Wohler has said it has added three Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) connections to its new iVAM2-MPEG monitor.

The enhancements to the monitor include CALLER and LISTENER modes, monitoring of encrypted SRT streams, and the ability to select STREAM-ID for multistream endpoints. The advanced MPEG stream analyzer is now also directly available via the front panel in addition to the web interface, Wohler said.

With the update, the iVAM2-MPEG now supports both CALLER and LISTENER modes, enabling operators to initiate or accept SRT connections according to workflow. The unit can also monitor encrypted SRT streams, giving customers confidence when observing secured contribution and distribution feeds, the company said.

For workflows that carry multiple SRT streams over a single IP/port, operators can now select and monitor the desired stream using its STREAM-ID, reducing setup friction and simplifying multi-program confidence monitoring. The integrated MPEG stream analyzer is now available on the front panel, it said.

The iVAM2-MPEG has long supported viewing and selecting packet identifiers (PID) tables on the web interface. Providing this capability on the front panel gives operators a structured, at-a-glance view of parsed MPEG tables and programs and allows the direct selection of specific audio, video or subtitle packet identifiers (PIDs) for decoding on the fly, without having to pivot to the web UI, it said.

“These enhancements and improvements reflect our focus on delivering best-in-class solutions for real-world broadcast and production needs,” Amol Natekar, vice president of engineering, said. “Dual-mode SRT, encrypted stream monitoring and STREAM-ID selection combined with a front-panel MPEG analyzer help operators connect faster, monitor securely and make the right selection immediately—without extra configuration overhead. We remain committed to continuously improving usability and capability across Wohler solutions.”

All features are available as a free software download.

More information is available on the company’s website.

HAYWARD, Calif.—Wohler Technologies will showcase its newly launched iVAM2-MPEG SRT during IBC2025, Sept. 12-15, at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Center.

The 2RU unit can decode MPEG SRT, MPEG2, H.264 or H.265 HEVC transport streams at bit rates up to 35 Megabits per second. It parses out MPEG transport streams and presents operators with PID (packet identifier) tables, allowing for independent selection of audio and video PIDs for decoding and monitoring, the company said.

Overlays on the video display allow for monitoring of closed captions and subtitles embedded in the MPEG transport stream. The unit supports audio monitoring for AAC, Dolby Digital+ and MP3. The iVAM2-MPEG SRT has two 4.3-inch LCDs for an easy-to-operate touchscreen interface complemented by a built-in web server, which enables operators to configure presets, upgrade the unit and view audio meters remotely, it said. Wohler has also released two new 1RU 12G-SDI monitors: the iVAM1-SUM16-12G, with a 7-inch touchscreen; and the iAM1-MIX8-12G, with a 7-inch touch and tactile knob interface. Both monitors provide 12G-SDI and 3G-SDI support.

The company has also added four GPI/O capable AV monitors: the iVAM1-1-G, iVAM2-2-G, iVAM-SUM16-G and the iAM1-MIX8-G. These new monitors provide 4x GPIs and 2x GPOs that can be enabled via a software license key.

Wohler is also introducing an optional 12G SDI re-embed feature to re-embed 16 audio channels chosen from any connected audio source in the 12G SDI BNC output. Available on the iAM1-12G and iVAM1 and iVAM2-12G monitors, the feature is available via software activation, it said.

See Wohler at IBC2025 Stand 10.B12.

More Information is available on the company’s website.

Missed any of our recent product news? Here is TV Tech's weekly wrap-up of new products, services and deployments we published in our newsletter between July 29 to August 2. The stories are listed from the newest on Friday August 2, day by day back to our stories from Monday July 29

JVC Begins Shipping New KM-IP12S8 Series vMix 4K Video Switchers

The latest JVC Solutions are designed for multi-camera productions of live sports and events.

Vivo Taps Harmonic to Power Caliente TV Sports Channel

Harmonic's VOS360 Media SaaS-based Solution is being used to simplify media processing, playout and primary distribution for a new sports channel in Mexico.

EVS Acquires MOG Technologies

The deal will expand its market reach and further support the extension of EVS’ MediaCeption workflows.

Ateliere Launches Its New `Connect AI’ Offering

At IBC 2024 Atelier will be showing what it is billing as the industry’s first end-to-end GenAI media supply chain solution.

VITAC To Demo Latest AI Captioning, Translation Advancements at IBC 2024

The company’s AI-powered Captivate captioning solution lowers the cost of captioning.

Sony Ships M2L-X Live Production Switcher

The switcher leverages hybrid procession and operations for on-premises and cloud production.

Comcast, Comscore Expand Cross-Platform Measurement Efforts

Enhanced partnership will allow Comscore clients to tap into Comcast Advertising’s Signal Authentication solution to increase fidelity of measurement and attribution.

Rohde & Schwarz To Showcase Latest Updates To Gallium, StreamMaster, PRISMON At IBC Show

Its Gallium and StreamMaster playout environment now runs on the latest Windows and Linus releases.

Dolby Acquires THEO Technologies

The deal will help Dolby expand its solutions for live sports and entertainment that enable viewers to interact with content while watching on different screens.

Atomos Unveils Shinobi II HDR Monitor

The new high-brightness HDR monitor is designed for vloggers, creatives and photographers.

iSpot Launches Cross-Platform Measurement Offering for TikTok

The solution enables brands to verify the audience overlap and incremental reach TikTok delivers against linear TV.

CommScope Launches STARLINE ESD 1.8 GHz Amplifiers

The ESD amplifiers offer substantial upgrades for DOCSIS 3.1 networks and an incremental path to DOCSIS 4.0.

Bahrain TV Launches Middle East’s First IP Playout System

State broadcaster tapped Grass Valley for the upgrade.

Critical Connection: Automotive ATSC 3.0

Experts discuss ATSC 3.0's role in automotive connectivity.

Comscore Introduces Comprehensive Cross-Platform YouTube Audience Measurement

Comscore measurement and video insights are now available for YouTube traffic on desktop, mobile and CTV.

Wohler Announces 3G-SDI To 12G-SDI Upgrade Path

The new module, OPT-RMOC-12G, makes it possible to migrate a 3G-SDI capable monitor to a 12G-SDI (4K) capable monitor.

Wooden Camera Introduces Accessory System for Canon EOS C400

The system integrates with a wide range of Wooden Camera, Canon and third-party accessories.

Avid Unveils Latest Version Of Media Composer

The release adds a new transcript tool, deeper Pro Tools compatibility and enhanced collaboration.

Vegas Creative Software Launches Vegas Pro 22

Improvements to the video engine enable new AI-assisted features, text-based editing and enhanced audio tools.

