FAQ

FAQ

This is a list of common questions and answers, for most of the answers a detailed description is linked

General questions - IP, Addressing, Multicast etc

• What is SonicIP?

SonicIP is a feature of all Barix audio devices which at the start-up announces the device's IP address to the attached headphones/speakers. This is useful for the technician in the installation phase before the device gets a fixed IP address; e.g. when it is attached to a DHCP network for the first time after unpacking. Typically after the device is configured the SonicIP is switched off not to disturb the listeners in the operational environment if the device is eventually reset.

• What is AutoIP, IPzator, etc.and how do I use them?

These are methods to automatically obtain an IP address if the device is not configured to a fixed address. Read more in this AutoIP Howto

• Do the Barix products support Multicast and IGMP ?

Yes, the Barix products do fully support Multicast and IGMP. However, depending on the firmware and application used, there maybe are some caveats. Read more here: Multicast

• Do the Barix products support IPv6 ?

No, at the current time, no IPv6 support is implemented in the Barix products

• I want to set up a local network with more than 250 devices, what do i have to do ?

No Problem - but you will not be able to use a "class C" address (192.168....). A "private" range well useable for larger networks is 172.16.x.x, with the default netmask 255.255.0.0. This gives you roughly 65000 possible hosts ... should be sufficient ?

• I want to do a broadcast over different subnets, is that possible ?

A broadcast is a local function, read here: broadcast. Broadcasts can not be sent over different subnets. However, you may be able to use Multicast. Barix devices can also provide "rebroadcasting" functionality, which means that a device in a remote network receives a stream and sends it back out to the local network as broadcast or multicast. Using that functionality, a broadcast can be sent to a remote network.

• How do the devices get their IP address ?

When you plug the power supply into the power jack of the device and the other end into the power outlet of the wall, the Barix devices, when using their default configuraton, will search for a DHCP server to get an IP address. If no DHCP Server is found, the device will try to sniff the network to find a "free" IP address. If that does not work either (because there are no other devices generating traffic), the device will pick an IP address of 169.254.x.x, according to the "Auto-IP" standard. In any case, after max. 5 minutes the device will have an IP Address and announce it via the audio interface (headphone interface on encoding products).

• How do I configure the devices ?

You can adjust network settings, streaming destinations, monitoring settings and more with the Web interface. To enter the configuration mode you will need:

• • the IP address announced over the audio outputs (see the Quick Install Guide)
  • a standard web browser

• The device already has a password either I don't remember or I don't know, how do I erase it ?

Enter 25 characters to erase the current password and click on the "Apply" button. Then you can create a new one of up to 24 characters.

• How do I set the device back to factory defaults ?
  • Look for the "Defaults" button in the configuration page. This procedure will NOT erase the network settings.
  • To revert ALL settings (including the network settings) to factory defaults the “Reset” button has to be pressed for about 5 seconds while the Barix Instreamer is powered. Use this method if a connection to the Barix Instreamer cannot be established. If this fails we recommend to perform a “Serial Rescue”

• How do I perform a "Serial Rescue" of the device if it becomes unreachable ?

First of all you have to do this not by web browser but using a serial crossover cable. Download the corresponding firmware package of the device from Barix' website as usual. Once the firmware is downloaded and unzipped, you will find the file called "_readme1st.txt". Please follow the instructions contained there.

The "Serial Rescue" loads the entire firmware and resets the device to factory default settings (current configuration is overwritten). It is therefore helpful to note the current setting. Printing out the “status” page is the quickest way as the page contains all configuration parameters.

• How do I get the "status page" of any device ?

Open your web browser and type in the IP address of the Barix device in the URL field followed by “/status” and hit the “Enter” key. • Example: “192.168.0.12/status”

• What if the device is still unreachable after a serial rescue ?

You can still use the "ARP" method to address the device, but for that you need a LOCAL connection. After doing factory defaults, you can ALWAYS use the ARP method or serial method to set up an ip address to the unit and enter the configuration and re-enable it. To use the arp-command to set an IP address to the Exstreamer manually, please do the following:

• • connect power, loudspeaker and the cable to the device
  • open a cmd console at your PC, using Windows do the following: "Start Button" --> "Execute" --> "cmd"
  • type in "arp -s <ip address> <MAC address> (e.g. arp -s 192.168.0.201 00-08-e1-00-6c-e7)
  • type in "telnet <ip address> 1 (e.g. telnet 192.168.0.201 1)

A connection will be initialised. After a short period (app. 2 seconds) you'll get an error message, that´s ok !! Now the device has learned the ip address and you should be able to configure the device through your browser.

Audio FAQ

Instreamer/ Encoding related questions

• Can the Instreamer also encode WMA ?

No. The Instreamer can encode only MP3, PCM or G711.

• Can the Instreamer also encode AACplus ?

No. The Instreamer can encode only MP3, PCM or G711.

• Do you have a product to encode AACplus (or a plan to do this ?)

No. There are no current plans to provide a product with AACplus encoding

• What kind of streams does the Instreamer produce ?

