Archive notice: This article was originally published on April 16, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Fraunhofer ContentServers are professional encoder systems for digital broadcasting. Livewire integration connects a ContentServer in the studio directly to an Axia IP audio network through a single network connection, eliminating complex audio cabling. Fraunhofer IIS and Axia are demonstrating a ContentServer with Livewire support at NAB 2009, stand N7620.
Fraunhofer DRM ContentServer and Fraunhofer DAB/DMB ContentServer are broadcast servers for the Digital Radio Mondiale DRM and DAB Digital Radio standards. They support real-time audio encoding, data-service management, and broadcast multiplex generation. Livewire integrates the ContentServer into IP-based audio networks, providing direct access to any available audio stream and switching between streams when required. 5.1 surround signals are also supported. Radio stations can therefore distribute audio throughout the studio infrastructure through to final broadcast-signal encoding.
Alongside real-time audio encoding, Fraunhofer ContentServers support automation, security functions, and processing of data services including Journaline®, electronic programme guides, and slideshows. These functions are available for DAB standards including DAB, DAB+, and DMB, and DRM standards including short-, medium-, and long-wave DRM plus DRM+ for Band I and FM Band II. ContentServers are available worldwide through OEM partners.
“More studios are using the considerable potential of internal audio distribution over IP networks. Livewire integration allows broadcasters and network providers to connect radio encoders directly to the audio network,” said Alexander Zink, responsible for ContentServer products at Fraunhofer IIS.
He added: “Users without Livewire infrastructure also benefit because external converters reduce server complexity, hardware size, and therefore server cost.”
Fraunhofer IIS is one of numerous Axia partners whose hardware and software integrate with Axia IP audio networks. Axia networks are used in more than 1,000 broadcast studios. Products include Audio Nodes for microphones, analogue and AES/EBU signals; software for DSP mixing, routing control, and administration; and the modular Element studio console.
Further information about Fraunhofer ContentServers is available at http://www.iis.fraunhofer.de/amm.
Information about Livewire and Axia is available at http://www.AxiaAudio.com.
