Studio to transmitter link (STL)

For STL (Studio Transmitter Link) Applications, Barix offers a very flexible and proven solution. The Barix STL over IP solution uses an Audio over IP device which has been specifically developed for that purpose (the Exstreamer 1000), which is both reliable and cost effective. STL Applications using Barix Equipment can use directed Wifi, good Internet Connections and even DSL to transmit Audio from the Studio to one or some delivery points. Contact closures and serial Data can also be routed, and in some configurations, a back channel can be used for confidence checking.

Network Requirements: The Barix STL over IP solution can be configured to preserve bandwidth using compression or to provide maximum quality (48kHz PCM with no quality loss). Depending on the selection, between about 50kbps and 2MBps, of bandwidth will be needed, so even a standard DSL line can be used if compression is acceptable. Contact closures and serial control data (for RDS information, for example) do not add much to the bandwidth.

 The Barix STL solution does not need static IP addresses on both sides ! Due to unique, advanced connection methods, even a standard DSL link with dynamic IP can be used (on one side), and the protocols used are NAT/Firewall friendly. For special (syndication and one-to many) applications, server based realtime Ad Insertion is available.

Delay/Latency: Between 20ms (uncompressed, 48kHz, stereo) and about 300ms (MP3 encoding, lowest bit rate) minimum latency is achievable, network jitter buffers may add to that.

Interfaces: The Exstreamer 1000, most suitable for the STL IP application, offers balanced stereo input and outputs as well as AES/EBU interfaces. Contact closures (4in/4out) and serial ports for control data are also available.

Why Barix for Studio Transmitter Links ?: The Barix STL over IP Solution uses dedicated „PC Free“, reliable, very low power (8W max) hardware which is maintenance free and has no moving parts. It is field proven technology, used in even military applications, and installed in thousands of broadcast locations worldwide –  a good example is Clear Channel Satellite, which has installed close to 1000 systems in the US.

Other Broadcast solutions from Barix include Confidence Checking, Remote Contribution and Transmitter Monitoring. Barix Audio over IP devices are used in unique solutions worldwide !