AoIP and Third Party Integration
Broadcasters are increasingly demanding more versatility and integration from their audio equipment. For audio systems to be able to meet those demands, broadcasters must give greater consideration to the networking of audio consoles, routers and I/O, and to the efficiencies of controlling them.
With its plug-and-play architecture, Calrec’s Hydra2 audio routing system makes it simple to add mixing consoles, I/O and routers to the network, as and when needed, but further exploitation of this flexible network technology is possible.
Via the development of remote control protocols over technologies like SW-P-08, Ember and Serial Control, a host of third party equipment can interface with Calrec audio consoles to allow cross point matrix routing of signals and control of various features.
AoIP interconnections also provide more flexible and elegant replacements and offer greater capacity, flexibility and multicast possibilities – and on an infrastructure shared with other services. Calrec’s view is that it is not our role to dictate which AoIP route to take, but to facilitate the broadcasters’ choices, which is why Calrec customers can interface with multiple protocols.
Calrec provides a variety of networking interfaces, including an AES67/Ravenna interface, an AVB interface, and a modular I/O Dante card that also has AES67 compatibility.
Moreover, Calrec customers can interface with multiple protocols at the same time. For example, a signal can be received via AES67 and then sent out via Ravenna, Dante, or AES67. Signal-processing takes place via modular cards or 1U boxes.
Each element of Calrec’s protocol range redundantly connects to Hydra2 and appears like any other I/O resource on the Hydra2 network. Hydra2’s integral suite of management tools provides additional benefits to allow remote configuration patching, port protection, alias files, virtual patchbays, and access rights.
The AES67/Ravenna and AVB interfaces are a 1U box that can transport 256 channels of audio on a single connection. A second expansion card provides the unit with 512 channels of audio — one of the highest-bandwidth connections available for either protocol. The box is so versatile that it can even accommodate one of each card, allowing simultaneous operation of multiple formats.
Calrec’s Dante modular I/O card utilises Audinate’s Brooklyn II card and now offers AES67 support as standard. This combination allows access to up to 64 bidirectional channels in either protocol.
Offering this range of interfaces reinforces Calrec’s stance in the ongoing debate surrounding the future of audio transport protocols. Having a suite of solutions to choose from means broadcasters can be confident that they’ll have Calrec’s support no matter which combination of formats they use — both now and in the future.
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