Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) has revolutionized radio broadcasting, offering improved quality and diverse channels. However, transmitting audio from studios to DAB head-ends demands precision.
At 2wcom, we understand your unique needs, providing cost-efficient solutions tailored to your infrastructure and multiplexer vendor.
The process of delivering high-quality audio feeds from radio studios to DAB head-ends is a multifaceted challenge. Factors such as compatibility, flexibility, and control over audio parameters must be carefully considered. Moreover, the existing infrastructure setup, along with the roles of service providers and network operators, adds layers of complexity to the DAB distribution system, making this task particularly complex.
“Powered by our adaptable solutions, we ensure seamless studio-to-DAB integration.”
In the dynamic landscape of broadcasting, 2wcom provides practical solutions for transmitting audio to DAB head-ends. From AoIP for interoperability to DAB+ Encoders and flexible audio interfacing, our solutions meet the functional demands of various DAB infrastrucures. Whether through hardware devices or our scalable MoIN system, we offer excellence, reliability, and seamless integration.
Our AoIP solutions ensure seamless interoperability across diverse platforms. By utilizing AoIP Codecs, we facilitate easy integration, offering a reliable and flexible solution for transmitting audio to DAB head-ends.
In this case, the DAB+ encoding takes place centrally at the DAB head-end, either as integral part of the multiplexer system or with separate DAB+ encoders located at the DAB head-end and transcoding the AoIP feeds from the studios.
With our DAB+ Encoders, we guarantee optimal audio quality adhering to DAB+ standards. This efficient encoding process ensures direct DAB subchannel stream generation, eliminating unnecessary steps and delivering high-quality audio to the DAB multiplex.
For scenarios involving linear audio, our solutions seamlessly integrate diverse audio sources into modern IT-based DAB multiplexer systems. This ensures optimal fidelity and a smooth broadcasting experience.
To identify the ideal solution, evaluate your infrastructure and consider commercial responsibilities. The optimal placement for DAB+ encoding is crucial, and our experts provide personalized guidance, ensuring optimal performance, compatibility, and cost-effectiveness for your specific broadcasting setup. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for detailed recommendations.
Utilizing AoIP Codecs offers superior interoperability, ensuring reliable performance in challenging IP network conditions. With independent buffer handling and secure transport via SRT/RIST, audio delivery remains stable. AoIP’s independence from DAB Mux configuration allows clear separation between DAB operators and program providers, fostering flexible infrastructures. Additionally, AoIP’s multi-purpose nature enables the use of the same audio feed for various applications, including DAB, FM, and more.
Our AoIP solutions at 2wcom support a range of audio codecs, including MPEG-4 AAC variants, MPEG-1 Layer 2, MP3, Opus, Ogg Vorbis, and Enhanced aptX. The choice of codec depends on network conditions, compatibility, and desired audio quality at a given bitrate. Adhering to the principle that “the weakest link in the chain determines the quality,” the selected coding format and bitrate should ensure ample quality margin for subsequent DAB+ encoding.
Opting for remote DAB+ encoders ensures optimal performance and adherence to DAB+ standards in DAB-specific ecosystems. Designed to generate a native DAB+ subchannel stream without tandem coding, remote DAB+ encoding preserves the highest audio quality. Network operators gain precise control over DAB+ parameters through protocols like FhG MuxEnc and independent APIs, ensuring stable and reliable DAB contribution streams. In scenarios where program providers handle DAB+ encoding and multiplex operators focus on stream collection, the use of remote encoders naturally emerges.
Our DAB+ encoder utilizes the latest FRAUNHOFER DAB+ Codec library, known for its state-of-the-art design and optimization, ensuring superior audio quality and adherence to DAB+ standards. Tailored to the system specialties of DAB+, this implementation provides optimal encoding with minimal loss of audio quality compared to alternative implementations.
Utilizing protocols such as Fraunhofer MuxEnc, operators gain comprehensive DAB+ parameter control. This enables seamless dynamic reconfigurations, ensuring precise alignment of the encoder with the provisions of the multiplexer system. Monitoring parameters sent by the DAB+ Encoder can be leveraged by the multiplexer, for instance, to display audio levels in the multiplexer GUI. For enhanced interoperability with various multiplexer vendors, standardized protocols like EDI/STI-D can be used. Additionally, the encoder’s REST API offers a versatile tool for configuration and monitoring.
For hardware encoders, audio is provided to the encoder as AES/EBU, Analog or AES67 in most cases. The MoIN system supports AES67 inputs to connect to professional studio infrastructures and the IP-8i can be used as an audio bridge to convert linear audio to AES67.
Additionally, 2wcom products extend support to various audio sources, including RTP, web streams, and audio via satellite, among others. This diverse range of supported facilitates many different broadcasting and re-broadcasting scenarios.
2wcom ensures robust and secure AoIP connections using proven solutions like SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) and RIST (Reliable Internet Stream Transport). These mechanisms enhance stability, ensuring reliable audio delivery even under challenging network conditions.
For robust and secure DAB contribution with remote DAB+ Encoders, DAB+ encoders utilize protocols utilizing FEC, packet spreading, and packet resend. Originally designed for dedicated IP connections, 2wcom extends robustness to unstable connections through the use of SRT and RIST.
2wcom provides versatile broadcasting solutions with the following platforms:
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