SONIFEX PS-PLAYS PRO AUDIO STREAMER DECODER IP to audio, digital and line level out, rack mounting

This series of designs together offer a solution to streaming a stereo audio signal over IP networks in a LAN, WAN and the internet. Both analogue and digital audio signals can be sent over an Ethernet network for decoding by the two decoding models, one of which offers analogue line-level and AES, S/PDIF, optical digital audio outputs, the other a stereo output to feed loudspeakers directly. The two decoders can also play play-listed audio from an external USB drive. Applications include internet-based music distribution or public address, streaming internet radio in entertainment or retail environments, radio and music channels in hotels and as a back-up studio to transmitter link or for confidence monitoring at a broadcast transmission site. The encoder can also act as an Icecast or Shoutcast source, the receivers can also replay streams from sources such as Shoutcast, Icecast VLC and RTP servers. The three models are available in different variants for use either free-standing or rack-mounted.

All the configuration settings for the units are accessed via onboard web-servers. The devices can configure their own IP address using DHCP/BOOTP, IPzator or AutoIP. A readout of the set IP address can be heard on every reset using SONICIP technology, if selected. Remote level monitoring is possible using SNMP traps.

All models support RTP over UDP and HTTP over TCP. In addition the PS-SEND models support raw UDP and raw TCP transport protocols.

The PS-SEND models support encoding and the PS-PLAY and PS-AMP models support the decoding of the following.
G.711: U Law/A Law, 8kHz to 48kHz sampling-rate. WAV: IMA ADPCM+, 16bit PCM uncompressed, 8kHz to 48kHz. MP3 Layer 1: 32, 44.1 and 48 kHz, CBR, VBR, ABR. MP3 Layer 2: 16, 22.05 and 24 kHz, CBR, VBR, ABR.

The PS-PLAY and PS-AMP models can replay, in addition, the following.
AAC+: HE-AAC V2 Level 3, including SBR and PS. Ogg Vorbis: Floor 1. WMA: 4.0/4.1/7/8/9 all profiles, 5-384kbps.

PS-SEND - Audio to IP - Free standing

The PS-SEND takes in an audio signal, encodes the audio in real time and sends it to the network as an encoded stream. The audio stream can be distributed over an IP-based network to one or more PS-PLAY or PS-AMP units or other proprietary servers such as those for Icecast or Shoutcast. The user may choose between analogue and digital audio inputs; the type of encoding and the transport mechanism are defined by selecting the connection from a pre-defined list on the management web-page. There are six General Purpose Interfaces which can be used to trigger the sending of the audio stream and which can also be used to trigger remote events using an output relay on a PS-PLAY and PS-AMP. The PS-SEND encodes an audio source into an MP3, G.711 or PCM audio stream using HTTP, RTP, raw UDP or raw TCP protocols, including multicast support.

The front panel has LEDs for power and status, a 6.35mm stereo headphone socket and a headphone volume control. The inputs are on the rear; three 3-pin female XLR connectors provide balanced analogue left and right signals and the AES digital input. Three RCA (phono) types provide the corresponding unbalanced analogue and the S/PDIF digital input; a Toslink connector is included for use with optical connection. Power is connected using an IEC inlet with adjacent fuse. One of two RJ45 sockets provides the 10/100Mbit Ethernet connection, the other the GPIO interface. A 9-pin female D-Sub connector provides the RS232 serial connection for control of the unit by automation systems and firmware updates.

Audio inputs, analogue: +18dBu maximum, 20k ohms, balanced; +8dBu maximum, unbalanced. Noise: -74dB. Distortion: 0.02% THD. Crosstalk: -80dB referred to FSD. Audio outputs: 150mW, 32 ohms to 600 ohms, headphones.
Power source: 85-264V AC, 47-63 Hz, 10W maximum. Dimensions: 220 x 137 x 43(w x d x h)mm. Weight: 0.84kg.

Included accessories: Power cable, manual.

