Talk amongst yourselves: Axia introduces IP-Intercom

With Advanced Echo Cancellation technology that eliminates open-mic feedback

4 February, 2010, Cleveland Ohio, USA

The IP-Audio universe expands again with IP-Intercom, the latest addition to the Axia family of Livewire(TM) networked professional broadcast devices.

Axia's IP-Intercom system debuts with a full family of intercom equipment that includes a variety of rackmount stations, as well as drop-in modules for Axia Element 2.0 mixing consoles — providing a unique interconnection between intercom and console that allows any the audio from any station in the broadcast plant to be immediately brought to air.

"Intercoms are a natural fit with IP-Audio networks," says Axia president Michael "Catfish" Dosch. "For years, broadcasters have been asking for an easy way to communicate inside their facility -- and a way to take that audio to air if they need to. IP-Intercom answers both of these requests: if you can hear it, you can record it, edit it, or put it on the air."

Like all Axia components, IP-Intercom stations connect to the studio network with just a single CAT-5 connection, eliminating the complication and expense of multiple hardwired connections. "If you already have a Livewire IP-Audio network, IP-Intercom plugs right into it," notes Dosch. "If you don’t, IP-Intercom saves a significant amount of money, time and materials compared with traditional, hardwired intercom systems."

IP-Intercom features include auto-answer and hands-free operation, bright, sharp OLED displays for maximum visibility, built-in speakers and front-and-rear-panel mic connections, and drop-in modules that integrate right into Axia consoles, to name a few.

But IP-Intercom's most striking feature is the introduction of new Advanced Echo Cancellation (AEC) technology licensed from Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute, the inventors of MP3. AEC is a revolutionary echo-cancellation technology that effectively suppresses acoustic feedback generated between open mics and speakers, producing amazingly clear, feedback-free audio.

"Axia was the first to offer integrated broadcast equipment with the Livewire network — and we're honored to have contributed to their latest advancement," says Al D'Alessio of Northeastern Communications Concepts, who collaborated with Axia to develop IP-Intercom.

"For the 1992 political conventions, NCC conceived the first integrated communications system," notes Al. "It gave CBS field reporters the ability to dial directly to any studio or editor, and automatically receive IFB and intercom, all without intervention. It took racks of equipment to accomplish back then, but soon it won't take any. With IP Intercom, we've made managing audio simpler than dialing a phone number. It has long been our goal to help broadcasters totally eliminate audio patching, switching, kludging, and swearing. And with IP Intercom, we're there — reliably and economically. Engineers will never again have to make excuses for why a simple task is awkward or impossible. If they can hear it, Axia can air it instantly, an ability that’s especially useful during emergencies and breaking news stories."

IP-Intercom rackmount components 
It's easy to build an intercom system with IP-Intercom. Just place Axia intercom stations in studio turrets, TOC racks -- wherever communications are needed. Connect them to your Axia network's nearest core or edge switch, and after some fast setup using your Web browser, you're ready to let the conversation flow.

• The IC.20 rack station is designed for use in Master Control or TOC facilities. It has 20 station presets with high-visibility 10-character OLED (organic LED) displays for quick contact with frequently-called stations, includes a keypad and associated display for fast access to stations system-wide, plus group talk and auto-answer functions. IC.20 also has a built-in speaker, front- and rear-panel mic connections, 4-pin locking headset jack, analog I/O with XLR and StudioHub(TM)-compatible RJ-45 connectors and a GPIO connection. An integrated keypad allows dialing to outside phone lines (using an optional telephone hybrid). Presets are programmed using a built-in Web interface.
• The ICX.10 Intercom Expander pairs with the IC.20 intercom panel, adding 10 station presets with OLED displays for a total of 30 station presets.
• The IC.1 ten-station Intercom panel is a cost-effective way to add intercom capabilities anywhere they’re needed, with 10 LED-backlit film-cap buttons that can easily be labeled with station names. IC.1 ncludes a built-in speaker and front-panel 4-pin locking headset jack, front- and rear-panel mic inputs, analog I/O with XLR and RJ-45 connectors, and a GPIO port.

IP-Intercom Console Modules for Element 2.0
Drop-in modules for Axia's popular Element mixing consoles put intercom functions at the board-op's fingertips. Operators can use their console mic and Preview speaker for seamless communication between board ops, hosts, studio guests -- even phone and codec callers.

• The 20-Station OLED Intercom module occupies two console module slots and provides instant access to 20 frequently-used intercom stations via 20 sharp OLED displays with individual talk and listen buttons. Access any station systemwide via Element’s built-in keypad, or dial outside phone lines for intercom conversations (using an optional telephone hybrid). Auto-answer, dedicated listen volume control, individual mic and speaker mute keys and group talk functions are also included. Station presets and GPIO functions are programmed using any standard Web browser.
• The 10-Station OLED Intercom module uses one console position; provides access to 10 preset locations with 10-character OLED displays. Auto-answer functions, a dedicated listen volume control, and mute keys for speaker and mic are also provided.
• The 10-Station Film-Cap Intercom module features 10 LED-backlit film-cap buttons which can be easily labeled with the names of intercom stations. This module occupies one console position and includes a dedicated listen volume control, speaker and mic mute buttons and single-button calling of up to 10 preset stations.

Axia IP-Intercom equipment will ship 2nd Quarter, 2010, and will be shown, along with the complete line of Axia products, at NAB 2010 in the Telos / Omnia / Axia display, Booth #C146.

The Axia IP-Audio system allows broadcasters to build audio networks of any size using switched Ethernet to connect a few rooms, or an entire facility. Axia networks have a total system capacity of more than 10,000 audio streams, and can carry hundreds of digital stereo (or nearly a hundred surround) channels over a single CAT-6 cable, eliminating much of the cost normally associated with wiring labor and infrastructure. Products include the popular Element 2.0 modular broadcast console, the PowerStation integrated console engine, a family of “audio nodes” that allow easy mixing and matching of digital, analog and microphone audio, and a comprehensive suite of network administration and routing control software.

For more information, contact Clark Novak at Axia Audio, via email at cnovak@AxiaAudio.com or by phone at +1-216-241-7225, and visit www.AxiaAudio.com/intercom/.

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