IP-AUDIO NETWORKS IN THE REAL WORLD: How MPR, Univision, and
The University of Indianapolis are Using IP-Audio to Solve
Problems
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ABSTRACT Most broadcasters agree: IP-based audio systems
represent the future Many people dont realize systems using
Internet Protocol addressing with Switched Ethernet to transport
audio already exist
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ABSTRACT Today, well explore the challenges broadcasters face,
and Learn how prominent broadcasters have used IP-Audio to meet
these challenges
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THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING When tape carts came along
in 1959, transcriptions became obsolete In 1990, carts were still
king. But
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THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING Experimentation using IBM
PCs with digital audio cards began. No one thought this could
possibly work!
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THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING 1991: Cart Machine for the
PC is introduced gets over 2,000 Compuserve downloads in 90 days By
1996, cart machines had been replaced by PCs.
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THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING Today, IP-Audio is poised
to make traditional audio distribution infrastructure as obsolete
as the cart machine These systems employ the same IP addressing
technology powering business data networks IP-Audio eliminates the
discrete- wiring model used since the dawn of radio
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THE FUTURE IS NOW IP Audio networks enable broadcasters to cut
costs by utilizing a common transport mechanism for audio,
messaging, and other data traffic Why are IP-Audio Networks
considered to be the future of the broadcast plant?
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THE FUTURE IS NOW IP-Audio networks provide broadcasters the
flexibility to grow and change that traditional systems lack Why
are IP-Audio Networks considered to be the future of the broadcast
plant?
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THE FUTURE IS NOW Since IP-Audio networks are standards-based,
even smaller stations can afford to deploy them Why are IP-Audio
Networks considered to be the future of the broadcast plant?
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THE FUTURE IS NOW Real-time IP-Audio in the IT world is already
commonplace, as seen in the accelerating migration from traditional
telephone services to Voice-over-IP (VoIP) technology
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THE FUTURE IS NOW Sales of VoIP-based PBX systems outstripped
traditional TDM systems for the first time in 2005 Estimates
indicate that by 2008, VoIP will account for over 90% of PBX sales
while traditional phone systems decline to 8%
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THE FUTURE IS NOW VoIP Access Lines in the U.S.
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THE FUTURE IS NOW In September 2005, Cisco, reporting the sale
of its 6-millionth IP phone, said that VoIP is displacing up to
8,000 traditional circuit-based telephones every business day
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THE FUTURE IS NOW NPR affiliates can browse a list of programs,
arrange feeds, and download metadata including promos, audio
samples, and rights information NPRs Content Depot program
distribution system employs IP- over-satellite technology
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THE FUTURE IS NOW The broadcasting industry is on the verge of
an IP-fueled revolution in distribution and infrastructure
design
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How IP-Audio works: Audio sources connect to audio nodes
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How IP-Audio works: Nodes convert audio to uncompressed,
24-bit/48 kHz digital audio, then translate it to packet data
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How IP-Audio works: Each audio node input/output is assigned an
IP address for identification and routing purposes
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How IP-Audio works: Logic ports on each device are connected to
GPIO nodes, which convert on/off, tally and other commands to
packet data
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How IP-Audio works: Each node makes its audio and control data
available to the network
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How IP-Audio works: Each studios local Ethernet switch is
connected to the other rooms via core switches or daisy-chain
Studio AStudio BStudio C
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HOW IP-AUDIO WORKS Compared to traditional multi-line broadcast
phone systems, an IP-Audio based system requires only a single
Ethernet connection simplifying installation By integrating
IP-Audio interfaces into equipment, installations are greatly
simplified
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HOW IP-AUDIO WORKS With an IP-Audio based computer delivery
system, audio travels to the network via the computers NIC card
without soundcards, multiple audio lines, or D/A/D conversion By
integrating IP-Audio interfaces into equipment, installations are
greatly simplified
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HOW IP-AUDIO WORKS BE, BSI, D.A.V.I.D. Systems, dMarc, Enco,
IDC, Netia, Omnia, OMT, Pristine Systems, Prophet Systems, Radio
Systems, Synadyne, Telos and Zenon Media have all announced IP-
Audio system compatibility
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HOW IP-AUDIO WORKS In addition to simplified installation,
lower costs both short and long term are significant benefits of
IP- Audio systems
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APPLICATIONS: Interchangeable Studios For years, broadcasters
have built Mirror studios for interchangeable use, but Taking any
room to air as needed presents logistical challenges with
traditional hardwired systems Even with TDM systems capable of
multiplexing logic commands with audio, additional hardware is
required
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APPLICATIONS: Interchangeable Studios With its decentralized,
shared data approach, IP-Audio networks simplify construction and
use of identical studios Gigabit Ethernet has the capacity to carry
hundreds of simultaneous stereo audio channels per link with audio,
logic, and program associated data all traveling the same CAT-6
cable
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APPLICATIONS: WOR System Benefits IP-Audio system met all
operational requirements including the ability to access any source
in any location and automate the switching of feeds to destinations
Installation of an IP-Audio system saved them roughly 25% of the
cost associated with traditional means
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APPLICATIONS: Simple Scalability Hardwired facilities are not
