Barix Revolutionizes Program Audio Transport for Broadcasters with Reflector Service

August 20, 2010

Source: Barix AG

Barix AG, a pioneer in IP-based audio, intercom, control, and monitoring, is simplifying connections for program audio transport between studios and from studio-to-transmitter with a plug-and-play package that can have broadcasters on the air within minutes.

At IBC2010, Barix will demonstrate its new Reflector Service to international audiences for the first time (Booth 8.B16, RAI Exhibition Center, Amsterdam, September 10-14).

The Reflector Service simplifies audio transport connections between locations, and is paired with the company’s popular Audio over IP technology at the send and receive points. The hosted Reflector Service application serves as an online center to configure and monitor the audio transport bridge while also providing a straightforward relay of the audio feed.

The application dramatically simplifies installations for broadcasters relying on basic high-speed internet connections for studio-to-transmitter and point-to-multipoint distribution by eliminating firewall poking and costly static IP addresses that are difficult to configure.

The Reflector Service even eliminates basic router forwarding configuration, as the devices are automatically partnered following connection to the Reflector Service via the World Wide Web. Barix will pre-load the Reflector Firmware on the Exstreamer 500, a new low-cost version of the Exstreamer 1000 that specifically targets IP Audio applications in the broadcast market.

“Larger broadcast companies and broadcast engineers operating their own networks have found it easy to establish IP-based audio transport connectivity with our hardware,” said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix AG. “Many of our customers that use a basic internet connection to transport point-to-point audio have had challenges getting past firewalls and setting up static IP addresses.

The Reflector Service essentially auto-configures the devices over the internet and serves as an intermediary; the encoder forwards the program audio to the server and the decoder pulls the stream. It’s an out-of-the-box solution that greatly simplifies the setup process for our customers, also adding powerful 24/7 monitoring and statistics.”

Initial setup requires the user to sign up (visit www.barixreflector.com), plug in the two Exstreamer 500 devices and enter the unique MAC address for each device at the web page. After (optionally) selecting audio quality and adjusting audio levels, the auto-configuration process enables communication between the server and the two devices to begin streaming live audio within minutes.

The Exstreamer 500, like the Exstreamer 1000, is a professional Audio over IP device designed specifically for radio broadcasters, offering a one-half, 19-inch rack mount solution with encoding and decoding capability. Like the Exstreamer 1000 it also includes balanced inputs and outputs and a set of contact closure interfaces.

The Reflector Service is operated by StreamGuys, a professional hosting service provider with servers in the US, Europe and Japan. The monthly fee covers server usage, bandwidth and basic alarming/stream monitoring and is priced at $21.95 for a standard STL link.

All Barix products are inexpensive, low-power devices that are scalable to the growth of the operation; offer high reliability through a PC-FREE design with no moving parts; and serve as a flexible platform for integration into virtually any operation requiring audio transport and delivery over IP networks.

Barix also offers its programmable BCL standard open to all customers to easily customize applications for specific needs. Local control, audio relay, and low-latency streaming are a few examples of custom programs using Barix’ BCL software environment.

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