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| OMNEO uses Audinate's Dante networking technology to offer routable IP media transport |
Bosch Security Systems recently introduced OMNEO, its media networking architecture at ISE 2012.
OMNEO has a media program transport protocol suite that offers low-latency, high-quality multichannel media stream exchange. The system also has a robust control protocol suite that provides reliable and secure system control for pro media networks of all sizes, from small to intercontinental.
OMNEO's programme transport component is the result of a partnership between Bosch Security Systems and Audinate Pty. OMNEO uses Audinate's Dante networking technology to provide standards-based, routable IP media transport. OMNEO's system control component is an open development descended from the Audio Engineering Society's AES-24 protocol architecture. Named OCA, for Open Control Architecture, it includes many features for flexibility, reliability, security, and compatible growth over the years. OCA is being prepared as an open public standard by the OCA Alliance, of which Bosch Security Systems is a member.
Bill Scott, VP of Engineering & Technology, explained the driving factors behind OMNEO's development: "Since the early 1990s, the pro audio industry has sought a common scheme by which audio and video devices from diverse manufacturers could interoperate harmoniously over standard digital networks. In such networks, devices share both programme content and system control to provide users with powerful integrated multi-vendor solutions."
"Until recently, industry progress in this area has been discouraging. However, new IEEE developments - the 802.1AVB protocol suite and related media transport standards 1722 and 1733 - have made major advances on one of the two fronts: program transport. Collectively known as ‘AVB,' these accomplishments are rekindling industry optimism in universal media networking. It now seems that for the first time in history, common professional media networking standards are within reach."
Three years ago, Bosch Security Systems began its own work on a standards-based media networking solution. "The intent of this project was threefold," continues Scott. "Firstly, to develop technologies which provide full interoperability of all Bosch Security Systems network-enabled equipment; secondly, to allow our customers to use standard, off-the-shelf Ethernet infrastructure; and thirdly, to merge our solution with emerging public standards such as AVB as soon as possible, allowing Bosch Security Systems customers to enjoy fully standardised media networks in which equipment from many manufacturers interoperates smoothly."
Standardisation
Bosch Security Systems is firmly committed to using and supporting open public standards and offering fully interoperable systems.
- An open standard is one whose details are available to all without restrictions.
- A public standard is one that is maintained and supported by an accredited public standards organisation.
- An interoperable system is one in which products from multiple manufacturers can operate harmoniously and with full functionality.
Over the last three years, Bosch Security Systems and Audinate have been developing OMNEO as a future open public pro media networking solution to be compliant with emerging programme transport standards such as AVB, and with emerging system control standards as they are announced.
Dante (and therefore Bosch Security Systems media networks) will comply with this standard. Thus, the Bosch Security Systems solution is compliant with public standards, including AVB.
Specifications of OCA, OMNEO's system control architecture, has now been published, and Bosch Security Systems is working with the OCA Alliance and with public standards organisations, ensuring OCA's ratification as an open public standard for pro media network control.