Swiss Hotels use audio system technology by Barix DMD2 supplies customers with Barix IP Streaming Component
Swiss Hotels use audio system technology by Barix DMD2 supplies customers with Barix IP Streaming Component Zurich (Switzerland), September 10, 2008 – A whole series of Swiss five–star hotels, among them the Giardino in Ascona, the PALACE LUZERN or the Castello del Sole in Ascona are now using the “hotelradio.fm” audio solution by Digital Media Distribution AG (DMD2). The provider of individualised radio channels now supplies all customers with the Exstreamer IP Streaming component by Barix AG. In contrast to the previously-used equipment, the Exstreamer is simpler to use, completely maintenance-free and extremely reliable. It is based on Audio over IP Technology and works without expensive satellite receivers, and also does not require data storage devices or servers or a PC infrastructure. The only technical requirement is an Internet connection (LAN/WAN). “hotelradio.fm” is a music concept for the hotel and restaurant business which is comprised of various music and sound channels. Different zones can be provided with the appropriate music, such as jazz in the lounge, pop music at the bar and nature sounds in the spa. Experienced music editors of DMD2 make sure that topical tunes are always on offer. “hotelradio.fm” currently includes 35 radio channels, ranging from classical to lounge music and all the way to New Age sound. For the technical implementation, DMD2 now relies totally on the cost-effective and dependable IP Streaming solution by Barix AG of Switzerland. Its method of operation is extremely simple: the Barix Exstreamer picks up the stream sent out by DMD2 via the Internet, converts it into music and feeds the reconstructed signal to the HiFi equipment or the room loudspeaker system. The entire hotel facility can then be simultaneously supplied with the same music. Through the installation of several Exstreamers, different hotel areas can be provided with a background of various hotelradio.fm channels. Installation of the Exstreamers is simple; it merely needs to interface with an Internet connection. Its operation requires no technical know-how whatsoever. “We have been won over by the Barix units, as they are so easy to operate and are also extremely reliable. Our customers do not have to bother about updates or malfunctions, but can really concentrate on their guests”, underlines Alexander Dal Farra, founder and CEO of DMD2. “This is why we now equip all of our customers with the Barix Exstreamer.” This not only includes five-star hotels but also first-class restaurants such as the well-known Rive Gauche at the Hotel Baur au Lac in Zurich and numerous three- and four-star establishments. The Audio over IP Technology of the Barix Exstreamer is highly immune to network failures or malfunctions. In the event of failure, back-up functions kick in immediately to maintain the audio flow. The Exstreamer operates with minimal bandwidth requirements and is completely maintenance-free. Almost unlimited upgrading of the system is easily achieved through its modular design. With the Audio over IP Technology, neither expensive satellites nor PC infrastructures or data storage devices are needed. In addition, at a price starting at approx. 160 euros, the Barix Exstreamer is extremely affordable. Individual requests easily satisfied With “hotelradio.fm” and the Barix Exstreamer, individual requests can also be satisfied, as shown by the application at the Grand Hotel Quellenhof in Bad Ragaz. To implement the owners’ ideas, DMD2 provided very unusual holding loop music with the help of Barix Exstreamers: callers waiting to be connected listen to a synchronised mix of classical music and sounds of water flowing. This combination corresponds exactly to the high standards of the 5-star hotel in one of the leading resorts in Europe and establishes an ideal link with the origins of the resort – the thermal water of the Tamina thermal springs. The effect is achieved by two Exstreamers, one of which receives a hotelradio.fm classical music channel and the other the channel with aquatic sounds. At a 2-channel audio mixer, the two are blended and the finished sound fed into the telephone system.