AEQ Olympia 3 Units Installed In Press Cabins

Yas Marina Circuit has adopted AEQ's latest commentator system, bringing integrated commentary and intercom capabilities to its press cabins to streamline modern broadcast operations.

The venue on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi has recently deployed AEQ OLYMPIA3 commentator units across its media facilities, giving journalists and commentators a flexible, versatile audio platform tailored to contemporary sports production.

Home to the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix since 2009, the circuit also hosts major international events including the FIA GT1 World Championship, V8 Supercars and the Gulf 12 Hours. Its 5,554‑metre layout blends long straights with tight corners, threading through the marina and sections embedded in the island’s natural surroundings.

In selecting OLYMPIA3, the circuit's coordinating company sought a system that marries the expected features of commentator positions with the advantages of digital and IP technologies, enhancing flexibility for production teams.

A key benefit of OLYMPIA3 is its dual role as both a commentator unit and an intercom panel. Scalable from compact setups to large events with hundreds of positions, it can run standalone or be integrated into IP‑based intercom infrastructures.

The Commentator 1 channel includes the functions and signalling required to operate as an intercom panel compatible with AEQ Series 8000 systems, allowing talkback to be embedded at the position without a separate panel.

This duality enables a single position to support multiple production and communication tasks, reducing infrastructure while increasing versatility, particularly where requirements change between events or productions.

OLYMPIA3 also supports a hybrid control model that combines local operation with remote configuration of commentator functions. The OLYMPIA3‑CU‑CONTROL application lets engineers set up and manage units remotely; when the Commentator 1 channel is used as an intercom panel, its specific functions remain under local control.

Each commentator can independently select and monitor the audio sources needed for their role, while a common video feed can be assigned as a shared reference for up to three commentators, ensuring consistent cues across the team.

By integrating digital and IP technologies, OLYMPIA3 offers a scalable solution suitable for everything from marquee international competitions to smaller installations. Its rollout at Yas Marina Circuit underscores its capability to meet the communication and production demands of high‑level sporting events.

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