Exstreamer encoder/decoders and Barionet I/O controller enable reliable IP-based distribution of syndicated live radio programming with advertising triggers

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, June 26, 2017 — Expanding its reach beyond its Internet streaming roots to terrestrial radio, lifestyle and relationship-themed Living Sexy Radio Network (LSRN, www.livingsexyradio.com) has selected Barix Audio over IP devices to distribute its live programming to a growing array of broadcast affiliates.

LSRN launched in 2014 as a 24/7 online radio station, streaming music alongside original content. The network’s flagship program, the nightly two-hour Connections hosted radio show, discusses relationship topics including sexuality for listeners spanning a variety of demographics and lifestyles.

When LSRN CEO Frank Befera—a 30-year radio engineering veteran—set out to expand the company’s scope in 2016 by syndicating Connections to terrestrial affiliates, he immediately recognized that their original software-based streaming solution would no longer be adequate.

“With Connections’ ‘edgy’ subject matter, there was nothing else like it on conventional radio,” explained Befera. “We knew that in addition to assuring affiliates that the content would be compelling and tasteful, we would also need better technical infrastructure and equipment to meet their standards. The software we were using was limited in functionality, and wasn’t reliable enough for this caliber of distribution.”

Looking for the best IP audio encoding and streaming hardware he could find to cost-efficiently support multipoint distribution, Befera learned of Barix from a trusted colleague and was quickly convinced. “Barix is the industry standard,” he said. “When we tell a potential broadcast affiliate we’re using Barix equipment, they don’t need to ask any more questions. They know what it is and that it’s dependable, and it immediately reinforces to their engineers that you’re a professional operation.”

Befera is complimentary of the support provided by Barix and U.S. distributor LineQ, who worked closely with LSRN to deploy the application-optimized firmware variant best suited to the station’s needs. “Support is always crucial for a professional product that your business depends on,” he said. “Through LineQ, I have access to technical experts, and I love that I can get the support I need, any time I need it. Also, when I met the Barix folks at the NAB Show, it was clear they’re passionate about their product and love what they do. That’s exactly the type of company I want to do business with.”

LSRN went live on its first terrestrial affiliate—WWPR 1490AM in the Tampa Bay, Florida area—in the summer of 2016, using a Barix Exstreamer 500 encoder/decoder at the studio to distribute the stream and an Exstreamer 100 decoder at the affiliate station to receive it. LSRN is now heard by more than 2 million people worldwide each month online, and is syndicated on both AM and FM terrestrial radio in the U.S., with iHeartMedia-owned Real Radio 104.1 in Orlando as LSRN’s largest affiliate. Barix Exstreamer 100s receive and decode the broadcast content at each affiliate endpoint.

To help monetize the program network-wide, ad insertion triggers are sent through the Barix devices alongside the 192Kb/s MP3 audio stream, enabling affiliates to replace network commercials with local ad spots. Ad timing from the studio’s Mac-based RadioLogik automation system is adjusted via AppleScript to accommodate LSRN’s seven-second profanity delay, with cues output from the Mac via USB. The architecture even incorporates Barix’s IP control intelligence, using a Barionet 50 programmable I/O control device to receive the Mac signal and close a contact on the Exstreamer to send the ad trigger.

Befera’s favorite attribute of LSRN’s Barix deployment has been its consistent reliability. “The Barix units just work,” he said. “Plug them in, turn them on, configure them, and I don’t ever have to think about them again – I know they’re just going to work”.

LSRN also highlights the Exstreamer 100’s cost-effectiveness and ease of deployment as ideal for building out an affiliate network. “The units are perfect for budget-conscious distribution,” he explained. “We can set up a new affiliate inexpensively with no additional studio equipment cost, and the affiliate engineers already know how to set up and configure the decoder units. If they do need help, I can access their Barix unit’s web interface remotely to assist them.”

While LSRN plans to deploy more Barix units to support on-location broadcasts and link remote studios, their existing usage has already delivered tangible business benefits. “The reliable stream delivery of the Barix devices has been essential in enabling us to partner with terrestrial affiliates, which in turn has driven our rapid growth,” Befera concluded.

Barix: We Move Audio (www.barix.com)

Barix supplies simple and reliable solutions and components to systems integrators and end users worldwide.  We move high-quality audio across IP networks, adding value to customer solutions for more than a decade with hundreds of thousands of devices installed worldwide.  Background music distribution with dynamic advertising insertion for retail shops, bars and hotels; public address solutions for schools and public spaces; and intercom and entry systems for facility surveillance, protection and security are among the many applications of Barix solutions.  Barix also supports OEM projects for a number of Global 500 listed companies serving many industries worldwide.

About LineQ

LineQ is a full-service distributor specializing in complete Audio over IP solutions, with a complete portfolio of premium, networked end point solutions from IP audio specialist Barix, pro AV specialist Ecler and Cornered Audio loudspeakers; and key partnerships with streaming and software companies to ensure rock-solid multipoint content distribution for in-store radio and other IP delivery systems. LineQ’s customized approach ensures tailored systems to meet the needs of systems integrators and end users in the Pro AV, broadcast and security markets. LineQ’s experience in retail, corporate, transit and education further differentiates its position as an expert solutions provider for an array of businesses and organizations.  Additionally, LineQ’s unique Digital Product Manager software simplifies ordering, design, installation and maintenance in the field through an intuitive, easy-to-use mobile app. Visit www.lineq.com or e-mail sales@lineq.com for more information.