Dot Group Showcases AI-Driven Solutions for M&E at IBC 2024

Dot will sponsor the AI Tech Zone networking area, highlighting innovative data management solutions.

PMVG Launches NextGen TV Station in Cookeville, Tenn.

The Public Media Venture Group (PMVG), a business development consortium of 32 public stations, has launched NextGen broadcasting service on W35DZ-D, its low-power station in Cookeville, Tennessee.

ADMC Riyadh Deploys Ikegami HDK-99 HDR Camera Systems

Each system comprises an HDK-99 camera head, FA-97A fiber interface, BSX-100H base station, VFL-P700A viewfinder and OCP-300 operation control unit.

Leader Electronics of Europe to Feature New ZEN-W Series Advanced Analyzers at IBC Show

Test and measurement specialist Leader Electronics of Europe will make the European debut of its ZEN-W Series of advanced analyzers at IBC 2024, Sept. 13-16, at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Center.

V-Nova, Amlogic to Support MPEG-5 LCEVC on Amlogic SoCs

V-Nova and Amlogic have announced a partnership to support MPEG-5 LCEVC on Amlogic SoCs.

Pliant to Showcase New Compact Crewcom Radio Pack at IBC2024

Professional intercoms provider Pliant Technologies will highlight its new CRP-C12 Compact Radio Pack at IBC2024, Sept. 13-17 at the RAI Amsterdam.

Disney, NBC and NFL Among IBC2024 Innovation Awards Finalists

IBC has announced the finalists for this year’s IBC Innovation Awards, taking place on Sunday, Sept. 15 during IBC2024 in the RAI Amsterdam.

HAYWARD, Calif.—Wohler Technologies has appointed John Earnest vice president of global sales and marketing.

Earnest joins the company’s executive management team after spending nearly 30 years collaborating with some of the world’s largest broadcasters, MSOs, DTH providers and telecom companies. He has a wealth of industry experience having held global sales and marketing positions focused on the IP networking, outside plant/GIS and broadcast and media sectors. 

"The depth and breadth of John’s experience in the broadcast and service provider sectors will be invaluable to our customers navigating the shift to IP-based workflows and evolving media delivery landscapes,” said Wohler CEO Makarand Karanjkar.

“Further, his comprehensive understanding of technical sales, broadcast and telecom brings strong technical and market application knowledge to the growth of MAVRIC, our exciting new software-based remote monitoring solution."

More information is available on the company’s website.

SAN FRANCISCO—Wohler Technologies has announced that it is adding to their successful i  VAM range of products with the release of the 2U iVAM2-12G 16 channel audio/video monitor.

The company said that the i VAM2-12G is designed to build on the success of their iVAM1-12G launched mid-2022. It is available for immediate shipment. 

“With the release of the iVAM2-12G, we’re responding to customer requests and extending our reach from 1u to 2u for those users who would like or who need larger screens and improved audio monitoring. This highly configurable AV monitor incorporates our latest technology as well as options for monitoring the latest signals including hitless SMPTE 2022-7,” explained Kim Templeman-Holmes, vice president of sales and marketing. 

The new iVAM2-12G can monitor and meter up to 16 channels of 12G-SDI audio and video, plus 2 channels of analog audio in a compact 2U format. With 64 presets and utilizing dual touch screens, operators may toggle between video, meters, loudness measurement and menus. A HDMI output allows additional external monitoring of the currently selected video source, while analog XLR, headphone and selected 3G-SDI outputs are also included as standard.

For added flexibility, upgrade options are available on the rear panel for monitoring AES3, MADI 64 (incl a fiber option), SMPTE 2110, and SMPTE 2022-6. A rear panel option card slot offers the user the choice of upgrading with either an AoIP card which can accept either Dante or Ravenna card options (both offer SMPTE 2110-30 and hitless SMPTE 2022-7) or an additional 8 channels of analog inputs and outputs, the company explained. 

The dual 4.3” touch screen front panel utilizes mature design philosophies from previous iAM Series products, while physical front panel controls provide access to main volume, balance, and auxiliary controls to supplement touch controls. Individual audio channels may be summed, soloed, or muted by touch or mechanical control, the company said. 

A front mounted USB port is provided for software updates to support new and emerging technologies and a network interface allows for remote management, while APIs allow for easy integration with 3rd party controllers. 

Wohler is pitching it as the perfect solution for any application that requires a unit for monitoring an evolving range of professional signals.

More information about Wohler is available at www.wohler.com. 

Wohler Technologies has announced the re-design and release of its DA and MDA line of audio monitors in both 8 and 16 channel configurations.  

For end users who only require baseband monitoring (3G-SDI, AES3 and Analog), these units are optimized for a lower price, while being familiar to the market in their monitoring goals, the company said. 

The company also explained that the 1U e AMP product line was designed to be much easier to operate than the retired S8’s and include a wide 7” LCD touchscreen display providing fast access to input sources, meters and menus, all augmented by hardware controls.  

Currently, three units are available, an e AMP1-S8-MDA (8 channels), an e AMP1-S16-MDA (16 channels) and an e AMP1-S8-DA (Analog and AES only, 8 channels).  SDI includes a looped output.  The base models allow source selection with sum, mute and solo operations (no presets or loudness) with the usual headphone, speakers and Analog XLR outputs that come with all Wohler products.

For those who want to bring the functionality of these eAMP units closer to their current iSeries offerings, a software upgrade package is available that includes loudness monitoring, presets, web meters/monitoring/ configuration and customized output routing, Wohler said. 

Dolby D and Dolby E processing are also available for upgraded units.

“We are pleased to bring back our familiar DA & MDA units to offer a lower price point to customers who require Wohler quality, but don’t need the extra expense involved with IP monitoring,” says Makarand Karanjkar, CEO of Wohler.

HAYWARD, Calif.—Wohler Technologies has introduced vMON, a new line of 4K and 8K video monitors that includes SDI and HDMI inputs.

Available in 17-, 27- and 32-inch sizes in both 4K and 8K formats, this premium range of video monitors has been designed to address multiple applications ranging from Electronic Field Production (EFP), studio and shooting to playout, post-production, OB and events, the company said. 

The vMON range supports a variety of professional production and processing features, including support for 3840 x 2160 4K to 8192×4320 8K resolutions, HDR indication, QUAD View, various video scopes, markers and quality aids, including darkness check and focus assist. The combination of features makes the vMON range suitable for the most demanding 4K and 8K workflows, it said.

Other features include 2SI and SQD 4K/8K signal support, 16-channel embedded audio level meters, built-in speakers, rack mount (17-inch only) or Vesa mount, support for 608/708 CC closed captions and picture flip.  The quad display can simultaneously support four different formats of 4K/HD/SD signals on different windows, making the range well-suited for 4K, 8K studio, high-end color grading and film production.

