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      CCS/MUSICAM USA Newsletter                                       


IkusNet     RoadWarrior XL     MUSICAM Happenings     Contact Us March 2010
Volume 34
March 19, 2010

"Musicam's IP codec worked flawlessly once I was able to get DSL installed. I was busy getting ready for Opening Ceremonies (at the Winter Olympics)…but once I got my hands on it, I had it fully linked and operational in 25 minutes, which included the 15-minute walk between the International Broadcast Center and the city wide site (in Vancouver)! Once I assigned a static IP, it worked perfectly!"

-- Dave Peters          
Total RF               

Tech Corner


Audio Over IP Tools
Whitepaper
Download Here


Free Utility
CCS IP Codec Discovery Tool
Download Here

It's not everyday that companies roll out new products. In fact, it's extra exciting for CCS/Musicam USA and its sister company Prodys, because we place great emphasis on research and development - no matter how long it takes - to bring the highest quality IP products to you and your listeners/viewers. That's why this month, we're bursting with excitement to announce the introduction of the latest IP codec added to the CCS/Musicam USA family: the one-of-a-kind Ikusnet, which will formally be unveiled at NAB in Las Vegas next month.

An exclusive product for a groundbreaking concept, Ikusnet is a portable IP codec for radio and television that transmits audio and video in real-time back to your flagship station. Now reporters can edit and transmit packages instantly, or you can even broadcast an event in its entirety with just one portable codec!

Why would this be useful for radio, you ask? We know the Internet is altering the axis of radio stations everyday. So while you may be thinking you don't need to concern yourself with video - the truth is you do. Streaming audio on the Internet is quickly shifting to

streaming audio and video on the Internet. We're also hearing from news station clients how they'd love to not have to beg a sister television station to pull video for major events to broadcast on the stream.

Ikusnet gives YOU - the radio and television station engineers, PDs, GMs and News Directors - the flexibility to broadcast live video when, where and how you want it. Even if you're lucky enough to ride coattails of a television station, why not call the shots yourself AND be on the cutting edge of Internet news delivery?

For television stations spending bundles on ENG trucks (OB Vans), you can finally start deleting this hefty expense from your budget. You also won't need to fret over satellite availability - all you need wired or wireless connectivity.

Plus the quality of audio and video is unparalleled. Ikusnet's encoder/decoder process monitors the link quality for best data rate and adjusts accordingly automatically. If you prefer working via the sat connection, Ikusnet works with both the Internet and satellite. Primary features include:

 

  • Portable broadcast encoder
  • IP & DVB-ASI interface
  • H.264 video compression protocol with adaptive bitrate
  • 32 GBytes removable storage
  • Foldable 2 x 4" monitor
  • Touchpad menu
  • Designed for outside use

Musicam USA's RoadWarrior XL will also be traveling with us to NAB and we welcome any and all fingerprints on it. We want you to put your hands on it, feel how light-weight it is and tinker with the buttons to experience the ease of remote broadcasting with one portable IP codec (with 3G network access via a USB modem). Drop the hassle of phone company ISDN hookups and those long-distance phone call charges and trump out to your next press conference, parade, concert or news event with this convenient codec, which is the latest model of our RoadWarrior IP line. Here are highlights of the RoadWarrior XL:


  • Configurable and scalable system to optimize link for low delay, jitter, and utilization
  • Built-in four channel mixer
  • 4 Mic/Line inputs & 1 line input and 4 headphone outputs
  • Full control (local & remote) of audio levels & I/O signal routing, using cross-point audio matrix
  • IP, 3G/3.5G (optional), PSTN and ISDN (optional) communications
  • ISDN failover option
  • FEC (Forward Error Correction) and 'Error Concealment' to eliminate the impact of packet losses
  • CCS NAT Transversal Streaming Protocol permits router firewall pass-through with zero configuration
  • Optional battery with charge and status indications
  • User profiles for different talent operation
  • Meets all initial standards for IP compatibility of the EBU group: SIP/SAP/SDP/RTP

If you haven't committed to exploring IP yet, NAB is the time to do so! We'll be there to answer all your questions - all day! Ask away! In addition to asking about IP, ask us or other clients about our unparalleled technical support to help you get humming on the air - no matter where!

Stop by the CCS/Musicam USA/Prodys booth #C11533 and discover how to make your job easier.

MUSICAM HAPPENINGS...WE PUT THE 'IP' IN 'VIP ACCESS'!!

As noted up top, our RoadWarriors and Suprimas connected world audiences with live play-by-play details in Vancouver at the Winter Olympics last month. And as the sea of green floats and costumes marched up Fifth Avenue in New York City, 1010 WINS Radio was piping all the excitement of St. Patty's Day parade and unusually warm weather via Musicam USA's RoadWarrior on March 17.

A RoadWarrior is also heading to Villanova University in Pennsylvania for a live broadcast of "The Political Chick" on CBS' Chat About It online radio network (www.ChatAboutIt.com) on Monday, March 22nd from 9-10 p.m.

If you are already a Suprima or RoadWarrior client, don't forget to download the latest software upgrade version 6.1.2 and the release notes. Visit www.musicamusa.com and click on "Support," then click onto either "Suprima Support" and "Suprima Software Upgrades" or "RoadWarrior Support" and "RoadWarrior Software Upgrades." Check out all the latest features such as Forward Error Correction V4 and Error Concealment for MPEG compression algorithms.

We are still upgrading Prima clients to Suprima, which is an easy way to transition to IP (with ISDN backup). If you are a Prima client, call us at 732-739-5600 and we will walk you through every step of the process. It's simple and extremely cost-effective.


TAKE THE IP PLUNGE, OR ADD TO YOUR ARSENAL

Whether you are at the exploration stage of IP or distributing content to a network of affiliates from a remote site, CCS/Musicam USA will customize an IP solution tailored to your specific needs and provide you with a complimentary IP education, A to Z! Call 1-732-739-5600, visit www.musicamusa.com or email info@musicamusa.com.