Barix Simplifies Multipoint IP Paging and Intercom
icon4 03 20th, 2013| icon3Comments Off on Barix Simplifies Multipoint IP Paging and Intercom

Solution connects fixed and mobile devices, strips away “complexity of IP”

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, March 18, 2013 — IP audio and control specialist Barix heads to ISC West with a new IP paging solution that allows end users and integrators to set up multi-point systems within minutes.

The plug-and-play solution combines fixed and mobile paging to extend reach and capability, while removing configuration hassles typically associated with IP. This ensures that schools, hospitals, office buildings and other commercial and public facilities can be up and running quickly instead of configuring IP addresses, servers and ports for receiving devices.

Importantly, the dedicated Barix Paging firmware enables the paging master to automatically identify all zones and Barix IP hardware on the network, including other paging stations and receivers. Furthermore, a Barix iOS paging app enables iPhones and iPads as paging devices — cleanly integrating the mobile capability into the overall solution.

“The Barix IP Paging solution retains the flexibility of IP without the complexity of IP, simplifying connections and removing headaches for businesses and security professionals,” said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix AG. “We’re essentially delivering a solution where customers can plug in cables, connect loudspeakers and talk.”

The Barix IP Paging solution includes all pre-configured hardware, including paging masters and receiving devices equipped with the IP Paging firmware. Complete solutions can scale to the end customer’s needs, with no limits to the number of paging zones. The company’s two-way VoIP devices can be used at receiving points to enable intercom capability over the same network, and integrated amplifier options are available to further reduce costs and infrastructure.

Barix will showcase various hardware options and mobile capability for its IP Paging solution at ISC West (Booth 16138), taking place April 10-12 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas.

Monitor your Barix box!!
icon4 09 4th, 2012| icon3Comments Off on Monitor your Barix box!!

We’re happy to announce the posting of the latest youtube video on the BarixAG channel, the video is about Barimon; the Barix Monitoring service from our long term partner MOH Technology.

Barimon collects data from Barix devices and allows users to review, or graph the data, and also export it for further analysis. Barimon works with the Streaming Client and FTPMP3 standard firmwares and can be easily integrated into any BCL application. Click here to view the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dHzfYvBBlA

visit us @NAB in Las Vegas
icon4 04 18th, 2012| icon3Comments Off on visit us @NAB in Las Vegas

It’s NAB this week and, as ever, we have a strong team there spreading the word! If you’re at NAB, why not swing on by booth C1139 to find out what we’re up to?

You’ll be able to see the new Annuncicom PS1, which is ideal for use as a Broadcast production intercom, small footprint paging station and so much more…

If you’re not there, you can find out more here: http://www.barix.com/Annuncicom_PS1/1781/

Barix Exstreamer with internal content memory
icon4 01 27th, 2012| icon3Comments Off on Barix Exstreamer with internal content memory

It might not been known well .. so i take this opportunity to explain the concept behind the Barix Exstreamer 105/120/205 “MicroSD” card slot – ideal devices for retail radio applications.

Thousands of the Exstreamer devices are in use in instore audio applications, both for realtime/live IP streaming as well as store and forward applications. Backup content (in case of realtime streaming) and offline content (for the store and forward applications) is typically stored on a USB stick.
Customers have asked for the content storeage to be “secured” by some mechanical means, and this is the main reason we came up with the Exstreamer devices supporting the MicroSD card.

A MicroSD card can be purchased by the system integrator, loaded with content or song libraries, without Barix or Distributor involvement, which is a big plus. The MicroSD flash card then can be inserted into the Exstreamer device.

Intentionally, the card completely hides in the slot, so it can not be easily removed (if you want to remove the content, use the USB version of the product). The system integrator or content provider can then secure the slot with a tamper-proof sticker, or – and this is largely unknown – use a different frontplate, available at a nominal fee, to completely hide the MicroSD card in the device !

So, with the Barix Exstreamer family you can have both – those who want removeable content, please use the “USB” device variant, those who want the content memory to be inside the device, use the MicroSD card versions.

