Audio Compass Direct ConnectTM is a slim Audio Over IP solution, created by radio professionals with the broadcaster in mind. The simple interface, and complete peer-to-peer nature of Audio Compass Direct ConnectTM sets it apart from all other Codec solutions.
Audio is bi-directional and peer-to-peer. A pinhole in the firewall on one end is required.
Audio Compass Direct ConnectTM can be used with the Internet, Intranet, WAN, LAN, 3G, 4G, and a host of other networks.
• Choose from the following broadcast quality codecs: Opus, G.722, RAW-PCM.
• Complete online manual (with real life examples)!
• Improved audio quality and stability when other applications are running!
• Bi-directional text chat!
• Remotely control audio switchers and send relay closures via RS232 serial port!
• No complex configuration required!
• UDP protocol!
• Direct control over its receive audio buffer (50-unlimited ms) providing the greatest flexibility for your broadcast.
• Separate send/receive audio codecs for on-air quality broadcasts with a reduced bandwidth return IFB channel!
Broadcast quality codecs give Audio Compass Direct ConnectTM a long-awaited niche in the broadcast marketplace and a one-time purchase with upgrades available, for a nominal fee!
==========================================
Answer: AudioCompass™ is perfect for your stations or networks remote broadcasting needs.
Please consider AudioCompass™ for sporting events, live remotes, remote talk show
hosts, pre-recorded broadcasts and MORE.
ISDN is becoming more difficult to find and is obsolete. Other options are expensive,
requiring a "degree" in the setup and implementation of the software/hardware. Since
AudioCompass™ is purely software, once your computer is configured for connectivity (access
to the Internet) AudioCompass™ just works!
Networks, stations and remote broadcasters need a new, reliable, technology that will
fill this void! Broadband Internet connections including wireless and wired, are
everywhere (...well, almost). Allow AudioCompass™ to transfer low-delay, crystal-clear
audio from one location to another. If you need a great remote broadcast solution,
look no further!
==========================================
Answer: Voice Over IP / Audio Over IP technologies have been around for some time
and are now quite stable. However, the "real-time" nature of broadcasting has, in the
past, presented challenges in the "new frontier" known as the Internet.
Lots of work has been done in this field to improve reliability, stabilize connections
and produce a smooth ON AIR presentation. AudioCompass™ allows direct control over
it's receive audio buffer, providing the greatest flexibility. The buffer can range
from 0 to as long as your computer's memory can support. This allows you to adjust the
buffer based on the needs of your broadcast.
For a talk-show host this number would be quite low. In contrast, for a sports broadcast
or single direction audio transmission, this buffer may be increased for stability.
Although this technology is reliable and improving rapidly, the quality of your broadcast
still depends on your connection to the Internet at both locations.
==========================================
Answer: AudioCompass™ boasts several codecs for you to choose from
including; broadcast quality Opus, G.722, and RAW-PCM. The default is Opus. This is
the best sounding, broadcast quality speech codec, specifically designed for both voice
and music.
After selecting the codec, choose the preferred kilohertz which determines audio
quality. This ranges from phone line quality (8kHz) and surpasses ISDN audio to near
studio quality audio (44kHz). Select your connectivity options and you're ON AIR!
==========================================
Answer: It is true that many times a hardware solution is more stable than a
consumer grade computer option. However, that's not the only consideration:
If you have hardware issues, do you want a computer (easily replaced or substituted)
or, a proprietary solution that needs to be sent back to the manufacturer? The
computer can be replaced in minutes while the proprietary device may takes days or
weeks to be repaired or replaced.
When you have a hardware solution, it's dedicated to the "task at hand." You will
need a computer out in the field to check email, news, sports, etc. If you are
already using a computer, you can do BOTH on a single device out in the field, instead
of two or more.
If you have trouble getting connected with a computer solution, any IT person can help
you solve your problem. With a proprietary device, the IT folks on site may not feel
competent or comfortable to troubleshoot it for you.
A software solution can be installed at a lower cost point than hardware any day.
Example: Your main sports jock is sick; he has the hardware device. The backup
guy is ready to go but to pick up the hardware may be 50 miles or minutes out of the
way. Software saves the day once again. Remember that both software and hardware have
their place... the unique situation will help you decide what fits best for you.
