ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, March 14, 2011 — Barix AG comes to ISC West 2011 (April 6-8, Sands Convention Center, Las Vegas, Booth 7131) with an emphasis on delivering complete IP paging and public address systems for professional security applications.

The IP audio and control pioneer, having recently announced technical alliances with industry leading security vendors including Milestone Systems, Sureview International and ipConfigure, is gaining attention in the professional security industry for its strength in building reliable, hardware-based IP solutions. At ISC West, the company will showcase its ability to deliver complete IP systems while also showing how new and existing Barix IP devices comprise such solutions.

“Security installers and systems integrators require working systems that are simple to install and pose no risk of operation,” said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix AG. “Barix IP paging and public address solutions offer security professionals a trustworthy, system-driven communication solution.”

Barix IP Paging and Public Address systems are based on various Barix Exstreamer IP audio decoders and Annuncicom two-way IP audio devices. Security professionals can mix and match a variety of devices based on the size and scope of the system, including two new products:
• Exstreamer P5, an amplified IP decoder with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability that can turn nearly any 8-ohm speaker into an IP speaker
• Annuncicom 155, a ruggedized IP intercom and announcement device built to the EN50155 transportation standard for survival in harsh environments

All Barix Exstreamer and Annuncicom devices offer IP addressability — ideal for targeting messages to specific Barix end point devices and zones in a single or multi-location IP Paging or PA system — as well as SIP integration for extending notifications to phones and mobile devices. Annuncicom IP devices add the capability of two-way intercom, allowing security personnel responding to an event to engage with human subjects at a door, access point or other location.

Large scale systems benefit from adding the Annuncicom PS16 Paging Station. The PS16 is a multifunction, standalone IP intercom, paging and PA master station that can connect to multiple Exstreamer and Annuncicom end devices — without the need for PCs or server software. The unit features 16 buttons with individual LED indicators (expandable to 112) for targeted, selected zones or “all-call” communications in larger facilities, parking garages, outdoor lots and other large spaces.

Visitors to the Barix booth can see all the above products, including the new Exstreamer P5 and Annuncicom 155 devices.

Exstreamer P5
The Exstreamer P5 gives integrators a way to install ‘IP Speakers’ without limiting their architectural and environmental options, including retrofits for legacy systems. In addition to its built-in amplifier and PoE capability to simplify deployments, the device enables zoning applications for multi-speaker systems and allows individual local/remote channel selection and volume control. Its ability to operate reliably in high-temperature environments makes the P5 ideal for ceiling speaker systems.

Annuncicom 155
Developed foremost for on-vehicle use in the transportation industry, the Annuncicom 155 can act as a door intercom, PA, emergency announcement system and background music device. Its two-way capability also enables complex monitoring functions during critical situations that allow security personnel to listen in on an event. I/O options include supervised speaker/microphone connections, and the device incorporates a network switch for daisy-chaining Ethernet to simplify installations.

All Barix products are inexpensive, low-power devices that are scalable to the growth of the operation offer high reliability through a PC-FREE design with no moving parts; and serve as a flexible platform for integration into virtually and operation requiring audio transport and delivery over IP networks. Barix also offers its programmable BCL standard open to all customers to easily customize applications for specific needs. Local control, audio relay and low-latency streaming are a few examples of custom programs using Barix’ BCL software environment.

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, March 16, 2011 — Barix comes to the 2011 NAB Show (April 11-14, Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth C8316) with new updates to its Reflector Service for STL, Syndication and Remote Contribution aimed at simplifying integration within existing broadcast infrastructures.

The Reflector Service simplifies the setup of audio transport connections by removing the need for specialist knowledge. Hosted by Barix partner StreamGuys (www.streamguys.com), the application serves as an online center to configure and monitor the audio transport bridge while providing a straightforward relay of the audio feed. The Reflector Service is paired with Barix Audio over IP hardware at the send and receive points, creating a plug-and-play installation that can have broadcasters streaming audio over IP links within minutes.

Barix has added a host of new features to extend the service:
· Tunneling of encoder inputs through to decoder relay outputs
· Ability to flag stream loss on local encoder and decoder output relays
· Automatic failover to locally stored content at decoder
· Automatic generation of e-mail alerts
· Improved performance with lower bandwidth connections
· Modifications for tuning system performance and resilience

“The Reflector Service has been delivered to the market with the help of many willing customers who took part in the beta test last year, including successful deployments with Bell Media Group in the United States and Total Star Network in the UK,” said David Gostick, product manager for Barix Reflector Service. “In addition to enriching the service with new features, the user interface has been updated to provide all significant information at a glance, with enhanced reporting and status information for all components.”

