Barix combines low-cost audio transmission via both IP and EtherSound infrastructures in one device

Barix AG, a pioneer in IP-based audio, intercom, control, and monitoring, announces that it has integrated the ES-100/spkr EtherSound technology into its Exstreamer and Annuncicom product lines. Back at the end of January, Barix presented test firmware for its intelligent Exstreamer 100 audio decoder to test the functions in the EtherSound implementation. Standard firmware with EtherSound support for all Exstreamer and Annuncicom products will follow in the first half of 2008. The EtherSound function can already be relicensed for devices in the -100 series and will soon be released for all standard products.

ES-100/spkr is a subset of Digigram’s EtherSound standard, which defines an affordable implementation of the EtherSound transmission standard for “output-only” devices. Options include audio uploading and daisy-chain connectivity. The benefits of EtherSound have been retained: guaranteed ultra-short time lags and outstanding audio quality. These technical qualities have made EtherSound technology the de-facto standard for audio transmissions with live requirements for use in the studio, on stage and in other environments. The EtherSound ES-100/spkr model now enables the production of affordable “end-points”, including EtherSound-enabled loudspeakers, and opens up new markets for EtherSound in bringing sound to private and public spaces, such as stadia, museums, movie theaters, stages, etc. Barix is a Digigram franchise holder for ES-100/spkr.

“By integrating ES-100/spkr EtherSound technology in our product range, we can open up new markets both for EtherSound and for Barix,” says Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and founder of Barix AG. “Our dually equipped decoders give our customers flexible and affordable solutions in audio distribution at hand.” Depending on requirements, the new models in the Exstreamer and Annuncicom product line can be used in both EtherSound and IP environments.

OEM manufacturers included
In addition, Barix offers original equipment manufacturers that use or plan to use Barix IP audio modules the opportunity to fit their products with ES-100/spkr. The implementation of EtherSound in Barix IP modules, realized for the first time in the software, now means that OEMs can equip their devices simply and above all affordably for operation in both EtherSound networks and in IP infrastructures. “Barix is the first Digigram licensing partner to realize the decoding of EtherSound based on a microcontroller in the software,” explains Rietschel. “The resulting cost advantages and the added flexibility over a hardware implementation now benefit our OEM customers too.”
The dual technology basis opens up new markets to Barix, its OEM partners and Digigram in security, transport and audio sound systems.

Background to ES-100/spkr and EtherSound
EtherSound has been designed for high-quality applications in sound transmission as required in studio environments, for example. ES-100 transmits on up to 64 audio channels on a standard 100MBit Ethernet network. A special feature is its low, guaranteed latency in the microsecond range. To ensure a simpler and more affordable implementation at the output end, Digigram has defined ES-100/spkr as a subset of the EtherSound standard - which is compatible with the existing ES-100 and ES-Giga technologies. In contrast to previous EtherSound standards, ES-100/spkr does not include the option of connecting several output devices in daisy-chain and thus devices using it cannot take on an audio-source function.
For the first time, Barix has implemented ES-100/spkr at great cost savings in a commercially-available microcontroller. At the same time, ES-100/spkr offers the same scope of control and management functions offered by ES-100 and ES-Giga.

Barix AG, Seefeldstrasse 303, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland; info@barix.com, www.barix.com, Phone: +41 43 43322 11, Fax: +41 44 2742849

Agentur Lorenzoni GmbH, Public Relations, Beate Lorenzoni; www.lorenzoni.de; beate@lorenzoni.de, ph: +49 (0)8122 / 5591722

About Barix AG (www.barix.com)
Barix AG, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, specializes in the research, development and manufacture of IP-based audio and data distribution, communication, monitoring, control, and automation hardware solutions for commercial, industrial, security and military applications. Barix’s smart, reliable, compact, stand-alone components stream and communicate over standard network infrastructure and Internet, for local or worldwide networked solutions, eliminating the need for extra wiring and PCs. Barix provides customers with a wide range of additional services, including private labeling, licensing and OEM engineering.

This release was published on openPR.