Packed full of innovative new features such as streaming audio back-up and broadcast facility management, the WorldCast Astral is a key device for every studio and transmitter site. At its heart, the new WorldCast Astral is a rock-solid IP STL platform offering a full complement of professional audio delivery algorithms including Enhanced apt-X, Linear, MPEG L3, MPEG L2, G.711 and G.722. This keenly-priced entry-level codec can then be tailored to meet the precise needs of the broadcaster wishing to build-in extra functionality for reliability, remote control or compatibility. For added reliability, the WorldCast Astral offers redundant power supplies and an exciting new audio back-up suite. Should the main IP link go down, the WorldCast Astral’s Audio Back Up package allows a station to continue to broadcast from either static files stored on an SD card within the unit, or, direct from a SHOUTcast stream.The sophistication of the unit’s back-up is such that it enables the user to manage multiple (up to 10) playlists, schedule specific files to play at specific times and even use contact closures to trigger file playout.
For easy and extensive control of your WorldCast codec network, broadcasters can use either APT’s highly intuitive Codec Management System (CMS) Software (supplied as standard) or an optional web browser accessible through a separate IP link. However, the power of the WorldCast Astral goes far beyond that of the codec network. Using Audemat’s Scripteasy V2 software, the Astral enables remote control of a wide range of SNMP-enabled equipment at the transmitter site. The powerful graphical interface enables the creation of scripts and automatic routines to monitor devices and trigger changes on units such as audio processors, satellite receivers, RDS encoders and transmitters as well as numerous routers, servers and switches. Should you wish to connect to legacy equipment without support for the SNMP protocol, we can also offer a solution via Scripteasy EasyLink, a customised RS232 API enabling the integration of serial protocols.
Lastly, for added compatibility, not only is the WorldCast Astral fully SIP and N/ACIP compliant but it also offers an optional algorithm pack including MPEG 4 AAC LD, MPEG 2/4 AAC LC and AAC HEv2 to ensure maximum compatibility with other codecs in the field. APT’s WorldCast Astral will be demonstrated on the WorldCast System Booth C751 in Central Hall 2 at the NAB Show, April 12th-15th.