DinoTech distributes BGM throughout Wong Tai Sin Temple
Published: WORSHIP
HONG KONG: DinoTech Ltd was recently commissioned to design a new audio system that would provide intelligible paging and provide traditional BGM throughout the interior and outdoor areas of Hong Kong’s Wong Tai Sin Temple. The system it implemented was based around Biamp’s AudiaFLEX DSP audio platform.
Dedicated to Wong Tai Sin or the Great Immortal Wong, the temple is a well-known shrine and major tourist attraction in the country. Located on the southern side of Lion Rock in the north of Kowloon, visitors entering the traditional Taoist temple are greeted by grand red pillars, a magnificent golden roof adorned with blue friezes, yellow latticework and multi-coloured carvings. The Grade II historic building includes a Nine-Dragon Wall modelled after one in Beijing, and the Three-Saint Hall dedicated to Lü Dongbin, Guan Yin and Lord Guan. In addition, the temple grounds covering 18,000 sq-m also feature three memorial archways.
‘The intent is to broadcast high quality BGM or live event audio to selected zones within the facilities,’ explained DinoTech senior consultant, Joey Chan. A Biamp AudiaFLEX DSP audio platform was central to this, with multi-channel audio distributed over a CobraNet network. One AudiaFLEX processor provides a sufficient 24 channels of I/O to the 15 loudspeaker zones from the main control rooms via Cat-5 cable, whilst a second unit has been installed for redundancy purposes. Programmed by systems integrator PCCW, the AudiaFLEX solution ducks between the BGM and recorded announcements, whilst controlling audio levels.
An Australian Monitor My Music MYM-DCD dual CD player can also be found, which receives the majority of its music from an iPod connected via USB. In addition to the BGM players, there are live signals from different ceremony areas including the main altar, Fung Ming Hall and Exterior Plaza. Full A/V signal distribution is enabled via a Crestron HDMI DM-MD 16x16 control system, controlled by Crestron’s CP2E and TPMC-9.
The distributed audio system combines 70 One Systems IM103, IM108 and IM112 weatherproof speakers, powered by four Lab.gruppen C28:4 C-series amplifiers. Specified for their audio capabilities in all weather conditions, the injection-moulded enclosures incorporate copolymer that offers a high degree of UV protection. The grille assemblies include a three-layer design providing protection from windblown particles and water, yet ensuring acoustic transparency. Furthermore, the input sections feature aluminium weather covers with an integral gland nut that is rated to an IP 68 standard.
Ceremonies can now be recorded using a Blackmagic Design Production Studio 4K switcher, which is controlled from a laptop with downloaded ATEM software. This also provides the feed for the large high resolution LED screen at the temple’s entrance. Providing security in addition to a video feed, Panasonic cameras can be positioned via AW-RP50 remote controllers.
The PCCW installation team were restricted to night time work, and as the temple could not be closed due to its location in a residential area, they were not permitted to create excessive noise. ‘Cable routing to the loudspeaker points was a challenge owing to the long distances and building regulations,’ confirmed PCCW project manager Hill Tang.