Download NCX Network Audio Terminal

Networking Your Sound
Networked Audio Terminals
NCX Network
Audio Terminal
Distributing digital audio
over a shared Ethernet
network
NCX Network Audio Terminals take Digigram
audio processing power out of the computer and
put it where you need it. They are reliable,
flexible, and easy-to-use solutions for multi-zone
audio distribution, audio on demand, and audio
archiving.
NCX Network Audio Terminal
Meeting the need
By distributing digital audio data over a standard Ethernet
network, NCX Network Audio Terminals dramatically
increase the maximum number of audio channels that
can be reliably managed by a single computer. Both
PCM and MPEG formats are supported. At the same
time, we have provided a flexible and fast development
environment essential to those who will create
applications using this exciting technology.
Think of an NCX terminal as a “remote” sound card.
Sound cards are typically connected to a computer’s
internal bus. NCX terminals provide the same audio
input/output and processing functions, but are connected
to the computer via Ethernet. NCX terminals can be put
where you need them and can be hot-plugged and
unplugged so changes can be made without shutting
your system down.
NCX terminals are available as both stand-alone units and
as a circuit board for rapid incorporation into custom
products.
A networked application can be rapidly assembled. Each
terminal is connected to the application-server PC using
standard Ethernet (10/100BaseT) switches and cables.
Overall system configuration is performed from the server
where the application software resides, while ongoing
application control can be from the server, from individual
NCX terminals, from any remote computer using IP
protocol, or a combination of both. Bi-directional serial
communications capabilities are provided on each NCX,
permitting source selection, status, and other
communication with the server.
Depending on the NCX model used, each audio terminal
can record/encode, play/decode, or is full duplex.
Multiple digital audio data streams can be sent to a single
NCX for mixing on the audio terminal, helping to minimize
CPU requirements on the application server.
There are five standard models in the NCX range. In
addition, Digigram looks forward to providing
development partners with custom network and audio
interfaces, as well as special enclosures and additional
software capabilities, to fulfill specific requirements.
Installed sound using
computer-controlled audio
Networked NCX audio terminals provide significant
benefits beyond standard distributed audio or standalone devices:
• A larger number of audio signals
• Control from a local or remote locations
• Improved audio quality
• Compact, versatile enclosures or easy-to-integrate
circuit board
• Simplicity of installation, configuration, and application
management
• Greater reliability and flexibility
As the API is the standard Digigram np SDK, the same
application may manage server-resident Digigram sound
cards along with multiple NCX terminals. Digigram can
also provide advanced tools offering the ability to control
the functions of multiple NCX networks from one or more
control points via LAN, WAN, or the Internet.
NCX
terminal
model
Form
Factor
Mono outputs
(may be paired
for stereo)
Mono inputs
(may be paired
for stereo)
NCX200
Stand alone enclosure
Two
None
NCX400
Stand alone enclosure
Four
None
NCX400L
OEM development board
Four
None
NCX040
Stand alone enclosure
Two
Four
NCX220
Stand alone enclosure
(low quality, monitoring)
Two
Two
NCX 400L OEM
development board
Typical NCX applications
The role of an NCX terminal in a network may be defined
remotely thanks to a central, adaptable system
management. Thus an NCX terminal can satisfy the
demands of various applications, such as:
Multi zone audio distribution - retail, hospitality,
theme parks, factories, railway stations, airports
Background/foreground music and live announcements
can easily be managed in multiple audio zones equipped
with NCX audio terminals. A central point of control (even
remote via TCP/IP) may be combined with local paging
systems (microphone) for live announcements, using
NCX's General Purpose I/Os. A simple pushbutton
connected to the GPIO may be used to launch
prerecorded messages in a particular audio zone,
interacting with other parts of the system.
Audio +
GPIO management
Audio on demand - museums, listening stations,
guided tours
Let your clients and visitors decide what they want to
hear and when, NCX's RS232 port management allows
connecting keyboards, touch screens, barcode scanners
and more. The NCX can play audio streams per your
user's choice, customized audio files or multilingual
content on demand.
