It’s new equipment season again! Radio World’s “Summer of Products” feature is all about new gear that has come onto the market in recent months, especially during spring convention season. Over several months, we are featuring equipment that caught our eye. Send ideas to [email protected] with “Summer of Products” in the subject line.
NETIA OFFERS MULTIMEDIA HUB
Netia says its Media Assist software suite acts as a multimedia hub for content production and delivery in any format.
The cloud-ready system enables radio stations to deploy their back-office applications in a dedicated SAN or host them securely outside the station’s premises. By offering safe access to outside entities, the station can exchange with its affiliates.
Now available for Media Assist is a monitoring tool that provides radio staff with a single interface for managing multisite workflows. The module allows staff to monitor priority levels on all launched processes to help minimize their impact on bandwidth, while facilitating content delivery within the group and increasing time-to-air ratios.
Info:www.netia.com
STREAMGUYS DELIVERS PODCASTING SAAS SERVICE
StreamGuys is launching a service to turn video into an audio podcast. The cloud-based SGrecast live streaming repurposing platform adds to its audio podcast recording capabilities by enabling broadcasters and video professionals to automatically transform live, linear video streams into podcasts and side channels.
SGrecast uses StreamGuys’ transcoding technology to automatically convert audio to the formats and bitrates appropriate for use in live syndication; it also has a new recording mechanism to record audio streams in their native format. The transcoding technology can also be applied to video for live syndication and is capable of recording live RTMP, RTSP and HLS streams for conversion to MP4 files. In addition, the system offers a suite of scheduling tools that enable unattended operation, while integrated publishing to RSS feeds, automated delivery and compatibility with syndication services are also available.
Additional features of the SGrecast for audio include rebroadcasting tools and social media integration. These capabilities are expected to be included in the video application in the future.
Info:www.streamguys.com
WHEATSTONE REVS AOIP WITH DMX
Wheatstone wasted no time this spring getting a new PR&E product out after acquisition of the brand from GatesAir.
The DMX, shades of PR&E’s BMX and RMX lines, is dedicated to IP technology. It does not require an external Ethernet switch since a Gigabit Ethernet network card is built in.
Eight-fader and 16-fader models are available. A 1RU rackmounted I/O box is part of the system.
Features include talkback and cue functions, EQ and dynamics, LED meters, timer along with control room, studio and headphone monitoring. Each channel strip has pan, mode and input control knobs.
Wheatstone Director of Sales Jay Tyler called it “an ideal setup for the two- or three-studio facility where each studio can act independently as a separate standalone entity, but the studios are linked together through an IP network.”
Info:www.wheatstone.com
OMNIA ELECTRIFIES WITH VOLT
Omnia Audio has rolled out Volt, a processor in one rack unit that the company says shares technological lineage with its top-of-the-line products like the Omnia.11.
The Volt features a clipper designed by founder Frank Foti and dynamics from processing algorithm guru Cornelius Gould. There are six separate AGC sections (one wide-band, five multiband); five time-aligned limiter sections; deep bass, warmth and stereo enhancers.
Omnia says that its QuickTweak function will take away much of the mystery of mastering a processor and provide simpler adjustments and settings that are also pleasing. In addition, the Volt is multifaceted, able to handle AM, FM and HD Radio/DRM duties.
DEVA INTRODUCES DB4402 DUAL FM MONITORING RECEIVER
The new DB4402 dual FM monitoring receiver is based on a dual-FM tuner design to allow simultaneous monitoring of a single or round-robin multiple FM signals, while simultaneously looping back an uninterrupted audio stream from the station of choice.
The system is designed so that streaming and measurement activities do not interfere each other. While streaming back the received FM signal of choice, measurement and logging take place in the background. Users can set custom alarms for RF, MPX, pilot and RDS signals and receive warning messages via email, SMS or SNMP.
