PAD::bridge™ 1.0
Program Associated Data Bridge Software

Display dynamic program information using FM RDS, HD Radio™ PAD MPS/SPS, Internet Streaming Players, Large Format Display Signs
Control audio signal routing for program insertion and audio signal processing based on audio playout system content

DESCRIPTION

Terrestrial radio today competes with more diverse alternative forms of media delivery than ever before. This is causing erosion of radio listening market share. All of these new forms of delivery have at least one thing in common: program associated data, or PAD. This is a means to visually display information about the media content on the receiver, such as station ID, slogans, talent names, and program names including artist and title. This will increase perceived value of the medium, and identify and possibly promote sales of that content. To compete in this challenging and ever increasingly complex, demanding environment, terrestrial radio must provide compelling competitive features to their media to maintain favorable market share.

Terrestrial radio can use program associated data as one very important tool towards offering new features to its content. It can be used in several forms. Analog FM transmission is capable of PAD through RDS transmission and RDS capable receivers. Many OEM automotive receivers already receive RDS, so automotive receiver penetration is definitely increasing, with the added benefit that the user is usually not required to do anything to the receiver to see this program associated data, unlike satellite radio on the same receiver. The most popular portable media player, the Apple iPod now has an FM receiver that is RDS capable, and several mobile phones from SonyEricsson and Nokia also display RDS. Digital AM and FM transmission with iBiquity HD-Radio is also PAD compatible. Other uses of PAD for terrestrial radio could include Now Playing information for Internet streaming web sites, large format in-studio signs and displays, automatic emergency display mode when EAS is transmitted, audio signal processor control based on program content, and commercial insertion and control for Internet streaming.

Sending Program Associated Data to many devices and locations has presented an interesting challenge. These different devices and locations require different formatting and protocols. PADbridge is a highly reliable, efficient software only application that addresses this challenge. PADbridge may be thought of as a distribution amplifier for program associated data. One instance of PADbridge is used for each program source, and is configured to send data to several different devices and/or computers. As many as eight instances of PADbridge may be run on a single computer. PADbridge 1.0 runs entirely on the user network without any external server requirements or subscriptions. The software has a one-time license fee per source, keeping your operating costs to a minimum.

• Parse input directly from Audio Playout System output: BE Audiovault (Serial/TCP), Scott Studios (Serial/TCP), Scott Maestro (Serial/UDP), OMT iMediaTouch (UDP), or BSI (Serial)
  
  
• Send output directly to RDS encoder input. 2wcom/viaRadio UECP (Serial/TCP), Aztec/Audemat FMB-80 (Serial/UDP), BE RDI 10/20 (Serial/UDP), Inovonics 712 (Serial/TCP), Inovonics 713 (Serial/TCP)
• Send output directly to HD Radio Importer PAD input. BE Importer (TCP/UDP), Harris Importer (TCP/UDP), Nautel Importer (TCP/UDP), Prophet Systems Importer (TCP/UCP)
• Send output directly to streaming audio encoder metadata input. Orban Opticodec-PC Streaming Audio Encoder (Serial/UDP), EON/Vitalstream WMA Encoder (Serial/TCP)
  
  
• Extensive formatting ability, including user definable field delimiters, for a unique visual look.
  
  
• Default message displays user-defined message when non-music element is playing, such as station name, sig or program.
  
  
• Timeout message displays user-defined message when no elements are playing, such as talent name, or announcer speaking.
  
  
• Pre- and Post- Text to include station name or sig with dynamic artist and title.
  
  
• RDS PS and RT scrolling with user definable parameters on supported RDS encoders.
  
  
• Send dynamic artist and title simultaneously and directly to RDS encoders, HD-Radio Importers, and streaming encoders.
  
  
• Display default message when commercials or other announcements are airing.
  
  
• Display specific message based on automation system category.
  
  
• Filters for contect exclusion. Allows playout system Artist/Title information to contain information that is not broadcast.
  
  
• Real-time incoming and outgoing message display and detailed event logging.
  
  
• Reliable TCP/IP reconnection in the event of a network disruption.
  
  
• Written in very efficient optimized C++ without 3rd party DLLs, to allow multiple instances on a single computer for multiple program souces. Up to 8 input sources and 64 output destinations.
  

PAD::bridge SOFTWARE BLOCK DIAGRAM

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