Archives for October 1996

The SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) program moves into the audio spotlight at World Media Expo in Los Angeles today, with a strong paper session on “Audio: The Widescreen Experience”

The session is chaired by Ioan Allen of Dolby Labs, and it features presentations by a number of leading experts in applications of high-quality audio for film and video. Here’s the line-up:

• “Three-Way Loudspeaker Systems for Motion Picture Use,” presented by John Eargle and Mark Mayfield of JBL Professional, and David Gray of Dolby Labs
• “Artists and Engineers, Friends and Enemies,” Randy Thom of Skywalker Sound
• “The Influence of the Sound System Upon the Wide Screen Experience,” Michael Leader of Leader Acoustical Lab
• “Multichannel Sound Monitoring for Single-User Environments,” Tomlinson Holman of TMH Corp.
• “Red LED Reproduction of Cyan Stereo Variable Area Dye Tracks,” a panel discussion featuring Paul Goldberg (Zoran Corp), Ioan Allen (Dolby Labs), Frank Ricotta (Technicolor Inc.) and Richard Sehlin (Eastman Kodak)
• “Remote Dialog Replacement via ISDN,” Robert Winder and Michael Chewey of Warner Hollywood Studios

On the NAB program at World Media Expo, the Radio Show Luncheon will be headlined by country music star Dolly Parton. Parton, who is also a radio station owner, will give the keynote talk, and present the 1996 NAB National Radio Award to Edward F. McLaughlin, Chairman and CEO of EFM Media Management.

The award to McLaughlin recognizes his years of successful leadership and innovation at ABC Radio Network, where he was President from 1972 – 1986; and more recently at his own EFM Media.

ATI NanoAmp Series Mini-Mixers

Los Angeles, CA. Audio Technologies Inc. (ATI) introduced several new modules to its NanoAmp product line at World Media Expo here today.
A trio of mixers and input expanders heads the ATI new product list. The MX100 is an inexpensive three input mixer with low-noise balanced, switchable mic and line inputs, phantom power, and an adjustable headphone output. The main outputs are +22dBm, low distortion, capable of driving both balanced and unbalanced lines. The unit features XLR type connectors in and out, plus and bright 3-color LED metering.

ATI's NanoAmp MXS100 3-input stereo mixer

The NanoAmp XPS100 and XPS200 expanders add additional inputs to the MXS100. The XPS100 provides four panned mic/line inputs and stereo buss out; the XPS200 offers two stereo line level inputs and stereo buss out. Both units plug into the MX100 for power and audio output with included cables. Multiple XPS modules can be used with the MXS100 in stacked or horizontal desk and rack mount configurations.

List pricing for the new NanoAmp mixer modules is $799 (US) for the MXS100, $549 (US) for the XPS100, and $379 (US) for the XPS200.

ATI also introduced the NanoAmp L200 2-channel line amplifier; and the BGD200 2-channel meter display, with phase indicator and headphone outputs, available in both VU and PPM versions (list $329 US each).

Los Angeles, CA. Along with its customary array of video chain technology, Leitch Inc. is showing a new series of AES/EBU digital audio cards, interfaces and routers in their booth at World Media Expo. The audio series products, dubbed “AES Glue,” can be housed in the same frames as Leitch’s popular Digital Glue® products and inter-mixed with various modules.

The AES Glue line includes AES/EBU Audio Output Modules for Leitch’s DigiBus mounting frames (model 3160AO-S); the Digital Audio Reference Signal Generator (AES11-1993); AES/EBU Digital Audio Distribution Amplifiers (ADC-880, ADC-6880); and AES/EBU Digital-to-Analog (DAC-880, DAC-6880) and Analog-to-Digital Converters(ADC-880, ADC-6880); and a number of routing units, including the VIA? Digital Audio Switcher, and the X-plus™ AES/EBU Routing Module.

DigiBus AES/EBU Audio Output Module (Model 3610AO-S)

In addition to converting analog and digital signals, DigiBus supports both video and audio synchronization including audio embedding (multiplexing) and de-embedding (demultiplexing). The new AES audio output module may be added to a DigiBus frame to provide a cost-effective single function for outputting AES audio from a system, especially when demultiplexing.

AES11-1993 Digital Audio Reference Signal Generator

The Digital Audio Reference Signal Generator generates high-quality AES reference signals and test/alignment signals. The reference can be locked to composite video or AES2 signal, or it can be a free-running reference to AES11 Grade 2 performance. The generator outputs five or six AES11 Grade 2 reference signals at 44.1 or 48 KHz sample rates, and a one-word clock output. A sixth output is jumper-selectable to output any one of four signals.

AES-880 and AES-6880 AES/EBU Digital Audio Distribution Amplifiers

Leitch’s 110 and 75 ohm digital audio distribution amplifiers are differential input, eight-output units featuring cable equalization, data reclocking and contact closure output for remote error indication. Equalization and reclocking provide the ability to compensate for cable lengths exceeding 5,000 feet. Card-edge LED error indicators provide a quick and accurate assessment of the incoming signal integrity.

DAC-880 and DAC-6880 AES/EBU D-to-A and A-to-D Converters

Leitch claims exceptional digital audio conversion quality at unbeatable prices with these 20-bit converters. The units feature flat frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 KHz, dual outputs, and excellent linearity and signal-to-noise specifications. The dual outputs eliminate the need for DA’s after conversion and cut down on the amount of equipment and rack space needed. Both types of converters can be used in existing audio distribution amplifier frames or housed in the same frames as other Digital Glue products, allowing digital video and audio in the same frame.

VIA32 AES/EBU Digital Audio Routing Switchers

The VIA audio routers are available in both balanced and coax versions. They feature expansion capabilities up to 32×48 and 32×64 with additional frame and input distribution. These switchers can route any digital audio signal at any of the professional data rates such as 32, 44.1 and 48Khz. A wide-range of control options is availableas well, including Leitch’s Programmable Control Panels and Windows-based software.

AES Audio XPRESS Routing Switcher

Leitch’s XPRESS routers are designed for flexibility, to fit any production, broadcast or telecommunications monitor switching application. The new AES audio versions of the router include a serial video and AES combination; AES audio with 75ohm coax interface; AES audio with 110 ohm balanced interface; and AES only. They are compact, one-rack units with optional built-in analog video and analog audio monitoring output (this eliminates the need for external video and audio converters in installations where the XPRESS is used to feed a monitoring station).

ASR-8×8, 16×1 and 16×16 AES/EBU Routing Modules

The X-plus™ Series of routing switchers is a modular system featuring standard one- and two-rack unit mounting frames into which a wide range of modules can be installed such as AES/EBU 8×8, 16×1 and 16×16 sizes. Digital and analog, video and audio modules can be installed in the same frame and multiple frames can be combined to build complex multi-level systems.

The ASR-8×8 module requires one rear slot in an X-plus frame and receives both its computer controls and its power from the frame. With the 16×1 unit, a line-level analog stereo output provides a means for monitoring the digital audio. And with a secondary switching monitoring router, configurations of 64×1 to 4096×1 are possible. The X-plus ASR-16×16 can also be configured as two independent 8×8 routers or two 8×8 routers slaved together.