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console is the heart of the system and remained relatively unchanged for more than twenty years. The broadcast studios of today rely on expensive and proprietary communication means in order to network the large number of studio devices. Originally, source equipment connected to stand-alone mixing consoles with discrete
Introduction
Later,
the preferred method of interconnection became AES/EBU digital. Using modern computer networking equipment, it is now possible to build robust Networks capable of transporting digital media signals throughout a complete studio facility. Introducing an IP-based network in the studio environment is becoming an increasingly 3 attractive solution.
vinyl, cassette and reel tape in a typical broadcast. Most program audio is now recorded, edited and played out of a PC system. While consoles remain much the same, the PC has quietly taken center stage in todays radio studio.
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same as any discrete source, hindering potential intercommunication that might enhance accuracy and efficiency. Instead of using analog or AES/EBU audio as the interconnection standard, it is believed that all broadcast audio systems of the future will use networked Ethernet to provide a much more flexible and cost-effective alternative to console
Why Ethernet
cost).
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Todays Ethernet
100 Mbps to 1 Gbit. CAT 5e/6 Copper or Optical Fiber. Switched star, not shared No collisions. Full-duplex. Priority for audio Quality-ofService. is not your grandfathers Ethernet! Multicast allows one-to-many.
Enormous Capacity
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Ethernet is commonplace
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IP Audio Systems
Today, IP-Audio is making
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traditional audio distribution infrastructure as obsolete as the cart machine. These systems use the same IP technology that powers business data networks. IP-Audio eliminates the discretewiring model used since the dawn of radio.
guaranteed QoS Routes machine logic, PAD, custom backfeedsalong with audio sourceElement
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Why are IP-Audio Networks considered to be the future of the broadcast plant?
IP Audio networks enable
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broadcasters to cut costs by using a common transport mechanism for audio, control, messaging, and other data traffic such as files and e-mail and VoIP
Why are IP-Audio Networks considered to be the future of the broadcast plant?
IP-Audio networks provide
broadcasters the flexibility to grow and change at will. Traditional systems lack this flexible connectivity.
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IP-Audio Defined
What is IP-Audio? Digital audio over Ethernet Designed to replace bulky cables Provides converged audio and data
that like VoIP? IP-Audio Differences: High bit-rate, full fidelity Isochronous and multi-channel High-reliability
Guaranteed QoS
Low latency No packet loss
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years. One channel, one way. Soldered XLR connectors. No significant data capability. Low volume, expensive. Routing requires complex hardware.
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function. Since their function is to direct packets from port to port, we can use them to move our signals from whatever source to whatever destination we want. Simple, flexible, facility-wide audio routing system, almost for free. Goodbye to racks of distribution amps or expensive proprietary main frame router. An audio source entered into the system from any 22 point becomes available for any number of
Balanced I/O with more than 100dB dynamic range, < 0.005% distortion, headroom to +24dBu, etc.
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multiple conversions are avoided-audio remains in digital form from the PCs files to the network with no alteration or degradation.
With so much audio in radio stations being
Fidelity
Internet streams are usually compressed for
transmission over public links with limited, variable bandwidth and low reliability. But in Broadcast Ethernet Networked studio, audio is not compressed- it uses studio grade 48khz/24-bit-PCM encoding. Dynamic range more than 100dB, <.005% THD, and headroom to +24dbu. LANs offer a safe, controlled environment, no risk of audio drop-outs from network problems and plenty of bandwidth for many channels of high25 quality audio without compression.
Convergence
IP is growing as a universal transport for almost
any kind of signal. It is now in television studios, business teleconferencing, government communications, banking, etc. PBX companies like Lucent, Nortel, Mitel, Alcatel, and Siemens have plunged into IP transport for their telephone products. An Ethernet network being used for audio in broadcast studio may be shared with any other data like computer data, telephone, audio, and 26 control on a single network and this will use
Advertises
receivers.
All
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Nodes convert audio to uncompressed, 24-bit/48 kHz digital audio, then translate it to packet data
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Each audio node input/output is assigned an IP address for identification and routing purposes
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Logic ports on each device are connected to GPIO nodes, which convert on/off, tally and other commands to packet data
Nodes in Studios
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301
302
303 To LAN
192.168.2.30
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Each audio source is given a channel number. Each node is assigned an IP address for identification and routing purposes
Each node makes its audio and control data available to the network
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Each studios local Ethernet switch is connected to the other rooms via core switches or daisy-chain
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Complete Studio
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broadcast phone systems, an IP-Audio based system requires only a single Ethernet connection simplifying installation
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Supported by huge R&D from the computer and telephone worlds. Common, universal wiring. As with PCs, volume brings performance, variety, and low-cost. Learn one system, then you understand audio, phones, and data. AIR has already invested in huge infrastructure of CAT 6 networked modern PC network at all stations.
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Reliability
Each node owns entire link. Full Duplex. Switched. Cannot exceed link capacity.
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Classify
High-priority Queue
Mux
Output Port
Inpu t Port
Classify
Low-priority Queue
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Delay- Latency
In broadcast studio, we are very much
concerned about the audio delay in the microphone-to-headphone path for live announcers. Packetizing audio for network transmission causes delay. Internet audio delay is often multiple seconds because the receiving PCs need long buffers to ride out network problems and the delays inherent in multiple-hop 46
Delay- Latency
Delay Effect
Undetectable comb filter effect A slight echo turning to obvious slap at 25-30ms > 50 ms Too much delay for live monitoring
With fast Ethernet switching on a local network, it is possible to achieve very low delay.
To achieve low jitter, every node has a sophisticated sync method using an extremely precise PLL.
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studios for interchangeable use, but Taking any room to air as needed presents logistical challenges with traditional hardwired systems. With its decentralized, shared data approach, IP-Audio networks simplify construction and use of identical studios Gigabit Ethernet has the capacity to carry hundreds of simultaneous stereo audio channels per link with audio, logic, and 50 program associated data all traveling the same
growth IP-Audio networks are not subject to the growth limitations of hardwired systems Adding a new studio to the network is accomplished by connecting its audio nodes to a local Ethernet switch, which links to the core switch via CAT-6; then assigning IP addresses to the new inputs
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Routers is limited in terms of capacity IP-Audio networks solve this problem because they are both scalable and modular
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Benefits IP Audio
Simplified and unified cabling No multiple conversions. Integrated data means you are ready for
synchronized text and metadata. Tighter integration with delivery systems means that mixing, scheduling, and playing can work together. Low-cost power. Surround-ready. Provisions for Redundancy. Resource sharing is so easy. Codec, Audio Processors, STL , EPABX, CCTV, all are coming as IP enabled. For their efficient use, it is most essential to timely changeover 56 technology for studios too.
CONCLUSION
The numerous operational benefits of IP-Audio networking have been and are being continuously proven by professional broadcasters around the world each and every day.
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