Powerful software logging/archiving program works directly with IP-Audio networks
12 April 2006, Cleveland, OH USA
Axia Audio will expand its line of software applications for IP-Audio networks at NAB 2006 with the introduction of iProFiler, a powerful multi-channel audio archiving / logging program that works with Axia IP-Audio networks to capture and store up to 16 stereo audio channels (or 32 mono channels) of time-stamped MP3 audio without audio cards — iProFiler uses your computer’s Ethernet port to record audio streams directly, eliminating the cost and hassles of computer soundcards.
Archiving audio with Axia iProFiler is easy: just use the iProFiler software to choose the audio channels you want to store from your IP-Audio network. Select a bit-rate and click “OK” – it’s that simple! Since you can archive any audio signal on the network, iProFiler can be used to log on-air programming, store-and-forward network audio feeds, automatically construct airchecks — even counter-program your competition.
Listening to and sharing iProFiler audio archives is simple, too. Managers, salespeople, even clients can use iProFiler (on any networked PC with Windows 98 or higher) to securely search for, listen to and extract selected audio; even audition live streams as they are being recorded. There’s an integrated SQL database to help search for and quickly locate audio segments by date and time. And since iProFiler archives store audio using standard MP3 technology, you can easily share archived audio.
iProFiler supports MP3 compression bit-rates from 8 kbps to 320 kbps, providing a wide range of quality vs. storage choices — a 300 GB hard drive can hold over 3 years of audio! Audio segments can be automatically backed up as they are created, either to a network drive or a remote FTP server. Multiple backup locations can be specified.
Each iProFiler audio stream can be recorded in one of three modes:
- 1. Continuous recording. Audio is recorded without pausing; audio split across file segments can be recombined seamlessly.
- 2. Skim Mode. Audio is recorded only when external contact closure inputs are activated (or deactivated); perfect for constructing telescoped airchecks or capturing live commercials for proof-of-performance.
- 3. SmartSkim Mode. Archive non-critical programming (like music) at a low bitrate, then automatically switch to a higher bitrate when talent is on-mic.
Both Skim and SmartSkim modes feature exclusive ESP pre-roll/post-roll technology that actually captures recordings just before the microphone contact closure is activated, and continues recording briefly afterwards to ensure that all of the desired audio is logged — even if talent opens the mic at the last second.
iProFiler works with Axia IP-Audio networks, which enable broadcasters to build audio networks of any size using standard switched Ethernet to connect a few rooms — or an entire facility. The Axia product line includes the popular Element and SmartSurface control surfaces, a family of “audio nodes” to interface with microphone, analog line and AES/EBU devices, IP-Audio drivers to eliminate PC soundcards, DSP mixing/processing engines, and PathfinderPC matrix control PC software.
Other iProFiler Features include:
- An integrated logging scheduler that allows automatic audio capture at pre-determined times.
- Fast audio retrieval from time-stamped audio stored in easy-to-search 15 minute blocks.
- Easy selection and export of audio for external editing.
- Per-stream choice of any standard MP3 bit rate – from 8 kbps to 320 kbps – that allows you to specify the quality/drive space ratio that best suits your needs.
- The ability to automatically upload archives to an FTP server or to any external drive or device including network storage drives, CD-ROM or other removable media.
- Remote administration and monitoring of disk space and audio presence.
- Users can directly email extracted audio, a convenient way of supplying commercial clients with proof-of-play.
Axia iProFiler works directly with Axia IP-Audio networks and requires a 2.4 GHz Pentium-IV (or equivalent) server with Windows™ 2000 or Windows XP, 512 Mb RAM and 100 GB free storage space (minimum configuration to record eight simultaneous stereo streams; more streams require additional system resources). iProFiler includes the Axia IP-Audio Driver, and retails for $1,295.00 US MSRP.
Visit Axia at the 2006 NAB Convention, Booth N2714, for a complete demonstration of IP-Audio networking. For more information, contact Clark Novak at Axia, +1-216-241-7225.