Redundix strengthens error resiliency in IP-based studio-to-transmitter link (STL) connections, with dual-stream options for robust delivery and reliable program quality

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, April 12, 2017 — At the 2017 NAB Show, IP audio and control pioneer Barix will introduce Redundix, a new solution for radio broadcasters that automatically corrects glitches over IP STL connections that affect on-air signal quality.  The next-generation Barix Audio over IP solution provides customers with a complete hardware solution and an optional managed service that optimizes audio quality in non-optimal transport environments.

Redundix adds resilience to IP-based transport by either time-delaying two streams on the same network, and/or sending a redundant stream over a separate path. On the receiving side, Redundix repairs lost packets in the stream caused by transport network imperfections using the time or path redundant streams. The result is better audio quality because lost packets are repaired, and audible imperfections are significantly reduced.

Importantly, Redundix allows broadcasters to continue using their existing codecs in most cases, protecting investments and reducing initial capital expensive. The cost-efficient Redundix hardware, which sits between the encoding and decoding device, can be purchased outright or rented along with a secure streaming service for a nominal monthly fee. The Redundix hardware is interoperable with any codec that supports RTP streams, ensuring broadcasters have an abundance of installation options.

“Redundix offers a cost-effective and efficient way to greatly reduce the impact on audio quality caused by issues on the transport layer for STL and other Audio over IP appplications,” said Johannes G. Rietschel, Founder and CTO, Barix. “Redundix, like the Barix IP STL solution, can be self-configure. For total peace of mind, broadcasters can offload configuration and management as part of the Reflector Service provided by our partner, StreamGuys. We are excited to bring this innovation to market as we evolve our product and services portfolio to reduce costs, enhance security, and improve stream availability and uptime for the radio broadcaster.”

Barix will demonstrate Redundix and its Audio over IP codec family at the LineQ stand at the 2017 NAB Show, which takes place April 24-27. LineQ, Barix’s chief distribution in the United States, will exhibit these Barix and other audio solutions at Booth C1139.

Barix: We Move Audio (www.barix.com)

Barix supplies simple and reliable solutions and components to systems integrators and end users worldwide.  We move high-quality audio across IP networks, adding value to customer solutions for more than a decade with hundreds of thousands of devices installed worldwide.  Background music distribution with dynamic advertising insertion for retail shops, bars and hotels; public address solutions for schools and public spaces; and intercom and entry systems for facility surveillance, protection and security are among the many applications of Barix solutions.  Barix also supports OEM projects for a number of Global 500 listed companies serving many industries worldwide.

About LineQ

LineQ is a full-service distributor specializing in complete Audio over IP solutions, with a complete portfolio of premium, networked end point solutions from IP audio specialist Barix, pro AV specialist Ecler and Cornered Audio loudspeakers; and key partnerships with streaming and software companies to ensure rock-solid multipoint content distribution for in-store radio and other IP delivery systems. LineQ’s customized approach ensures tailored systems to meet the needs of systems integrators and end users in the Pro AV, broadcast and security markets. LineQ’s experience in retail, corporate, transit and education further differentiates its position as an expert solutions provider for an array of businesses and organizations. Visit www.lineq.com or e-mail sales@lineq.com for more information.

Cost-effective Exstreamer 500 devices exceed expectations while linking studio, transmitter and remote production sites for recently-launched low-power FM station

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, March 28, 2017 — For hundreds of low-power FM (LPFM) community radio stations across the United States, clearly and reliably bringing insightful local programming to their listeners is paramount. When independent broadcaster Las Vegas Public Radio Inc. hit the airwaves last year, it selected Barix Audio over IP devices – distributed in the U.S. by LineQ – for its studio-to-transmitter link (STL) and to connect its main studio with remote production locations.

Founded by President and CEO Greg LaPorta with a vision of serving as “The People’s Voice of Las Vegas”, Las Vegas Public Radio began broadcasting over the air as KIOF-LP 97.9FM in February 2016. Reaching listeners locally from its 100-watt transmitter site and globally over the Internet, the station aims to promote community-related issues, local culture, tourism and entertainment while creating opportunities for young people to learn about the radio business. KIOF-LP’s programming includes news, public affairs, local sporting events, call-in shows, cultural content, music and more.

When selecting equipment for the new station’s STL, quality and dependability were LaPorta’s primary criteria, with affordability also a key factor. “Staying on the air and delivering a great listening experience are most important, but as a non-profit startup, cost also had to be a consideration for us,” he explained. “We looked at an old-style POTS (telephone system based) STL approach, but it would have been too expensive for our startup budget and wouldn’t have met our quality goals.”

Having read articles in broadcast journals about other stations’ success with Barix equipment, LaPorta decided to test an IP-based STL. “Barix has a great name among radio stations large and small, with lots of positive reviews about the stability of their units,” he said. “Prior to trying the Barix devices, we did have some initial reluctance about using IP-based audio over the Internet, particularly in terms of reliability and quality degradation across the uncontrollable public network. But our testing with Barix put those concerns to rest very early in the process – we were very impressed with the results.”

