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.

New amplified decoder gives businesses a true IP speaker solution to reach every customer in the building

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, January 25, 2010 — Barix is targeting the Digital Signage Expo (February 23-25, Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth #1239) as the U.S. debut of its Exstreamer P5 amplified IP decoder, a new IP Audio innovation that allows businesses to integrate standard loudspeakers into IP-based, in-store/on-location audio systems. Its ability to operate in high-temperature environments and support Power over Ethernet (PoE) distribution provides many options for system deployments.

The Exstreamer P5 features a built-in amplifier and I/O connections to turn nearly any 8-ohm speaker into an “IP Speaker” solution. This enables a true end-to-end Audio over IP solution for businesses and organizations pushing background music, advertising, paging and other audio content to one or more speakers, zones or locations — from the entrance to the aisles, all the way to the restrooms.

Retailers, restaurants, clubs, hotels, offices, schools and universities are among those that can benefit from installing the Exstreamer P5 as part of a new IP Audio system or as retrofits into existing IP or legacy systems. The P5 can also integrate with SIP phone systems to bridge telecom and security, merging audio streams and real-time paging into an efficient, centralized messaging system. Integration with digital signage systems to synchronize audio and video is another possibility.

“There is a growing desire to improve audio distribution, in combination and synchronization with video in digital signage systems,” said Rietschel. “The all-in-one design of the Exstreamer P5 addresses the common concerns: affordability, robustness, an open-standards approach and the support of high-quality, low-latency applications such as audio-for-video. This includes universal support of IP standards including TCP/IP, RTP, SIP, Multicast and Ethersound. The P5’s flexibility also ensures that businesses are not limited in their architectural or environmental options.”

Like all major Barix products for digital signage/in-store audio applications, the Exstreamer P5 features IP addressability to enable targeted delivery of music and messaging to multiple zones within a single location; or to multiple locations in a chain of businesses. The P5’s rugged design can withstand high temperatures, making the device an ideal choice for ceiling speaker systems. Power over Ethernet (POE) support reduces infrastructure costs and simplifies deployments.

Some standalone examples of Exstreamer P5 audio deployments include:
Hospitality, including general and in-room systems for hotels, venues and cruise ships
In-store audio systems for retail stores, restaurants and other businesses
Background music and paging systems for office buildings and corporate facilities
Security applications, including PA playback points and SIP-based notification
Soothing audio in public locations, underpasses and corridors

Barix will also demonstrate its Store and Play software solution, a centralized, automated FTP/HTTP download and playback application introduced last year; and the Adiosys ad-insertion service for targeted, localized delivery of music, advertisements, promos and other audio programming.

“The Adiosys service has proven reliable for real-time ad insertion to chain stores and businesses with multiple locations, as well as in live, low-latency event streaming,” said Rietschel. “The service allows individualization of advertising and other inserts down to the device level, based on a streaming architecture which can be monitored in real time from a central location.”

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 any 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.

Exstreamer P5 connects traditional speakers to IP Audio and SIP phone systems; design enables operation in high-temperature environments

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, December 15, 2010 — Barix AG comes to ISE 2011 (February 1-3, RAI Exhibition Centre, Amsterdam, Booth #2A71) with a new IP Audio innovation that gives systems integrators and end users the freedom of choice to turn nearly any 8-ohm speaker into an IP speaker solution.

At ISE, Barix will show the Exstreamer P5 amplified IP decoder in Europe for the first time.  The Exstreamer P5 is an all-in-one solution for high-fidelity Audio over IP distribution, supporting universal IP standards including TCP/IP, RTP, SIP, Multicast and Ethersound.  The amplified device can directly connect 8-ohm speakers to an IP or Ethersound network, effectively extending the popular Barix Exstreamer product range into new environments for end users and systems integrators.

“The Exstreamer P5 gives integrators a way to install ‘IP Speakers’ without limiting their architectural and environmental options — including retrofits for legacy systems,” said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix AG.  “For general applications, the biggest benefits are low-cost and flexibility.  You can IP-enable almost any speaker with this device, and establish addressability and monitoring down to the individual speaker in larger installations.”

The Exstreamer P5 operates reliably in high-temperature environments and enables zoning applications for multi-speaker systems, also allowing individual local/remote channel selection and volume control.  These features, along with exceptional, hi-fi audio quality and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) capability to simplify deployments, make the Exstreamer P5 the perfect choice for overhead/ceiling speaker systems.  Applications include:
Hospitality, including general and in-room systems for hotels, venues and cruise ships
In-store audio systems for retail stores, restaurants and other businesses
Residential multi-zone audio distribution
Background music and paging systems for office buildings and corporate facilities
Security applications, including PA playback points and SIP-based notification
Disaster warning systems, including earthquake and tsunami alerting

The Exstreamer P5 borrows design innovations, including PoE support and high-efficiency class D audio amplification, from the Barix Annuncicom range of two-way IP audio devices.  Its reliable operation in ceiling installations, ruggedized case and simplified mounting options draw inspiration from the recently-introduced Annuncicom 155 for the transportation industry.  The device can operate in temperature ranges of 32 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 55 Celsius) and withstand storage conditions to 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 Celsius).