Audio archiving - courts of law, convention centers,
education
NCX audio terminals may be used for decentralized,
digital recording, when equipped with a microphone and
connected to a central database.
Recorded content becomes immediately available as
digital sound files, allowing easy indexing, archiving, and
format conversion.
Audio + Power amplifier control
RS232
GPIO
Audio on demand
Audio streaming
MP3 realtime decoding
Cross fade and realtime mixing
RS232
Ethernet
Network
Audio Manager
IP
Network
Remote control PC
Intuitive GUI
Announcement
Script and event
management
PC server
with NCX driver
Local control
Audio Manager (optional)
For easy configuration and management of custom-made
multi-zone audio installations using Digigram NCX audio
terminals or miXart 8 multichannel sound cards, Digigram
has developed an off-the-shelf-application: design and
create your individual network with Audio Manager,
benefit from performing tools to
manage your individual audio
network. No programming skills
are required! For detailed
information, please refer to our
separate Audio Manager
product sheet.
I General
• Processors: Motorola 56303 and AMD186.
• RAM: 256 kWords (DSP) and 512 kBytes (AMD).
I Audio inputs/outputs
Stand-alone, enclosed units
• One stereo or two mono unbalanced outputs
are provided on two phono connectors at line
level. Maximum level +4 dBu.
• Balanced inputs and outputs on 15-pin SUBD connector. Maximum input/output levels:
+10 dBu.
• Input impedance: > 10 kOhm.
• Headphone output on 3.5 mm (mini) stereo
jack. Source impedance: 600 Ohm.
OEM development circuit board
• Two stereo or four mono unbalanced outputs
on the main 25-pin SUB-D connector at line
level. Maximum level: +3 dBu.
• Output level adjustment: digitally from mute
to maximum level.
• Output impedance: 100 Ohm.
• Headphone output on 3.5 mm (mini) stereo
jack. Source impedance: 100 Ohm.
I Audio specifications
Stand-alone, enclosed units
• Sampling frequency from 8 kHz to 50 kHz in
0.5 % steps
• A/D and D/A converter resolutions: 24 bits
(64-times oversampling, delta-sigma)
• Frequency response at 48 kHz (PCM mode):
20 Hz -20 kHz, ± 0.1 dB
• Signal to noise ratio (PCM, unweighted,
record+play): > 92 dB
• Distortion + noise at 1 kHz (PCM,
record+play): < -88 dB (0.004 %)
• Channel phase difference 20 Hz/ 20 kHz
(PCM): 0.2°/2°
• Analog channel crosstalk (at 1 kHz): <-95 dB
OEM development circuit board
• Sampling frequency from 8 kHz to 50 kHz in
0.5 % steps
• D/A converter resolutions: 24 bits (64-times
oversampling, delta-sigma)
• Frequency response at 48 kHz (PCM mode):
20 Hz – 20 kHz, ± 0.25 dB (Load ≥ 300 Ohm)
• Signal to noise ratio (PCM, unweighted): > 80 dB
• Distortion + noise at 1 kHz/–3dBFs (PCM):
< – 77 dB (0.01 %)
• Channel phase difference 20 Hz/ 20 kHz
(PCM): 0.2°/2°
• Analog channel crosstalk (at 1 kHz): – 102 dB
I System audio capabilities
•
•
•
•
Real-time MPEG Layers I, II, and III decoding
Real-time MPEG Layers I and II encoding
Linear (PCM) audio capable
Maximum mono audio streams (play plus
record) at 48 kHz that can be managed by a
single NCX: 3 PCM (16 bits) or 12 MPEG
Layer II (128 kbps)
• System capacity is computed by calculating
the bandwidth requirements of the total
number of audio streams.
I Ancillary communications and status
• Two RS-232 serial communications links offer
control flexibility. For example, one link can
be used for a keypad/display and the other
for a barcode reader. Each pair of audio
connections
may
be
controlled
independently.