amenable to growth TDM routers face similar challenges often
requiring additional frames, cards, and increased wiring
infrastructure all at significant cost
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APPLICATIONS: Simple Scalability IP-Audio networks are not
subject to the growth limitations of hardwired systems Adding a new
studio to the network is accomplished by connecting its audio nodes
to a local Ethernet switch, which links to the core switch via
CAT-6; then assigning IP addresses to the new inputs
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APPLICATIONS: Simple Scalability While IP-Audio networks cannot
scale upward indefinitely, their ability to carry tens of thousands
of stereo channels per system is enough to satisfy most
facilities
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APPLICATIONS: Minnesota Public Radio MPRs expansion called for
doubling the size of their facilities The change from traditional
routing to IP-Audio made this upgrade easier and provided far
greater scalability all at lower cost This Ethernet-based system
enabled MPRs network to be fully redundant and self-healing
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APPLICATIONS: Minnesota Public Radio
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APPLICATIONS: Quick Changes With router/switchers, making
system changes or additions can prove difficult Routers reach
plateaus in terms of capacity IP-Audio networks solve this problem
because they are both scalable and modular
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APPLICATIONS: XM Canada Two studios Montreal and Toronto for
origination of XMs Canadian content Programming generated in Canada
feeds back to Washington, DC headquarters via broadband OC-3
connection
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APPLICATIONS: XM Canada Changes occurred because of the scope
of the project Ethernet has a scalability and flexibility others
systems dont, so building with it provides a much more a la carte
approach. - Tyler Everitt, Sales Manager, Pippin Technical
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APPLICATIONS: Progressive Buildouts IP-Audio networks ability
to not only scale, but to co-exist with other systems enables
broadcasters to begin migrating to new technology without being
forced to make wholesale changes to existing studios
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APPLICATIONS: Progressive Buildouts Systems can be staged to
accommodate remodeling or facility upgrades by retiring old gear on
a studio-by-studio basis This process facilitates spreading upgrade
costs over time
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APPLICATIONS: Univision Radio Univision has 3 stations in
McAllen, TX Starting with KBTQ, switching/routing systems were
installed With a scalable Ethernet backbone, network can expand via
additional nodes, (control) surfaces, and Ethernet switches
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APPLICATIONS: Univision Radio IP-Audio rack at Univision Radio,
McAllen, TX 3 audio nodes (below switch, top) provide 24 sets of
stereo I/O; router selector accesses audio channels
system-wide
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Each bidirectional Gigabit Ethernet link can transport up to
200 channels simultaneously eliminating multi-pair, home-and-back
cable runs, punch blocks, and soldering - along with most
infrastructure troubleshooting APPLICATIONS: Painless
Configuration/Documentation
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In an IP-Audio network, as in a standard Ethernet computer
network, each node is assigned a Unicast IP address APPLICATIONS:
Painless Configuration/Documentation
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During configuration, each nodes inputs (and outputs) are given
a channel number and descriptive text APPLICATIONS: Painless
Configuration/Documentation
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Behind the scenes, the nodes software assigns each input and
output a unique Multicast IP address APPLICATIONS: Painless
Configuration/Documentation
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These names and channel numbers follow the inputs audio
throughout the network, and are displayed whenever a user browses
or takes available feeds APPLICATIONS: Painless
Configuration/Documentation
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Since all parts of an IP-Audio network have assigned IP
addresses, the ability to remotely administer the system is built
in APPLICATIONS: Remote Administration and Control
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Since studio consoles in the IP- Audio environment are just
human interface devices controlling digital mixing engines,
software applications can enable talent to board-op themselves
remotely APPLICATIONS: Remote Administration and Control
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Increasingly, stations are finding it hard to overcome
frequency proliferation and STL path obstructions as population
centers grow. APPLICATIONS: Ethernet STL/Data Links
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At the same time, the desire to add Ethernet equipment control
and other data services to uncompressed STL has increased.
APPLICATIONS: Ethernet STL/Data Links
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APPLICATIONS: Clear Channel, Birmingham Station cluster
experienced increasing STL frequency interference IP-audio nodes
located at studio and transmitter were linked with 18 GHz Ethernet
radios Setup provides multiple uncompressed STL stereo audio
channels & backhaul
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APPLICATIONS: Clear Channel, Birmingham Dragonwave 18 GHz
Ethernet radio exchanges audio and data between IP-audio equipment
at studio and transmitter. I see the future of audio transmission
belonging to Internet Packet data. There is no end to the wealth of
reliable products to get the broadcasters job done economically
using the consistent protocols and connections of the Ethernet
standard. Bob Newberry Chief Engineer
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BUT IS IT READY FOR PRIMETIME? YES! Make no mistake IP-Audio is
not Internet audio!
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BUT IS IT READY FOR PRIMETIME? IP-Audio networks are not
Internet based rather, they are carefully controlled environments
where traffic overloads are not allowed to exist
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BUT IS IT READY FOR PRIMETIME? IP-Audio networks employ
switches with guaranteed QoS, along with careful system design and
specialized transport protocols to deliver real-time, no-loss,
synchronized Ethernet audio
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CONCLUSION The numerous operational benefits of IP-Audio
networking have been and are being continuously proven by
professional broadcasters around the world each and every day