More information is available on the company’s website.

The Fraunhofer-Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, primary developer of the next generation, immersive and personalized MPEG-H Audio system, and Wohler, supplier of monitoring solutions to the broadcast and streaming industry, have announced that they are partnering to deliver MPEG-H Audio monitoring to broadcasters and streaming services.

“Partnering with Wohler will soon enable broadcasters and service providers worldwide to check the quality of their next generation MPEG-H Audio productions in SDI-based workflows as well as in future ST 2110 IP-based infrastructures,” says Adrian Murtaza, senior manager, technology and standards at Fraunhofer IIS. “We are particularly pleased to deliver monitoring of the MPEG-H Audio system’s advanced personalization options to a broad user base.”

“Wohler’s new relationship with Fraunhofer continues our tradition of developing innovative market-leading products.  Our exciting partnership has now brought to market the first ever MPEG-H immersive in-rack audio monitoring solution.  This is delivered as a software option for our flagship iAM-12G in-rack monitor, enabling our customers to monitor and analyze their MPEG-H productions,” explained Makarand Karanjkar, CEO, Wohler Technologies Inc.

The new version of the iAM-12G-SDI 4K Monitor will enable comprehensive quality control for MPEG-H Audio live production workflows with a wide range of features to monitor the technology’s advanced interactivity options. This will enable users to control the MPEG-H Audio Production Format in addition to traditional audio formats over its 12G-SDI, AES, and SFP inputs, the companies said. 

It provides operators with an easy and accessible way to quality-check all MPEG-H Audio interactivity options just before the final transmission. The intuitive visual display and graphical user interface of the iAM-12G-SDI are similar to those used by at-home-audiences to interact with MPEG-H Audio content. They allow operators to switch between various presets, enhance the dialog, and dynamically position audio objects in the three-dimensional space.

In addition to that, the enhanced functionality provides audio metadata monitoring options for loudness and dynamic range control. They also ensure that all audio objects and metadata are perfectly aligned with the video content on SDI. This is particularly useful for programming like live sports broadcast, where commentators as well as action sounds need to be perfectly positioned.

Wohler Technologies has launched a new range of audio monitors, the iAM SUM series. Offering a choice of up to 32 channels of audio metering on a single 7” wide screen, they are available with a choice of 8, 16 or 32 channel formats and feature a row of virtual rotary dials to adjust trim levels of individual channels or pairs. 

These units also display loudness, phase for stereo pairs, and the channel name, which can be manually edited or automatically read from a network connected router – a feature that users will be familiar with from Wohler's MIX8 and MIX16, the company said. 

“Wohler has taken a large step forward to bring to the market a 32-channel monitor” says Makarand Karanjkar, CEO.  “We are also excited to release a unit with a single larger screen, that incorporates our familiar and mature touch controls backed up by mechanical controls to meet a wide and evolving set of end user use cases.”

Whether monitoring 8,16 or 32 channels, the unit can be configured to operate in either single channel or pair mode. Standard features include 3G-SDI and a pair of Analog inputs and outputs. Users can upgrade/license other signal formats and processing options, as and when needed, either initially or after purchase, Wohler reported. 

Equally at home in QC, fast-paced OB and live-to-air production environments, iAM-SUM is designed to provide intuitive audio monitoring with instant access to signals or to user-definable presets of any individual signal source or a mix of sources for monitoring and mixing. Options for additional signals include AES3, MADI, DanteTM, RavennaTM, SMPTE-2110 and SMPTE-2022-7, the company said. 

Options include the ability to license AES, MADI and custom-mix output routing. An audio over IP option card offers monitoring of either Dante or Ravenna (including monitoring of 2110-30). Primary and secondary RJ-45 Ethernet ports on the AoIP option card enable hitless (redundant) 2022-7 monitoring. Recently introduced out-of-band 2110 set-up is available via the web GUI. Also available is an analog option card, offering 8 balanced inputs and outputs on DB-25 connectors and a TOSLINK (SPDIF) connector. A third option card adds two SFP cages which will accept either 3G or 12G SFP’s. API’s, remote GUI’s, loudness, and network ports remain standard on both units, the company explained. 

Wohler Technologies has released an ‘audio only’ 12G monitor adding to their existing and highly successful iAM product range.

Based on their existing 3G iAM-AUDIO-1 PLUS and virtually identical in operation, the new iAM1-12G features two 12G-SDI inputs on BNC and a looped output of the selected SDI input, while retaining an SFP slot for additional SDI, 2110, or 2022. 

While other functional aspects remain the same, including the ability to licence AES, MADI, custom-mix output routing and Dolby processing, the audio over IP option card IP option card offers monitoring of either Dante or Ravenna (including monitoring of 2110-30). 

Primary and secondary RJ-45 Ethernet ports on the AoIP option card enable hitless (redundant) 2022-7 monitoring. Recently introduced out-of-band 2110 set-up is available via the web GUI. 

Also available is an analog option card, offering 8 balanced inputs and outputs on DB-25 connectors and a TOSLINK (SPDIF) connector. A third option card adds two SFP cages which will accept either 3G or 12G SFP’s. API’s, remote GUI’s, loudness, and network ports remain standard on both units. 

“The addition of the iAM1-12G offers our users a lower cost 12G monitor for those not needing video monitoring while at the same time retaining the familiar features, benefits and options already available across our iAM range”. says Kim Templeman-Holmes, vice president of sales and marketing. 

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Some of us can remember when audio was regarded merely “as the poor step-child of video.” There was but a single channel to look after, and it passed muster if it met the aural equivalent of “it looks good leaving here” and the transmitter operator didn’t complain about carrier over-deviation. 

But that was then, and this is now. Television audio in the 21st century is anything but a simple “step-child” that doesn’t need to be watched that closely. 

Multiple Formats
Start with the increasing plethora of formats, according to Mike Waidson, application engineer at Telestream.

“Gone are the simple days of analog audio—we must now deal with digital PCM with one-to-many channels,” Waidson said. “These audio channels are distributed in multiple ways. Sometimes the audio is embedded in SDI. But it is now also carried as an audio stream in IP. To further complicate matters, the carriage in multiple file formats, whether uncompressed or compressed, is a common occurrence.” 

Berny Carpenter, audio product manager at TSL, agrees. “With the evolution of audio delivery formats, we have seen audio channel counts gradually increasing, particularly for marquee content, such as high-profile sports events,” he said. “What was stereo became 5.1, and now we’re seeing the next generation of audio delivery formats for broadcast which cater to immersive and personalized audio, including Dolby Atmos and Fraunhofer’s MPEG-H. 

