11 Saturday 14.09.130
theibcdaily
Audio routing enters IP age Opinion
Ethernet backbone for realtime audio is now a reality argues Mikael Vest, sales director, NTP Technology
Routing audio within broadcast facilities, as well as contributing and distributing audio nationwide and globally, has gone through many technology cycles over the past 25 years. As with many other services today, audio routing is now firmly in the network age. Given the capacity of Ethernet networks today, and the quality of the network components and services, Ethernet backbone for realtime audio is a reality. During the 1980s, NTP
Technology was among the first companies to develop switched broadcast-quality analogue routing solutions for central installation in broadcast facilities. It was much easier to use than manually switching cables in jackfields. During the 1990s, analogue audio routing gave way to digital, based on time-division-multiplexing. Switching matrices grew very large in channel count in order to cope with demand for increased capacity. Most broadcast facilities
today still rely on time-division- multiplexing digital matrices. But they also face the challenge that this technology is in practice limited by the need for physical input/output lines, dark fibre connections and the capacity of the TDM engine. These factors combine to make expansion and reconfiguration somewhat complicated or, in some cases, impossible. Alongside the development
of centrally-installed broadcast audio matrices, the distribution
audio contribution using SIP codecs and Voice over IP technologies often eliminates the need for ISDN lines. Given also the capacity of
Mikael Vest: ‘Broadcasters can now make full use of IP-based routing solutions’
of digital audio content was made easier by the introduction of the Synchronous Digital Hierarchy telecommunication protocol during the 1990s, allowing audio to passed using E1 or T1 circuits. With the emergence of very efficient lossless coding algorithms, ISDN lines also become widely used for handling digital audio in a very flexible manner. In TV environments, audio is
also often embedded with the SDI video signal, reducing the need for separate audio distribution. With this technology, the routing and audio distribution systems are designed as a central router with dedicated digital links and inputs/outputs connecting larger structures. The need for individual control and configuration of the various elements is quite comprehensive. Given the intensive use of the internet in today’s world,
the Ethernet structure in local and wide area networks, but not the internet, this technology is increasingly being used for contribution and distribution of video and audio signals for broadcast- quality programme production. The Ethernet age has now also caught up with audio technology, enabling high- quality audio interfacing on IP Ethernet Layer 2 and Layer 3 networks. Broadcasters can now
make full use of IP-based routing solutions where clock distribution is based on the IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol. NTP Technology is showing at IBC a complete routing and audio interfacing system powered by Dante. This can deliver high quality full-bit-rate digital audio at low- latency, based on common network standards We are demonstrating the
huge operational benefits that can be obtained through the implementation of audio over IP as the basis for high quality digital audio signal routing. As a practical example, we recently partnered with a major television broadcaster that has chosen an NTP Technology AoIP-based based audio router structure for use in its TV production environment. Enjoy the Ethernet age of digital audio routing. 8.B51
Andreas Tweitmann Chief executive officer, RTW
Q&A
Has IBC come at a good time for the electronic media industry? Why? As technology continues to evolve, so must we as manufacturers. IBC is one of the largest, annual gatherings of the international broadcast community, making it the perfect platform to share with one another the latest and greatest products and solutions. It is an opportunity to have conversations, swap ideas and celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of the entire industry.
What do you think are the key developments in, or threats to, your market sector at the current time? Specifically for the audio sector, the broadcast community is still in the midst of its continued transition to DTV with a close
eye on the up-and-coming Ultra-HDTV (4K), as well as 3D. Audio formats to support these emerging transmission types are constantly being upgraded, leaving engineers often working in various formats at once. Add to that the need to also keep up with globally relevant loudness standards including EBU R128, ITU BS.1770- 3/1771, ATSC A/85 and ARIB, and it becomes quite clear that audio innovation and education is very necessary.
Why should delegates visit your stand at IBC? RTW has been manufacturing audio metering equipment for nearly 50 years. Our long standing history in the industry speaks volumes towards the efforts we put into the research, design and manufacturing of all our products. This year, we debut an innovative new tool for logging, obtaining true-peak data analysis and reporting that is compatible with our TM7, TMR7 and TM9 TouchMonitors. In addition, we are also sharing with the IBC community several software upgrades to the line of TouchMonitors, and new features for our flagship product line, the SurroundControl 31900 and 31960 series. 8.D92
CCAP-compliant debut Harmonic
By Anne Morris NSG Pro is claimed to be the industry’s first true CCAP- compliant platform. It is said to possess the ability to converge high-density universal
Ref Cam gives new POV Broadcast Sports Inc
By Ian McMurray “The most exciting new development in sports broadcasting” is the bold claim of Broadcast Sports Inc (BSI) for its new Ref Cam system. It is a customised, wearable, wireless POV camera system
transmitting live HD 1080i video
from the perspective of the wearer. BSI’s mini POV camera is small and lightweight, weighing less than 107 grams. It is also equipped with remote camera control capability, including iris and paint functions. The camera is mounted on
the referee using a head strap or eyeglasses configuration, with the transmitter and data receiver worn in a customised vest. The system takes less
than two minutes to set up and can be adjusted in numerous ways to suit the needs of the production team and maximise the comfort of the wearer. The result is a ‘ref’s eye view’ of the action. According to BSI, the Ref Cam system’s success in Europe led to demonstrations in American sports where the response has been equally as positive. Thus far, major
Oi Ref!: getting ready with the Ref Cam (© Jean-Marie Hervio/DPPI/CANAL+)
organisations including the Women’s National Basketball Association and Major League
Soccer have incorporated the ref cam into their broadcasts. 5.A09
edgeQAM capabilities with future, integrated CMTS functionality. With DVB encryption and supporting a variety of video and data services such as cloud DVR, IP video, VoD, and M-CMTS, Harmonic claims that it is an ideal platform for European operators. 1.B20
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