Symetrix Future-Proofs Projects with New SymNet Radius 12x8 EX DSP and New 2 Line VoIP Interface Card

With a current and broadly based product portfolio that encompasses both open architecture (Edge, Radius 12x8 EX, Radius AEC, and Solus) and fixed architecture (Jupiter and Zone Mix 761) solutions, Seattle, WA-based Symetrix has emerged to take a defining role in commercial audio. Benefiting from a worldwide distribution network that has seen its products specified in more than 100 countries, Symetrix nonetheless continues to spearhead the entire design and build process from its Seattle headquarters. The manufacturer is now enhancing its readiness for a new era of AV networking through its licensing partnership with Audinate, whose world-leading Dante media networking solution is fully integrated into the SymNet DSP platform.
The SymNet Radius 12x8 DSP featuring support for Audinate’s Dante media networking technology is already one of the most established and popular items in the Symetrix product family. Now, it is set to appeal to even more integrators and end-users with the incorporation of an I/O expansion slot in its latest incarnation, SymNet Radius 12x8 EX.

This new “EX” addition makes it possible for the scope of an existing installation to be expanded quickly and easily as requirements change. Building on the 12-input, eight-output format of the Radius 12×8, SymNet Radius 12×8 EX makes it possible to take the total audio input/output count to 24—all within the same, compact 1U format.

The I/O expansion slot supports all standard optional SymNet audio I/O cards, including analog, digital, AEC, VoIP and telephone. This flexibility paves the way for multiple system configurations: for example, a SymNet 4 Channel Analog Input card yields a 16-in, eight-out processor, while a SymNet  Four-Channel Analog Output card facilitates a 12-in, 12-out setup.

Trent Wagner, senior product manager at Symetrix, comments: “SymNet Radius 12x8 EX builds upon the foundation established by the hugely acclaimed Radius 12×8. By accepting any of the standard SymNet I/O cards available, this expansion slot allows the integrator a new level of customisation and future expansion to meet the precise needs of the application at hand. The I/O formats of 16×8 and 12×12 – which are rapidly gaining in popularity across install applications—can both be accommodated by SymNet Radius 12×8 EX.” Like the Radius 12×8 unit it directly replaces, SymNet Radius 12×8 EX delivers a feature-intensive specification that includes a 64x64 channel Dante network audio bus and built-in GPIO, RS-232 and ARC wall panel support offerings for control, alongside free access to Symetrix’ ARC-WEB browser-based user-interface. 

For existing users wishing to benefit from an upgrade to the new version, a dedicated Migration Tool enables those with previous designs or work-in-progress using the Radius 12×8 hardware to easily convert their files to deploy SymNet Radius 12x8 EX hardware without any further modifications or extra work.

“As demonstrated by the launch of SymNet Composer 3.0 and the SymNet 2 Line VoIP Card, the focus here at Symetrix is on ensuring great return on DSP investment and easing the day-to-day lives of integrators. It’s evident that SymNet Radius 12x8 EX represents another step forward on this path,” says Wagner.

New 2 Line VoIP Interface Card
In the same period that Symetrix unveils the latest, feature-intensive version of SymNet Composer software for SymNet Dante-scalable DSPs, the company has also announced the launch of a new VoIP interface card to enhance communications interoperability and complement existing IT infrastructures across multiple professional applications.

A SIP-based plug-in card for use with the Symetrix SymNet Edge, Radius 12×8 EX and Radius AEC open architecture networked DSPs, the  2 Line VoIP interface card natively integrates with SIP-based call platforms and unified communications environments. Developed for maximum flexibility, the card supports both narrowband and wideband audio, and is capable of a broad range of telephony features.

Trent Wagner, senior product manager for Symetrix, comments: “With full call management features such as hold, reject, transfer, conference join and split, the SymNet VoIP interface card is more fully featured than many desk sets.”

The specification abounds in features that guarantee long-term ease-of-implementation for integrators, IT administrators and other end-users. Chief amongst these is the ability to manage the interface via any standard web browser from either the AV or VoIP LAN networks.

“This is an exclusive feature and a huge olive branch between the AV systems integrator and the corporate IT or telephony staff,” says Wagner. “Typically one does not have access to the other’s domain, which can lead to disruption and unnecessary back and forth if things do not work the first time, or the information necessary to configure the card was lacking. This approach provides the ideal antidote to that problem.”

In addition, the card’s provision of two independent VoIP lines – each with two concurrent call appearances – makes it possible to run a five-party conference call without having to deploy an external conference bridge. “This can greatly simplify and speed the set-up of the sort of ad-hoc meetings that so many companies need to undertake on a daily basis,” says Wagner.

Using built-in logic connections, the 2 Line VoIP card accommodates more sophisticated state-based applications such as paging and remote monitoring. The interface also facilitates a simple upgrade path from existing PSTN solutions to VoIP as there is no requirement to reprogram existing third-party control systems.

Validated with class-leading Cisco and Asterisk SIP-compatible call management platforms, the  2 Line VoIP card delivers low-delay audio packet transmission, adaptive jitter buffers, country-specific tone compatibility, and independent level adjustments for call progress, DTMF and ring tones. 

The Symetrix 2 Line VoIP Interface Card is available for shipping now.
www.symetrix.co