LaPorta selected the Barix Exstreamer 500 model as providing the best combination of capabilities and cost-effectiveness for the station’s needs. One Exstreamer 500 encodes audio from the main studio and control room for transport to the transmission tower site, where it is decoded by a second such unit. An additional pair of Exstreamer 500s delivers audio to the main studio from a second, remote production studio, with the off-site unit occasionally taken into the field for on-location remote broadcasts.

The remote studio and transmitter site use 25Mbps Internet connections from Cox Business, while the main studio, located on the sixth floor of an office tower, shares T1 and T3 connectivity with other companies in the building. The station’s 192Kbps MP3 streams are delivered to the transmitter location through the cloud-based Barix Reflector stream replication service – offered in partnership with StreamGuys – to maximise uptime in spite of the unpredictable nature of the studio’s communal connection. “The Barix units are very low-maintenance,” said LaPorta. “We generally only need to touch them when the building’s IT department makes significant configuration changes to our shared network.”

The audible benefits of the Barix units also continue to impress LaPorta and the station’s listeners. “The Barix units have exceeded our expectations for the audio quality they deliver,” he praised. “Barix’s digital signal processing and other advanced technologies do a fantastic job of maintaining great quality while overcoming the challenges and unpredictability of transport over the public Internet. Barix makes our station sound very rich over the air.”

Building on his satisfaction with Barix in the station’s first year on the air, LaPorta plans to add more Exstreamer 500 units as Las Vegas Public Radio increases its remote productions and expands with more studios, as well as converting its Internet stream encoding to Barix equipment. “We swear by the Barix units,” he summarised. “They’re very well-built products that deliver great value. I would recommend Barix to any radio station looking for a cost-effective STL solution, whether they’re replacing legacy technology or just getting started.”

Barix: We Move Audio (www.barix.com)

Barix supplies simple and reliable solutions and components to systems integrators and end users worldwide.  We move high-quality audio across IP networks, adding value to customer solutions for more than a decade with hundreds of thousands of devices installed worldwide.  Background music distribution with dynamic advertising insertion for retail shops, bars and hotels; public address solutions for schools and public spaces; and intercom and entry systems for facility surveillance, protection and security are among the many applications of Barix solutions.  Barix also supports OEM projects for a number of Global 500 listed companies serving many industries worldwide.

About LineQ

LineQ is a full-service distributor specializing in complete Audio over IP solutions, with a complete portfolio of premium, networked end point solutions from IP audio specialist Barix, pro AV specialist Ecler and Cornered Audio loudspeakers; and key partnerships with streaming and software companies to ensure rock-solid multipoint content distribution for in-store radio and other IP delivery systems. LineQ’s customised approach ensures tailored systems to meet the needs of systems integrators and end users in the Pro AV, broadcast and security markets. LineQ’s experience in retail, corporate, transit and education further differentiates its position as an expert solutions provider for an array of businesses and organisations.  Additionally, LineQ’s unique Digital Product Manager software simplifies ordering, design, installation and maintenance in the field through an intuitive, easy-to-use mobile app. Visit www.lineq.com or e-mail sales@lineq.com for more information.

Exhibit will provide insight into how an interoperable solution across in-store music, advertising and electronic shelf labeling can drive stronger shopper engagement inside brick and mortar stores

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, February 15, 2017 — IP audio and control pioneer Barix continues to make in-roads into the global retail industry with SoundScape, its cloud-based solution for the management and distribution of background music and targeted advertising. For its debut at EuroShop (March 5-9, Messe, Dusseldorf, Germany), the world’s number one retail fair, the company will emphasize how SoundScape can further contribute to a broader in-store multi-sensory experience when integrated with one of the world’s most advanced and scalable wireless Electronic Shelf Labeling (ESL) system available today.

At Stand 7aB24, Barix will demonstrate how interoperability across SoundScape and Pricer’s Shelf-Edge Digital ESL solutions can optimize the in-store audio experience through multi-sensory shopper engagement. The solution will provide brick and mortar retail businesses with a flexible, wireless way to trigger blinking lights of electronic shelf labels upon delivery of a targeted advertisement. The seamless interoperability between the two valuable in-store services has been conceived specifically for the purpose of driving sales and interest by capturing the attention of shoppers in the aisles.

“Retailers must constantly re-invent themselves and adjust marketing strategies to optimize the in-store experience, and capture the attention of shoppers in an increasingly fractured retail marketplace,” said Reto Brader, vice president of sales and marketing, Barix. “This solution addressed the trend for integrated consumer engagement strategies that cross in-store layout, mobile phone interaction, and the traditional audio-visual experience. We believe this is clearly the way that retail technology will go, and Barix’ experience in targeted advertising delivery is an ideal match for Pricer’s innovative approach to electronic shop labeling. The result is a truly effective multi-sensory retail experience.”

SoundScape’s open and flexible Audio over IP platform simplifies interoperability with Pricer’s Shelf-Edge Digital ESL solutions. SoundScape is a web-based SaaS service that is easily configured to deliver audio on a specific schedule, including background music, voice announcements and targeted ads by location or department – all managed in the cloud for optimal efficiency. Barix retail clients in Europe include Coop Switzerland, REWE and Victorinox; the company also services small, medium and large-sized retailers in North America, Africa and the Asia-Pacific.

