The new audio panel in the VB440 allows unlimited channel monitoring with single channel isolation over unrestricted flows of 64 channels each, giving access to in-depth information.
The new audio panel in Bridge Technologies VB440 production probe facilitates very wide audio monitoring across a nearly unrestricted number of flows. Among a series of updates to the probe made ahead of the IBC 2023 Show, VB440 now allows single channel isolation to pinpoint audio issues, positioning it as a comprehensive appliance that gives creatives and technicians access to in-depth information, while saving considerable space, extra hardware and associated energy costs.
The VB440’s audio control panel handles audio monitoring across a practically unlimited number of flows in a service, each capable of maintaining 64 channels grouped into any required audio bond, from monoaural and stereo channels to fully immersive 7.1.4. The probe supports all current Dolby audio standards. It visualises many insights into the performance of audio groups with a range of LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale, a standardised measure of audio loudness factoring human perception with electrical signal intensity), a goniometer displaying the relationship between multiple signal phases, and room meters for closed spaces.
Users can now also isolate a solo audio channel in order to engage in closer listening for problem identification. This functionality adds to the existing ability to listen to any audio grouping – including 7.1 – in a stereo downmix through the browser. Combined, audio engineers can use these features to make sure that both channels and flows match expected outputs, not only in terms of audio quality, but actual audio content.
A further new feature is the ability to access audio quick-controls from any given VB440 screen, which means users can toggle audio on and off, or increase and decrease decibel level at the same time as they are using the other engineering and visual analysis tools included within the probe.
Extending the audio capabilities adds to the probe’s usefulness in IP and SDI-encapsulated production environments, where it carries out ultra-low latency analytics of compressed and uncompressed data. As well as technological engineering oversight, the visualised results facilitate the video production activities of visual creatives and audio engineers. It allows access to eight users at a time through any HTML-5 browser, especially useful in today’s remote or distributed environments.
Regarding the new audio updates, Chairman of Bridge Technologies Simen Frostad said, “We are very proud of the quality of the audio visualisation tools that were already embedded within our VB440, but first and foremost, an audio engineer wants to determine what they can hear. Crystal clear audio is fine, unless it happens to be crystal clear French commentary going out on your live English-language sports broadcast. Only listening can tell you that.
“The range of listening tools now incorporated into the VB440, from single-channel isolation to 7.1 stereo downmix, and the fact that they can be applied to 64 individual channels within each flow with no limit on flow numbers, is remarkable when you consider that audio monitoring is just one of a much wider range of production functions handled by the probe.” www.bridgetech.tv