It converts audio from any analog or digital (optical/coaxial S/P DIF) source into:

• • G.711 (aLaw/uLaw) streams at 8 or 24 kHz sample rate,
  • PCM (16 bit) streams at 8 or 24 kHz sample rate or
  • high-quality MP3 streams at adjustable bit rates (VBR) between 35 and 192kbps
  • Encoding up to 48kHz PCM/stereo is possible with alternative firmware.

The audio is encoded in real-time, and the generated audio stream can be distributed, via an IP-based network or the Internet, to one or more receivers or Shoutcast / Icecast-servers.

• How much bandwidth do I need to stream audio ?

The amount of bandwidth depends on the parameters you select on the Instreamer regarding encoding, quality and protocol. The range is between 30 and 210 kbps. Example: At CD quality, each stream is approx 192kbps. FM Stereo is 128kbps.

• How many destinations can I stream to ?

There are up to 8 direct destinations to stream to (or 32 in a specific configuration). Each one can be directed to a device, or a multi- or broadcast address (destination connection types) or be set up as a listener waiting for a connection to be initiated by the other side (listener connection types). Each entry has its own IP address and Port. See Stream To Considerations on how to set the “Stream to” entries.

• But I need more than 32 destinations, how can I do ?

There are ways to address this, depending upon your situation and requirements: For example, FM Stereo quality requires 128kbps of bandwidth so, for 100 destinations it will demand quite some bandwidth!

• • If you do not have such capacity / don't want the headache of providing it and managing it, there are specialist firms such as Streamguys (www.streamguys.com) who can help - you send them the feed, they rebroadcast it.
  • If you have the capacity, you can set up a shoutcast server and stream yourselves.
  • A third option is our 'Replicator' software - this runs on our Barionet device, receives one stream and replicates it in real time 120 times.
  • A final option, if bandwidth is a problem only during the day, is 'store and forward', using our FTPMP3 player. In this configuration content is sent 'as and when' to the stores Exstreamer device, which saves it to a local USB. Playback is from the USB, the device can simultaneously receive updates and be playing a playlist. Up to 20 playlists can be maintained and prioritised and scheduled (hence advertising could also be sent and played on schedule).

• How much latency should I expect ?

................ ................ ................

• I have set up multiple shoutcast destinations on my Instreamer. Can I use different passwords for different streams?

No, there is only one password common for all shoutcast destinations. If you need multiple passwords use an external shoutcast server and configure the Instreamer as Shoutcast Source streaming to this server.

• I want to play the stream of an Instreamer with Windows Media Player, but it does not work

Windows Media Player can decode VBR MP3 streams as generated by the Instreamer, but in recent versions it does not calculate the buffering correctly. This is *not* a problem on the Barix side, it has been proven to be a problem with WMP. There is a simple workaround: when WMP starts with "buffering", press the play button a second time and the stream will start playing.

Exstreamer related questions

• SonicIP Voice - can i change this and record my own ?

Yes, to do so follow this SonicIP Howto.

• How to use the Exstreamer 1000 as a PCM STL ?

• How do I play an AAC stream? What version of AAC do you support?

To play an AAC stream use an Exstreamer 110 labelled with "AAC+ capable" on the bottom. The software must be the Streaming Client 2.x (preloaded in the Exstreamer 110).

Both the AAC (AAC LC) and AAC+ (HE-AAC) are supported. In AAC+ both SBR (v1) and PS (v2) are supported.

• How do I know what the LED blinking means ?

You can find that information in the "Exstreamer Technical Manual". (Faster Green & Red LED)

• Can I download audio files from a remote server to be played ?

YES. There is an application called "FTP/HTTP store and forward MP3 player" contained in the ABCL-Kit Software (you can download it from Barix website www.barix.com). Basically it downloads playlists and MP3 files from a configured FTP or HTTP server to the local USB drive and plays them according to the configured time schedule (definable in the playlist). Features background update of mp3 files and playlists.

Annuncicom related questions

• Can I build an intercom system with Annuncicom?

Yes, use the PS16 as the central station. Follow this howto to set up the system.

• What are the ratings for the relay on the Annuncicom ?

The ratings for the relay are: max 50V/1A

• Does the Annuncicom feature SIP functionality ?

Yes it does. To use the SIP application it is necessary to download the ABCL Kit. ABCL (Audio Barix Control Language) is a free programmable language like basic. The ABCL Kit includes a SIP Client for the Annuncicom. You can download it from the Download section of Barix website (Within "Software Solutions" category)

IPAM related questions

• What is the difference between IPAM 200 and IPAM 300?
  • IPAM 300 is an "upgrade" drop in replacement of the IPAM 200
  • one more connector (4 pins) for I2S (digital output)
  • no other hardware changes
  • slightly better audio quality
  • newer version of the DSP, can now also handle AACplus v2 (needs to be licensed if needed) and Ogg Vorbis
  • runs the same software

Control FAQ

X8 related questions

• How do i update an X8 with the latest firmware ?

You need a Barionet to do this. There is a special application for the Barionet which helps in doing this. Here is a detailed howto page on this wiki describing this: X8-Update