Calrec Audio, RAVENNA partners since NAB 2014, is to unveil a number of
networking interfaces at the forthcoming NAB show, including a 1U RAVENNA/AES67
interface that can transport 256 channels of audio on a single connection.
Designed to interface with Calrec’s powerful Hydra2 audio core which serves
Calrec’s Apollo, Artemis and Summa consoles, the 1U box can accept a second
expansion card which increases capacity to up to a phenomenal 512 channels of
audio. Furthermore, as well as offering native RAVENNA/AES67 connectivity, the
unit will also accept an AVB expansion card thereby enabling simultaneous
operation of multiple formats.
The interface connects redundantly to Hydra2 and appears like any other I/O
resource on the Hydra2 network. Hydra2’s integral suite of management tools
provides additional benefits to allow remote configuration patching, port protection,
alias files, virtual patchbays and access rights. This is an especially useful feature
in remote environments where multiple trucks are connected as it means that
different units can operate across multiple formats in the field.
Andreas Hildebrand, RAVENNA Evangelist at ALC NetworX, developers of the
RAVENNA high-performance media-over-IP networking technology, welcomes the
development from Calrec: “We’re delighted to see another major console
manufacturer implementing RAVENNA as a basis for AES67 interoperability.
RAVENNA is an excellent vehicle to bridge from an internal high performance
network – in this instance, Hydra2 – to a wider, external network whilst still
maintaining all the high performance capabilities required by demanding broadcast
applications such as ultra-low latency, high channel capacity and full bit-transparent
operation. Implementations are available from various RAVENNA OEM module
suppliers, or the technology can be natively implemented into platforms with
sufficient performance characteristics.’
According to Dave Letson, VP of Sales at Calrec, “It is imperative that Calrec
supports RAVENNA and AES67 as they are popular options for broadcasters seeking
an AoIP solution. Naturally, we want to support our customers’ working methods so
we have developed this solution to provide another option that can be chosen with
confidence to be fully integrable with Calrec’s consoles.’