==========================================
Answer: With the buffer disabled in AudioCompass™, the delay to encode,
and decode, audio is approximately 70 ms. The delay will vary depending on the quality of
the Internet connection; ranging from 100 to 500 ms.
Due to the nature of the Internet, we cannot tell you what your exact delay will be, however,
in the real world, as little as 200 ms is commonly seen. A LAN and Intranet has a lower delay,
where the Internet usually has a longer delay.
==========================================
Answer: Check out our System Requirements page.
==========================================
Answer: No. We want you to experience exactly what AudioCompass™ is
like out in the real world. Offering you a fully functional version to try for 30-days
does exactly that. Download and try Audio Compass Direct ConnectTM today.
==========================================
Answer: Here are 7 reasons why you should buy AudioCompass™:
[1] AudioCompass™ Direct Connect (ACDC) was developed by radio professionals with the broadcaster in mind.
[2] ACDC boasts separate send/receive codecs. Use a broadcast quality codec for the broadcast and
a low bandwidth codec for the return IFB channel.
[3] Remotely control audio switchers, and send relay closures via RS232 Serial Ports; even get
an acknowledgement that the command was sent successfully.
[4] Set your audio buffer with a few mouse clicks to deal with those pesky connectivity issues.
Receive Buffers can be controlled at both ends of the link separately.
[5] Broadcast quality codecs: Opus, G.722, and Raw PCM to name a few.
[6] Use a corporate solution that is more secure.
[7] AudioCompass™ has simple configuration screens - change your sound card send/receive,
increase/decrease the audio buffer, change codecs - you don't need to dive-down into
complicated menus full of things that don't have anything to do with your broadcast/remote.
Try the 30-day demo of AudioCompass™ today!
==========================================
Answer: No, and here's why: We have priced AudioCompass™ to be affordable for
the smallest of stations and larger organizations already benefit from the low cost solution
as well.
==========================================
Answer:Minor upgrades are provided free of charge. Major upgrades
will be offered at a nominal fee, however, the version you purchase may be used with
no restrictions.
==========================================
Answer: Email technical support is provided with your AudioCompass™
software purchase, Monday – Saturday, anytime. Phone support is available
Monday – Friday from 9a-5p MT. The online FAQ has answers to the most common questions.
==========================================
Answer: There are various things to consider when troubleshooting
this issue:
Make sure all audio cables are securely connected.
Verify that AudioCompass™ is running on both the studio and remote machines.
Make certain that both the speaker and microphone buttons are not muted. If they
are muted, a red line appears. Be sure both the input and output sliders are relatively
in the middle (not turned down all the way).
Check your network connections. A network engineer can resolve these problems with
relative ease.
The most common cause is a software or hardware firewall preventing connectivity.
You may need your network engineer to open a single port. AudioCompass™ can be configured
to use any ports desired.
==========================================
Answer: There is only one codec dropdown in the AC settings window.
AudioCompass™ allows for the selection of the Receive codec in the settings window.
The Send codec is detected and matched on the fly from the sending end.
Example: You want broadcast (on-air) quality from the remote user to send to the
studio. In the ACDC settings window on the studio machine, choose the raw pcm 44kHz codec
and click OK. Remember, you are selecting the Receive Audio codec in the settings window
of each computer. On the remote computer, you want a simple codec that will provide queues
but doesn't take much bandwidth. On the remote machine, select the Opus 16kHz codec
and click OK. The Send codec is detected and matched on the fly on each end. Thus, the
remote computer is sending raw pcm 44kHz and the studio is sending Opus 16kHz. Since the
send codec is detected and matched on the fly, the remote machine will receive the Opus
16kHz codec for the IFB channel, and the studio machine will receive the raw pcm 44kHz codec.
Think of it this way; whatever you want to receive or hear, select that codec from that location.
==========================================
Answer: Visit our support page to view a description of each codec
with suggested applications.
==========================================
Your Low-Cost Audio Over IP Broadcast Software Solution
© Copyright End to End Technologies 2005-2021
