Free Exhibits Passes to NAB2005

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News from the Convention

NAB to Honor Lowry Mays with Distinguished Service Award
Lowry Mays, chairman of the board of Clear Channel Communications, will receive the 2005 Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Broadcasters during the All-Industry Opening at NAB2005 on April 18. Each year the DSA award recognizes broadcasters who have made significant and lasting contributions to the broadcasting industry.

Last year's Distinguished Service Award winner was Oprah Winfrey. Other past DSA recipients include Cokie Roberts, Edward R. Murrow, Bob Hope and Walter Cronkite.

Mays began his business career as an investment banker in San Antonio, where in 1972 he purchased and began operating his first radio station. Today, Clear Channel operates 1,200 radio stations, 36 television stations, 776,000 outdoor advertising displays, and a leading live-entertainment company. Clear Channel operates in 63 countries with more than 50,000 employees.

Mays is a former chairman of the board of regents at Texas A and M University; past chairman of the United Way of San Antonio; a former member of the Board of Directors of Harvard Business School; an inductee in the B and C Hall of Fame; and a former NAB Joint Board chairman.

NAB Crystal Radio Awards Finalists Announced
The 50 finalists for the 2005 Crystal Radio Awards have been announced. Created in 1987, the NAB Crystal Radio Awards recognize radio stations for outstanding year-round commitment to community service. This year's finalists are:

The Crystal Radio Award finalists were chosen by a panel of judges representing broadcasting, community-service organizations and public-relations firms. The finalists will be honored and the winners will be announced at the Radio Luncheon, April 19.

The Radio Luncheon will feature a keynote address by Sun Microsystems co-founder and chief researcher John Gage. The late Jack Buck, announcer for the St. Louis Cardinals, will be inducted into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame during the luncheon as well.

Eye on IBOC

Surround to be a Hot Topic at NAB2005
While IBOC is still the hot topic of the day, surround sound for IBOC is one of the more recent points of interest. Several manufacturers will show surround sound equipment, and several presentations in the Broadcast Engineering Conference will explore the topic as well.

Surround for IBOC will get the full-court press in the two-hour session called Surround Sound - A New Frontier for Radio. The four surround-sound proponents will discuss their systems and provide details on how each one works. The session will be held in room N110 on April 17.

From 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Frank Foti, president of Omnia Audio, will present The Killer App For FM: 5.1 Surround Sound. Omnia is a partner with Fraunhofer, who has developed one system. From 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., David Frerichs, VP and U.S. general manager of Coding Technologies, will present HDC Surround, 5.1 Surround over HD Radio. Coding Technologies is the company that designed the HDC codec that is used with HD Radio.

From 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Robert Reams, CTO of Neural Audio, will present 5.1 and 2.0 Interspersion: A Reality. Finally, Alan Kraemer, CTO of SRS Labs, will present 5.1 Surround Sound for Digital Radio: Market Considerations for Broadcast and Consumers from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

Another session that will discuss implementing surround sound will be presented on April 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. also in room N110. Steve Church, CEO of Telos Systems, will present Studio Structures for Surround Broadcasting. This presentation will focus on using IP to distribute audio.

Broadcast Electronics will demonstrate HD Radio surround sound originating from its Audiovault digital audio system and through an IBOC transmission chain. Surround formats to be represented include SRS Circle Surround, Neural Audio and Dolby Labs Pro Logic II.

Telos Systems will show a surround-sound implementation of the Fraunhofer system in its booth.

Harris will show the Neustar product line, which enables FM stations to offer 5.1 surround sound. The Neustar line uses technology from Neural Audio.

To ensure the quality of surround sound, the appropriate metering must be used. Logitek, Ward-Beck and DK Technologies will each show their multi-channel audio meters in action.

If you really want to learn about an extreme version of surround, attend the session 5.1 and 22.2 Multichannel Sound Productions Using an Integrated Surround Sound Panning System on April 19 from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in room N112. The paper will discuss the multi-layered audio system that was used with a 4,000-line HDTV system in Japan.

