Two compact aluminium expansion units that can be used to expand and distribute a Hydra2 network have been released.
The new Fieldbox range of small-format I/O units brings the features of Calrec’s Hydra2 stagebox to OB situations and especially to areas in which rack space is at a premium.
These 1U half-rack units are intended for work in environments in which I/O must be spread over a large area, such as a golf course. Fieldboxes can be located and distributed where they are needed using two high-capacity network cables for full redundancy. Calrec said this setup allows for significant savings on rigging time and cabling costs, and it also reduces cable storage and transport.
To add more distribution flexibility to a Hydra2 network, Calrec has also developed the H2Hub switch point. Using the same compact form factor as the Fieldbox, the H2Hub provides a hub or switch point for a Hydra2 network. A single connection from the router can then be switched via the H2Hub to multiple I/O units, or to multiple H2Hubs if further I/O distribution is required.