Pricer leverages infrared (IR) technology to deliver the speed and radio immunity required for reliable electronic shelf labeling. As both companies leverage wireless delivery architectures, Barix and PRICER are ideal partners to bring a reliable platform to retailers that successful marries audio and data for the benefit of driving in-store relationships between retailer and shopper.

“We feel this is a unique approach that provides a single attention-grabbing platform inside the store,” said Brader. “We are excited at the opportunity to showcase this solution at EuroShop with our friends at Pricer, and look forward to talking to retailers and installers from around the world throughout the show.”

About Pricer
Pricer AB, founded in Sweden in 1991, listed on the NASDAQ OMX Nordic, is the global leader in providing in-store shelf-edge digital solutions that enhance both store performance and the shopping experience. The increasingly feature-rich Pricer platform is crossing over to solve key store transformation challenges such as customer and employee guidance, task-to-light and order preparation. It is also evolving to support shelf-edge customer personalization, data capture and interpretation. Pricer works with the world’s top retailers, small and large alike: grocers, DIY., electronics and specialty stores. To date, Pricer has sold more than 140 million electronic shelf labels to 15,000 stores in over 50countries.

BARIX: Your innovator for Audio-over-IP solutions

BARIX is a worldwide leader in the Audio-over-IP technology. BARIX products run in thousands of installations around the globe, providing audio to hospitality, hotels and retail outlets. BARIX is highly involved in the development of new multisensory technologies and supports leading retailers in optimizing their instore experience. The company provides software and hardware solutions for local and distributed audio delivery applications. Easy to configure software solutions allows marketing depart-ments and content providers to implement an elaborate audio strategy with background music and voice announcements to provide an extensive shopping experience to the customer. In a world of multisensory awareness, BARIX is your partner for Audio-over-IP solutions.

Service provider MMX manages all content, including playlists and local ad insertions, from central offices while preserving bandwidth, minimizing costs and opening new revenue streams

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, November 7, 2016 — Audio over IP pioneer Barix is helping MMX In-Store Media, one of three arms comprising MMX Companies, efficiently manage and deliver music and advertising content to three retail businesses in Zimbabwe.

Using Barix’s SoundScape cloud-based platform, MMX In-Store Media has transitioned from an FTP-based playout system to a fully integrated streaming service that minimizes the costs and labor associated with long-distance, multipoint audio content delivery. The initial SoundScape deployment supports nearly 100 locations—including 60 branches of the TM Pick and Pay supermarket chain across Zimbabwe—with plans to scale to many additional locations as more clients sign on for the service.

The transition to SoundScape followed an effort to develop an IP-based delivery system in house. That effort was born out of need to reduce the costs of delivering in-store media content over satellite, which remains a popular yet expensive distribution platform in Africa.

“We worked with a developer who was keen on building something from the ground up, but the costs proved too high for all involved,” said Brendon Sole, director, MMX Companies. “We wanted a more flexible and less expensive alternative to satellite, and Zimbabwe actually has fairly good connectivity compared to the rest of Africa thanks to investment in fiber-optic links. We initially deployed Barix’s FTP-based system, which worked well, but our goal was a more cloud-based system with content management portal that was easy to configure and use. SoundScape was the answer to that goal.”

SoundScape has significantly improved visibility into the content lifecycle, according to Sole. “We see what is really going on with music delivery in the stores, and the scheduling of ads across various locations. It’s a very important tool for proving that ads are being delivered and broadcast. There is a clear record of reconciliation, as opposed to asking advertisers to trust that their spots are playing off a local USB stick. It’s much easier to sell ad space using SoundScape because of that proof of delivery.”

SoundScape is a fully integrated live and scheduled streaming service that brings together cloud-based content management, end point playout and global monitoring capabilities in a highly programmable, user-friendly package, and eliminates the complex integration and management of many different components to deliver branded audio to customers. Service providers like MMX In-Store Media can quickly launch a SoundScape service with a subscription and IP audio players at each end location, and immediately start reliably delivering music and advertising to restaurants, stores, hotels and public facilities. Barix’s upfront SaaS-based “pay as you go” price model, along with SoundScape’s infinite scalability, also ensures attainable long-term expansion goals are reachable while maintaining overall low total cost of ownership. Advanced features, which include dynamic ad insertion for each location, enable new revenue generating streams and an accelerated return on investment.

“The central benefit to SoundScape is efficiency; the ability to program playlists and make changes at the drop of the that across multiple stores and clusters is enormously helpful,” said Sole. “For example, we have an urban cluster and a rural cluster of stores, each with different demographics that require distinct music and ads – not to mention different languages. SoundScape makes it very easy to serve these different groups and clusters with targeted audio content. The reliability of Barix can also not be understated. The Exstreamer SoundScape IP audio players at the stores are built like a tank, with a futureproof design that will keep hardware costs minimal for many years.”