• Each terminal provides any combination of
seven (eight on NCX400L) user configurable
TTL inputs and outputs for application and
device control.
• LED indicators for power status, network
activity and DSP status.
I Ethernet network and server
• NCX terminals use the IEEE 802.3/ANSI
8802-3 Ethernet standard.
• We recommend the use of a dedicated
network for NCX Terminals. To avoid sound
dropouts, the network load should not
exceed 30 % of the available bandwidth.
• The use of 100/10 Mbps Ethernet switches
prevents collisions of messages intended for
different NCX terminals.
• Each NCX terminal has a unique Ethernet ID.
As the data path is fully Ethernet, without
bridges or routers, an IP address is currently
not needed nor provided.
• Recommended
application
server
specifications: Pentium III / 800 MHz with 128
Mb RAM, EIDE or Ultra SCSI hard disk drives,
Windows NT4, 2000, or XP. 100baseT
Ethernet adapter.
I Mechanical
Stand-alone, enclosed units
• The electronic components are housed into a
metallic enclosure designed to comply with
CE and FCC Class B electromagnetic
compatibility requirements. This metallic
enclosure is embedded into a plastic cover
(flame retardant class UL V0).
• The serial ports use a 9-pin SUB-D
connector.
• TTL inputs and outputs are provided on a 15pin SUB-D connector. In addition, 5 VDC is
available on the connector (100mA max.
internal fuse protection).
• Overall dimensions (without power supply):
175 mm x 175 mm x 45 mm.
• Provided external power supply: 1.5 A, 5 VDC
from 90 ~ 250 VAC. UL certified.
• Operating temperature/humidity (noncondensing): 0 to +50°C / 10 to 90%.
I OEM development circuit board
• The compact card has one 25-pin SUB-D
connector for the power supply, audio
outputs and the control ports plus one RJ45
type connector for Ethernet.
• Overall board dimensions:
138 mm x 120 mm x 18 mm.
• External power supply required: 1.5 A,
5 VDC ± 5 %.
• Operating temperature/humidity (noncondensing): 0 to +50°C / 10 to 90%.
As the NCX is an evolving product, please contact
Digigram for the latest information.
Networking Your Sound
Digigram (www.digigram.com) digital audio solutions are key to the success of public address and pro
sound installations, as well as broadcast and media production companies worldwide. We develop
innovative networked audio devices, computer sound cards, and audio management software.
Digigram Powered solutions are installed in thousands of radio and television stations; corporate and
commercial sound installations; and audio recording and video post-production facilities around the globe.
Customers are served from three regional business units: Digigram SA (Digigram Headquarters,
Montbonnot, France), Digigram Inc. (Arlington, VA USA), and Digigram Asia (Singapore). Digigram is publicly
traded on the Paris stock exchange (Code ISIN: FR 00000 35784).
Digigram SA
Digigram Inc.
Digigram Asia Pte Ltd.
(Serving Europe, Africa, Middle East, Latin America)
(Serving North America)
(Serving Asia and Australia/Oceania)
Parc de Pré Milliet
38330 Montbonnot-FRANCE
Tel: +33 (0)4 76 52 55 01
Fax: +33 (0)4 76 52 53 07
E-mail: [email protected]
2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1004,
Arlington, VA 22201-USA
Tel: +1 703 875 9100
Fax: +1 703 875 9161
E-mail: [email protected]
350 Orchard Road
#19-07 Shaw House Singapore
238868-SINGAPORE
Tel: +65 6291 2234 - Fax: +65 6291 3433
E-mail: [email protected]
w w w . d i g i g r a m . c o m
DP141900102 - Digigram and the Digigram logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Digigram S.A. Other trademarks are property of their respective holders. All contents copyright © july 2005 by Digigram S. A. While every
effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Digigram is not responsible for errors and omissions, and reserves the right to make improvements or changes in the products and programs described without notice.
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