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.

Company establishes NCCU Sports Network using Barix Audio over IP Technology to distribute college football and basketball games to eight radio stations

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, November 30, 2010 — Barix AG announces that syndicated content provider Bell Media Group of Raleigh, North Carolina, has successfully deployed the Barix Reflector Service to distribute live North Carolina Central University football and basketball games to eight regional AM radio stations comprising the NCCU Sports Network.

Bell Media Group is among the earliest Reflector Service customers, establishing a reliable and cost-efficient Audio over IP distribution network for its syndicated college sports programming service.  Barix introduced the Reflector Service last spring to help broadcasters with limited IT resources to establish IP links for single stations and broadcast networks with minimal effort and hassle.

“Satellite communications was very expensive, and ISDN was also out of my range,” said Jay Bell, president and chief engineer for Bell Media Group.  “IP has saved me between $3,000-4,000 on distribution alone.  I became familiar with Barix and beta-tested the Reflector Service for the 2010 college football season.  All the tests went well and we will continue using the Barix Relector service for sports, music and other remote broadcasts, with the goal of adding more radio affiliates.”

The universal Barix hardware used for the service can be installed in minutes and most deployments for STL, remote contribution and studio-to-studio links are established with just a few clicks in a web browser.  Once installed with internet access, the devices configure themselves automatically, and the encoder and decoders are automatically partnered after entering basic device settings into the service platform.

Barix has partnered with streaming media and content delivery provider StreamGuys for the NCCU Sports Network project.  The StreamGuys-hosted service receives the single feed from BMG Studios in Raleigh and simultaneously “reflects” the signal to each affiliate.  This minimizes network bandwidth and technical support requirements for Bell Media Group.

“Barix partners with StreamGuys as they are streaming infrastructure specialists and offer worldwide technical support 24/7,” said David Gostick, product manager for the Reflector Service at Barix.  “Their streaming service complements our technical skills, allowing us to jointly deliver a professionally hosted and operated service to our customers, with confidence it is being monitored around the clock.”

Jay Bell operates the network from BMG Studios.  The live stadium feed comes in over a POTS line, where a Barix Exstreamer 1000 Audio over IP device receives and encodes the signal.   The StreamGuys streaming platform picks up the Reflector Service stream for distribution to the affiliates, where Barix Exstreamer 100 IP audio devices receive and decode the signal for immediate broadcast.

The Reflector Service is a hosted application that acts as the bridge between the studio and the network affiliates, providing a straightforward relay of the audio feed.   The application simplifies Barix installations for broadcasters by eliminating firewall poking, router forwarding configuration and costly static IP addresses.  The significant reduction in complexity means that users have only a few simple decisions to make related to audio quality and general device settings.

“The hardware was plug-and-play and the streaming service was simple to set up,” said Jay Bell.  “I was skeptical early, as were some of the network affiliates, who were most concerned with the audio quality.  We tested the Barix Reflector Service with several radio affiliates; many program directors and general managers were floored upon hearing the audio quality.  It is a very versatile system, and I’ve taken advantage of the network capacity for side projects, particularly remote broadcasts.”

It’s this time of the year again … our long term content partner DMD2 has launched christmasradio.fm, an internet only radio station, streaming great music with a Christmas touch. Listen to it with your favorite Barix IP Audio player, the Exstreamer, or just use your browser.
Wishing you a peaceful and good pre-christmas time.

Johannes

Here is the URL for direct listening with the Exstreamer: http://www.christmasradio.fm/christmasradio.fm.m3u

Thursday, Barix held a training session for regional distributors, system integrators and partners in Singapore, showcasing the new Exstreamer P5 (IP Speaker device), the Annuncicom 155 (EN50155 test IP Intercom device) and the full range of current Audio over IP devices from Barix.

A large demo, set up by Robert of Avanca, impressed the partners about what all can be done with IP Paging, IP based background music, IP Intercom and combinations of all of that !

We welcome Mitra Elektro from Jakarta, Indonesia, joining the ever growing group of Barix partners in the world.

On the picture: Staff from Avanca our Singaporean Master Distributor, Staff from Mitra Elektro and Johannes Rietschel, CEO Barix.

Barix training in Singapore

Exstreamer P5 connects traditional speakers to IP Audio and SIP phone systems; design enables operation in high-temperature environments

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, November 11, 2010 — Barix AG is preparing to unveil its latest Audio over IP innovation at the InfoComm Asia show this month (November 17-19, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Booth 4B09).  The show marks the world debut of the Exstreamer P5, the company’s solution for IP Speaker applications.   It extends the popular Barix Exstreamer product range into new environments for end users and systems integrators.

