IP audio innovator Barix adds a new flavor to its encoding family with MultiCoder M400 new low-latency, multi-format solution that can send audio streams to receive points in four different formats. To be introduced at ISE 2024 in Barcelona later this month, the new hardware device also adopts Barix’s next-generation FLEXA platform to enhance buffering performance, application development, and device prototyping among other benefits.
For the MultiCoder M400, the enhanced buffering performance of the FLEXA platform eliminates all stream buffering within the device — an important benefit given the presence of multiple encoding engines under the hood. This means that customers can encode audio into four formats, including OPUS, AAC+, PCM and 320KB mp3, and send multiple audio RTP/BRTP streams to receiving devices without delay while retaining exceptional quality.
These capabilities make the MultiCoder M400 a unique sibling to Barix’s existing Instreamer IP audio encoders, which accommodate different use cases. For example, the Instreamer Classic supports more streaming protocols, ideal for Live IP Audio Encoding for Streaming Applications while the Instreamer ICE is perfect for organizations streaming solely to an Icecast server without latency concerns for online audio services. The MultiCoder M400’s greater CPU capacity also ensures plenty of space for new features and applications, providing a stronger foundation for ongoing customization and development.
The MultiCoder M400 is also the first Barix encoder to support high-efficiency AAC+ and OPUS codecs, allowing customers across a broad range of verticals in the Pro AV and entertainment industries to send a greater number of streams within the same bandwidth, and at lower bitrates than lower-efficiency codecs.
“The MultiCoder M400 is the perfect solution for an organization that needs a secure and reliable solution to serve an array of receiving platforms, including a mix of Barix Exstreamer IP audio decoders and online media players,” said Reto Brader, CEO, Barix. “Our customers and their IT departments can also rest assured that the Barix FLEXA platform at the device’s foundation supports today’s strictest security standards, including HTTPS for the setup of the device.
The MultiCoder M400 pairs well with the recently introduced Exstreamer M400 for customers that want to use the AAC+ and/or OPUS formats for their audio streams. The device also pairs with legacy Exstreamer decoders, meaning that the MultiCoder M400 can serve all existing Exstreamer decoders across a large enterprise organization.
ISE 2024 takes place January 30-February 3 at the Fira de Barcelona. Barix exhibits at stand 7C400.