“The signal formats used in productions have gradually changed too,” he added. “Within the last two decades, SDI has gone from 1.5G (HD-SDI) to 3G, and now 12G is becoming more and more common.”

Like so many media tech solutions these days, “one size does not fit all” anymore, according to Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe, Nugen Audio product specialist.“People are consuming content in such a wide variety of environments, on such a wide variety of equipment, so in my opinion our biggest challenge is making sure the audio always translates. You want the dialog to be intelligible regardless of whether someone is watching on their laptop on a train using inexpensive earbuds, or watching in a home cinema with a finely tuned 7.1.4 setup.” 

Meeting the Challenges
A common denominator in designing today’s professional audio monitoring gear for television is flexibility—the ability to expand or otherwise change monitoring capabilities as operations grow and requirements are added. Capability for updating existing capabilities or for unlocking initially unneeded features is also a big plus.

“Being able to future-proof an investment is obviously appealing for broadcasters, enabling them to reduce CAPEX and add capabilities to a product only if it is required at a later date,” said TSL’s Carpenter. “TSL’s audio monitors include connectivity options and software features as upgradeable items. The PAM-IP supports upgrades for both ST 2110 and Dante IP connectivity, whilst our SAM-Q range offers optional MADI connectivity and loudness functionality. All of these can be purchased with the unit, or retrospectively applied.”

Larry Schindel, senior product manager of TV Solutions at the Telos Alliance, is also an advocate of upgrading via software changes.  

“Unless a monitoring unit is a basic stereo, analog, ‘speaker in a box’ type of unit, the modern monitoring devices are digital, sometimes even being a ‘PC in a box,’” Schindel said. “The nature of these digital devices today is that they are meant to be updated as new features are developed. All Telos Alliance units are designed to be updated as new software-based features are added and become available.”

Nugen’s Vinehill-Cliffe observed that product “agility” is not the only benefit derived with software-driven monitoring.

“The ability to work faster than real-time with software tools, Nugen’s VisLM or LM-Correct, for example, is also a major advantage,” Vinehall-Cliffe said.

“As it stands, our full Loudness Toolkit bundle already supports 7.1.2 audio, and this is also true of Halo Vision. Anyone who owns VisLM, LM-Correct or ISL v2.0 and above can already upgrade to v2.9 for free. Many of our updates are free, and even when issuing a paid update we offer discounted upgrade paths for existing owners.”

In addition to monitor future-proofing, Wohler CEO Makarand Karanjkar described another “plus” that can come with software architecture: increased functionality within a single “box,” something that’s especially welcome in crowded racks found in smaller control rooms and production vehicles.

 “The rapid evolution of signal types, whether Dante, Ravenna, ST2110, ST2022-7 or Dolby ATMOS, coupled with various mezzanine compression formats like JPEG2K for backhauls, or HEVC for distribution, is driving the need for multifunctional hardware, with software that can upgraded to meet evolving needs,” he said. 

And the Beat Goes On…
As ATSC 3.0 broadcasting continues to roll out, it brings with it additional requirements, even one for which a standard has yet to be developed. “We anticipate the need to support multiple audio codecs for ASTC 3.0, and our iVAM series of products are well equipped to support emerging technologies like Dolby AC4 in the future,” said Wohler’s Karanjkar 

“With the additional height channels and personalization objects in next-generation audio formats there is more to measure than ever before.” said TSL’s Carpenter. “As an example of how TSL can help broadcasters with this requirement, the SAM-Q range allows for up to eight simultaneous programs [each up to 9.1.4] to have loudness measured, logged and a downmix can be monitored through the unit itself.” 

Telos Alliance’s Schindel notes that for broadcasters moving to ATSC 3.0, audio monitoring specifically for the advanced broadcast format may not be necessary.

“Most broadcasters who are launching ATSC 3.0 services today are doing a simple simulcast of what’s on their ATSC 1 service, so other than wanting a monitor which can decode Dolby AC-4… there isn’t much new that they need, yet,” he said. “Dialog Enhancement is an inherent part of Dolby AC-4, so really any AC-4 decoder should be capable of supporting this function, but looking forward, broadcasters will want monitors that support Dolby Atmos and personalized audio which ATSC 3.0 is capable of supporting.”

“The challenge for the broadcaster is to deal with another compressed audio format, AC-4,” said Telestream’s Waidson. “While this offers…the ability to carry multiple streams with more audio channels, it requires equipment to support these formats.”

Nugen’s Vinehill-Cliffe noted that some of this equipment has yet to be developed.

“It’s great that the ATSC 3.0 spec includes support for object-based audio,” he said. “But currently there is no standard for calculating or measuring the loudness of object-based audio, which poses a problem. Once a loudness standard has been developed… broadcasters will need monitoring tools which can support the new standard. This is something which we at Nugen are looking towards tackling.” 

Television audio monitoring has certainly come a long way from one simple VU meter. Perhaps it’s fitting to resurrect an old saying and add a corollary:

“There’s no rest for the weary—particularly if you’re an audio monitor designer.”

HAYWARD, Calif.—Wohler will release its newly announced iVAM-12G video and audio monitor at the NAB Show, April 23-27, in Las Vegas.

The 1U monitoring solution offers a lower cost and lower height alternative to the company’s 2U iAM-12G-SDI. It is well-suited for applications in which 12G processing is needed but Dolby Atmos decoding is not.

The iVAM-12G offers all of the features of the company’s existing 3G models as well as two 12G/3G/HD/SD-SDI inputs with selected SDI out, a pair of analog inputs and outputs, an HDMI output, loudness measurement and phase indication. Network capabilities for remote management of the unit, including viewing meters and other monitoring information, are also supported, the company said.

Other signal options include: AES3 inputs, MADI, ST-2110, ST-2022-6 and audio over IP. Processing options include Dolby decoding for SDI and AES3, as well as SMPTE ST-2110. An upgraded output routing feature also is available.

The new monitor offers space for any one of up to three option cards: the newly releases SFP Option Card and two additional 3G inputs to 3G products or two 12G inputs to 12G products, it said.

Other option cards provide audio over IP in either Dante or Ravenna formats. They offer ST 2110-30 primary and secondary RJ-45 Ethernet ports and enable hitless (redundant) ST 2022-7 monitoring. An analog option card offers eight additional balanced inputs and outputs on DB-25 connectors and a TOSLINK (SPDIF) connector, it said.

See Wohler Technologies at NAB Show booth N6614.

More information is available on the company’s website.

HAYWARD, Calif.—Wohler Technologies today announced the addition of HDR detection and optional Dolby decoding to its iVAM1-3 and iVAM2-2 16-channel audio/video monitors.

