Digital Snakes and Fiber Cable

[Testing123]

Originally Posted by memphisindie

I still don't have stats that say an invisible, closed, peer to peer, wireless G or N system wouldn't be fast enough

Sure, on paper an N system might be fast enough. But what are you going to do when you set up at the venue and realize you are only getting 25% of the throughput you need because of all the other junk in the radio spectrum at that site? You have no control over that. I'd never want to trust my audio link to something that could go down in the middle of an event because some other system nearby fired up and destroyed my bandwidth. I'll take copper.

I like Steve's laser link. Very cool. Careful though - you can put an eye out with one of those things!

[bishopthomas]

I don't like to use wireless mics on recordings so there's no way I would trust my entire night (and reputation) on a wireless Ethernet signal.

[Remoteness]

It's true, I'm also not very comfortable with wireless mics for recording, but we have to deal with that scenario each and every day we're on location.

Thank goodness, we don't have to deal with wireless Ethernet runs.

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by bishopthomas

I don't like to use wireless mics on recordings so there's no way I would trust my entire night (and reputation) on a wireless Ethernet signal.

I think that if telemetry can be used for mission critical things like nuclear reactors, open heart surgery, and space shuttles, they can get it right enough for audio. However, being old school myself (thanks to people like Steve, including you, Steve) I'm not sur I'd trust it yet either, however, I think a closed wireless p to p over ip on that mega gigabit system that got shown last year shows ample room and promise.

Right now, I can see why you wouldn't, sorry for bringing it up, but, once I get one something with no answers, I don't let go till I have them.

[Remoteness]

For me it's more about the sound quality of the audio signal than the technology.

Yes, there could be drop outs here and there if the system wasn't setup properly, but the sound quality is constant.

With that said, manufactures have improved the quality of the audio, but (IMO) it still is not as good as a wired mic.

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

For me it's more about the sound quality of the audio signal than the technology.

Yes, there could be drop outs here and there if the system wasn't setup properly, but the sound quality is constant.

With that said, manufactures have improved the quality of the audio, but (IMO) it still is not as good as a wired mic.

Yeah, we all have bad experiences from overcompanding vhf mics. The new UHF mics are miles away, however, they still do more companding than you would like for recording. Most of the quality can be improved in those mics by changing the capsule used.
There is a digital standard for audio broadcast over uhf, but, I'm not sure it would work in this instance. There would have to be the usual redundant line-of-sight antennae network, kinda like the laser thing, but, it wouldn't saw your assistant in half neatly.

[LX3]

Anyone know if the fibre connection on the Aphex Anaconda system is actually just MADI optical?

Or is it proprietary?

The Anaconda distribution hub might just turn out to be the thing I'm looking for, but only if it's actually compatible with MADI optical.

Proprietary systems drive me up the wall. It would be bizarre - but quite handy - if the Anaconda is actually standard MADI masquerading as a proprietary snake system.

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by LX3

Anyone know if the fibre connection on the Aphex Anaconda system is actually just MADI optical?

Or is it proprietary?

The Anaconda distribution hub might just turn out to be the thing I'm looking for, but only if it's actually compatible with MADI optical.

Proprietary systems drive me up the wall. It would be bizarre - but quite handy - if the Anaconda is actually standard MADI masquerading as a proprietary snake system.

The new Anaconda Model 828M features two
MADI outputs as well as pass-through for digital audio at 96kHz sample rate via SMUX protocol.
There are eight ADAT optical inputs and outputs on each unit for local
interfacing.

Looks like the opticals are all ADAT, BNC for the MADI. No biggy, BNC is more reliable than optical.

[LX3]

I'm talking about the SC connectors... I think Aphex refer to them as "Fiber-link", but to all intents and purposes they look like MADI, physically at least. But if they'll only connect to another Aphex digital snake box, then they're not much use to me.

Why they'd label the BNCs as MADI, but not the optical connections I don't know.

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by LX3

I'm talking about the SC connectors... I think Aphex refer to them as "Fiber-link", but to all intents and purposes they look like MADI, physically at least. But if they'll only connect to another Aphex digital snake box, then they're not much use to me.

Why they'd label the BNCs as MADI, but not the optical connections I don't know.

Makin me wonder too.

[netsound]

here is another low cost cat5 or fiber (using MC) digital snake system. Anlog in and analog out with use of external Pre's.

NetworkSound Digital Audio Snake

[mpdonahue]

Originally Posted by LX3

I'm talking about the SC connectors... I think Aphex refer to them as "Fiber-link", but to all intents and purposes they look like MADI, physically at least. But if they'll only connect to another Aphex digital snake box, then they're not much use to me.

Why they'd label the BNCs as MADI, but not the optical connections I don't know.

I talked to the product specialist at Aphex about just this question. The answer is that it is a proprietary format and is not MADI.
It's a shame, as that would make this a real killer product.
As it is we are waiting for an 828M for evaluation.
All the best,
-mark

[bishopthomas]

Mark, please let us know what you think after you have had a chance to use it.