Products from the Floor

Logger
Pristine Systems Blackbox
Blackbox digital audio logger, monitor and alert system is an audio logging product to meet compliance, proof, audit, programming, management and engineering needs. Up to 16 stereo or 32 virtual mono channels of logging are available. Choose from a variety of wav audio devices, and AM, FM, and TV tuner boards. Most popular audio storage formats are supported. Advanced tools enable the program director quick review or analyze in detail the entire market. Time-based and microphone skimmer modes are included. A Virtual Radio player allows switching between multiple stations during playback as though listening to a radio in real-time.
310-831-2234
fax 310-831-6287
www.pristinesys.com
sales@pristinesys.com

Audio restoratian software
Bias Soundsoap 2
Soundsoap scrubs audio clean, reducing tape hiss, clicks and crackles, buzzing and hum, rumble and most other types of unwanted noise. This software is useful when archiving a record collection to CD. The software will buff out any scratches. Soundsoap uses advanced technology to clean audio. Click the "learn noise" button, and the software cleans the audio. Users can fine-tune the software for even more professional results in seconds.
800-775-BIAS
fax 707-782-1872
www.bias-inc.com

USB audio interface
Digigram UAX220
This USB audio interface was specifically designed for broadcast and demanding pro audio applications. Supplied in a 17cm x 22cm bag, the unit features two balanced analog input and two balanced analog outputs on Neutrik XLRs, 24-bit/48kHz resolution, a dynamic range greater than 103dB (A-weighted) and a ¼-inch headphone output. Once connected to a USB port on a computer (Windows 2000 and XP, Mac OS X, Linux), the unit is automatically recognized as a USB audio-compliant device without needing additional drivers. External power is not required.
703-875-9100
fax 703-875-9161
www.digigram.com
input@digigram.com

Cart replacement
OMT Technologies Imediapix
This cart replacement software is useful for live assist stations needing a commercial, ID and promo playback system. An infinite number of categories can be created.
888-665-0501
fax 204-783-5805
www.omt.net
omt@omt.net

Session Highlights

Outside the Broadcast Engineering Conference
There are two sessions during the Broadcast Management conference that have technical relations. On Monday, April 18, the FCC Roundtable provides just over an hour to hear an FCC Commissioner field questions relating to the tough issues that broadcasters face.

On Tuesday, the session HD Radio: You Ain't Heard Nothing Yet will discuss the next steps that broadcasters and manufacturers should take in making HD Radio a viable transmission system for listeners.

More Products

Digital audio leveler
Translantech Sound Ariane Sequel
Like its analog predecessor, the Ariane Sequel features the company's sum-and-difference processing, and adds many new features that will be unveiled at the convention. The audio processing path is fully digital, not a hybrid analog/digital design. It provides independent two-channel and stereo-linked modes, protection limiting, input/output level metering, TCP/IP and RS-232 remote control, and software upgrade capability.
212-222-0330
www.translantech.com
david@translantech.com

Single-phase UPS
Staco Energy Products Unistar SX
A solid-state UPS, the unit is designed to provide continuously regulated output voltage. For maximum flexibility, the Unistar Sx will operate over a wide input voltage range at 50Hz or 60 Hz. Standard output voltages are user selectable. The Unistar Sx provides output voltage and frequency regulation, harmonic filtration, electrical noise attenuation and protection against voltage fluctuations, frequency fluctuations, brownouts and blackouts. Optional extended runtime battery cabinets can provide protection against extended power outages. The UPS consists uses a full-time rectifier and an inverter that generates clean power. Available in tower or rack-mount models, the batteries are hot-swappable.
937-253-1191
fax 937-253-1723
www.stacoenergy.com
sales@stacoenergy.com

Audio codec
Comrex Access
BRIC technology enables broadcasters to use a variety of commonly available Internet access points to broadcast high quality, real-time audio. Access is capable of using widely available wired circuits like DSL, cable, POTS and frame relay as well as wireless circuits such as Wi-fi, 1XRTT, Edge and 3G data networks. The codec will be available as rack mount and portable units. Capable of providing voice quality connections over IP connections,the codec also offers a stereo mode that offers optimized performance when used on managed data networks.
800-237-1776
fax 978-784-1717
www.comrex.com
info@comrex.com

Digital on-air console
Harris VSDM-II
This console features a digital mixing architecture and supports analog and digital inputs and outputs to allow stations to transition to digital on their timeframe. Smaller than the RMX Digital on-air console introduced last year, the new console focuses on small market radio stations and smaller studio applications for larger markets.
800-622-0022
fax 513-459-3890
www.broadcast.harris.com
broadcast@harris.com

Convention Events

Logitek to Hold Users Group Meeting at NAB2005
On Sunday, April 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Logitek will host a Users Group Meeting at the Firenze Room in the Tuscany Hotel, 255 E. Flamingo Rd. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Seating is limited, and Logitek requests that you RSVP to John Davis at 877-231-5870, 713-664-4470 or john@logitekaudio.com.