The Barix Reflector firmware comes pre-loaded on the currently shipping Exstreamer 500 and Exstreamer 1000 professional Audio over IP devices for broadcasters. In addition to standard STL connections for program audio transport, broadcasters and service providers can use the Reflector Service for syndication and remote contribution.

Syndication
Organizations of any size can use the Reflector Service to distribute programming to multiple Barix Exstreamer decoders. A single uplink to the service using a standard DSL connection supports programming feeds to any number of affiliates. StreamGuys hosts the Reflector service and provides the necessary bandwidth to route the single audio feed to multiple destinations.

Remote Contribution
Broadcasters and news organizations armed with Barix audio encoders can access the Reflector Service in the field to stream live audio back to a flagship or affiliate station. A simple connection to the internet via a fixed network cable or wireless 3G router allows reporters to stream live interviews and event coverage to a station or studio. Remote production personnel can also quickly establish a live stream from an arena or stadium to support a live sports broadcast.

The Reflector Service simplifies installations for broadcasters using broadband internet connections by eliminating firewall poking and costly static IP addresses that require specialist knowledge to configure. The Reflector Service even eliminates basic router forwarding configuration, as the devices are automatically partnered following connection to the Reflector Service via the World Wide Web.

StreamGuys, a streaming media provider and content delivery network that has earned high marks in the broadcast industry for performance and reliability, offers the Reflector Service as a subscription service. Once signed up, users register their devices and make simple decisions regarding audio setup. The auto-configuration process enables communication between the server and the two devices to begin streaming live audio within minutes.

Individual stations, broadcasters and small networks that wish to host the service themselves can request the Reflector Service framework instead of using the hosted service option.

All,

there is a new application firmware out for the Barix IP Audio devices. SIP Client version v01.07 brings a major change intended to make the use of the devices much more easy.
The Web UI, through which the device is configured, now offers “profiles”, to allow easy configuration of different use cases

1) SIP phone
This profile is intended for applications on bidirectional devices, for applications which are similar or identical to a SIP phone. The Barix devices can be used ideally in call stations, help points etc, preconfigured numbers can be called using the contact closure inputs etc.

2) SIP paging endpoint with Background Music support
This profile works on all devices which provide output capability (all Exstreamer and Annuncicom devices) and is typically used for “IP Speaker” application or to drive a paging amplifier.

3) SIP door station
This profile enables typical door station functionality, is able to operate in automatic “half duplex” mode to support simple door intercom panels (Aiphone), and also allows to activate a relay via SIP Info/DTMF to open the door.

4) SIP gateway
An interesting “glueware” application, when this is selected, the device can work as a “SIP to standard Multicast RTP” converter, will serve as an endpoint, and re-broadcast (or multicast) the received audio stream so it can be used with any device which can play audio from a standard RTP stream.

5) SIP based audio monitoring
This mode is typically used for audio surveillance, covert operations, etc. In this mode, the device can establish a call silently to a configured destination if it picks up audio above a certain level.

The SIP application firmware now supports the PS16, the desktop IP paging station from Barix, and on the Annuncicom 155, even the microphone and speaker supervision are supported.

The firmware can be downloaded, as usual, from our website free of charge and devices can be updated via browser.
Johannes

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, March 14, 2011 — Barix AG comes to ISC West 2011 (April 6-8, Sands Convention Center, Las Vegas, Booth 7131) with an emphasis on delivering complete IP paging and public address systems for professional security applications.

The IP audio and control pioneer, having recently announced technical alliances with industry-leading vendors including Milestone Systems, Sureview International and ipConfigure, is gaining attention in the professional security industry for its strength in building reliable, hardware-based IP solutions. At ISC West, the company will showcase its ability to deliver complete IP systems while also showing how new and existing Barix IP devices comprise such solutions.

“Security installers and systems integrators require working systems that are simple to install and pose no risk of operation,” said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix AG. “Barix IP paging and public address solutions offer security professionals trustworthy, system-driven communication solutions.”

Barix IP paging and public address systems are based on various Barix Exstreamer IP audio decoders and Annuncicom two-way IP audio devices. Security professionals can mix and match a variety of devices based on the size and scope of the system, including two new products:

· Exstreamer P5, an amplified IP decoder with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability that can turn nearly any 8-ohm speaker into an IP speaker
· Annuncicom 155, a ruggedized IP intercom and announcement device built to the EN50155 transportation standard for survival in harsh environments

All Barix Exstreamer and Annuncicom devices offer IP addressability — ideal for targeting messages to specific Barix end point devices and zones in a single or multi-location IP paging or PA system — as well as SIP integration for extending notifications to phones and mobile devices. Annuncicom IP devices add the capability of two-way intercom, allowing security personnel responding to an event to engage with human subjects at a door, access point or other location.

