The fast pace of technical change applies as much in audio as in video, explains Mikael Vest, sales director, NTP Technology
Mikael Vest: ‘Focus on ultra-high-quality’
It is common knowledge throughout the broadcast business that one unchanging
feature is the fast pace of technical change, usually (though not always) for the better. In the
audio sector as in video it is being driven primarily by the need to maximise operational efficiency. In the old days, efficiency was a code word for scaling down staff. Today it has the much more positive role of allowing expanded productivity by enabling existing personnel to achieve more for a given cost. Central to NTP’s thinking over the past year has been the practical implementation of IP technology in the broadcast environment. Our Penta 725 IP audio router offers substantial savings in network operating costs by eliminating the need to lease expensive dedicated telco lines. These lines are traditionally used to carry audio from a regional radio or television studio back to a central location. Designed for broadcasters and independent studio operators, the Penta 725 IP allows a high quality audio routing network to be operated using low-cost Gigabit IP based Ethernet lines. It delivers the additional benefit of being easier to use than traditional
leased-telco-line systems because it is fully controllable via our intuitive VMC software. Using the Penta 725 IP allows city-wide, country-wide or global routing of high quality audio with sub- millisecond timing accuracy. Two additions to the NTP
Technology Penta range are being introduced at IBC2012: The Penta 720 is a 2U modular audio interface which provides embedded audio inputs/outputs and analogue-to-digital/digital-to- analogue conversion for new or existing NTP routing systems. Designed for use in television or radio studios, outside broadcast vehicles and public-event venues, it comes with eight channel AES3 input/output channels, MADI, two IP Audio Ethernet in/outs and an Avid Pro Tools interface. Up to eight optional cards can be added from a range comprising an eight-channel analogue input interface, eight- channel analogue output, two-channel SDI/HD/3G embedder interface, two-channel SDI/HD/3G de-embedder interface. An additional mini- module slot accepts a dual SFP MADI/HL optical input/output card. Other features include a 1024x1024 multiplexer (simple and complex) and Dante controller for IP audio routing.
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The Penta 721 is a compact 1U digital audio interface designed for standalone use in recording studios, radio stations and stage venues. It has the same basic input/output configuration as the 720. In addition to audio routers,
NTP Technology’s focus is on ultra-high-quality microphone pre-amplifiers and analogue-to- digital/digital-to-analogue converters. These are used by many of the world’s leading audio studios, broadcasters, orchestras and national sound archives. The DAD AX24 is an eight-channel system designed for high quality music recording as well as mastering and monitoring at sampling rates of up to 352.8 kilohertz, and has been accepted as the most transparent A/D and D/A converter available. Launching at IBC2012 is the new AX32 which can handle up to 32 input or output channels in 2U. Music producers and sound
archivists are aware that creating and storing audio at the highest possible quality is the safest way to future-proof content in a quality-conscious world. 8.B51
WHATS’On allows us to launch
new channels and on-demand services without a proportional increase in staff .