Orban Implements “Direct” Digital Audio Streaming through FMeXtra
RF Transmission Channels
Groundbreaking capability enables terrestrial FM Broadcasters to use Opticodec to encode Coding Technologies’ MPEG4 aacPlus digital radio streams directly to FMeXtra receivers, from anywhere in the world
Milpitas, CA., and Tempe, Az, CA, April 24, 2005
- Digital Radio Express (DRE), and Circuit Research Labs, Inc. (OTCBB: CRLI.OB),
announce the immediate availability of the Orban Opticodec 1010 streaming
module for the DRE FMeXtra Digital SCA Encoder. This breakthrough software
module permits direct streaming of encoded aacPlus (MPEG4 HE-AAC) audio from
Orban Opticodec-compatible audio servers into the FMeXtra encoder and over-the-air
to FMeXtra enabled receivers. The combined solution eliminates transcoding
and provides the ultimate in low cost, high fidelity digital audio distribution.
"The future of digital radio is streaming technology using world-standard
audio codecs such as aacPlus from Coding Technologies,” said Derek Kumar,
VP of Engineering at DRE. “FMeXtra in combination with Orban’s
Opticodec fundamentally changes the distribution model for broadcasting digital
audio. There is no longer any distinction between Internet streaming, cellular
streaming, and broadcast streaming."
DRE's FMeXtra technology makes it possible to have multiple digital audio
channels on every FM station at very low cost. However, creating the infrastructure
required to aggregate, condition, and encode digital content can be expensive
and difficult to manage. The Orban Opticodec solves these problems and simplifies
the entire digital encoding process. With the Opticodec software, DRE’s
FMeXtra encoder can receive industry standard RTP/RTSP aacPlus streams with
Orban-optimized audio quality from any standard TCP connection and streaming
server in the world.
“Orban’s Opticodec streaming software is MPEG4 standards-based
and can already address multiple devices, like media players in computers
and 3GPP mobile devices,” stated Greg Ogonowski, Orban’s VP of
New Product Development. “Adding the ability to feed the FMeXtra transmission
chain makes it easier for broadcasters, netcasters, and narrowcasters to make
high-quality, aacPlus-encoded audio ubiquitous.”
The streaming capture software is now a standard feature of the DRE FMeXtra
encoder. Existing FMeXtra encoder customers are entitled to the update at
no charge. The Opticodec 1010 line of streaming AAC/aacPlus encoders is available
directly from Orban. For details, see
http://www.orban.com/products/streaming/opticodec-pc1010/
About Circuit Research Labs, Inc.
Circuit Research Labs, Inc., the parent company of Orban, is a manufacturer
of high-quality digital and analog audio processing, transmission encoding,
and noise reduction equipment for the radio, TV and Internet audio industries.
As technology evolves, Circuit Research Labs continues to innovate with state-of-the-art
audio processing products for DAB, DTV and streaming media.
Circuit Research Labs, Inc. purchased Orban® in May of 2000. Orban was founded in 1970 by Bob Orban, the world’s foremost expert in transmission audio processing for broadcast. Orban leads the industry in the design and manufacture of audio processors for radio, television and Internet broadcasting. Recognized for its standard-setting Optimod® digital audio processors and the Opticodec® codecs, the Orban name has become synonymous with reliable, high performance products. Today, its versatile audio processing equipment and codecs are the products of choice in fast-paced production environments worldwide.
About Digital Radio Express
Digital Radio Express, Inc. (DRE) is a privately held Silicon Valley based
company founded in 1997. DRE has made significant contributions to the development
of digital radio broadcast and receiver technology. DRE has been granted numerous
patents in wireless digital communications, particularly in the field of AM
and FM digital radio broadcasting. DRE is currently focused on bringing its
advanced digital communication knowledge to further expand the digitization
of the FM spectrum, offering significant performance, economic and novel future
application enhancements to FM radio broadcasters. DRE's FMeXtra digital subcarrier
technology is a major milestone in expanding digital capabilities for FM radio
worldwide. To learn more about DRE go to their web site www.dreinc.com
