At CEDIA Expo in Denver final week, A/V processor producer StormAudio teamed up with speaker maker Grimani Techniques to point out that Audio-over-IP (aka “AES67”) is actual and may tremendously simplify the set-up and set up of complicated house theater techniques with no compromise in sound high quality. The businesses introduced in house theater seating producer RowOnedisplay maker Seymour Display Excellence and a projector from Barco Residential to offer the video and seating for the viewers. As within the Trinnov room, the MadVR Envy Excessive processor was used with the Barco projector to offer HDR tone mapping and enhanced visuals. As in 41 different cubicles at CEDIA Expo 2023, a Kaleidescape media server was used to offer the content material with 4K HDR video and Dolby Atmos immersive encompass sound.
The demo system was comprised of 23 audio system (together with six subwoofers) in an 11.6.6 configuration with a single CAT cable rather than the normal tangled net of interconnects we often see between processor and amplifier. The demo highlighted the launch of StormAudio’s new ISP EVO 32-channel AoIP encompass sound preamp/processor — the primary all-digital immersive audio processor to achieve the CEDIA channel — networked to a Grimani Techniques 16,800-watt 23-channel lively loudspeaker system.
Though the audio system have been “lively,” the amplifiers have been separate from the precise speaker cupboards, so conventional speaker cable was used between the amps and audio system. This configuration is just not solely simpler to handle, by centralizing all of the elements into one rack, nevertheless it additionally means solely skinny speaker cables wanted to be snaked by means of the partitions (as an alternative of each energy cables and community cables to every amplified speaker). And in contrast to analog connections, it doesn’t matter which community cable goes the place. Every pre-defined amplifier identifies its particular channel from the community stream and sends the suitable channel to the proper speaker.
With as much as 24 channels of decoding and up-mixing of the preferred immersive encompass codecs, together with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Professional, