Download Studio Networking

Introduction
 In Radio broadcasting setup audio mixing console is
the heart of the system and remained relatively
unchanged for more than twenty years.
 The broadcast studios of today rely on expensive and
proprietary communication means in order to
network the large number of studio devices.
 Originally, source equipment connected to standalone mixing consoles with discrete analog signals.
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Introduction
 Later, the preferred method of interconnection became
AES/EBU digital.
 Using modern computer networking equipment, it is
now possible to build robust Networks capable of
transporting digital media signals throughout a
complete studio facility.
 Introducing an IP-based network in the studio
environment is becoming an increasingly attractive
solution.
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Sources are different now
 Days have gone of playing from carts, vinyl,
cassette and reel tape in a typical broadcast.
 Most program audio is now recorded, edited and
played out of a PC system.
 While consoles remain much the same, the PC has
quietly taken center stage in today’s radio studio.
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Sources are different now
 Traditional consoles handle PC audio the same as
any discrete source, hindering potential
intercommunication that might enhance accuracy
and efficiency.
 Instead of using analog or AES/EBU audio as the
interconnection standard, it is believed that all
broadcast audio systems of the future will use
networked Ethernet to provide a much more
flexible and cost-effective alternative to console
systems used today.
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Why Ethernet
Ethernet is so much better.
• Very active development.
• 500+ channels (on Gigabit link).
• Bi-directional traffic.
• Easy RJ-45 connectors.
• All the data capability we need.
• Ubiquitous computer standard.
• Routing, networking: inherent (low cost).
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Today’s Ethernet…
100 Mbps to 1 Gbit.
 CAT 5e/6 Copper or Optical Fiber.
 Switched star, not shared – No collisions.
 Full-duplex.
 Priority for audio Quality-of-Service.
 Multicast allows one-to-many.

… is not your grandfather’s Ethernet!
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Enormous Capacity
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Ethernet is commonplace
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Radio facilities are fully networked. Almost.
IP-based audio systems represent
the future.
IP Audio Systems
 Today, IP-Audio is making traditional audio
distribution infrastructure as obsolete as the
cart machine.
 These systems use the same IP technology
that powers business data networks.
 IP-Audio eliminates the discrete-wiring
model used since the dawn of radio.
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What is IP-Audio Routing
 It’s not Internet audio!
 Uses switched Ethernet
 48 kHz / 24-bit uncompressed audio
 Delivers real-time audio with guaranteed
QoS
 Routes machine logic, PAD, custom
backfeedsalong with audio sourceElement
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Why are IP-Audio Networks
considered to be the future of
the broadcast plant?
 IP Audio networks enable broadcasters
to cut costs by using a common
transport mechanism for audio, control,
messaging, and other data traffic such as
files and e-mail and VoIP phones.
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Why are IP-Audio Networks
considered to be the future of
the broadcast plant?
 IP-Audio networks provide broadcasters
the flexibility to grow and change at will.
Traditional systems lack this flexible
connectivity.
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IP-Audio Defined
 What is IP-Audio?
 Digital audio over Ethernet
 Designed to replace bulky cables
 Provides converged audio and data paths
 Enables source sharing between multiple
studios, stages or locations
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IP-Audio, Like VoIP?
“Isn’t that like VoIP?”
 IP-Audio Differences:
 High bit-rate, full fidelity
 Isochronous and multi-channel
 High-reliability
 Guaranteed QoS
 Low latency
 No packet loss
 Linear, uncompressed audio
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Why not AES/EBU?
• Dead end: No development for 15 years.
• One channel, one way.
• Soldered XLR connectors.
• No significant data capability.
• Low volume, expensive.
• Routing requires complex hardware.
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Standard Ethernet Protocols
 QoS (Quality of Service)
 STP (Spanning Tree Protocol)
 IGMP (Internet Group Management
Protocol)
 UDP (User Datagram Protocol)
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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 Audio Routed
 Low cost mass market Ethernet switches offer this function.
 Since their function is to direct packets from port to port, we
can use them to move our signals from whatever source to
whatever destination we want.
 Simple, flexible, facility-wide audio routing system, almost
for free.
 Goodbye to racks of distribution amps or expensive
proprietary main frame router.
 An audio source entered into the system from any point
becomes available for any number of receiving destination.
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High-Performance Sound Card
Replacement
Soundcard emulation driver directly packs /
unpacks audio to / from system Ethernet.
• No hardware needed.
•
• Balanced I/O with more than 100dB dynamic
range, < 0.005% distortion, headroom to
+24dBu, etc.
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• It make excellent multi-channel “soundcards”
for professional applications.
High-Performance Sound Card
Replacement
• Sound card problems such as noise and multiple
conversions are avoided-audio remains in digital form
from the PC’s files to the network with no alteration
or degradation.
• With so much audio in radio stations being either
played from computers or recorded into computers, it
is a tremendous advantage.
• Thus lowering cost and eliminating conversion steps.
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Fidelity
 Internet streams are usually compressed for transmission
over public links with limited, variable bandwidth and low
reliability.
 But in Broadcast Ethernet Networked studio, audio is not
compressed- it uses studio grade 48khz/24-bit-PCM
encoding.
 Dynamic range more than 100dB, <.005% THD, and
headroom to +24dbu.
 LANs offer a safe, controlled environment, no risk of audio
drop-outs from network problems and plenty of bandwidth
for many channels of high-quality audio without
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compression.
Convergence
 IP is growing as a universal transport for almost any kind
of signal.
 It is now in television studios, business teleconferencing,
government communications, banking, etc.
 PBX companies like Lucent, Nortel, Mitel, Alcatel, and
Siemens have plunged into IP transport for their telephone
products.
 An Ethernet network being used for audio in broadcast
studio may be shared with any other data like computer
data, telephone, audio, and control on a single network
and this will use computer/telephone industry standard
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wiring.
How IP-Audio works:
 An
Ethernet switch becomes an audio
router.
 Advertises
audio sources to receivers.
 All sources available everywhere.
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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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Nodes in Studios
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How IP-Audio works:
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To LAN
192.168.2.30
Each audio source is given a channel number.
Each node is assigned an IP address for
identification and routing purposes
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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:
Studio A
Studio B
Studio C
Each studio’s local Ethernet switch is connected
to the other rooms via core switches or daisychain
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How IP-Audio works:
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Complete Studio
Network Multiple Studios.
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HOW IP-AUDIO WORKS
By integrating IP-Audio interfaces into
equipment, installations are greatly
simplified
 Compared to traditional multi-line broadcast
phone systems, an IP-Audio based system
requires only a single Ethernet connection –
simplifying installation
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HOW IP-AUDIO WORKS
By integrating IP-Audio interfaces into
equipment, installations are greatly
simplified
 With an IP-Audio based computer delivery system, audio
travels to the network via the computer’s NIC card –
without soundcards, multiple audio lines, or
D/A/D conversion
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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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Audio over Ethernet/IP:
Why Is It So Good?
•
•
•
•
•
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Supported by huge R&D from the computer and
telephone worlds.
Common, universal wiring.
As with PCs, volume brings performance,
variety, and low-cost.
Learn one system, then you understand audio,
phones, and data.
AIR has already invested in huge infrastructure
of CAT 6 networked modern PC network at all
stations.
Audio over Ethernet/IP needs:
•
•
•
•
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100% Reliability.
Low Delay.
One-to-many Routing.
Source Advertising.
Reliability
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•
•
•
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Each node “owns” entire link.
Full Duplex.
Switched.
Cannot exceed link capacity.
Modern Ethernet’s Priority System.
Lets you combine audio, control, and data
traffic on the same network, with no audio
dropouts.
Input
Port
Classify
High-priority Queue
Input
Port
Mux
Classify
Low-priority Queue
Output Section per Port
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Output
Port
Delay- Latency
 In broadcast studio, we are very much concerned
about the audio delay in the microphone-toheadphone path for live announcers.
 Packetizing audio for network transmission causes
delay.
 Internet audio delay is often multiple seconds
because the receiving PCs need long buffers to ride
out network problems and the delays inherent in
multiple-hop router paths.
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Delay- Latency
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Delay
Effect
1-3 ms
Undetectable
3-10 ms Audible shift in voice
character
comb filter effect
10-30 ms
A slight echo turning to obvious
slap at 25-30ms
30-50 ms Disturbing echo,
disorienting the announcer
> 50 ms Too much delay for live
monitoring
With fast Ethernet switching on a
local network, it is possible to achieve very low
delay.
Delay Problem being solved
 Short packet length.
Short packets require less buffer time.
 Low jitter = small buffers.
Low jitter means timely packet delivery.
Timely delivery means no buffering required.
To achieve low jitter, every node has a
sophisticated sync method using an
extremely precise PLL.
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APPLICATIONS:
Interchangeable Studios
 For years, broadcasters have built “Mirror” studios for
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interchangeable use, but…
 Taking any room to air as needed presents logistical
challenges with traditional hardwired systems.
 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
APPLICATIONS:
Simple Scalability
 Hardwired facilities are not amenable to growth
 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:
Quick Changes
 With router/switchers, making system changes or
additions can prove difficult
• Routers is limited in terms of capacity
• IP-Audio networks solve this problem
because they are both scalable and
modular
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APPLICATIONS:
Progressive Buildouts
IP-Audio network’s 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:
Painless Configuration/Documentation
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
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APPLICATIONS:
Remote Administration and Control
Since all parts of an IP-Audio network have
assigned IP addresses, the ability to
remotely administer the system is built in
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Benefits – IP Audio
 Simplified and unified cabling
 No multiple conversions.
 Integrated data means you are ready for synchronized
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text and metadata.
Tighter integration with delivery systems means that
mixing, scheduling, and playing can work together.
Low-cost power.
Surround-ready.
Provisions for Redundancy.
Resource sharing is so easy.
Codec, Audio Processors, STL , EPABX, CCTV, all are
coming as IP enabled. For their efficient use, it is most
essential to timely changeover technology for studios too.
CONCLUSION
The numerous operational benefits of IPAudio networking have been and are being
continuously proven by professional
broadcasters around the world each and
every day.
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