  Few
technologies have raised as big a buzz in the audio industry in recent
memory as networked audio: with digital audio compression formats now
commonplace, audio distribution via networks has unleashed a fantastic
array of new possibilities. These can both inspire and scare audio engineers
who have long viewed the IT industry as having little to do with the
professional audio industry, but the options offered by
networked audio opens up a world of new applications that can extend an audio
engineer’s palette of working methods. With the generous assistance of
Digigram, a leader in network audio technologies, a seminar was held on
November 12, 2002 when 29 AES members and guests gathered at the
Philippines and Indonesia function rooms in the luxury Hilton International
Hotel on Orchard Road to hear about “Networked Audio
Technologies”.
Mr.
Paul Lee Thiam Seng, Sales Director of Digigram, presented a
comprehensive analysis and explanation of the history of networking and the possibilities
it offers today. His colleague, Mr. Christopher Wu,
Senior Support Engineer of Digigram, joined in answering questions from the
attendees. Prior to the beginning of the presentation, light refreshments
were served as the early bird attendees were given close-up demonstrations of
several network audio configurations that have real-world uses; this
involved various Digigram components linked by simple CAT5 cabling. With the
attendees seated, the seminar began.
Lee started with a brief history the underlying
technologies and standards of Ethernet networking before getting into the
substance of his presentation: how network technology and digital audio have
grown closer since their inceptions to the point now where the two offer
powerful combinations in real-world situations. The main advantages of using
networked audio, according to Lee, are program content, efficiency, control
and device monitoring and Ethernet technology now offers audio engineers new
options when working with audio distribution. In a simple example, Lee
explained how cabling costs in a stadium could be reduced by over 95%
through the use of inexpensive CAT5 cabling instead of traditional audio cables.
Lee went on to discuss networked audio solutions for
real-world applications, including point-to-point streaming of audio, IP
point to multipoint streaming, point to multipoint audio distribution over
Ethernet and multipoint to multipoint real-time audio distribution over
Ethernet. Each solution was demonstrated in real-time, with the audience
invited to ask questions as the music used for the demonstration started to
play out from networked playback units. Digigram equipment was used in the
demonstration and included their NCX networked audio management
software, HitPlayer-L networked audio device and Digigram’s
patent-pending EtherSound that enhances established technologies to
provide easy-to-implement, high-quality audio networks. The powerful options
included in networked audio solutions, like remote volume control, were
previewed.
The example of music playback in a shopping mall was used
to show how each solution could be applied to solve specific audio
distribution requirements. Lee covered the various drawbacks of each
system, such as cabling failure producing cascading distribution problems,
although he was quick to point out various ways to minimize these risks.
Of great interest to all audio engineers when considering
installation of audio distribution equipment is the issue of future
proofing. This issue was addressed, first from the standpoint of the
long-term viability of current encoding formats like MPEG-1 Layer III and the
case for Advanced Audio Coding was put forward, especially how it fits into the
triangle of audio, control and connectivity for a system concept that is
future proof. Peak Audio's Cobranet, which distributes uncompressed
real-time digital audio over a Fast Ethernet network, was also discussed.
With the presentation material covered (supplied in
printouts to attendees as well as a downloadable file via this website), the question and answer session was
lively. For many of the attendees, the seminar helped to shed light on
the added options that networked audio offers in their
day-to-day working lives and detailed questions on hardware and
software capability were raised and answered.
With the Q&A concluded, the group gathered for a photo.
Many stayed on to ask more questions as well as examine the networked audio
demonstrations set up in the function room. The AES Singapore Section wishes
to thank Digigram Pte Ltd for their generous support in making this seminar
possible.
|
Pictures |
|
|
 |
|
Mr. Paul Lee of Digigram addresses the attendees of the
"Networked Audio Technologies" seminar |
 |
|
A group shot of the attendees with Mr. Paul Lee and Mr.
Christopher Wu, 4th and 5th respectively from the right, front row. |
|