Burk Technology to Give Away Remote Control
Littleton, MA - Mar 24, 2005 - Burk Technology will host a remote control giveaway at the company's NAB booth, N3602. One winner will be selected at random to receive his choice of an ARC-16, GSC3000 or VRC2500 16-channel transmitter remote control system. Download an entry form with complete details from Burk Technology’s website at www.burk.com (under Special Offers). Several broadcast dealers are also supplying sponsored entry forms: Applied Electronics; Broadcast Connection; Broadcasters General Store; Broadcast Supply Worldwide; Crouse-Kimzey; Giesler Broadcasting Supply; IDADE S.A.; MSC Electronics; Oakwood Broadcast; Pippin Technical Service; SCMS and Solutions Broadcast RF.

The drawing will be held Wednesday, April 20 at 2 p.m. at the Burk Technology booth.

Out and About in Las Vegas

Get Out of Town
If your time allows you more than a casual visit to a casino, try one of these day trips.

Product Peeks

Digital transmitter
Nautel XR50
As the fourth generation of Nautel 50kW AM transmitter, this modular HD Radio/DRM digital transmitter offers power modules that are hot-pluggable and can be removed and replaced without an interruption in transmission. For greater redundancy, the transmitter comes with a standby DDS exciter section including a modulation encoder with automatic changeover. It requires no manual tuning or adjustment, even with antenna mismatch corresponding to 1.5:1 VSWR at 50kW with 100 percent modulation.
207-947-8200
fax 207-947-3693
www.nautel.com
info@nautel.com

HD Radio on-air processor
Omnia Audio EXi Series
Three units are part of the new line of processors designed for hybrid ananlog/digital broadcasting: the Omnia-6 EXi for FM, and Omnia-5 EXi for AM and FM broadcasters. The EXi processors add new tools for HD Radio broadcasts. Most notably is an onboard diversity delay method and an advanced clipper design engineered to help eliminate intermodulation distortion (IMD). The diversity delay capability moves the audio delay required to match the analog and HD Radio signal paths from the exciter to the audio processor. This simplifies the audio path and eliminates a failure point in the audio chain. The Lo IMD Clipper featured in the processor reduces the IMD that is created when using moderate to aggressive clipping to create competitive loudness. Existing Omnia-6, Omnia-5 and Omnia-4.5 processors can purchase an upgrade to add EXi capabilities.
216-241-3343
fax 216-241-3343
www.omniaaudio.com
info@omniaaudio.com

IBOC combiner
Dielectric HDR Dibrid
The Dibrid facilitates in-band on-channel radio broadcasts that combine analog and dual sideband digital signals. Because the combiner does not use switches, it permits hot switching that keeps broadcasters on the air as functions are changed while also extending the operating life of transmitter components. The combiner is a stand-alone unit with two inputs and two outputs. Depending on the function, one transmitter or a combination of the two can be connected to the combiner’s inputs, while one output is attached to an antenna and the other to a station dummy load. Transmission modes can be set up to direct the analog transmitter, digital transmitter or a combination of both in several ratios to the antenna, with the residual power directed to the station load.
800-341-9678
fax 207-655-7120
www.dielectric.com
dcsales@dielectric.com

More from Radio magazine

The Pick Hits of 2005
For more than 20 years, the Pick Hit Awards have defined new and innovative technology. Radio magazine will award its Pick Hits of NAB2005 on the afternoon of April 20. Look for the placards and blue ribbons in the booths of the honored manufacturers.

Created in 1985, the Pick Hit Awards are the original NAB technology recognition and still the most valued.

More Convention Information Inside the March Issue of Radio magazine
The March issue of Radio magazine is packed with information for NAB2005.

The NAB Extra! has tons of new products that you'll find on the convention floor.

The exclusive Radio magazine FASTtrack is a unique exhibitor listing broken down into product categories, and then sorted by booth number. This lets you plot the fastest track through the convention floor.

The pullout map of the Radio Hall gives you the section of the convention that applies most to radio.

The Broadcast Engineering Conference session guide helps you decide which sessions you can't miss. We also included some additional information for SBE members and amateur radio operators.

While the convention is important, there's more to be found in the March issue of Radio magazine. Also look for Field Reports on the Edirol R-1 and Adobe Audition 1.5, learn the latest about STLs in Trends in Technology, and step inside Renda Radio in Indiana, PA, in the Facility Showcase.

Convention Registration

Free Exhibits Passes to NAB2005
Be a guest of Radio magazine at NAB2005. Follow this link to register for a free exhibits-only pass for the convention. The Radio magazine code is AC46.