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| The new Exstreamer SoundScape players provide a highly reliable platform for remote device management and local playout |
Barix last year introduced SoundScape, a solution to centrally manage and distribute branded audio over IP networks of any size. At ISE 2015, Barix will demonstrate the complete cost-reducing, revenue-generating capabilities of SoundScape as the company brings the fully integrated solution to market – including cloud-based content management and live status monitoring via the SoundScape Portal; and new compact, multi-format Exstreamer SoundScape IP audio players for location-based media playout.
SoundScape is the only “in-store radio” solution capable of integrated audio distribution, remote device management, dynamic contact scheduling, system-wide reporting and monitoring, and high-quality, multi-format audio playout. Essentially, SoundScape brings together several traditional Barix strengths previously available as separate applications—including dynamic, targeted ad insertion—to simplify, accelerate and monetise deployments for content providers and systems integrators. SoundScape’s cloud-based, software-as-a-service (SaaS) design also establishes a centrally hosted model to increase network accessibility and availability, reducing overall operating costs and maintenance. As a result, SoundScape is more than a basic in-store radio solution: It is a fully functioning, revenue-generating music and entertainment system with hierarchical user management for single locations (clubs, supermarkets), large campuses (universities, corporate complexes) and multi-location networks (retail and hotel chains).
The introduction of Exstreamer SoundScape players is significant because it provides a highly reliable platform for remote device management and local playout. The Linux-based players feature the traditional benefits of Barix Exstreamer devices—including a compact form factor, low power consumption, multi-format decoding and broadcast-quality audio—and adds integrated control via a simple built-in, five-button keypad. Users can navigate the menu, skip songs, and change audio settings and network configurations without connecting to the central web-based SoundScape interface. A blue-toned backlit LED display details audio program and player information relevant to the location.
Exstreamer SoundScape players also bring greater efficiency to the playout operation through exceptional internal memory, minimising network resources required for live streaming. A built-in real-time clock ensures that players continue to stream content locally via internal content storage in the event of network downtime—and pick up exactly where the playlist left off upon return of the network.
Visitors to the Barix stand (Hall 8, M-245 in the Amsterdam RAI, February 10-12) can simulate remote device management using the SoundScape Portal, the solution’s central management interface. In a typical SoundScape deployment, a content provider or network manager can visualise every player on the network using an intuitive, interactive map. Colour-coded pins help users quickly determine the operating status of every player in the network, with green indicating normal operation and red indicating that attention is required. SoundScape’s in-depth troubleshooting capabilities enable users to remotely drill down into each player to determine and fix operating issues, while finely-tuned alerting capabilities inform users of problems via automatic e-mails or SMS texts.
"SoundScape brings together a complete hardware and software solution to build new revenue streams and reduce total cost of ownership for branded, location-based music and entertainment" |
The SoundScape demonstration at ISE will also allow visitors to establish connections between the Portal and players—the first step in adding new locations to the SoundScape network—build dynamic playlists featuring music and advertisements, and download audio content to local players. The SoundScape Portal’s rich content management capabilities also allow users to centrally assign and schedule content to unlimited player groups; and group devices by location and language. These flexible parameters further empower SoundScape’s revenue generating benefits by establishing a foundation for highly targeted, localised ad insertion.
“SoundScape is exciting as it truly offers a wide range of users an audio content distribution system for background music and messages across commercial and public spaces,” said Frank Frederiksen, managing director, Barix. “No other IP audio solution on the market offers as rich of an SaaS-enabled content and player management solution that also incorporates targeted advertising, stream tracking and reporting, and live status monitoring. Adding in tried-and-true reliable Barix audio players, SoundScape brings together a complete hardware and software solution to build new revenue streams and reduce total cost of ownership for branded, location-based music and entertainment.”
