NAB 2013: NTP technology to showcase new audio routing, interfacing solutions

Making its NAB show debut will be the NTP Technology Penta 720, a 2U modular audio interface which provides embedded audio inputs/outputs via video SDI/HD/3G and analogue-to-digital/digital-to-analogue conversion.

Designed for use in television or radio studios, outside broadcast vehicles and public-event venues, it comes with eight channel AES3 input/output channels, MADI, two IP audio Ethernet in/outs and an Avid Pro Tools interface. The Penta 720 includes a 1024 x 1024 multiplexer and is able to route all I/O via up to three MADI I/O connections. It is fully equipped for audio over IP using the NTP IP audio protocol powered by Dante.

Up to eight optional cards plus an optional mini module can be incorporated in the Penta 720 to match specific operational requirements. The range of available plug-in cards includes an eight-channel analog input interface, eight-channel analog output, two-channel SDI/HD/3G embedder interface and two-channel SDI/HD/3G de-embedder interface.

Also on display will be the Penta 721 IP routing and distribution interface, which gives broadcasters and studio managers the flexibility to distribute digital audio via IP-based Gigabit Ethernet from a single compact chassis. It is available with AES, MADI or optical networks interfaces for easy integration with standard production infrastructure.

A full-bandwidth uncompressed audio routing network can be established to connect multiple remote sites such as regional broadcast stations through a local or wide area network. This versatility makes the Penta 721 suitable for use in permanent installations, at temporary stage venues or for outside-broadcasts. For sound studios, IP audio networking offers more flexible and less costly networking than the traditional AES/EBU, AES50 or MADI point-to-point systems.

The IP audio protocol used in the Penta 721 is powered by Dante technology and is compatible with Dante-compliant third-party products.

Up to 512 channels can be routed via the Penta 721 on a 1 gigabit network, or more if the network capacity is higher. The interface is TCP/IP controlled via one or two Ethernet ports. Latency is less than 1 millisecond. Signal sources and destinations can be configured onscreen via any standard browser using NTP’s RCCoreV4 routing control software.

Each Penta 721 chassis incorporates eight AES/EBU input/output channels, plus up to three MADI input/outputs, two IP audio Ethernet inputs/outputs, and an interface allowing direct operation from Avid Pro Tools. Dedicated control software compatible with Microsoft Windows can be employed for controlling and setting up the Penta 721 on a unit-to-unit basis when less advanced operation is required.

Also making its NAB debut is the NTP Technology DAD AX32 32-channel analogue/digital audio interface. Housed in a compact 2U chassis, the AX32 is a development of the 24-channel AX24 used by many of the world’s leading studios.