Following on from the release of the DD32R interface last Autumn, these two 1RU products have been designed for compatibility with Optocore's new Cat 5-based SANE platform, allowing up to 256 channels over Cat 5. The existing DD4ME and DD2FE MADI devices have thus been re-engineered to function within this environment, and include RJ45 SANE network connectivity, while the optical port upgrade (to 2Gbit LC SPF's) allows for simple user exchangeable single or multimode fibre transceivers.
The expanded capacity provides each ring with the capability of carrying up to an unprecedented 1024 audio channels over a 2 Gbit network, and at the same time create cost-effective copper based, 24 ID sub network rings from any of the 24 devices that can appear on the prime fibre based network.
Each device also supports two 100Mbit Ethernet links which meets increasing demands for Ethernet-based signal distribution over long distances (thereby ensuring redundant, fault-tolerant Ethernet).
The DD4MR-FX MADI device with Ethernet (for Optocore and SANE) has been designed with two 64 MADI Inputs and two 64 MADI Outs, providing 128 x 128 channels on BNC connectors, with two 64 SANE Inputs and two 64 SANE Outputs, providing 128 x 128 channels on RJ45 connectors, Ethernet ports and composite video I/O. It offers 128 audio input and output channels, with four RS485 ports, allowing remote, DMX, MIDI and computer data control, and RS232 and USB ports for network and device control.
Primary features include External word clock input/output; Built-in network redundancy (as a result of the two optical fibre ports); two optical links; two SANE and Ethernet links; two 100 Mbit Ethernet links; dual universal voltage AC power supplies; power consumption of typically 10W; distance between two devices of up to 700 m/2300 ft standard, with the option of distances up to 70 km.
The DD2FR-FX is a dual-port optical MADI device (for Optocore and SANE) offering two 64 MADI In and two 64 MADI Out via SC optical fibre connectors, and providing a similar featureset to the DD4MR-FX, with SANE / Ethernet ports and composite video.
In addition to the expanded functionality, the new models are up to 50% less expensive than the MADI devices they replace, with greater energy conversion and reduced power consumption of up to 40%. The new streamlined DD4MR-FX and DD2FR-FX will debut next month at the ISE Show in Amsterdam (on the stand of Dutch distributors TM Audio) and will begin shipping in February 2011.
(Jim Evans)
