AV Technology - October 2008 - (Page 34)

UNDERSTANDING IoIP put devices such as speakers. Of course, there is an interface to the IP network. It supports common audio formats such as MP3, G.711, and PCM for both voice and music. If a device develops a problem, it can send an SNMP alert to your network management software. Software control on the Barix system is achieved through a browser. Each Annuncicom 100 has a built-in web server. So you’ll be able to configure the system with any standard PC and a browser. The system also supports one-way audio back to the headend if you decide to record the instructor’s lecture. Besides G.711 and MP3, Barix recently announced supthousands of endpoints. The third version, Talkmaster SMG, supports an interface to SIP phone networks so that an intercom call could go through the public phone network to a cell phone or other device. TOA Electronics uses its NX-100 network audio technology to control the stations of its N-8000 Series IP network intercom system. TOA offers a variety of flush mount and telephone handset-type devices. It also features an executive override that allows for interrupting a call. Like the others, TOA’s software package for management uses a browser interface. The N8000 scales to large deployments, however, you need one control unit for each 16 stations. Integrating other audio such as store music or ads is easy by using the auxiliary N-8000 MI multi-interface unit. It also allows connection to a PBX for calls though the public phone network. NEW TECHNOLOGY: NEW ISSUES Often when new technology is made available to the market, some important issues are not addressed. For example, IP intercom systems have some limitations. You’ll need to be sure your security defenses are robust. Most of these systems have almost none of the standard protections such as encrypted payload or intrusion detection. The audio payload is carried in IP packets using communications technologies that are similar to the first VoIP systems. Like all IP network devices, they will be subject to denial of service attacks, snooping with packet sniffers, and may potentially be compromised and controlled. After all, they are small, dedicated computing systems with operating systems, TCP/IP protocol software, and other features that most clients and servers have. Some transfer the audio in WAV files. Free packet sniffers available on the web allow such audio transfers to be captured, stored, and possibly used to embarrass the school or company. Many sharp high school students would have the skills to capture and record the school counselor’s conversation with a teacher. It could even get posted on YouTube. Getting excellent audio output is not automatic either. Real-time audio transferred using IP is subject to interference from network broadcast traffic. (This isn’t broadcast in the traditional AV sense. Here, we’re referring TOA’s NX-8000 series IP network intercom offers flexible communications for up to 1,280 stations on existing corporate local and wide area data networks. port for the latest version of Advanced Audio Coding (AAC+) audio. If a security staff member needs to make an announcement in a crisis, they can go to any endpoint, authenticate with his or her Wiegand sensor card, and have control of the entire system. Barix also supports SIP calls and encrypted payload. Digital Acoustics also has a primary network interface device, known as the IP7. Variations of the product allow the connection of a wall faceplate with a loudspeaker and supports an integrated two-port Ethernet switch. This allows you to cascade stations down a hallway or attach another IP device where the IP7 is located. The TalkMaster software comes in three versions. The LE version is designed for simple management of intercom calls, but supports WAV file playback for announcements. The enterprise EE version is designed for multiuser, multisite applications, and scales to http://www.altinex.com/AV100108 http://www.altinex.com/AV100108

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of AV Technology - October 2008

AV Technology - October 2008 Contents Precedent Corporate: Residential AV Does Not Equal Commercial AV Government: Funding Problems? Education: DIY ISP.EDU, Part Two The Cost of Bandwidth Star Grounding Wars Understanding IoIP How to Equip a Smart Classroom Two Rooms With A View From Primitive to Professional Product Review:�Visionary Solutions AVN 420 Encoder Product Spotlight: Document Cameras New Products Ad Index AV MO: Using Infrared Microphones

AV Technology - October 2008

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