The new HDR detection capability is now available with new product shipments and available via Wohler’s website as a free upgrade for existing users.

HLG, PQ and SLOG3 are all displayed as HLG on the status screen, while the HDR10 and HDR10+ formats are mirrored on the status display screen. The feature is also available for Wohler’s iAM-12G-SDI.

The new support for Dolby decoding provides for monitoring of Dolby D, DD+ and E. Monitoring may be added to existing iVAM units with the purchase of a license. No additional hardware purchase is required. 

The Dolby Zoom feature allows operators to zoom quickly into a single Dolby bitstream from multiple encoded Dolby streams and other channels, making it possible to listen immediately to and meter contained audio channels, as well as view the associated Dolby metadata.

When the Output-Mix Routing option is added, Dolby pairs can also be added to custom presets and routed to custom output destinations.

“Adding Dolby monitoring options for the iVAM1-3 and iVAM2-2, and HDR detection to our iVAM and 12G-SDI continues to keep Wohler at the forefront of meeting a very wide number of customer pain points and monitoring requirements,” said Wohler engineering manager Amol Natekar.

More information is available on the company’s website.

SAN FRANCISCO—Wohler Technologies has announced two new features for their flagship iAM-12G-SDI AV Monitor, the world’s first 2U 16 channel 12G to offer the option of Dolby ATMOS monitoring.

One feature is the introduction of an optional plug-in AoIP card, which the company said would enhance the flexibility and available choices of signal sources. 

The second is “output routing,” which allows channels to be either routed, or combined and routed in customized ways to various destination outputs. 

“These new features are important additions that allow our customers to benefit from additional routing capabilities and the IP signal source options they need today," explained Kim Templeman-Holmes, vice president of sales and marketing at Wohler. "The AoIP card offers an easy upgrade path for additional signal sources when required. Wohler’s successful product development continues to be led by working closely with our users, incorporating their valuable feedback into our roadmap."

HAYWARD, Calif.—Wohler Technologies has released iVAM2-2, a 16-channel audio/video monitor in its iVAM line of products, building off the company’s iVAM1-1 it released in mid-2020.

The iVAM2-2 can monitor and meter up to 16 channels of 3G-SDI audio and video, plus two channels of analog audio in a compact 2U format. It features 64 presets and dual touch screens that enable operators to toggle between video, meters, loudness measurement and menus. An HDMI output allows for additional external monitoring of the currently selected video source. Analog XLR, headphone and selected 3G-SDI outputs are also included as standard.

Upgrade options are available on the rear panel for monitoring AES3, MADI 64, SMPTE 2110 and SMPTE 2022-6. A rear panel card slot lets the user upgrade with either an AoIP card that can accept Dante or Ravenna card options or an additional eight channels of analog inputs and outputs.

The iVAM2-2’s dual touch screen front panel is based off previous iAM series products, while physical front panel controls provide access to main volume, balance and auxiliary controls to supplement touch controls. Individual audio channels may be summed, soloed or muted by touch or mechanical control.

There is also a front-mounted USB port for software updates, while APIs allow for integration with third-party controllers.

Wohler says that the iVAM2-2 is now available. For more information, visit www.wohler.com.  

SAN FRANCISCO—Wohler is now offering a Dolby Atmos 3D Room Visualizer option to go with its iAM-12G-SDI platform.

The Dolby Atmos 3D Room Visualizer provides two new screens to help the user visualize the location of each audio bed or dynamic channel for both actual and dynamic channels. The first screen shows the listening room with a 3D front view, with a representation of the video program screen location shown in the center. Objects are shown as named channels (in blue boxes) for the audio bed objects or as numbered channels (in green circles) for the dynamic objects. These objects appear according to what is present in the Dolby Atmos bitstream. A maximum number of 16 objects can be displayed simultaneously.

The second screen shows the listening room with a 3D top view, looking down into it. The displays give a representation of the video program screen location. Also shown are audio bed objects, which are fixed positions as speakers in the listening room. Either dynamic channel objects or audio bed objects can be shown in the Dolby Atmos 3D Room Visualizer.

There is also a metadata screen, which provides three sets of data, selected via tabs. Data includes Dolby metadata, loudness data and presentation data, providing x-y-z coordinates for the position objects in the 3D Room Visualizer.

The release of the room visualizer provides “a complete end-to-end solution for monitoring Dolby Atmos via any of 12G-SDI, AES3 and the audio essence of SMPTE-2110,” said Amol Natekar, Wohler engineering manager.

Wohler has announced that with the purchase of the Dolby Atmos 3D Room Visualizer option, users will receive a free firmware upgrade for iAM-12G-SDI.

For more information, visit www.wohler.com.  

SAN FRANCISCO—Wohler has announced that it is now integrating Dolby Atmos as part of its decoding and monitoring options for its iAM-12G-SDI audio/video monitor, specifically the Dolby Audio Professional Decoder.

This new integration will enable iAM-12G-SDI users to monitor Dolby Atmos and other traditional Dolby Audio technologies. It also allows for the mixing of Dolby signals with other broadcast signals in customized presets. Support for these features can be enabled over 12G-SDI inputs, AES inputs and SFP inputs.

Other new features that Wohler has added to the iAM-12G-SDI include loudness measurement, phase indication, support for 12G fiber options, preset enhancement and pre-fade or post-fade selection of both XLR and DB25 output connectors.

For more information, visit www.wohler.com.  

LONDON—In today’s IT-dominated world, with its increasing reliance on virtualization, it would be easy to assume that the physical audio monitoring unit (AMU) is becoming as archaic as the cathode ray tube. But while there is greater reliance on software, hardware is not completely out of the picture.

“Although over the longer term we envisage a gradual change from hardware to software solutions, currently the two go hand-in-hand and remain totally complementary to each other,” comments Kim Templeman-Holmes, vice president of sales and marketing at Wohler Technologies. A general mix of the two, he says, is still preferable, something reflected in Wohler’s current range of IP monitors. These, he explains, are “significantly more software reliant than our older products,” with representational state transfer [REST] infrastructure technology and APIs facilitating remote access and control.

Wohler’s main AMU range is the iAM (intelligent Adaptable Monitoring) Series, which includes the iAM-Mix, with its “straightforward” front panel controls, and the iAM-Audio, offering interactive touchscreens. The company’s most recent product is the iVAM1-1 audio-video monitor, which was due to ship in July.

A GRADUAL SHIFT

A new AMU that is a major advance from its manufacturer’s previous models is the TSL Products SAM-Q-SDI. Audio product manager Stephen Brownsill describes it as “80% software and 20% hardware,” adding it is “very different” to TSL monitors of the past.