.. and by the way, visit us at ISE in Amsterdam next week (Jan 31-Feb 2, booth E70) to talk to us in person and check out our new products we launch !

Johannes

Reflector – there’s an app for that!
icon4 11 25th, 2011| icon3Comments Off on Reflector – there’s an app for that!

We’re really excited to announce the first of many Apps to be coming your way, The Barix Reflector iPhone app is now available for download from the App Store!

The app enables Reflector customers to listen in to their station, check the status of all their registered devices, see stats for network performance and monitor the state of the encoder contact closures. Broadcast engineers on the go can stay informed!

Watch this blog for announcements of other Apps!

Stop press: new versions of Firmware now available on our WEB site
icon4 10 27th, 2011| icon3Comments Off on Stop press: new versions of Firmware now available on our WEB site

Instreamer v3.17

http://www.barix.com/downloads/Instreamer_Standard_Firmware/1981/
– Mic audio input allows the FW to run on HW with Microphone input (e.g. Annuncicom)
– Use of DNS name in Streaming destination table (previously only numeric IP address)
– Support for Cisco Call Manager for Music on Hold applications

Streaming Client v2.24

http://www.barix.com/downloads/Streaming_Client_Firmware/1381/
– Triggered playback via metadata for Advert insertion controlled by the Broadcaster
– ASCII discovery for integration with ICgraph PC application
– Line-in support for the new Exstreamer 205, for local playback

SIP Client v1.12

http://www.barix.com/downloads/SIP_Client_Application/2331/
– Multicast socket for priority audio notification messaging, used for emergency and evacuation systems.

STL v2.12

http://www.barix.com/downloads/Studio_Transmitter_Link_STL_Application/2321/
– Mic audio input support for Annuncicom family devices
– SPDIF support for Instreamer HW
– Contact Input and Relay Output extension for Annuncicm1000

Barix Reflector Service – STL over IP without the complexity of IP
icon4 09 26th, 2011| icon3Comments Off on Barix Reflector Service – STL over IP without the complexity of IP
When Barix announced the Reflector Service, our customers wondered what this would be useful for …
Barix is well known for its Audio over IP streaming products such as the Exstreamer. So far so good – the devices are perfectly useful and reliable for a host of IP Audio applications, from STL (Studio Transmitter Link) to Paging, Intercom and Surveillance applications.
The AoIP (Audio over IP) devices from Barix are easy to configure and use, but setting up Audio Distribution over the Internet is not very easy for non- IT techies.
In addition, “static IP” addresses are needed for a reliable link – something often not easily available from the ISP, if at all, or at a cost.
Barix realized there is something to do .. and invented the Reflector Service. Because we are not hosting providers – this is not our core know how – we teamed up with the leading, high quality partner Streamguys to provide a reliable service to Broadcasters and other customers who easily want to set up a point-to point or point-to-multipoint audio distribution solution over the internet.
StreamGuys are a professional hosting organisation with all the necessary infrastructure in place to operate and support the service 24/7. Customers who are interested in the Reflector Service just need to purchase a Barix encoder and a Barix decoder device (for example, 2x the Exstreamer 500, which can serve both purposes). Depending on the device type, firmware might need to be loaded to support the Reflector service (Exstreamer 500 comes preloaded !).
From there, things are very simple – at least for 90% of the customers:
– Install the encoder and the decoder at the locations between which you want to establish the audio feed
– Go to the reflector website, set up your project, add the two MAC addresses of the device, specify encoder and decoder
– you can do some tweaks in regards to the encoding quality, attenuation, output level and buffering, if you dislike the defaults
.. and that’s it ! The devices will, within seconds, start establishing the tunnel for audio and contact closure forwarding and streaming will commence.
The “zero config” capability of the devices, of course, only works if your local network where these are installed supports DHCP and a “free view” of the internet. This is the case in most places where a DSL or cable router is used. If you need to manually configure an IP address, net mask, router, you can of course do so using a standard web browser.
To find out more about the Barix Reflector Service, visit http://www.barix.com/Reflector_STL_made_simple/1551/
To sign up for a trial, customers can simply request an account using the following links:
StreamGuys will then contact the customer and arrange all the necessary details.

