Lawo brought a number of innovative new products to the NAB convention in order to demonstrate real-world solutions for broadcasters who want to move seamlessly between baseband and IP infrastructures.
In a premiere showcase demonstration, the company introduced the Lawo A__mic8, the first member of the company’s new A__line family of high-quality Audio-to-IP interfaces. A__line products are designed to provide easy and reliable solutions for intuitively transporting analogue and digital audio signals via IP network environments. Based on RAVENNA technology, all A__line devices are also compatible with the AES67 audio-over-IP interoperability standard and include the company’s new VisCon__Navigator, an intuitive software application for easy set-up of audio and video streams in IP networks without the necessity for deep IT knowledge.
The first in its new line-up of A__line products, the A__mic8 combines eight Lawo-grade Mic/Line Inputs, four Line Outputs, eight GPIOs and two RAVENNA/AES67 Ethernet ports, all in a compact 19-inch 1RU device. Perfect for work in multiple applications and environments, the A__mic8 features Lawo’s premium grade mic pre-amps, designed to fulfill the highest demands in audio quality, providing ultra-low distortion and noise with superior audio performance and the capability to be remotely controlled via IP-network connection.
Visual radio adds entertaining and compelling video content to today’s radio shows. Live camera feeds increase listener engagement with more time spent listening and more interaction with broadcaster’s websites. In Las Vegas, Lawo debuted a new approach to visual radio by combining Lawo radio consoles and video products. Video signals can be attached to certain live audio sources and by audio detection the video naturally follows the voices of the people using microphones, enabling a video production to be created without any extra effort beyond simply speaking. In addition to visual radio, the same concept can be used to provide fully-automated audio and video coverage of sporting events, parliamentary meetings and for surveillance applications.
“A surprisingly large number of clients are either adding live camera feeds to their radio shows or planning to do so,” said Stephan Turkay, radio product manager for Lawo. “Radio broadcasters are finding that listener engagement increases when the audience is able to watch their favourite radio personalities work, and through intelligent application of the built-in features of Lawo video and audio products we can deliver this capability without disrupting or distracting the talent.”