“The whole industry has been undergoing a gradual shift from purely hardware solutions towards hardware and software and most recently to software only,” Brownsill says. “Using software presents opportunities for us to measure audio levels and visualize them in a variety of new ways. Sound engineers can now freely select different audio scales and set the appropriate audio reference level with ease.”

Nugen Audio produces a range of software-only systems for a variety of applications, including the VisLIM loudness meter. Product specialist Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe says there are “plenty of people who still use hardware loudness meters” but that, increasingly, sound engineers are recognizing the “convenience” of software-based units.

“The main draw is that there isn’t really a practical way to measure loudness faster than real time using hardware,” he explains. “Loudness is measured over time and small changes to a mix result in a full re-measure, which can take an hour. Software-based solutions have time-saving features like real-time loudness measurement and the history function.”

Vinehill-Cliffe says work to improve loudness measurement is “constantly ongoing.” This is shown by loudness featuring heavily in the ATSC Recommended Practice document Conversion of ATSC 3.0 Services for Redistribution and the (at the time of writing) forthcoming release of a revised version of the EBU R128 standard. Loudness standards are being updated so they can be more effective for high definition and streaming services.

TSL’s Brownsill says that new software-oriented AMUs can be easily upgraded to accommodate new algorithms. TSL has targeted this critical area by incorporating eight loudness probes into the SAM-Q-SDI, enabling it to measure eight separate programs simultaneously.

At Wohler, Templeman-Holmes says the company “tries to be ahead of the game on any technical revision or innovation” by reviewing either new standards being developed or any changes to existing guidelines. “To a large extent our customer base drives our development,” he says. “If there is sufficient demand we will develop a solution.”

AUDIO OVER IP

It would be fair to say that another example of this approach is how AMU companies have handled the increasing use of audio over IP (AoIP) in broadcasting for networking and connectivity. RTW already offers both the leading AoIP systems, Dante and RAVENNA, on its TouchMonitor TM7 and TM9 models and earlier this year added compatibility with SMPTE ST 2110. “It is the latest standard within audio and video over IP and we expect it to replace SDI solutions over time,” said RTW’s Senior Director of Product Management Mike Kahsnitz, when the announcement was made in April.

Brownsill says that, compared to ST 2022-6 and ST 2110, AoIP technologies are well established, giving the opportunity of “being able to create an audio network rather than relying on ‘point-to-point’ system architectures.” He adds that there are still issues with Dante and RAVENNA being proprietary formats, although the AES67 interoperability standard has made interconnection between them possible. “But until AoIP becomes dominant for transporting audio, AES3 and MADI will continue to have a future,” he adds.

Templeman-Holmes agrees that AoIP now accounts for a significant proportion of AMU sales but points out that “only a very small percentage” of orders do not feature other signal formats. “Analog is in heavy decline but most of our products continue to be ordered with a mix of AES3, MADI or SDI,” he says. “RAVENNA/AES67 and Dante demand continues to grow because of the ability to effectively and cheaply transport large number of audio channels.”

NEW REALITY FOR PRODUCTION

Another aspect of AoIP that is adding a new dimension to audio monitoring is the ability to network and interconnect over distances. This allows for remote working, which has become a necessity during the coronavirus crisis.

“With COVID-19, a great many customers have been forced to adopt different workflows, especially those involved in the live production of sporting events,” says Brownsill. “While remote production is nothing new for many of our customers, we are seeing that many of them have now accelerated their plans to adopt remote production as their new normal going forward.” To enable this, another of TSL’s main monitoring systems, the PAM-IP range, features three different control protocols: NMOS, Ember+ and an in-house designed API.

Nugen has taken a different approach by making all its post-production software compatible with iLok, allowing users to work with the systems on mobile devices or from home studios.

As for the future of audio monitoring in a broadcast world of ever more channels and platforms, the main manufacturers are keeping an eye on new or emerging standards and technologies. Wohler is not seeing any demand yet for ATSC 3.0 as a transmission standard but Templeman-Holmes says it already has products to monitor MPEG-2/4 and Dolby Atmos.

At TSL, Brownsill sees ATSC 3.0 “enabling more consumers to experience object-based audio formats such as Dolby Atmos over the air.” As a result SAM-Q features both Dolby Atmos and AC-4 monitoring capability.

From its humble roots as a moving coil meter, audio monitoring looks certain to carry on evolving and play a major role in ensuring that new broadcast formats work properly.

HAYWARD, Calif.—Wohler Technologies has introduced the budget-priced iVAM1-1 16-channel audio/video monitor. 

The iVAM1-1 can monitor and meter up to 16 channels of 3G-SDI audio and video, as well as two channels of analog audio in a compact 1u format. A single 2.4-inch touchscreen, incorporating design philosophies from previous iAM Series products, allows operators to toggle between video, meters and menus, the company said.

An HDMI output provides for additional monitoring of the currently monitored video source. Analog XLR, headphone and selected 3G-SDI outputs are also included as standard. Options are available for monitoring AES3, MADI64, SMPTE ST 2110 and ST 2022, it said.

Front panel controls provide access to main volume, balance and auxiliary controls to supplement those available via the touchscreen. Individual audio channels can be summed, soloed or muted by a touch or mechanical control, the company said.

A front-mounted USB port is provided for software updates and a network interface allows for remote management. APIs allow for easy integration with third-party controllers, it said.

The iVAM1 is scheduled to ship in July, the Wohler said. 

More information is available on the company’s website.  

LAS VEGAS—At the 2019 NAB Show, Wohler Technologies debuted iAM-12G-SDI, the latest product in their iAM IP range of rackmount monitors. Based on Wohler’s iAM-Video-2, the new monitor includes dual input 12G-SDI over BNC and 4 SFP cages, two of which may also be configured as additional 12G inputs. Featuring 16 meters and touchscreen technology, Wohler says it is the first in-rack monitor to offer 12G Video with the option for Dolby Atmos monitoring.

The two 12G-SDI inputs on BNC can also monitor 3G/HD/SD-SDI signals, providing complete backward compatibility. ST2110 and ST2022 inputs are enabled by the use of SFP’s using the SFP cages that can also accept a variety of modern and traditional signal inputs. Dolby Atmos signal processing is also enabled over the 12G-SDI inputs, along with Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital Plus with Dolby Atmos and Dolby E.

“We are pleased to have had the opportunity to partner with Wohler in delivering Dolby Atmos monitoring solutions to the market allowing Dolby Atmos roll-out to scale,” says JC Morizur, senior director of Professional Products and Solutions, Dolby Laboratories. “The addition of Dolby Atmos monitoring in Wohler’s iAM series range of rackmount monitors will drive more ways to experience spectacular audio.”

