The Comrex BRIC-Link II, like the Comrex BRIC-Link, is a low-cost, high-performance solution for audio-to-IP conversion. Leveraging many of the core technical aspects of Comrex’s successful remote broadcast ACCESS product line, BRIC-Link II provides for an elegant way of moving linear or compressed audio with very low delay.BRIC-Link II is very simple to use, and can be deployed over a wide range of IP links. While it carries an entry-level cost, BRIC-Link II maintains superb audio specifications and hardware reliability, making the system suitable for STLs and other mission-critical functions without the expense required of more full-featured codecs.
BRIC-Link II is contained in a small desktop package. Two BRIC-Link IIs may be installed to occupy 1U of rack space.
BRIC-Link II is uniquely suited to point-to-point "nailed up" high-quality audio links over a variety of data networks, such as:
The robustness of the BRIC technology (Broadcast Reliable Internet Codec) used in the box allows the system to perform well on the public Internet as well (using AAC compression modes).
BRIC-Link II acts as a web server, allowing the user to access all controls through an intuitive web interface. The page displays connection status, extensive network diagnostics, and audio level meters for remote monitoring. From any location, users are able to configure profiles for various connections with point-and-click connection commands.
Initial IP configuration is easily managed by the user with a Windows-based setup utility to be run on a computer located on the same local area network for low-fuss installation. The setup utility also functions as an upgrade utility, allowing flash upgrades from the Comrex website to be applied to the hardware in minutes.
BRIC-Link II can function as a streaming server, delivering multiple streams to computer based media players that support HE-AAC (also known as aacPlus). HE-AAC has the advantage of delivering good quality at very low network bandwidth. As an example, BRIC-Link II can deliver more than 40 stereo streams over a T1 Internet connection when using the HE-AACv2 24Kb/s encoder. Tested players include WinAmp, VLC and Windows Media Player with Orban/Coding Technologies aacPlus Plugin.
BRIC-Link II also offers the ability to act as a source feed for both SHOUTcast and Icecast servers. With a single BRIC-Link II, you can expand your radio presence to the Internet without the need for a dedicated PC.
BRIC-Link II provides for four end-to-end contact closures to be delivered along with the audio stream in each direction. Alternately, the contact closure inputs may be configured to initiate connections. An ancillary data stream is available via RS232 along with the audio stream.
In AAC modes, the system is capable of sending up to 3 one-way encode streams to separate decoders (requiring additional bandwidth). In addition, BRIC-Link II supports IP Multicast on capable networks.
For users concerned about delay and coding artifacts, BRIC-Link II offers a robust stereo or mono linear mode that does not compress audio. In addition, BRIC-Link II is the only real-time audio codec to offer FLAC lossless compression, which reduces network throughput by 30–40% with absolutely transparent coding and no tandem coding concerns. For situations where more reduced bandwidth is desired, BRIC-Link II offers AAC/HE-AAC modes as standard, allowing superb audio quality at dramatically reduced data rates. For compatibility with mobile phone and web apps, BRIC-Link II also implements Opus audio compression, along with VoIP standards G.722 and G.711.
BRIC-Link II is a true codec, offering a full-duplex stereo encoder and decoder in each box. Where two-way transmission is not required, the reverse channel may be disabled. The BRIC technology incorporated includes a jitter buffer manager that automatically balances delay and stability, dynamically increasing and decreasing delay based on network performance. For networks where the QoS is known, these parameters may be set so that a consistent level of jitter buffer is maintained.
End-to-end coding delay in linear modes is less than 25mS and FLAC modes are less than 30mS. AAC modes incorporate around 100mS total end-to-end delay and HE-AAC modes deliver around 220mS.
In addition to coding delay, network propagation and jitter buffers will add delay to any IP link and are network dependent.
BRIC-Link II offers balanced, professional level analog I/O on standard XLR connectors. Alternately, the Left I/O connectors may be switched to AES3 digital audio format. BRIC-Link II can be connected to an IP network through a Gigabit Ethernet jack. Contact Closure and Ancillary data are delivered on Mini-DIN style jacks. Audio level is displayed on the front panel via L & R tri-color LEDs. These LEDs may be configured to display send or receive level. A status LED on the front panel displays connection status as well as Ethernet status.
BRIC-Link II is also equipped with a card slot and a USB port for future use.
Additionally, the front panel of the BRIC-Link II features a headphone jack for monitoring purposes.
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