The Exstreamer P5 is an all-in-one solution for SIP and hi-fidelity Audio over IP distribution, supporting universal IP standards including TCP/IP, RTP, SIP, Multicast and Ethersound.  The amplified device directly connects any 8-ohm speaker to an IP or Ethersound network.  It enables zoning applications for multi-speaker systems, and allows individual local/remote channel selection and volume control.  The Exstreamer P5 also operates reliably in high-temperature environments.

These features, along with exceptional, hi-fidelity audio quality and Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) support, make the Exstreamer P5 the perfect choice for overhead/ceiling speaker systems.  Applications include:
Hospitality, including general and in-room systems for hotels, venues and cruise ships
In-store audio systems for retail stores, restaurants and other businesses
Background music and paging systems for office buildings and corporate facilities
Security applications, including PA playback points and SIP-based notification

The Exstreamer P5 connects to any 8-ohm speaker, in contrast to “IP Speaker” solutions where the system integrator is limited to certain speakers.  This gives integrators and end users the freedom and versatility to permanently install the Exstreamer P5 in diverse situations, including legacy upgrades.

“The first OEM project will incorporate Exstreamer P5 electronics into hundreds of ‘listening boxes’ throughout a performing arts center in northern Europe, giving the cast, crew and personnel the ability to monitor performances, adjust local volume levels and mute the audio by zone,” said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix AG.  “This is an ideal example of using the Exstreamer P5 for low-latency, high-audio-quality streaming to IP speakers.  The built-in 5W RMS amplifier exceeds the typical 1-to-3W requirements of IP speakers, providing plenty of signal power.  And the local interface for an infrared (IR) receiver or volume/source control provides more benefits for the user.

“For general applications, the biggest benefits are low-cost and flexibility, as the Exstreamer P5 does not lock integrators and users into a limited range of speaker choices,” continued Rietschel.  “You can IP-enable almost any speaker with this device, and take advantage of its PoE capability to simplify deployments.”

The Exstreamer P5 borrows design innovations, including PoE support and high-efficiency class D audio amplification from the Barix Annuncicom range of two-way IP audio devices.  Its reliable operation in warm installation points, ruggedized case and simplified mounting options draw inspiration from the recently-introduced Annuncicom 155 for the transportation industry.  The device can operate in temperature ranges of 32 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 55 Celsius) and withstand storage conditions to 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 Celsius).

The Exstreamer P5 begins shipping worldwide at the end of January 2011. A limited amount of samples are available now.

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.

Lighting Sioux Radio Network distributes live UND football and hockey games to 12 broadcast affiliates in two states

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, November 8, 2010 — Barix AG, a pioneer in IP-based audio, intercom, control, and monitoring, has partnered with streaming media provider StreamGuys to establish a low-latency IP distribution network for University of North Dakota football and hockey broadcasts.

Twelve radio stations across North Dakota and Minnesota comprise the Fighting Sioux Radio Network.  The network, seeking to expand its broadcast footprint, selected IP distribution after comparing costs and automation capabilities with competitive distribution systems.  The choice enabled a lower startup cost while ensuring uptime and smooth operation at unmanned facilities.

The network deployed Barix Exstreamer 1000 professional IP audio codecs across the distribution chain.  The Exstreamer 1000 encodes and decodes program audio and relay signals, all delivered over the StreamGuys streaming platform.

“The Barix Exstreamer 1000 has balanced audio inputs and outputs, and that made it perfect for the broadcast environment where cleanliness of audio is a must,” said Jeremy Eisenzimmer, IT Director and Network Engineer.  “The devices also have built-in closures that enable automated functions for our unmanned facilities, delivering relay signals to trigger stop-sets, legal IDs, liners and other elements from studio automation systems.   StreamGuys provides the bandwidth, low-latency delivery and turnkey network development and support we need to keep the network running smoothly.”

Flagship station KQHT-FM in Grand Forks, North Dakota encodes the audio using the Exstreamer 1000, which passes the encoded signal and relay closures to the StreamGuys platform.   StreamGuys deploys Barix Real-Time Protocol (BRTP) to deliver the signal across the network with very minimal delay, and provides plenty of bandwidth to eliminate network congestion.  The Exstreamer 1000 devices at the affiliate stations decode the signal, separating the audio and the relays.  KQHT monitors the entire network with a backup Exstreamer 1000, configured in “Streaming Client” mode to verify that the audio and relays are reaching the affiliates.

Eisenzimmer added that the Barix/StreamGuys solution costs one-quarter the price of satellite distribution, and hopes to add more affiliates in the future.  This is achieved simply by adding a Barix device at each new affiliate and notifying StreamGuys of the new destination points.

