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Digitally Networked
Audio: Converging IT
with Audio Visual
With IT becoming indispensable to enterprises across
a range of verticals, the broadcasting industry is no
exception. Digitally networked audio is a shining
example of how technology can replace outdated
systems, eliminating a large amount of cabling and
offering cost savings and quicker installation.
F
ed up with running troublesome
analogue cables and battling against
the associated big, bulky boxes? The
good news is with a networked audio setup,
physical conne ctions become irrelevant since
they are replaced by software controls.
Ryan Burr, Head of Technical Sales and
Application Engineering, System Solutions
at Sennheiser Middle East, tells us about the
benefits of Digitally Networked Audio.
Traditional vs digital
One of the most promising trends in the audio
sector in recent years has been the emergence
of digital audio networking. Traditional
analogue distribution systems are plagued
by an inherent complexity i.e. the logical and
physical connections are one in the same.
This has meant that building complex
and flexible audio distribution systems is
expensive and difficult, raising complications
such as requiring large amounts of copper
cabling, separate conduits for signals of
differing voltages and other complexities.
No matter how you do the math, running
analogue cable is just plain troublesome.
Today IT is indespensible to any
organisation and connectivity is as much of
a basic amenity as running water. Businesses
already have robust network cabling
infrastructures in place which are being
leveraged for their communication, data
transfer, control and security requirements.
In this modern environment, it is no wonder
www.intelligentcio.com
then that the topic of digitally networked
audio is generating such attention.
This innovative approach lets you build
flexible audio installations by offering
utilising industry standard CAT-5 networking
equipment instead of far more expensive
and typically error-prone analogue cables.
Not just this, networked audio helps
eliminate the challenges of having to plan
the audio cabling around existing utility
structures and architectural hurdles as it
allows for the utilisation of the network that
is already in place.
It’s all about the money
Besides the immediate cost reductions
brought about by the elimination of a large
amount of cabling (even shielded cabling can
be swapped out for its cheaper unshielded
counterpart), labour and expensive analogue
signal processing equipment, there are also
long term operational savings brought about
by networked AV. As there is no longer a need
for big, bulky boxes, which are hard to move
and constantly in danger of being damaged
and accidentally reconfigured, the cost of
ownership drops.
INDUSTRY WATCH
This approach calls for significantly less
cabling, fewer connectors and simplified
system design which in turn translates
to fewer points of failure and shorter
installation timeframes. And with the
availability of Power over Ethernet (PoE)
equipment, even the hassle of having to wire
the system to a power outlet is eliminated.
Rapid expansion
In a networked audio setup, the physical
connections become irrelevant since by
using software controls, audio inputs can be
dynamically routed from any input device to
any output system, so long as they are both
connected on the network.
With a networked audio solution, you
can disconnect, reconnect, route and
reroute connections via software,
meaning all modifications can be done
without even touching a single cable.
And while expansions might call for a
new switch or two to be added, its still far
more straightforward than running new
analogue connections.
Factors promoting adoption
So with all the evident benefits, is networked
audio right for you or your customer? Well, as
with any audio installation, the solution still
needs to be dictated by system requirements
rather than by industry buzzwords.
Ease of installation This approach will no doubt favour some
organisations more than others, but one of
the main reasons why digitally networked
audio hasn’t yet completely overtaken
analogue is the cost. Today however, the
price difference has begun to erode due
to the standardisation of protocols which
has introduced more choice into the
market. Equipment can be swapped out
far more easily thus protecting long terms
investments and safe-guarding against
vendor lock-in.
With networked audio, you can get rid of a
number of concerns that plague analogue
implementations. Installers can swap their
soldering irons, metal connectors and testing
equipments for far more simple RJ-45 clips
and network cable crimping tools. Digitally networked audio is what customers
are now asking for. They have already
invested in IT cabling infrastructure and their
confidence in the security and reliability of
these networks has encouraged them to ask
why audio too can’t be a part of this. n
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