TCP/IP and GSM connectivity provides remote control, monitoring and listening to the radio signal from any location. DEVA says the DB4402 is DSP-based, with a built-in oscilloscope for left, right and MPX signals and an RDS/RBDS decoder with a BER meter. The DB4402 also features MPX power measurement with data history, RF spectrum analyzer to check the RF carrier parameters, and selectable de-emphasis (50µs or 75µs).
BURK UNVEILS CAPTURES CAPABILITY AND DIGITAL TEMPERATURE UNIT
Burk Technology is adding features to its remote control platforms.
A feature for the ARC Plus Touch (shown) and SL remote control systems is called Captures. It allows station engineers to track changes in critical site parameters over time. Sample rate and the number of channels captured can be adjusted to tailor operations to meet a range of analysis needs. Captures can also be triggered by events, creating a record of site conditions at the time of occurrence. Captured values are directly stored on the ARC Plus and can be data can be accessed or downloaded through the AutoPilot software. Captures is standard on currently shipping ARC Plus Touch and SL units and is optional for v.5 models in the field.
Also new is the BTU-4D Digital Temperature Unit. The BTU-4D connects up to four digital temperature sensors to the ARC Plus or ARC Solo remote control system. The unit supports sensor cables up to 1,000 feet long. Line voltage telemetry is also built in. The digital temperature sensors available for use with the BTU-4D include general purpose, wall-mount, stack-mount and exterior installation. The sensors can also be used with Plus-X EM and Climate Guard Environmental Monitors.
Info:www.burk.com
DIELECTRIC CROSS-COUPLES FILTERS
Building on its product introductions over the last year, Dielectric announced the addition of cross-couplings to its FM combiner filters.
Dielectric explains that the couplings allow “less frequency separation for combined channels. Since fewer cavities are used, efficiency is improved and operational costs are reduced.”
Senior Engineer Derek Small said, “Higher-order filters have been required for channel combiners and IM reduction due to the crowded FM spectrum, and have a tendency to reduce efficiency … Higher-order filters with large amplitude rolloff and delay can add asynchronous AM, and reduce stereo separation in the FM signal. From a classic design standpoint, the use of constant-impedance FM combiners means twice as many filters and components and raise both initial and operational costs.
“Our new cross-coupled designs tackle these problems with much less complex architecture in shared FM facilities.”
Info:www.dielectric.com
ORBAN ROLLS OUT 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MONITOR
DaySequerra’s acquisition of Orban began to bear fruit in the shape of a nifty rack-mounted headphone surround sound monitor for higher-end broadcast operators.
The iMix 5.1 Headphone Monitor features Orban’s patent-pending DSX Headphone Surround algorithm. It utilizes the ITU-R BS.1770 loudness measurement system.
“Designed for accurate rendering of a discrete 5.1 soundstage in the users’ headphones, the iMix 5.1 Monitor does not require artificial ambience or special encoding to accurately reproduce multichannel audio,” a release explained.
“No proprietary surround encoding is required; test tone locations are rendered with precise image integrity, including BLITS tones and SWOOP tests without artificial ambience that masks the program audio.”
Orban President David Day said the iMix 5.1 addresses the needs of the company’s HDTV and radio broadcast customers for a 5.1 surround headphone monitor that will allow them to monitor and QC 5.1 broadcasts outside a specially-designed and expensive audio control room.
He added, “This robust, cost-effective solution allows users to work with their preferred type of headphones, achieving the sonic accuracy they need without special setup or calibration.”
Basic I/O is AES digital audio with an options for HD/SDI inputs. Other options planned are AES67-Dante input and balanced analog I/O.
Info:www.orban.com
DAC SYSTEM OFFERS TOWER MONITORING SOLUTIONS
Switzerland-based DAC System rolled out the latest version of its DAC Monitoring System, v1.3.
The system is designed to monitor radio frequency signals at an antenna input and at the power splitter/divider used for distribution.
As part of this update, v1.3 offers support for new products and a number of new key features, enhancing the DAC Monitoring System for indoor applications.
