Designed by former Dolby and Orban engineers, the new Linear Acoustic OCTiMAX 5.1 Digital Television audio processor combines a multichannel, multiband dynamic range-processing engine with pro audio metadata functionality and local audio insertion capability.
The new processor, to debut at NAB2003, is designed to deliver "a clean, consistent and appropriately dynamic audio signal that is perfect for Dolby Digital (AC-3) encoding and transmission," its designers said.
Local audio features include analog and digital inputs and outputs, and AutoVoiceover, a feature that allows control-free insertion of voiceovers by simply applying local audio to the unit. Complete processing and switching of station-created audio programs is also provided. In addition, the processor generates a left-right compatible stereo downmix of the main program that can be used to feed NTSC systems.
The OCTiMAX 5.1 processing structures support eight mono programs, a 5.1 + 2 channel program, and any format in between. The two-channel structure combines a two-band AGC with five bands of compression, look ahead and peak limiting. Multiband source noise reduction is also selectable to improve legacy films and older television programs.
The three-rackspace device also contains a hard relay bypass of the digital audio and metadata signals. Remote control is provided by parallel TTL inputs and status outputs. Advanced remote control and status monitoring are provided via a 10/100-BASE T Ethernet connection.
First shipments are scheduled for May.
For more information visit www.linearacoustic.com.
