The advantages of uniting technological and protocol flexibility in a single solution

Radio broadcasting has been using a dizzying variety of formats and technologies for many decades. The age when the only way to broadcast audio was narrow-band FM is long gone. Now broadcasters can and often must serve their program in a variety of distribution formats. Even FM is on the way out, compared to digital formats like DAB, and increasingly more audio is consumed through the internet, provided in a range of streaming formats. Even in the very recent past, a broadcaster who wanted to cover all bases of radio distribution, had to acquire a whole arsenal of de/encoders, de/muxers, audio processors and more to cover all desired output formats. This was even more complicated if you looked not just at the distribution side, but at contribution as well, with its SIP de/encoders, telephone hybrids, WebRTC-based smartphone apps and more.

Now, the broadcasting landscape is experiencing a fascinating convergence of traditional and novel technologies, and Ferncast's aixtream solution is a prime example of the new technologies that enable this convergence. What makes aixtream particularly compelling is not just its individual capabilities, but how it functions as a full input/output matrix that can bridge seemingly incompatible worlds. This creates opportunities for some genuinely intriguing applications that would have required multiple specialized systems just a few years ago. As a software solution, aixtream can be deployed on any kind of hardware, which may be equipped with a range of input and output ports, which are all supported by aixtream highly developed audio backend. The obvious benefit is that it can support classical analog or digital audio interfaces (AES/EBU and MADI) as well as newer Audio-over-IP formats, including AES67, Ravenna, Dante and SMPTE 2110. The unique advantage is that this also means that receivers for DAB, DVB or FM can also be connected. And once they are, there are no limits to how these very different technologies may be used together. Whether to provide the output for multiple distribution paths in a single system or to simplify workflows using unusual inputs. Any audio format coming in, can go out in any other format, so a single system can serve in FM as well as DAB broadcasting, digital multiplexes, live and on-demand internet distribution, and archival needs simultaneously.

It should be mentioned that this flexibility does not only pertain to the input and output formats, but also encoding, which further improves flexibility. Ferncast supports a comprehensive range of codecs including PCM, FLAC, MP3, AAC (LC, HE, HE v2), Opus, Dolby formats, and even xHE AAC for next generation streaming needs.

Examples

DVB-Compliant MPEG TS as a Gateway to Internet Streaming

Consider a regional broadcaster that receives satellite feeds via DVB-S transport streams containing multiple radio programs. Traditionally, they would need dedicated DVB receivers, audio decoders, and separate streaming encoders to redistribute this content online. With aixtream, that same DVB-compliant MPEG TS becomes a direct source for simultaneous Icecast streams, HLS adaptive bitrate delivery, and DASH output. The system can intelligently extract individual program streams from the multiplex, apply different audio processing to each, and create customized streaming outputs for different platforms. All this without the need to deploy new infrastructure to deliver analog, digital or AoIP signals to the streaming encoders — even the metadata can be reused from the MPEG TS programs!

This can be especially interesting when we consider emergency broadcasting scenarios. A broadcaster could receive official emergency feeds via DVB satellite links and immediately redistribute them through multiple online channels, reaching audiences on mobile devices, smart speakers, and connected cars without any manual intervention. The same emergency content could be simultaneously encoded in multiple formats – high-quality AAC for premium streaming services, efficient xHE-AAC for mobile networks with limited bandwidth, and even legacy MP3 for older systems.

Now imagine that you could simply replace the DVB-compliant MPEG TS in the above example with a DAB ensemble or an FM signal. This is the powerful flexibility that creates real added value.

Dante/SIP Gateway

Dante has revolutionized studio audio networking, but its integration with telephony and contribution systems has often been clunky and expensive.

One noteworthy scenario is sports broadcasting. Remote commentators calling in from stadiums or even from home via traditional phone lines or SIP connections can be routed into the studio's Dante network in preparation of the final broadcast, while the aixtream system simultaneously generates backup recordings. Potentially, even the final audio could run through aixtream again, generating separate streaming feeds, on-demand files, transcriptions, or backup recordings; all of which could enjoy Ferncast’s own next-generation audio processing (ngLC).