Large scale systems benefit from adding the Annuncicom PS16 Paging Station. The PS16 is a multifunction, standalone IP intercom, paging and PA master station that can connect to multiple Exstreamer and Annuncicom end devices — without the need for PCs or server software. The unit features 16 buttons with individual LED indicators (expandable to 112) for targeted, selected zones or “all-call” communications in larger facilities, parking garages, outdoor lots and other large spaces.

Visitors to the Barix booth can see all the above products, including the new Exstreamer P5 and Annuncicom 155 devices.

Exstreamer P5
The Exstreamer P5 gives integrators a way to install ‘IP Speakers’ without limiting their architectural and environmental options, including retrofits for legacy systems. In addition to its built-in amplifier and PoE capability to simplify deployments, the device enables zoning applications for multi-speaker systems and allows individual local/remote channel selection and volume control. Its ability to operate reliably in high-temperature environments makes the P5 ideal for ceiling speaker systems.

Annuncicom 155
Developed foremost for on-vehicle use in transportation, the Annuncicom 155 can act as a door intercom, PA, emergency announcement system and background music device. Its two-way capability also enables complex monitoring functions during critical situations that allow security personnel to listen in on an event. I/O options include supervised speaker/microphone connections, and the device incorporates a network switch for daisy-chaining Ethernet connections to simplify installations.

All Barix products are inexpensive, low-power devices that are scalable to the growth of the operation offer high reliability through a PC-FREE design with no moving parts; and serve as a flexible platform for integration into virtually and operation requiring audio transport and delivery over IP networks. Barix also offers its programmable BCL standard open to all customers to easily customize applications for specific needs. Local control, audio relay and low-latency streaming are a few examples of custom programs using Barix’ BCL software environment.

All,

the Barix Exstreamer P5 now starts shipping. This very affordable IP Audio device is actually .. an IP Speaker. And at the same time, it is not .. the loudspeaker is missing.

IP Speaker from Barix

So … why ? What is the reason behind this ?

As we all know, architects want to have the choice of design, form and color if it comes to selecting a speaker. Installers need to pick a speaker with the right environmental specs. And the price, or a specific manufacturer, may be a decision criteria too for the selection of the speaker.

Other manufacturers offer “IP Speakers”. Such an IP Speaker limits the choices for the installer drastically, as the speaker design part is fixed, and eventually already installed speakers, which would be perfectly useable, need to be pulled out and replaced.

The Barix Exstreamer P5 solves this dilemma. It is EVERYTHING an IP Speaker needs to be, with the exception of .. the speaker ! You can use almost any commercially available loudspeaker, being it round, square, outdoor, indoor, brown, white, shiny, expensive or cheap … as long as it has 8 Ohm impedance (the vast majority is of that type) and it can accept min. 5W RMS driving power.

The installation is incredibly simpe – two loudspeaker wires are connected to the Exstreamer P5 (screw terminal block included), and the device is hooked up to the network a Cat5 cable (PoE providing switch, or use an in-line power supply). NO need to wire power and network separately to the device. Also, if space is a constraint, you can separate the speaker from the Exstreamer P5.
A lot of flexibility – and the good news is that the combo “Exstreamer P5 plus reasonsable ceiling speaker” costs less than the typical combined IP Speaker device !

This IP Speaker solution from Barix supports all the standard stuff others do – SIP, priority multicast stream etc, and in addition, our devices can also play MP3 or even AACplus streams, resulting in CD quality background music, if wanted.
And – last not least – the Barix Exstreamer P5 also has a local interface port for an affordable volume/source control. So you can even select a background music channel, set the volume – and of course, even if you turn down the volume and listen to background music, a priority page comes through at a predefined level.

Check this out now .. the Exstreamer P5 is the better IP Speaker ! Coming from a trusted brand in the IP Audio and VoIP space since 10 years .. Barix ! The same technology used in the Exstreamer P5 also runs evacuation systems in nuclear power plants and oil refineries, it is rock bottom stable, so there is no need to power cycle your ceiling mounted IP speakers or find that reboot button ever …

“The IP Speaker without the speaker”(TM), now from Barix.