13 September 2005, Cleveland, OH USA
Multicasting can produce enormous benefits for HD Radio broadcasters, allowing them to increase the number of programs they can deliver to listeners. The problem: slicing the bit stream into smaller pieces causes unwanted “codec artifacts” to appear if dynamics processing is not carefully adapted to multicast’s low bit rates. The aural effect of these artifacts is a general “softening of impact” and noticeably fuzzy high-end.
Problem solved! The new Omnia Multicast audio processor with SENSUS™ technology helps HD Radio broadcasters deliver multicast audio with all the punch and clarity Omnia owners have come to expect.
Developed in partnership with the audio coding experts at Telos Systems, SENSUS is a unique suite of audio enhancement tools designed especially for multicast. SENSUS predicts the effects of the HD Radio codec and intelligently counters the problems. It works to improve fidelity, reduce artifacts, and optimize audio.
“Broadcasters have been ecstatic about the huge benefits multicasting could bring to their bottom line,” says Omnia President Frank Foti. “Imagine, being able to provide three times the normal amount of programming! But they’ve also been voicing their concern about the effects of reduced bandwidth and artifacts on listeners. HD Radio broadcasters using Omnia Multicast can rest easy, knowing their audiences will enjoy consistency, compelling clarity and exciting Omnia punch no matter which channel they’re tuned to.”
Here are just a few of the features and benefits included in Omnia Multicast:
- Exclusive Omnia SENSUS DSP technology conditions audio for HD Radio multicast, preserving clarity and dynamic range and dramatically reducing encoding artifacts
- Proven 48 kHz, 24-bit audio processing platform with up to 384 kHz internal sampling rate
- Three band dynamic peak limiter with unique feed-forward/feedback design and intermodulation distortion (IMD) reduction, plus wideband AGC
- Famous Omnia Bass Management EQ with up to 12dB of bass boost
- Simple and flexible remote control via serial, optional Ethernet or optional dial-up connections
- Accepts digital inputs from 32 kHz to 96 kHz
Omnia Multicast is priced at $4,310.00 US MSRP, and will debut at the 2005 NAB Radio Show in Philadelphia, September 21-23, Booth 211.
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Omnia, a Telos company, is world-renowned for its digital audio signal processing expertise. Omnia audio processors for FM, AM, TV, HD adio & DAB, Internet, and audio producton are setting new standards for professional audio quality.