Moving forward, beyond extending the SoundScape network to additional locations, Sole expects to better leverage SoundScape’s extensive system monitoring capabilities, which provide detailed insight into performance down to each remote player. For now, he’s relying on system alerts within the central SoundScape portal, which help to support basic troubleshooting needs. He also hopes to utilize SoundScape’s live streaming capabilities in the future, as opposed to the purely schedule-based configuration of the initial deployment.

“While network connectivity is good, bandwidth remains quite expensive in Zimbabwe,” said Sole. “We intend to first utilize live streaming outside of peak hours, and eventually implement a live radio service for special events. We see a lot of opportunity to be creative with SoundScape in the future.”

Barix: We Move Audio (www.barix.com)

Barix supplies simple and reliable solutions and components to systems integrators and end users worldwide.  We move high-quality audio across IP networks, adding value to customer solutions for more than a decade with hundreds of thousands of devices installed worldwide.  Background music distribution with dynamic advertising insertion for retail shops, bars and hotels; public address solutions for schools and public spaces; and intercom and entry systems for facility surveillance, protection and security are among the many applications of Barix solutions.  Barix also supports OEM projects for a number of Global 500 listed companies serving many industries worldwide.

Barix Instreamer audio-over-IP encoders simplify delivery and recording of aircraft noise levels monitored across surrounding neighborhoods

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, November 30, 2016 — Centennial Airport (APA)—an international public use airport in the Denver/Aurora, Colorado metropolitan area—has shifted to Audio over IP as a simpler and more cost-effective means of monitoring aircraft-related noise and its effect on human life in adjacent vicinities. The multipoint system simplifies the gathering, recording and review of noise exposure data – ultimately for the benefit of maintaining and improving regional community and business relations.

Each Noise Monitoring Terminal (NMT) features a Brüel & Kjaer system with an integrated Barix Instreamer. The Instreamer encodes the aircraft noise captured at each NMT, and streams it over IP to a control center where it’s correlated with flight tracking information. These portable field NMTs are currently situated at 12 permanent, noise-sensitive sites throughout the surrounding communities, including two on the airport grounds. Two additional portable units can also be quickly deployed to specific locations, allowing Centennial operators to monitor noise levels in response to specific residential complaints.

“Before we obtained this noise monitoring technology, we didn’t have a direct way of correlating noise complaints with the actual aircraft in the air,” said Aaron Repp, Noise & Environmental Specialist for Centennial Airport, which is owned and operated by the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority. “Now, we can listen to audio recordings and study the data, including the duration and decibel level of monitored noise events, to verify if a particular noise was the direct result of specific flight activity in that area.”

Prior to deploying the NMTs, Centennial Airport was limited to just logging and tracking complaints, or calling upon nearby Denver International Airport to check their noise monitoring system. Having its own reliable, round-the-clock NMTs enables Centennial Airport’s noise monitoring team to maintain a detailed noise exposure database over time, and develop a five-year forecast of noise levels based upon the projected volume of airport traffic.

“Today, when we speak to local planning commissions and city councils about noise exposure in the airport vicinity, we’re no longer resorting to estimates of aircraft noise levels,” said Repp. With its rapidly growing population, the Denver metro typically sees a great deal of residential and commercial real estate development and construction.

“We can now support our case with hard facts and figures—and even furnish a historical perspective analyzing noise data in a particular area over a specified period of time,” added Repp. “Having concrete data like this is especially valuable to prospective home buyers and business owners that may wonder how much aircraft noise they’ll experience if they locate near this airport.”

Centennial proactively conducted its own “Centennial Airport Part 150 Noise Compatibility Program,” based on a voluntary FAA program that recommends guidelines for airport noise compatibility planning. Based on the study’s many recommendations, the APA applied for and received a $1.5 million grant to fund the Brüel & Kjaer NMT package, including the company’s subscription-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) for hosting and maintenance. Brüel & Kjaer also integrated the Barix Instreamer devices, distributed by LineQ in the United States, which have a proven record of reliability and simplicity in a wide range of real-time Audio over IP encoding and streaming applications.

“Live audio of noise events are picked up by the NMT microphone, and the Barix Instreamer streams it to a server that records the event. The recordings enable us to study noise exposure on a case by case basis, such as an unusually loud military flight,” said Michael Fronapfel, director of planning and development for Centennial Airport.

“As one of the busiest airports in the country, Centennial Airport contributes more than $1.4 billion to the local economy,” added Fronapfel. “This NMT technology helps us strike a balance between the needs of this regional airport and the noise exposure that local citizens experience as a result of its flight operations. More importantly, it’s been absolutely key to fostering a strong relationship with the residents and businesses in our local communities.”

About LineQ

LineQ is a full-service distributor specializing in complete Audio over IP solutions, with a complete portfolio of premium, networked end point solutions from IP audio specialist Barix, pro AV specialist Ecler and Cornered Audio loudspeakers; and key partnerships with streaming and software companies to ensure rock-solid multipoint content distribution for in-store radio and other IP delivery systems. LineQ’s customized approach ensures tailored systems to meet the needs of systems integrators and end users in the Pro AV, broadcast and security markets. LineQ’s experience in retail, corporate, transit and education further differentiates its position as an expert solutions provider for an array of businesses and organizations.  Additionally, LineQ’s unique Digital Product Manager software simplifies ordering, design, installation and maintenance in the field through an intuitive, easy-to-use mobile app. Visit www.lineq.com or e-mail sales@lineq.com for more information.

