Company will also showcase new Exstreamer 500 IP Audio device for radio broadcast program transport

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, October 19, 2010 — Barix AG, a pioneer in IP-based audio, intercom, control, and monitoring, will bring its latest innovations for the radio broadcast industry to Broadcast India (October 21-23, Bombay Exhibition Centre, Booth E.510). The company will introduce a new time reference accessory for applications such as broadcast, in-store audio and IP-based data collection, while also showcasing its latest hardware and device firmware.

“For many years, Barix Audio over IP solutions have given broadcasters affordable and reliable options to deliver program audio and associated data between studios and transmission points,” said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix AG. “Our latest offering gives broadcasters using Barix devices more options in the way they configure their IP Audio links. Meanwhile, Barix continues to grow its product portfolio with new IP Audio hardware devices and associated accessories, such as our new RTC Dongle to be introduced at Broadcast India.”

RTC Dongle

The Barix RTC Dongle is a real-time clock accessory that provides a consistent time reference for embedded devices and control equipment. Thought to be the only product of its kind, the RTC Dongle attaches to any device, Barix or otherwise, that offers an RS232 serial port. The RTC Dongle keeps time for up to three days without power, and requires no batteries — eliminating service requirements. This allows connected devices to immediately retrieve accurate time information after returning to power, with immediate start-up for time-dependent applications such as firing station IDs, jingles and other scheduled events.

“The RTC Dongle fills a gap in the market where we could not find a device with similar functionality,” said Rietschel. “In a Barix IP Audio system, the device is only needed in cases where Barix devices are used offline or have no network connectivity when information is needed. Once set, the device will maintain time on its own, bridging periods of power loss.”

The RTC Dongle keeps time in the Unix format (seconds) with 32-bit resolution. The device has minimum charge requirements, operating with a “gold cap” of high capacity to store the necessary energy for two-to-three days of operation.

Exstreamer 500 Device and IP Audio Firmware

Barix will also display its recently introduced, cost-effective Exstreamer 500 IP audio device built specifically for radio broadcasters. The Exstreamer 500 is a one-half, 19-inch rack mount solution with encoding and decoding capability. Now shipping, it is essentially a lower-cost version of its high-end sibling, the Exstreamer 1000, retaining important features like balanced inputs and outputs and contact closure interfaces. Broadcasters can purchase the Exstreamer 500 through the Barix global network of established broadcast distributors, accessible at www.barix.com.

Barix will also demonstrate its new, easy-to-configure device firmware that provides more technical options and functionality for program audio transport. The new “STL software package,” pre-loaded onto new Exstreamer 500 and 1000 devices, is also available as a free update at the Barix website and can be loaded onto all existing Barix Instreamer encoders and Exstreamer decoders. This enables new features including full-duplex audio transport (48kHz sample rate PCM, full duplex devices only) and trap-based alarming. Applications supported through the new firmware include directed or unidirectional microwave-carried STL IP, remote contribution, and low-bandwidth internet streaming.

Barix has included the Reflector Service client into the same software load. This previously announced service simplifies connections for broadcasters via a plug-and-play scenario. The Reflector Service completely removes any need for user configuration: The hosted application serves as an online center to configure and monitor the audio transport bridge while also providing a straightforward relay of the audio feed, enabling almost immediate audio streaming between multiple devices. Exstreamer 500 and 1000 customers can switch between the new STL software (the default on Exstreamer 1000) and the Reflector client (default on Exstreamer 500) via web browser.

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.