A Second Coming For the SIP Opus Codec AoIP Tool

Barix, known for products capable of bringing high-quality audio across IP networks, has introduced a new second model in its SIP Opus Codec family of Audio over IP transport solutions.

The M400 SIP Opus Stereo Encoder/Decoder combines the features of SIP-based link negotiation with those of the Opus compression format, forging a streamlined IP audio delivery platform for studio-to-transmitter (STL), studio-to-studio (SSL) and remote contribution applications.

Barix will showcase the new product in booth C1139 at the 2020 NAB Show, April 19-22 in Las Vegas.

The M400 SIP Opus Stereo Encoder/Decoder features the open standard, royalty-free Opus audio compression format, which has gained significant popularity for its audio quality, bitrate efficiency and low latency. The new hardware device combines the advantages of Opus with SIP functionality to dynamically establish seamless links across SIP-compatible telephone, radio or other communications systems, enabling the codecs to ‘dial’ other SIP devices or phone numbers and automatically negotiate a transmission link for audio streaming.

“Leveraging SIP-based connectivity enables broadcasters and producers to move away from the common legacy approach of using costly and technologically outdated ISDN circuits,” BARIX, based in Switzerland, notes. “For remote contribution from the field, SIP enables dynamic link establishment by ‘dialing’ registered SIP endpoints without the need for static, public IP addresses. The elimination of public IP addresses brings similar benefits to STL and SSL applications while further increasing security.”

The new M400 can be configured as either an encoder or decoder – switchable via the device’s intuitive web interface – and offers stereo, line-level analog audio input or output with RCA-type connections. Fully interoperable with third-party SIP-compliant, Opus-compatible products, the M400 also features advanced integration functionality including audio level supervision with SNMP trap generation and a serial tunnel (RS-232) for control of external devices or for transport of metadata from the encoder to the decoder.

The M400 SIP Opus Stereo Encoder/Decoder joins the previously announced, mono, bi-directional MA400 SIP Opus Codec, which offers analog microphone or line-level input and 5W 8-ohm or line-level output in a PoE-powered configuration and now also includes RS-232 tunneling support.