Barix: We Move Audio (www.barix.com)

Barix supplies simple and reliable solutions and components to systems integrators and end users worldwide.  We move high-quality audio across IP networks, adding value to customer solutions for more than a decade with hundreds of thousands of devices installed worldwide.  Background music distribution with dynamic advertising insertion for retail shops, bars and hotels; public address solutions for schools and public spaces; and intercom and entry systems for facility surveillance, protection and security are among the many applications of Barix solutions.  Barix also supports OEM projects for a number of Global 500 listed companies serving many industries worldwide.

Audio over IP system enables operational flexibility across multiple targeted paging zones, while ease of integration saves time, effort and cost

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, January 5, 2016 — In expansive community facilities, the ability to quickly and clearly notify and relay instructions to visitors during emergency situations is critical to public safety and security. When Long Island, New York integration firm Rapid Motion Technology deployed a new emergency paging system at a 100,000 square foot cultural and community center in Brooklyn this fall, they selected a Barix Audio over IP solution, supplied by its US distributor LineQ, to provide the flexibility, advanced functionality and installation efficiency the project required.

The community center features a swimming pool, gymnasium and fitness center, and hosts between 500 and 600 visitors at any given time across five floors plus a rooftop playground area. With no existing paging system in place, the center’s management set out to enhance visitor safety with a system to play pre-recorded audio messages throughout the building or to specific, targeted zones in the event of evacuations, fires, lockdowns or other emergency situations.

Brought into the project by Gleis Security Consulting, Rapid Motion Technology looked to an IP-based solution to overcome significant physical challenges. “The building had fully closed, Sheetrock ceilings, which made wiring difficult even within individual floors,” said Jason Hagler, CEO of Rapid Motion Technologies.  “With an Audio over IP solution, we were able to use the facility’s existing CAT6 network infrastructure, avoiding the extensive work that would have been needed to run feeds between floors.”

Having discovered Barix solutions at the ISC West security industry trade show a few years earlier, Hagler saw them as a perfect fit for the project. “Beyond the installation benefits, the Barix system also gave us the flexibility to easily send audio over the network, either anywhere or everywhere.”

In-depth conversations with LineQ quickly overcame Hagler’s initial hesitation about using IP-based audio over the existing network. “I was concerned about bandwidth impact on the customer’s other applications, but the Barix solution shares the LAN very well with other network traffic. It requires very little bandwidth, and LineQ worked closely with me to design the optimal configuration.”

Seven Barix Annuncicom PS1 desktop IP paging stations are distributed across the building’s five floors, rooftop area and central security office. Barix Exstreamer 100 IP audio decoders, located in equipment racks on each level, receive and decode the audio, which Clarity amplifiers by Valcom then feed to ceiling-mounted speakers.115 speakers are dedicated to paging, while integration between the Barix units and the building’s pre-existing, Clarity-powered background music system enables pages to override music playing over additional speakers.

Each Barix paging station can perform an ‘all call’ to every speaker throughout the building or target just specific areas assigned to that station, such as its own floor. “The Barix system makes it easy to configure targeted paging zones,” said Hagler. “We simply gave each Exstreamer receiving unit a static IP address, and specified the IP addresses that each Annunicom’s audio is directed to. And if the customer wants us to modify the mapping, we just add or change IP addresses, with no wiring required.”

The Barix solution saved the integrator and the community center both time and money. “Using IP audio saved close to a week that we would have spent coring through floors and running wiring, and saved our customer thousands of dollars on labor and materials.,” said Hagler. “The speakers took most of the installation time, but we had the Barix solution itself up and running in under six hours. It’s very user-friendly, and the technical support from Barix and LineQ is exceptional.”

Hagler was equally impressed with the end result. “Voice intelligibility is critical in this type of application, and the Barix audio is incredibly crisp,” he said. “From a timeliness standpoint, the delay from paging until it hits the speakers is less than 3 or 4 milliseconds – you don’t even realize there’s any delay at all. And for the customer, the system is easy to adjust or expand if their needs change. The Barix solution lived up to all of our expectations, and I’d definitely use it again.”

Barix: We Move Audio (www.barix.com)

Barix supplies simple and reliable solutions and components to systems integrators and end users worldwide.  We move high-quality audio across IP networks, adding value to customer solutions for more than a decade with hundreds of thousands of devices installed worldwide.  Background music distribution with dynamic advertising insertion for retail shops, bars and hotels; public address solutions for schools and public spaces; and intercom and entry systems for facility surveillance, protection and security are among the many applications of Barix solutions.  Barix also supports OEM projects for a number of Global 500 listed companies serving many industries worldwide.

About LineQ

LineQ is a full-service distributor specializing in complete Audio over IP solutions, with a complete portfolio of premium, networked end point solutions from IP audio specialist Barix, pro AV specialist Ecler and Cornered Audio loudspeakers; and key partnerships with streaming and software companies to ensure rock-solid multipoint content distribution for in-store radio and other IP delivery systems. LineQ’s customized approach ensures tailored systems to meet the needs of systems integrators and end users in the Pro AV, broadcast and security markets. LineQ’s experience in retail, corporate, transit and education further differentiates its position as an expert solutions provider for an array of businesses and organizations.  Additionally, LineQ’s unique Digital Product Manager software simplifies ordering, design, installation and maintenance in the field through an intuitive, easy-to-use mobile app. Visit www.lineq.com or e-mail sales@lineq.com for more information.