Among the new supported products for v1.3 are the indoor RF detector, a temperature detector for indoor application and the Indoor Junction Box 4.x, which connects sensors, temperature and RF detectors.
The version also offers support for the outdoor/indoor sensor in the sizes of 3-1/8 inches, 4-1/2 inches and 6-1/8 inches.
New features for the updated system include support for SNMP v2c and v3; enhanced alarm and system monitoring; support for Wi-Fi/WLAN hot spot functionality; a “Maintenance Mode” that suspends alarm forwarding; and the ability to scale the system from zero to 250 monitoring points per data logger.
The DAC v1.3 of its monitoring system is available now.
Info:www.dacsystem.ch
ALTEROS DEBUTS WIRELESS MIC SYSTEM
Audio-Technica’s Alteros wireless microphone system offshoot is launching an Ultra Wideband wireless mic system, the GTX series.
The GTX series operates in the license-free 6.5 GHz spectrum. It is planned to provide up to 24 channels of 24-bit/48 kHz digital audio. According to a release, the system is designed to minimize interference.
“The GTX Series operates far beyond the UHF and VHF television bands, requires no frequency coordination, license, database registration or STA, and does not cause interference or create intermodulation products. The system is ideal for studio-to-studio operation since it emits less intentional radiation than the typical PC and will not interfere with surrounding signals.”
It debuts with the GTX3224 control unit, GTX24 bodypack transmitter and GTX32 transceiver.
“The unit features MADI, Dante and AES67 digital outputs that are all available simultaneously and allow for seamless integration with IP-based infrastructures. A single-mode fiber output supports long-distance runs.”
A 7-inch front-panel touchscreen provides access to system settings, monitoring tools, performance reports and other controls.
Up to 32 transceivers can be connected to the controller via Cat-5 cable.
The controller has dual power supplies for redundancy and can be remotely operated.
Info:www.alteros.tech
WAVEART FM TRANSMITTERS ARE UPGRADED
The WaveArt series of medium-power FM transmitters from Italy, ranging from 600 W to 3 kW output power, have been upgraded with a new generation of power semiconductors. This was done with the aim of ensuring a futureproof design and improving overall transmitter efficiency.
An embedded RDS encoder features a dynamic mode capable of retrieving RDS data from a satellite feed through the built-in satellite receiver. Models in the WaveArt product line integrate a set of analog and digital input interfaces and feature DDS direct digital modulation and the capability to monitor the operating parameters continuously for predictive maintenance purposes. This means that each unit can recommend the proper actions required to extend lifespan. The company says customers complying with the preventive actions suggested by each unit are eligible to receive a free warranty extension up to five years.
Info:www.waveart.it
ORBITAL LAUNCHES OMNISTREAMER
Orbital Media Networks, known for its satellite services, is branching out with an IP-based network delivery box, the OMNiStreamer.
According to Orbital it is a dual network-path HTTP Live Streaming and Real-time Transport Protocol audio appliance. Control and operation features include regionalized spot insertions, automation control relays, PAD Data pass-through, high-quality AAC audio, scheduled program playback, and local content playout.
In addition it offers balanced analog outputs, eight N.O. relays, serial and UDP delivery of program data. The company says that it has polished error correction schemes and path length accommodation algorithms to optimize the public internet/WAN or LAN performance of the box.
AES digital audio is an option.
Info:www.orbitalmedianetworks.com
ERI HAS NEW AXIOMS
Antenna maker Electronics Research Inc. recently launched a new pair of Axiom antennas.
The Axiom is a side-mount master FM antenna utilizing the company’s well-known Rototiller design. The two new models are the LPA and MPA (shown) series, with power ratings at 15 kW and 39 kW, respectively. They’ll be available in 4-, 8-, 12- and 16-bay versions.
A release explains: “The Axiom is a specially designed antenna system which provides high input power handling capability and can provide service as an auxiliary master FM antenna for systems that are limited to a band width requirement of up to 18 MHz of the FM Band (88 MHz to 108 MHz). The antenna can be designed with a single RF input or can be configured as separate upper and lower antennas for higher power handling capability and redundancy.”
