Comrex is expanding its BRIC technology IP codec family with the BRIC-Link.

The BRIC-Link is an "entry-level" model with fewer bells and whistles than the Access BRICs. It is also designed for less complicated but possibly always-on operations in remote or unmonitored locations. And though it might be less fancy it is fully capable of handling T1/E1 lines, satellite data channels, WANs and LANs.

Comrex Technical Director Tom Hartnett stated of the half-rack BRIC-Link: "We've included coding algorithms such as AAC and HE-AAC, licensed by Fraunhofer IIS, as standard, in addition to several linear modes to accommodate various data circuits and network connections. The BRIC-Link also offers FLAC lossless compression, which reduces network bandwidth by 30 to 40 percent while providing completely transparent audio coding with no tandem coding effects."

I/O includes 1/4-inch, 1/8-inch, Ethernet and serial. BRIC-Link is controllable via a computer with the latest iteration of the Comrex Device Manager. The free applet will configure IP networks, track other BRIC devices and download BRIC updates.

Also, recently announced is a Streaming Server Mode for the BRIC-Link. The Streaming Server Mode allows the BRIC-Link to act like a computer server and receive signals from HE-AAC-compatible computer media players such as Windows Media Player and WinAmp by using the Orban/Coding Technologies AAC/aacPlus Player Plugin.

Booth: N6729