To be introduced at ISE 2017, the free downloadable Audio Signage firmware update supports multi-channel audio tracks for digital signage to mobile phones – without the need for a PC

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, January 9, 2017 — At the upcoming ISE 2017 in Amsterdam, Audio over IP pioneer Barix will update its Audio Signage platform with free firmware to deliver multiple audio tracks to single- or multi-screen digital signage installations. Barix will exhibit at Stand 8-N270 in the RAI Exhibition and Conference Center from February 7-10.

The Barix Audio Signage platform helps businesses and visitor attractions deliver audio associated with digital signage to mobile phones over a local Wi-Fi connection. The firmware update will run on a standard Barix Exstreamer Store & Play unit as opposed to an expensive PC-based system that is complicated to manage. The firmware is available for download at www.barix.com/downloads.

The updated Barix Audio Signage solution works for any location where digital signage needs the additional boost of streamed audio to effectively deliver its message.  Though previously simple and low-cost to support single-channel streams using the Barix Instreamer and a free Audio Signage mobile app, the second-generation Barix approach now solves the challenge of delivering multichannel streams as simply, quickly, and inexpensively as possible.

“Consider the case of a museum with three digital signage displays running, each with a unique audio track that is transmitted via Wi-Fi to mobile phone users,” said Reto Brader, vice president of sales and marketing, Barix. “The museum previously would have to buy and use a Linux PC to enable the delivery of channel information to the mobile app, in order to give access to all 3 audio streams via Wi-Fi, costing a minimum of $1000. Now, all they need is an Exstreamer Store & Play loaded with the new, free “Barix Audio Signage Info Server” firmware. With this new approach, the museum can provide multi-channel support for around $300 per installation, and will no longer require a PC in the system—greatly enhancing robustness and reliability.”

Barix Audio Signage is purpose-built to deliver audio streaming to mobile phones with very low latency, ensuring that audio tracks synchronize with digital signage content. This is why the single channel version of Audio Signage has already found wide acceptance in hotels and museums using digital signage. On its own, Audio Signage’s low-latency performance has made it a preferred choice for serving simultaneous audio translation streams at multi-lingual conferences and meetings.

Brader notes that the key challenge in deploying Audio Signage lies in the network configuration and Wi-Fi environment on location. He adds that given the straightforward nature of the Audio Signage platform, systems integrators can easily test and evaluate a facility’s network to ensure that Audio Signage works on the network’s current configuration, or whether its Wi-Fi capability requires strengthening.

“The beauty about the second-generation Barix Audio Signage approach is that the solution relies on Barix hardware that is very robust, easy to setup and exceptionally reliable,” said Brader. “All a client has to do is to purchase our hardware devices – in this case, a Barix Instreamer for each channel, and a Barix Exstreamer Store & Play to support multi-channel implementations. The firmware is downloadable to these devices, and the multichannel audio streaming service is ready to go. On the display of the mobile phone receiving the signals, the consumer simply clicks on the title of the stream they want to listen to, and the connection is made.”

Barix: We Move Audio (www.barix.com)

Barix supplies simple and reliable solutions and components to systems integrators and end users worldwide.  We move high-quality audio across IP networks, adding value to customer solutions for more than a decade with hundreds of thousands of devices installed worldwide.  Background music distribution with dynamic advertising insertion for retail shops, bars and hotels; public address solutions for schools and public spaces; and intercom and entry systems for facility surveillance, protection and security are among the many applications of Barix solutions.  Barix also supports OEM projects for a number of Global 500 listed companies serving many industries worldwide.

Android support for Simple Paging system, redundancy for PBX phones systems among Audio over IP advances for systems integrators and end users at ISE 2017

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, January 18, 2017 — At ISE 2017, Audio over IP pioneer Barix is showcasing its new Simple Paging App for Android phone users, plus its newly-released SIP-based support for redundant PBX systems. The two items are among many exciting products that Barix has brought to the ISE 2017 show in Amsterdam.

Barix is a leader in providing cost-effective paging and public announcement solutions that provide a variety of stand-alone or SIP–based VoIP solutions. At ISE in Amsterdam (Stand N-270), Barix will demonstrate how its SIP gateway can now allow registration with redundant PBX systems, the latest step in the company’s longstanding commitment to SIP integration. This level of support means that SIP-based telephone operators can register devices serving as their SIP client(s) to backup both their main and redundant PBX systems.

In providing this support, Barix is addressing the trend among VoIP-centric integrators to marry intercom, paging, and music-on-hold applications with SIP-enabled PBX telephone systems, providing systems integrators and end users with a centralized control and management platforms for virtually all communications. By enabling redundant streams with seamless switching, systems integrators also now have a more fully formed solution to maximize reliability and customer uptime in corporate and other business environments.

