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Nixer Pro Audio uses Merging ZMAN
OEM solution for Ravenna
The rapid adoption
of AoIP needs more innovative tools to make sure that streams are arriving safely
and a UK company, Nixer, has been providing solutions since 2017 and already
has an impressive range of Dante tools. However, rather quickly requests were
received from customers for high channel count solutions for RAVENNA too. There
was a clear need to monitor channels from multiple networks in a broadcast
master control environment. The challenge was met by the company’s RL Series
that can be specified RAVENNA or Dante and the four models cover from 64 up to
256 channels from a single operator position.
The design of the
RL series demanded a practical solution to being able to easily cater for both
network protocols. In their search for a proven solution, Nixer discovered the
Merging ZMAN which is pin compatible with the Audinate Brooklyn 2 board. It
also offered the high channel counts that the design demanded and after a more
in-depth evaluation, the Nixer team decided that ZMAN was the ideal fit. The
deployment has been easy, and results have been excellent.
The RL Series is automatically ST2110 compatible
with ZMAN and the next target is to include NMOS IS-04 and IS-05 during this
year, as well as a remote-control option using iPad via Wi-Fi. Monitoring can
be done on internal or external speakers or headphones and the high-resolution
touch screen offers comprehensive metering and status information. All this is
contained in a 1RU 19” enclosure with redundant power supply sockets on the
rear panel. On the same panel are the analogue outputs, AES3 I/O and the
appropriate number of Ethernet ports to represent the number of channels in the
individual models. All the units can operate at 44.1kHz, 48kHz and 96kHz.
Some companies are reticent to share what OEM
solutions they have adopted and even resist listing their products on industry
databases. Not so with Nixer who working with Merging and their OEM program decided
to join the RAVENNA partner program and to be open about their technical
solution. Seeing the value of being part of the wider AoIP community was
important to CEO, Nick Fletcher. “The fastest way for a small, growing company
like Nixer to keep abreast of developments is to join with other RAVENNA
partners where we benefit from the experience of companies like Merging
Technologies who have met the technical challenges as they have developed. We greatly
value this relationship.”