The iAM-12G-SDI supports multiple signals: 12G/3G/HD/SD-SDI, options for VoIP formats (SMPTE 2110, SMPTE 2022), as well as a growing range of additional I/O options via its small form-factor pluggable (SFP) interface. All iAM Series products use SFP cages to enable simple adaptation of interfaces and a wide selection of signal I/O. The addition of Dolby Atmos, Dolby E and Dolby D processing makes this unit a first in the marketplace, according to Wohler.

RASTATT, GERMANY—Lawo, a German-based developer of IP-based audio/video systems and control solutions, has tapped Craig Newbury as Director of Sales and Operations, with responsibilities for the company’s activities in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

In a broadcast technology career spanning 18 years, Newbury has held various senior sales management positions—in technical, operational, and commercial roles—across the UK and Europe, most recently Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Wohler.

“Lawo is a progressive, engineering-led company, which holds values of innovation, quality and reliability at its heart,” said Newbury. “The company’s unique selection of solutions allows it to offer its customers a complete IP-based broadcast workflow across audio production, video infrastructure, control and analysis. Lawo’s technological innovation, future-oriented thinking, and absolute focus on customer satisfaction made Lawo a natural choice.”

Lawo designs and manufactures technology systems for broadcast and post production, including control and monitoring systems, digital audio mixing consoles, IP-based A/V infrastructure, video processing and routing systems.

With the broadcast industry’s shift to IP-based content production and delivery, Lawo introduced its “Broadcast 3.0” concept, in May 2017, which encompassed managing video, audio, metadata, ancillary data and control data as elementary or transport streams utilizing IP networking technology and COTS hardware.

With respect to IP-based systems, Lawo introduced its Seamless Orchestration and Unification Layer (SOUL) IP-based production service, and an IP-based audio production console for its MC2 series for applications requiring very large format mixing and routing functionality.

According to Jamie Dunn, Lawo’s Head of Global Sales: “Craig is a perfect fit with Team Lawo as we continue to invest in important markets such as the UK.”

NEW YORK—Wohler Technologies will showcase its latest product updates supporting SMPTE ST 2110 IP transport standards at NAB Show New York. The company will spotlight its IP-capable iAM Series,including the iAM-VIDEO-2-MPEG multichannel audio and video monitoring and metering device. Wohler’s IP signal monitoring solutions also include the iAM-MIX multichannel audio monitor and mixer and the iAM-AUDIO monitor.

The company says its Wohler iAM Series monitors incorporate upgradable software components along with an on-board web server to enable multiple devices sharing the same network to be updated, monitored and controlled via a browser-based user interface, as well as through API calls from third-party connected devices. Wohler iAM IP-capable monitoring products are suitable for broadcast applications requiring a compact unit capable of monitoring an increasing variety of audio/video parameters from a range of signal types.

Wohler’s iAM-VIDEO-2-MPEG monitor is now shipping with MPEG-over-IP capability that supports MPEG-4 (H.264) and MPEG-2 compressed signals up to HD specifications. The iAM-VIDEO-2-MPEG monitor is designed for fast, intuitive monitoring of multiple signal types, while occupying a small amount of rack or console space. Its touchscreen display panel provides access for both monitoring and mixing of multichannel audio sources, and physical volume and audio balance controls are also provided for operator convenience. There is a front-panel USB port included for updating of software. The iAM-VIDEO-2-MPEG is equipped with metering options, and supports analog, AES3 and MADI audio sources, with options for VoIP formats including MPEG2 TS and SMPTE 2022-6 (SDI over IP). Support for Dante, Ravenna and AES67 AoIP formats, as well as 3G/HD/SD-SDI signals is also available.

Wohler will exhibit in booth N125.

SAN FRANCISCO—Wohler Technologies said that NEP Australia, the country's leading provider of outsourced broadcast production solutions, has purchased a significant number of iAM-Audio units. These audio-monitoring solutions will be included in NEP's new IP-enabled production 'Hubs' in Sydney and Melbourne. Wohler Technologies' partner, AV Group Technologies led by Managing Director Adrian Chespy, is providing local support to NEP for the installation after brokering the purchase.

“Wohler Technologies is a trusted and well-respected company in the signal monitoring industry,” Marc Segar, director of technology, NEP Australia said. “It was an easy decision for us to choose Wohler for this innovative and groundbreaking installation. The company’s new iAM Series represents a flexible platform for us to easily move our monitoring into the IP domain, while still being able to utilize traditional formats such as MADI and SDI, if required.”

Enabling multiple simultaneous outside broadcasts, NEP Hubs will be the world’s largest networked broadcast centers. Based on an IP core, the Hubs allow for remote, distributed production - meaning cameras and microphones will be located at the venue, with most of the production team based at offsite Hubs. Designed for large multi-camera sports broadcasts, these new centers will accommodate Australia’s most-followed football leagues —National Rugby League and Australian Rules Football— as well as A-League football and other popular sports from 29 venues across the country.

LAS VEGAS—Wohler is heading to the 2017 NAB Show with a full range of monitoring solutions for multichannel audio and video over IP, including the iAM-MIX multichannel audio monitor and mixer, the iAM-AUDIO audio monitor, and the iAM-VIDEO multichannel audio and video monitoring and metering device.

The iAM Series is a compact unit for monitoring audio/video parameters associated with an expanding range of signal types. These products use small form-factor pluggable (SFP) slots to enable simple adaptation of interfaces and selection of signal I/O, enabling an upgrade path to new audio protocols, such as Dante and AES67 for audio over IP.

Based on high-quality hardware with upgradable software, these monitors have an on-board web server that allows multiple units on the same network to be monitored, controlled and updated via a browser-based user interface and API calls from third-party connected devices.

Wohler’s iAM-MIX allows users to monitor a MADI stream with 64 audio channels through one user-friendly device. It features an intuitive front-panel control surface and integrates with popular A/V routers. The iAM-AUDIO has touch-panel interfaces allowing intuitive command and control of the unit, and new I/O options, including Dante and Ravenna, combined with rich data displays and audio monitoring through front-mounting speakers and subwoofers.

iAM-VIDEO adds extensive video monitoring of 3G-SDI, and video over IP formats (MPEG2/4 TS and SMPTE 2022). It also monitors MPEG2/4 TSoIP, MPEG2/4 TSoASI, Quad-Link UHD/4K, SMPTE 2022-6 and more.

The 2017 NAB Show takes place in Las Vegas, April 24-27. Wohler will be in boothN3417. For more information, visit www.nabshow.com.