Dante is of course just one possible example here. Since aixtream supports the whole range of audio-over-IP protocols, any such network could benefit from such a centralized workflow.

Multi-Format News Gathering Networks

Imagine a news network that needs to coordinate coverage across multiple locations with different technical capabilities. Remote contributors might be studios using anything from traditional analog feeds to modern AES67 networks, reporters making SIP calls using smartphones, and interviewees using WebRTC-based meeting software while sitting at a computer. At the same time, the network might wish to use existing content from various sources, including audio from public internet streams.

With aixtream's protocol flexibility, a central newsroom can receive feeds from field reporters using whatever technology is available at their location. A correspondent in a remote area might use a satellite SIP connection, while another in a modern studio feeds audio into their Dante network, and a third calls in via traditional phone line. On top of that, the network would also like to add audio from a YouTube video to the final broadcast. The system can normalize all these diverse inputs, apply consistent audio processing, and create multiple outputs: live streaming feeds, podcast episodes, and even transcribed text for written news articles.

This becomes particularly interesting for news organizations with international operations. A major story could be produced once and automatically distributed in formats appropriate for different regions, with locally relevant metadata and technical specifications, while maintaining centralized editorial control and quality standards. The same source material could be simultaneously processed with different loudness standards, different audio codecs based on local preferences, and different metadata formats.

Multi-Format Music Stations

The situation is similar for music-focused radio stations. Take a station that wants to distribute their content in as many different output formats as possible. They could feed high-quality AES67 audio from their main studio into aixtream, which simultaneously creates:

• An FM-optimized STL transmission feeding the FM transmitter.
• A standards-compliant DAB premux ready to feed the final regional DAB muxer.
• Multiple qualities of web streams, with versions preserving the original dynamics for audiophile listeners and lower quality versions for listeners with limited bandwidth.

This could be further scaled by creating versions with different processing parameters, like one with subdued dynamics for casual listening or a speech-enhanced version for listeners with hearing difficulties.

Since aixtream also supports radio scheduling solutions, like MusicMaster, it can even interface with a provided music database and do all of the above without need for a live feed or combine live moderation with music from a database.

Summary

From a broadcaster’s perspective, the ability to manage multiple formats, codecs and protocols all within the same system or workflow is a huge boon to modern radio delivery.

What makes Ferncast's aixtream truly compelling is not any single feature, but rather its approach to protocol agnosticism in an industry that has traditionally been built around specialized, incompatible systems. Icecast to DVB, SIP to HLS, recording Dante input - every combination is now possible with aixtream technology, and this flexibility creates opportunities that extend far beyond traditional broadcasting paradigms.

As the broadcasting industry continues to evolve toward more flexible, software-defined approaches, solutions like aixtream that can adapt to diverse technical requirements while maintaining consistent quality and reliability become increasingly valuable. The unique use cases we have explored here represent just the beginning of what's possible when protocol barriers are removed, and interconnectivity is allowed to flourish in broadcast engineering.

1. Efficient Workflows: Solutions that support multiple output formats enable new workflows. For instance, you can take an existing traditional broadcast signal (FM, DAB, etc.) and convert it for web streaming in formats like Icecast, HLS, or DASH. This flexibility allows broadcasters to reach audiences on different platforms seamlessly. Another example is a SIP/Dante gateway, which can bridge traditional telephony systems with modern audio-over-IP networks, enabling high-quality audio transmission and integration with existing infrastructure.
2. Unified Systems: The ability to combine different inputs and outputs in one system can simplify workflows and reduce the need for multiple standalone devices. This integration can lead to more efficient operations and cost savings.
3. Scalability: Flexible solutions allow for easy scalability, meaning broadcasters can start with a basic setup and expand as their needs grow. This is particularly beneficial for both small and large broadcasters who anticipate future growth.
4. Enhanced Listener Experience: By streamlining the audio flow and ensuring all audio has enjoyed the same professional processing, broadcasters can ensure a high-quality listening experience across different devices and platforms, which is crucial for maintaining audience satisfaction.

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