solution was called
the “Two-Wire Intercom System”. The company
formed then, to solve the problem and to market
the solution, was—and still is RTS Systems.
In 1979, Compact Video Systems bought RTS
Systems, Inc. Compact Video Systems was a television
production and manufacturing company and is
credited with many successful television productions.
The acquisition spawned a period of new product
development. During this interval, foundations were
laid for further growth and a dealer network was
developed. Accounting, manufacturing, engineering,
and documentation systems were put into place
to support rapid growth and improved quality.
From 1979 to 1989, RTS’ products became a standard
for the television industry. The major television
networks incorporated RTS Systems products. In
addition, RTS Systems products became the standard
for mobile units.
In 1989 Telex Communications, Inc. bought RTS
Systems and a new growth period began. This growth
included improvements in manufacturing efficiency,
a strengthened sales organization, and an advance in
manufacturing technology (surface-mount circuitry,
plastics molding and tooling resources). In 1989 RTS
won an Emmy award for Outstanding Achievement
in Engineering Development in recognition of their
engineering contribution and development of
professional two-wire intercommunications systems for
use in television production and broadcast operations.
In 1990, Telex acquired the exclusive manufacturing
rights to the McCurdy line of matrix intercoms to
complement the series of party-line intercoms
already manufactured by RTS. In the 1940’s, McCurdy
Radio Industries of Canada began manufacturing
intercom systems and in the mid 1970’s introduced
a solid-state intercom matrix called the 9100.
Upon acquiring the line of matrix intercoms from
McCurdy Radio, Telex started to extend and improve
its product portfolio. Since the RTS brand name
was well known in the broadcast market, the new
digital matrix products were branded RTS, as well.
In September 2006, Telex became part of the
Bosch Group. The acquisition brings Bosch’s
quality standards to RTS through streamlined
and modernized processes, as well as a renewed
commitment to research and development.
RTS’ renewed commitment came to fruition with the
launch of the world’s first color display keypanels:
the CLD series. These ground-breaking keypanels are
characterized by a full-color graphic interface, and
other refinements that make operation highly intuitive.
As technology moves forward, so do the innovations
from RTS. We are constantly looking for new ways
to deliver clear, reliable communications that strike
a perfect balance between our users’ demand for
increasingly complex configurations and simple,
intuitive operation. The components featured in this
catalog are just the beginning of an exciting new
era of forward thinking communications systems.
It is our goal to be the recognized global leader in
delivering comprehensive communications systems
and solutions to entertainment and industry.