Craig Newbury, vice president of sales for Wohler The one constant in the broadcast industry, despite its reputation for being staid and conservative, increasingly seems to be change these days. The growing momentum behind the adoption of IP networking and transports is accelerating the rate of that change, and manufacturers of certain products are beginning to feel the pressure.

Craig Newbury, vice president of sales for Wohler, the San Francisco-based provider of audio and video monitoring gear, noted that, with a previous employer, it would take 18 months to plan and launch a new TV channel. “Now I go back to the same building in London where I used to work and they’re putting channels on-air in two days,” he said. “Customers see an opportunity to monetize content in a different way or in a new territory and they can’t wait six months to be able to do that; they need to do it immediately.

Newbury adds that broadcasters have to recognize these changes and be prepared for them. “The companies that survive will be the companies that can react to customers’ demands,” he said.

THE MOVING FORMAT TARGET

TSL’s MPA1-MixSolo MADI audio monitor The migration to IP is in full swing, agreed Matthew Colman, audio product manager for U.K-based audio monitoring provider TSL Products. With that adoption has come a proliferation of new standards.

“TSL is going to follow the standards,” he said. “But we also support some of the proprietary audio-over-IP formats.” TSL’s PAM audio monitor will add support for AES67-compliant Dante and Ravenna transports at the 2016 IBC Show, according to Colman, who adds that the company’s entry-level MPA products include a Hydra2 option for interoperability with Calrec AoIP signals.

“We remain impartial,” he said. “If a customer comes to us and says they want to do this or that, if the volume is there then we’ll support that. We see a lot more demand for Dante than we have for Ravenna, yet we still offer Ravenna,” Colman offered as an example.

Through aggressive marketing, Audinate has surged ahead of most other AoIP mechanisms, in terms of licensees and the number of products now supporting Dante. Bel, one recent example, introduced its BM-A1-64DANTE rack-mounting confidence monitor last year, and has recently started shipping the unit. Capable of monitoring up to 64 channels from Dante’s 512 maximum, either individually or simultaneously in any combination of inputs, the unit enables both broadcast and live production sound engineers to check the presence of audio on their systems, with at-a-glance front panel visual feedback.

WHO WILL WIN THE RACE?

RTW’s 31900 audio monitor Not every audio monitoring product manufacturer is ready to jump on the IP bandwagon. As Mike Kahsnitz, technical director at RTW, a U.K.-based pro audio monitoring provider, observed in response to the question of whether Dante might ultimately win out over the competition: “It might be AES67; I have no idea.”

RTW is well known for its monitoring products, which principally take the form of very sophisticated metering instruments. The company makes just one audio monitor, the 31900. It’s not a new system, said Kahsnitz, but it handles 16 digital and 16 analog inputs with a variety of Dolby decoding, and incorporates all of the company’s metering capabilities.

Any new monitoring product designs would demand a great deal of thought, said Kahsnitz. Never mind the IP options, just look at the multichannel formats that have been introduced since the launch of the 31900, he noted. “There’s the NHK-driven 22.2 system, Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D,” he said. “It doesn’t make it easy for the manufacturers, because who will make the race?”

Wohler has addressed this environment of constant change with a new hardware platform, iAM, which enables the company to be iterative in its product development through software updates. ���A two-year development cycle just doesn’t cut it anymore,” Newbury pointed out. “You’ve got to be able to talk to customers, react to their requirements, to new standards, to new methodologies and technologies. We can add those to the product over time, and help our customers get a return on investment.”

OUTSIDE THE BOX

With the packetization of audio and video comes its attendant data and metadata, which monitoring manufacturers must also address in their products. TSL, which also makes control systems, is looking forward to the standardization of the VSF Technical Recommendations TR-03 and TR-04 in SMPTE 2110, said Colman. “Perhaps the industry will look to standardize network discovery, communication, and the control aspects of IP. We’re going to make sure that our products are totally aligned, so that we’re at the forefront of what’s going on.”

Wohler, too, is adding third-party control, said Newbury. “We can’t be isolationist. Customers want to be able to use our devices to drive other systems within their workflows. So we’re developing capabilities in our products that allow us to integrate more fully into a much more automated way of working.”

The company’s monitoring boxes and the new iAM platform also enable remote monitoring. “Customers can see the metering through a web browser interface,” Newbury said. “They can consume that data wherever they are, on any device, as long as they can network to the monitoring unit.”

With IP infrastructures, said Newbury, “you’ve got to have a full router inside the box. Our platform will enable those types of applications that allow our customers to not just monitor signals but to be able to utilize those signals within their workflows, which is becoming increasingly important.”

As to the future, Wohler plans to move into software monitoring, according to Newbury. “I can imagine moving towards a scenario where we have a range of different form factors that customers can enjoy, whether they want rack-mounting, handheld, or software devices,” he said.

Wherever the future takes the industry, said Colman, “I think you’ll always have a need for a humble audio monitor. But I think you’re going to see virtualization of television stations, so some kind of software, cloud-based audio monitor is inevitable.”

IP infrastructures are enabling the transport of thousands of channels of audio, observed Newbury. “If you layer in Dolby and audio description the number of audio tracks becomes incredibly large. The management of those audio channels is a real headache.”

Technologies such as MADI could handle that in the baseband domain, he continued. “The IP realm is marketed as being a lot simpler, but in my experience it’s simply not the case,” Newbury said. “Customers are running into a bunch of new problems that haven’t yet got a solution.”

SAN FRANCISCO—Wohler has introduced a set of new offerings that will be on display at the 2016 NAB Show. The company will feature two new modules for the AMP2-16V series audio monitors; an eight-channel audio-monitoring device in the AMP1 series; and 4K video displays with quad-split capabilities.

The AMP2-16V series is a 16-channel 2RU A/V workstation with a suite of tools for analyzing and managing audio quality, level and loudness, and metadata. Wohler is unveiling a Dante- and Ravenna-capable module that adds audio-over-IP monitoring functionality to the AMP2-16V platform.

A pared-down version of the AMP1-16-M 1RU 3G/HD/SD-SDI audio monitor will also be available in the form of the AMP-1-8-M. The new module offers intuitive operation for monitoring SDI audio in production applications, with the ability to support the de-embedding and display of eight SDI channels.

Wohler’s new 4K video displays are designed to accommodate UHD content with 10-bit digital processing technology. The displays are available in 42- and 55-inch sizes and can be configured as a quad-split full-HD display of four equal areas, as a large screen with three smaller views, or as a single large display.

The company also announced it has added new sizes to its RMT line of table-top video monitors and RM line of rack-mounted video monitors.

Wohler will display these new products at booth N6089 during the 2016 NAB Show, which runs from April 16-21 in Las Vegas.