So, do not limit your imagination about where to use the Reflector Service to Broadcast, Studio Transmitter Links ! The service can universally be used where Audio needs to be reliably transported from “a” to “b” over the Internet, being it for contribution, commentary or STL in the Broadcast area, being it for remote surveillance, or being it to deliver Audio to a remote bus or train station … wherever you want to distribute Audio over the Internet, the Barix Reflector solves the mystery of IP and lets you focus on the important things of your business !

Johannes

Barix Instructional Videos
icon4 09 21st, 2011| icon3Comments Off on Barix Instructional Videos

All,

Barix is proud to announce the launch of the BarixAG YouTube channel.

We are currently producing a series of instructional and marketing videos for our IP Audio devices and also the Barionet product family. The first video, a basic introduction to the Exstreamer, has been released and posted !

Here is the link to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/BarixAG

.. and here is the direct link to the Video: Barix Audio over IP Video

More videos will follow soon and we will inform you via this blog.

If you have any suggestions, comments etc, please let us know via our contact form on the website or send us an email to “info” at barix.com – we are happy to learn from you what we do good and what we can do even better !

Johannes

Exstreamer 105 now available from stock !
icon4 07 25th, 2011| icon3Comments Off on Exstreamer 105 now available from stock !

All,

the newest family addition to the Barix Audio over IP devices, the Exstreamer 105, is now available !

The new Exstreamer 105 is a sibling to the Exstreamer 100, the well known IP Audio decoder from Barix. Instead of the USB connection, which provides an interface for flash memory to store audio files, the new 105 model is equipped with a MicroSD slot.

Ideal for instore audio applications, the MicroSD can hold backup audio content, for example, and the card does not stick out of the device. For special applications, a “closed” front can be made available which secures the memory in the device.

Please contact your local Barix distributor if you are interested in purchasing the new device. All standard software which runs on the Exstreamer 100 also supports the Exstreamer 105. The device is shipped with the “streaming client” firmware.

Greetings !

Johannes

SIP firmware for Barix IP Audio devices upgraded
icon4 03 14th, 2011| icon3Comments Off on SIP firmware for Barix IP Audio devices upgraded

All,

there is a new application firmware out for the Barix IP Audio devices. SIP Client version v01.07 brings a major change intended to make the use of the devices much more easy.
The Web UI, through which the device is configured, now offers “profiles”, to allow easy configuration of different use cases

1) SIP phone
This profile is intended for applications on bidirectional devices, for applications which are similar or identical to a SIP phone. The Barix devices can be used ideally in call stations, help points etc, preconfigured numbers can be called using the contact closure inputs etc.

2) SIP paging endpoint with Background Music support
This profile works on all devices which provide output capability (all Exstreamer and Annuncicom devices) and is typically used for “IP Speaker” application or to drive a paging amplifier.

3) SIP door station
This profile enables typical door station functionality, is able to operate in automatic “half duplex” mode to support simple door intercom panels (Aiphone), and also allows to activate a relay via SIP Info/DTMF to open the door.

4) SIP gateway
An interesting “glueware” application, when this is selected, the device can work as a “SIP to standard Multicast RTP” converter, will serve as an endpoint, and re-broadcast (or multicast) the received audio stream so it can be used with any device which can play audio from a standard RTP stream.

5) SIP based audio monitoring
This mode is typically used for audio surveillance, covert operations, etc. In this mode, the device can establish a call silently to a configured destination if it picks up audio above a certain level.

The SIP application firmware now supports the PS16, the desktop IP paging station from Barix, and on the Annuncicom 155, even the microphone and speaker supervision are supported.

The firmware can be downloaded, as usual, from our website free of charge and devices can be updated via browser.
Johannes

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