Streaming PCR-1000 Digital Audio

Network Audio

The other major issue for network control of the PCR-1000 is what to do with the audio. The audio output of the receiver is analog. As such, it needs to be converted to a digital stream before it can be transmitted over the network. Again, there are several options. In general an audio server is needed. Several exist. Real Systems has an audio server that will convert analog audio into a streaming audio G2 format. Some users might find the G2 format attractive. Microsoft also supports a number of CODECS and streaming audio formats for their multimedia products.

One of the serious drawbacks to network audio is the delay between analog input and receipt of the digital output. This is due to the overhead required for compression and buffering, both at the server and at the player. The more efficient the compression, the narrower the bandwidth, and the greater the delay. If bandwidth is not an issue, less compression will give shorter delays. A long delay can make some of the receiver functions awkward.

Some headway has been made already with proprietary streaming audio controls. Digital telephony over the Internet has some of the same problems. Telephone conversation is awkward, to say the least, when there is a delay in excess of 0.5 seconds between calling parties.

Network audio isn't for everybody. The optimum configuration for the receiver is to be 'set and forget'. Features such as scanning, bandscope, and browsing cannot tolerate typical network delays. In those circumstances, a faster audio conversion application is needed.

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This page is maintained by: Ted Handel
Page Last Updated: 6-22-2000