Digigram Shows EtherSpeaker Technology at AES

Digigram released EtherSpeaker V1.0 networked speaker technology at AES 2001.

EtherSpeaker V1.0 enhances established technologies to easily and economically create audio networks using standard Ethernet cabling and components. The EtherSpeaker V1.0 development module is designed to connect a digital audio source to speakers. Up to 32 channels of 24-bit digital audio, plus control information, may be transported to a virtually infinite number of speakers.

Networked speaker modules may be connected serially. A virtually unlimited number of modules may be daisy-chained. Modules may be up to 100 meters apart with no limitation on the distance between the first and last modules in the chain. Because EtherSpeaker V1.0 is compatible with Ethernet 802.3 and 100BaseTX full-duplex standards, off-the-shelf Ethernet switches may be used to distribute EtherSpeaker transmissions to networked speaker demonstration modules. Switches may be used to facilitate complex network architecture and extend the distance between modules.

"Configuration and set-up are simpler than analog systems," said Philippe Girard-Buttoz, president of Digigram, S.A. "In public address and home audio installations, EtherSpeaker reduces installation costs and maintains a fully digital path to every speaker."

Connecting the audio source is accomplished using four, industry standard Synchronous Serial Interfaces built into the module.

The networked speaker demonstration module is just one implementation of EtherSpeaker V1.0 technology. Additionally, EtherSpeaker technology is available for licensing for OEM applications.