“Supporting redundant PBX systems is the next logical step and a natural progression in Barix’s long-running support for SIP integration with standard VoIP systems to support paging and intercom,” said Brader. “Our products also provide music on hold and messaging (MoH) for these phone networks, and we are constantly developing new products for this market in response to customer demand.” 

Simple Paging, first introduced at ISE 2015, gives systems integrators a way to cost-effectively transition schools and businesses to an IP paging and public address system that can additionally support background music, emergency notification and other services over a common network. Simple Paging also gives end users the flexibility of paging from a master paging station at a fixed location; or from a mobile phone while on the move using the Barix Simple Paging app. 

Previously only available for iOS devices, the Simple Paging App has now been developed and made available for Android users, and offers the same flexibility to broadcast a general announcement or time-sensitive alert to an entire facility or user-specified zones selected in real-time.

“Mobile phones are becoming central to how we manage our lives, both at work and at home,” said Reto Brader, Barix’s VP of Sales and Marketing. “The Android app now, along with an update for iOS10 devices, makes Simple Paging available for the large majority of mobile device users worldwide, an invaluable tool for controlling their announcement systems from anywhere at any time.” 

Further emphasizing Barix’s leadership in this area, Brader will give a presentation on Paging and Intercom in the Age of Mobile at ISE 2017. Brader will share his insights into trends and developments on this emerging topic, and put paging and intercoms into a 21^st century IP context for attendees in the Audio Theater on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 12pm local time. 

The Simple Paging App for Android and redundant PBX support are among many innovative Barix products that can be seen at ISE 2017. The trade show runs February 7-10, 2017 at the RAI Exhibition and Conference Centre in Amsterdam.

Barix: We Move Audio (www.barix.com)

Barix supplies simple and reliable solutions and components to systems integrators and end users worldwide.  We move high-quality audio across IP networks, adding value to customer solutions for more than a decade with hundreds of thousands of devices installed worldwide.  Background music distribution with dynamic advertising insertion for retail shops, bars and hotels; public address solutions for schools and public spaces; and intercom and entry systems for facility surveillance, protection and security are among the many applications of Barix solutions.  Barix also supports OEM projects for a number of Global 500 listed companies serving many industries worldwide.

IP audio and control visionary brings in new CEO and assumes the CTO role while reshaping the company for future growth

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, October 31, 2016 — Audio over IP pioneer Barix today announced that company founder Johannes Rietschel has returned to the company as CTO—just one of several executive-level changes as Barix prepares to introduce new product strategies and innovations to its many markets, including professional AV, broadcast, retail and security.

Rietschel founded Barix in 2001 upon anticipating the need to move audio and control signals over IP networks. The company has since shipped more than 300,000 Barix and private-labeled OEM hardware devices worldwide, and has more recently evolved into SaaS and managed services with SoundScape, its business music and advertising platform for retail, hospitality and other location-based businesses.

In recognition of this evolution, Rietschel has appointed Ivo Killer as Barix CEO. Ivo also serves as COO of Barix’s sister company, Qibixx. “Ivo has clearly demonstrated his strength in managing people and organizations, which dates to executive HR positions in the Financial Services as well as in the Telecom industry, since coming to Qibixx,” said Rietschel, who also serves as Qibixx CEO. “These strengths and his early success at Qibixx prove that he has the vision to lead and continue moving Barix forward.”

While Barix will continue to focus on its core markets stated above, Rietschel and Killer’s leadership positions at both companies will play a role in reshaping operations and product development. Barix recently closed its German office and moved its customer support, engineering and inside sales staff to Zurich. These resources will work closely with existing Qibixx teams on business and product development initiatives moving forward.

“Qibixx, being the main hardware supplier to TWINT, the Swiss mobile payment system, uses the most modern technologies including IPv6, Bluetooth LE and RFID to develop highly innovative mobile, wireless and beacon solutions for large projects,” said Killer. “While Barix will remain an independent, separate entity, we fully intend to leverage the forward-looking technology innovations and engineering resources of Qibixx to move Barix’s traditional and emerging businesses into the next phase. This includes new product launches and enhancements for audio contribution and distribution in broadcast radio, location-based music and advertising delivery, paging and intercom, and control and automation.”

Rounding out the executive level changes is the appointment of Joan Parrilla as VP Engineering. Parrilla has served as Product Manager for SoundScape since its initial development and launch in 2013. Additionally, Reto Brader, who joined Barix in 2015 as VP Sales, has been promoted to VP Sales and Marketing. Departing CEO Frank Frederiksen has left Barix as of the end of August.

“We thank Frank for his years of excellent service and wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Rietschel. “I’m excited to return to Barix, working closely with the greater executive team and the growing Barix staff to bring new and exciting innovations to market, and better serve our global systems integration, end user and OEM customer base.”

Barix: We Move Audio (www.barix.com)

Barix supplies simple and reliable solutions and components to systems integrators and end users worldwide.  We move high-quality audio across IP networks, adding value to customer solutions for more than a decade with hundreds of thousands of devices installed worldwide.  Background music distribution with dynamic advertising insertion for retail shops, bars and hotels; public address solutions for schools and public spaces; and intercom and entry systems for facility surveillance, protection and security are among the many applications of Barix solutions.  Barix also supports OEM projects for a number of Global 500 listed companies serving many industries worldwide.