FM is still the technology that reaches the most listeners worldwide. At the same time, efforts are being made optimizing effort and costs of this distribution, and indeed to keep them as low as possible.
Only a few years ago, the only way to generate an MPX/composite signal was to combine the signal components at each transmitter site. The consequence for the program operator was and still is a large number of decentralized installed devices of the same category. These are at least one audio codec, one stereo encoder, one RDS encoder, and the exciter.
The "sound" of the station is often the trademark of the broadcast. For the same perception, a sound processor should ideally be installed at each transmitter location; and these have to be adjusted precisely identically.
With the transmission of a centrally generated MPX/Composite signal, the majority of the equipment mentioned above is eliminated, and a single central processor guarantees the sonic signature. The cost of site maintenance is significantly reduced.
Especially the operation of transmitters at smaller gap-filling locations or in metropolitan areas where it is often necessary to save physical space (costs calculated on the device footprint) and to minimize the complexity of the site MPX/composite transmission is a must.
Also, with our new APTmpX data format, you can confidently transmit your MPX/Composite signal at a data rate of 900kbps without affecting the quality of the transmission.
Professional IP STLs for MPX-Composite delivery
Simplification of the signal processing chain leads to a considerable cost reduction of the broadcast STL.
APT codecs have low latency, and latency control of the MPX/composite signals results in extended audience reach through optimized MFN and SFN networks.
Eliminates the need for multiple hardware such as RDS encoders, stereo generators and audio processors at multiple transmitter sites as only one is needed at the studio source.
Options for reducing the bit rates:
Redundant IP transport:
A unique feature of the APT MPX/Composite codecs is the ability to counteract the interferences caused by IP packet loss during transmission of the MPX/Composite signal, which would result in severe and undesirable carrier overmodulation.
SureStream technology prevents drop-outs in MPX/composite streams.
It is a latency-neutral redundancy and ensures minimal transport delays.
APT SureStream Technology is a revolutionary development from APT that enables broadcasters to use inexpensive IP links and still maintain professional broadcast-grade signal quality and reliability. SureStream is a proven technology for transmission of
Audio/DAB/Video/MPX Composite and any other IP data format.
APT SureStream Technology also offers the added benefit of « Always-On Redundancy,» avoiding primary/backup switching in managed networks. With APT SureStream technology, you can transform the performance of synchronous links into the IP world and save thousands on your media transport bills without compromising your consumers' experience.
World's first and true MPX/composite algorithm to save network bandwidth.
Available in all MPX/Composite compatible APT IP codecs, APTmpX offers the perfect balance between maintaining high quality and cost-effective transmission. With less than 1Mbps IP bandwidth requirement (900kbps), narrow-band IP connections, and in conjunction with APT's SureStream technology, the Internet can be used with confidence. APTmpX can be used without restrictions, be it in the digital or analog audio domain.
SynchroStream is APT's new technology for time synchronous IP transmission and playout of audio/video content.
Content, such as radio programs broadcast with synchronized transmitters (SFN), be it analog (FM) or digital (DAB+), or multiple audio channels building a surround sound image must be synchronized with high precision.
APT SynchroStream is a professional solution for synchronized content transmission.
The APT Modular Codec Frame is a compact, space and power-efficient solution with a capacity of transporting up to eight channels of MPX/Composite content over IP links. Equipped with redundant power supplies as standard and populated with the universal Codec modules, it enables fully digital distribution of the Digital MPX/Composite signal using an AES connection over an IP network. This 100% digital path eliminates D/A and A/D conversions which may cause degradation of signal quality and could introduce distortion.
For maximum compatibility with existing analog MPX/Composite equipment, the AoIP card provides support for both Analog and Digital MPX transmission. Offering analog-analog, analog-digital and digital-digital MPX/Composite distribution all on a single platform provides broadcasters with a solution for the current needs and a clear and affordable migration path for the future.
APT Modular Codec Chassis which can accommodate up to four codec modules and a multichannel AES67/Dante Module. See AES67/Dante Module brochure
Together with the standard input/output interface, the universal codec module offers all connections for analog and digital audio, digital MPX/composite and AUX data for up to two program feeds, or, in duplex mode select the analog or digital codec input at the transmitter site for a low bit-rate monitor stream back to the studio. With the license for digital MPX/Composite, the extensive audio algorithm library is further extended by the MPX/Composite modes, including the new revolutionary APTmpX format. The AoIP module provides the perfect migration path from discrete signal transmission to MPX/composite at any time.
The analog MPX/Composite input/output module is the right solution if your transmitter cannot yet process digital MPX/Composite. The high-quality digital MPX/Composite of your sound processor is the source and is connected to the transmitter as an analog signal. With the analog interface, the transmitter and RDS encoder installation remains unaffected. Even RBDS/RDS information could be transmitted as a discrete serial signal. We call it "Cross-Domain" transmission.
Cross Domain Transmision is the ideal migration path to completely digital signal processing in the studio while the transmitter can remain analog. The quality of the broadcast even over transmitters with analog MPX/composite inputs benefits from the high-quality digital signal source.
Feature-packed and cost-competitive, the APT IP CODEC offers the most complete set of IP features ever included in APT's extensive range. This universal IP audio codec also offers a wide range of algorithms as standard on a solid DSP platform with dual IP ports and redundant power supplies. Perfect for STLs for MFN and, thanks to APT's SynchroStream technology, also for SFN networks or mission critical applications, the APT IP CODEC provides all the latency control and monitoring functions required.
As the ideal gateway for your home studio applications, it offers reliable and versatile connectivity. Compatibility with other manufacturers' codecs is achieved through SIP connectivity and its extensive N/ACIP compliance.
With contribution of Markkus Bekker of Southern Broadcast Ltd.
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