“IP distribution was without question the best option for cost, and the availability of high-speed connections made deployment quick and easy,” said Eisenzimmer.  “The automation functions have been nothing short of a dream for the network.  This allows smaller stations that are low on resources and manpower to carry the games for their hometown fans.  It’s entirely a win-win.”

Eisenzimmer also noted that setup is simple, only requiring that he load the firmware and enter the stream information, and that affiliates wire and plug in the devices to be up and running.  “The simplicity of it will allow our network to grow,” he said.

Barix IP Audio devices are an excellent solution when it comes to special SIP interfacing applications. Being it an audio monitoring application, where a call should be placed if a microphone picks up sounds above a certain threshold, or a SIP door station – the standard SIP application, which can be loaded on all Annuncicom and Exstreamer devices, serves well.

But do you know that you can also use a Barix device as a SIP gateway to traditional, multizone paging systems ?

How do you then select a zone ?

The SIP firmware can control local relays on the device, if existing (Exstreamer 500, for example, offers 4 relays). These can be commanded in the SIP call by means of standard signalling (SIP Info and RFC2833). Many IP PBX’es also allow you to send specific commands when you initiate a call, this is the perfect time to select a zone automatically.

The Barix wiki contains a nice article describing the exact configuration necessary of an Asterisk instance to offer the luxury of direct zone selection by extension. If done this way, a user of the phone system can just dial one of a selection of extensions, and the Barix SIP Gateway (actually, an Exstreamer 500 or Annuncicom 1000 device) will select the specific zone(s) to page to automatically, based on the actual extension called.
Here is a link to the general overview of how this is done: SIP Paging

And here is the article detailing the bits and pieces on how to configure Asterisk to directly control the relays from SIP

Greetings !

Johannes

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, October 21, 2010 — Barix AG, a pioneer in IP-based audio, intercom, control, and monitoring, announces that more than 1000 Barix Audio over IP devices were used for contribution, distribution and monitoring of live broadcast audio for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games, held from October 3-14, were considered the largest multi-sport event staged in India.  More than 6,000 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and dependencies competed in 21 disciplines.  Host broadcaster Prasat Bharathi, India’s largest public broadcaster, produced the official “International Signal” live from 12 competition venues.

Prasat Bharathi contracted Mahanahar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), a telecom service provider and the largest provider of broadband services in Delhi, to install and operate a redundant fiber network from all 12 venues to the International Broadcast Center (IBC), transporting IP audio over MPLS.  The IBC managed and delivered more than 40 contribution and 250 coordination feeds to and from the venues, and served as the origination point for broadcast signals delivered globally to rights holders.

Barix Exstreamer 1000 professional IP encoding/decoding devices were the core audio transport solutions, with special firmware from Barix to deliver very low-latency audio (between 20-30 milliseconds of delay).  Redundant pairs of Exstreamer 1000 devices contributed live sports commentary and broadcast-quality event audio from each venue to the IBC.  Many broadcast facilities receiving live feeds from the IBC used Barix Exstreamer devices to receive and decode the program audio.

MTNL, using Barix IP audio and CISCO network components, established an IP network that exceeded the performance levels of traditional telephone links, and met the signal quality requirements of all broadcast partners.  Barix IP devices additionally provided SNMP traps that allowed personnel to monitor the links from the MTNL network center at the company’s operational headquarters.

Mr. Jidendra Garg, Deputy General Manager of MNTL, recognized the success of the IP network, noting feedback from home broadcasters and rights holders that indicated high channel availability, reliable bilateral audio feeds, and superior quality of the coordination circuits.  He opined that the IP coordination circuits provided bandwidth capacity equal to the IP contribution circuits — not possible with traditional links.

Garg also observed that the production partner, SIS Live; and GTV, the official broadcasting partner to Prasar Bharathi, were very satisfied with the Audio over IP delivery achieved through Barix. He expressed appreciation over the high level of professional support that Barix and systems integration partners HCL Infosystems and BNA Technology Consulting offered through the duration of the event.

Senior officials from Prasar Bharathi expressed similar views, appreciating “the team efforts of the technology providers and the systems integrators for their efforts in making the Audio over IP delivery platform a grand success.”

Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO of Barix AG, expressed gratitude at the opportunity to show the world the value of using cost-effective, feature-rich Barix Audio over IP devices for contribution and distribution of broadcast-quality program audio; and the reliability of Barix devices for live broadcast events and network monitoring.

“We appreciated the opportunity to deploy more than 1000 Barix IP devices for the Commonwealth Games, which flawlessly distributed live broadcast audio from the venues to the world,” said Rietschel.  “We are proud to have delivered ‘incident-free’ performance for the 12-day event at an affordable cost, working in a fully-redundant link model in cooperation with the region’s leading broadcast, production, telecom and integration companies.”

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.