PS-SENDS - Audio to IP - Rack mounting

This is a rack-mounting version of the PS-SEND. Functionality, accessories and specifications are the same as the PS-SEND except the following:
Dimensions: 1U 19 inch rack mounting, 137mm deep. Weight: 1.34kg

PS-PLAY - IP to audio - Free standing

The PS-PLAY takes an IP audio stream and converts it to a number of different analogue and digital audio stereo outputs simultaneously. In addition, it can play digital audio from an external USB-hosted file. The audio stream can be those generated by the PS-SEND, MP3, G.711 and PCM, as well as those from sources such as Shoutcast, Icecast (Internet radio), VLC and from RTP servers. AAC+V2, Ogg Vorbis and WMA audio files may be played from the external USB source.

The unit can be configured with up to three sources. The sources are prioritised in number order. If one has failed, the PS-PLAY will attempt to play the next one. If all fail, an external USB drive will be used as a back-up source. Two output relay contacts can be triggered remotely over IP from a connected PS-SEND unit. It can be controlled via serial connection, TCP or UDP; remote monitoring of the unit is also possible using SNMP traps.

Similar to the PS-SEND, the front panel has LEDs for power and status, a 6.35mm stereo headphone socket and a headphone volume control. In addition there is a USB type A socket and a button which sets the analogue audio outputs either to be controlled by the volume control or at a fixed level. An infra-red controller is included, offering adjustment of volume and navigation through a playlist.

The rear panel has three 3-pin male XLR connectors for AES digital and the analogue left and right balanced outputs. RCA (phono) types provide left and right unbalanced analogue outputs as well as the S/PDIF output. A Toslink connector provides the optical digital output. One of two RJ45 sockets provides the 10/100Mbit Ethernet connection, the other the GPIO interface. A 9-pin female D-Sub connector provides the RS232 serial connection for control of the unit by automation systems and firmware updates. Power is connected using an IEC inlet with adjacent fuse.

Audio outputs, analogue: +18dBu maximum, 50 ohms, balanced; +8dBu maximum, 75 ohms, unbalanced; 150mW, 32 ohms to 600 ohms, headphones. Noise: -94dB. Distortion: 0.03%. Gain range: -60dB to +18dB.
Power source: 85-264V AC, 47-63 Hz, 10W maximum. Dimensions: 220 x 137 x 43(w x d x h)mm. Weight: 0.84kg.

Included accessories: Power cable, manual, IR remote control.

PS-PLAYS - IP to audio - Rack mounting

This is a rack-mounting version of the PS-PLAY. Functionality, accessories and specifications are the same as the PS-PLAY except the following:
Dimensions: 1U 19 inch rack mounting, 137mm deep. Weight: 1.34kg

PS-AMP - IP to audio - Free standing

The PS-AMP is similar to the PS-PLAY differing in that the analogue and digital audio outputs are replaced with two pairs of loudspeaker terminals intended to drive a pair of speakers. The rear panel retains the two RJ45 sockets, the RS232 serial connection and the IEC power inlet and fuse.

Specifications are the same as the PS-PLAY except the following:
Loudspeaker output: 2x 15W, 8 ohm load, for 10% THD. Power source: 85-264V AC, 47-63 Hz, 60W maximum.

Included accessories: Power cable, manual.

PS-AMPS - IP to audio - Rack mounting

This is a rack-mounting version of the PS-AMP. Functionality, accessories and specifications are the same as the PS-AMP except the following:
Dimensions: 1U 19 inch rack mounting, 137mm deep. Weight: 1.34kg

Technical note:

This range is designed to be used connected to a standard Ethernet network, where transmission distances are limited to 100 metres in any cable segment and a router is used to send the IP stream from the local network to either a WAN or the internet. Alternatively, for a long distance link within a campus area or a large building, existing local network infrastructure could be used or the local network could be extended using a fibre link. See Lynx Yellobrik Fibre Optic Extenders - Ethernet, Serial and GPI - 10km.