Audinate has debuted a number of new Dante products and solutions as part InfoComm Connected, running from June 16-18.
From its virtual InfoComm Connected booth, Audinate will be showcasing new Dante AVIO adapters; reference design kit for Dante Embedded Platform on NXP i.MX8 ARM processors; an Authorised Implementer Programme for Dante AV products; and a free downloadable trial for Dante Domain Manager.
AVIO adapters
Audience has added two new models to its line of Dante AVIO audio adapters, offering USB-C and Bluetooth connectivity for use with Dante networks. The AVIO family of adapters allow users to use non-networked audio equipment on a Dante audio network. AVIO is available in one or two-channel analogue input or output configurations as well as AES3/EBU, USB and now Bluetooth versions.
The Dante AVIO USB-C adapter allows devices with USB-C ports to deliver and receive two channels of audio with a Dante audio network. It is a class-compliant USB audio device that requires no additional drivers and works with any application, making it suitable for rapid setup of conference rooms, background music and more. The Dante AVIO USB-C adapter may be powered by the connected device or via PoE and it works with common USB-C to USB-A adapters. When using PoE, it features power pass-through for mobile devices, enabling smartphones to remain charged while connected to a Dante network.
The Dante AVIO Bluetooth adapter provides wireless connectivity to Dante networks for mobile devices and computers and is ideal for both playback from smartphones to larger sound systems, and for connecting networked speakers and microphones to conferencing software. Once configured, a user may rely upon Bluetooth to switch from local smartphone audio to a complete conferencing system to share what is being said with others.
“With the addition of those two models of Dante AVIO, we’re continuing to expand the availability of cost-effective ways to utilise non-networked equipment,” said Joshua Rush, SVP of marketing and product management at Audinate. “Both of our new models bring unheralded connectivity to mobile devices by embracing popular USB-C and Bluetooth technologies.”
The Dante AVIO USB-C and the Dante AVIO Bluetooth adapters will be available from authorised resellers in Q3 of 2020.
Reference design kit for Dante Embedded Platform on NXP i.MX8 ARM processors
The company has launched a new reference design kit for Dante Embedded Platform the NXP i.MX 8M Mini QuadLite SoC which provides Dante audio-over-IP to OEMs as on-chip software.
Solutions developed for standard computing hardware platforms such as ARM are increasingly becoming the most cost-effective and flexible way to design and deliver AV products. With Dante Embedded Platform, Audinate now provides a cost-effective way to deliver Dante AV-over-IP technology. With minimal additional hardware and low marginal costs, Dante Embedded Platform offers manufacturers and customers immediate connectivity to thousands of available Dante-enabled products from hundreds of OEMs.
The Dante Embedded Platform Reference Design Kit for NXP’s i.MX 8M Mini QuadLite processor supports up to 64×64 lossless audio channels with latency between 2ms and 10ms and is fully interoperable with all other Dante-enabled products and Dante tools such as Dante Controller, Dante Virtual Soundcard, and Dante Domain Manager.
“The Reference Design for the I.MX8 Mini QuadLite gives manufacturers a clear path to creating Dante-enabled products with assurance,” said Nick Mariette, senior product manager at Audinate. “It opens new doors for OEMs to develop the next generation of software-driven professional audio products with lower risk.”
The Dante Embedded Platform Reference Design Kit for i.MX 8M Mini QuadLite is available for order now and will be shipping July 2020.
Authorised Implementer Programme for Dante AV products
The Authorised Implementer Programme is designed for manufacturers seeking to quickly add Dante AV-based products in the shortest possible time. It gives manufacturers access to turnkey ODM products, such as full-featured PTZ cameras and receive/transmit AV-over-IP video endpoints that can be ‘white-labeled’ with the manufacturer’s brand. They also get immediate expertise in developing new video products, such as hardware design, software development, supply chain management and regulatory compliance.
For ODMs, the Authorised Implementer Programme provides access to the resources of the Dante AV Product Design Suite, enabling them to build products on behalf of OEMs. Audinate is announcing Patton Electronics and Bolin Technology as the first two authorised implementers for manufacturers looking to make AV-over-IP products utilizing Dante AV.
Dante AV delivers high-quality, interoperable AV-over-IP connectivity over standard 1 Gbps networks with extremely low latency. In addition to transmitting or receiving video up to 4K60, Dante AV supports eight channels of Dante audio.
Free downloadable trial for Dante Domain Manager
This free trial allows AV specialists and IT managers see how Dante Domain Manager can streamline and secure Dante AV networks quickly and easily.
Dante Domain Manager secures Dante networks by enforcing user authentication and roles to ensure that only trusted people can make changes to the system. It provides organisational tools that allow Dante devices to be split into functionally independent groups (domains) that correspond to rooms, spaces, buildings and more for easier routing and security. Dante Domain Manager coordinates clocking across the entire network, enabling routing of audio and video across IP subnet boundaries for large systems that must span large buildings, multiple studios, or campuses.
A freely downloadable trial version is now available to anyone who wishes to try the power of Dante Domain Manager firsthand. The 30-day trial works with up to 50 Dante-enabled devices (running Dante firmware 4.0 or higher) and allows for the creation of up to 10 independent Dante domains.
“Giving users the opportunity to see Dante Domain Manager in action is the best way to demonstrate the power and control it brings to Dante networks,” said Neil Phillips, senior product manager at Audinate. “By streamlining the evaluation process, integrators, IT managers and end-users alike can see how additional security and organisation help to keep their network working perfectly while preserving Dante’s legendary ease-of-use.”