Info:www.eriinc.com
MAGIX RELEASES SOUND FORGE PRO MAC 3
For Sound Forge DAW users who may have felt abandoned, Magix promises that you are not forgotten.
Magix purchased the Sonic Foundry properties from Sony last year. First out of the chute is an upgrade of the Mac version. New tools in Sound Forge Pro Mac 3 include loudness metering, iZotope Plug-ins RX Elements and Ozone 7 Elements. Magix lists SF Pro Mac 3 as native 64-bit, 32-channel, 24-bit/192 kHz and Red Book-qualified.
Also expected this summer is a new 64-bit Windows versions of the platform. Magix’s Gary Rebholz said that developer teams in Madison, Wis. (where the old Sonic Foundry was based) and Berlin were working on the new iterations, including a Sound Forge Pro 12.
Info:www.magix-audio.com
AUDINATE ON BROADWAY
Dante IP technology specialist Audinate has a new chip available for original equipment makers into IP or looking into networking their audio equipment via IP.
The Broadway chip handles 16 I/O channels of up to 96 kHz audio, with latency as low as 0.25 ms and Gigabit Ethernet. Interface options include SPI, UART and GPIO interfaces.
The company says the chip is aimed at “mid-tier” equipment such as multichannel amplifiers, smaller DSP sections, hardware interfaces, compact mixing consoles and conferencing systems.
According to Audinate, Broadway has “significant performance enhancements over the low channel-count Dante Ultimo solution.”
Info:www.audinate.com
DIGITAL ALERT SYSTEMS UPGRADES ONE-NET & DASDEC
Monroe Electronics and its Digital Alert Systems subsidiary have issued a software upgrade to the One-Net and DASDEC platforms for advanced Emergency Alert Systems and Common Alerting Protocol messaging compliance. The new Version 3.1 of the One-Net and DASDEC platforms provides the latest compliance mandates, operational improvements and security features.
A new feature is MPEG-DASH message playout. Customers can add MPEG-DASH to One-Net SE and DASDEC-II devices. In addition, the internal MPEG-2 encoder now includes an option switch to provide a constant stream to maintain continuity with downstream encoders and other devices.
The upgrade features an update for emergency alert authentication to address changes made by U.S. and Canadian authorities. This includes the latest FEMA IPAWS and Pelmorex NAAD digital certificates, which are required to ensure proper validation and authentication of emergency alert messages.
More features that make up Version 3.1 include a selector to normalize radio and CAP alert audio output levels; an upgraded Alert Agent with improved handling of rare alert cases; enhancement to the network settings; an addition of a RSYSLOG function; and support for the new upgrades to Custom Message Pro.
Previous users of Version 3.0 will be able to upgrade to Version 3.1 for free. Customers upgrading from older versions will need to purchase a Version 3.0 enabling key before installing Version 3.1.
Info:www.digitalalertsystems.com
NEUTRIK CLEANS UP
It might seem surprising, but cleaning and inspecting fiber-optic connectors can be difficult. Contrary to first impulse, they should not be wiped with a cloth, clothing, paper towel or air blaster, according to manufacturer Neutrik; such materials can scratch or leave lint, the smallest of which can wreak havoc with a cable’s performance or damage the connector.
To bring proper fiber-optic inspection and cleaning techniques to the public as the cable becomes common within broadcast facilities, Neutrik said, it has created a set of cleaning accessories for its opticalCon Advanced high-performance cables. These connector-like attachments hold the shutter open, allowing for the use of professional optical connector cleaners. This alleviated the need to jigger the shutter open or remove it to get at the ferrules.
Neutrik USA President Peter Milbery stated, “For anyone using fiber optic cables outfitted with Neutrik’s opticalCON Advanced cable connectors, these new cleaning tools are an invaluable accessory.”
Info:www.neutrik.us
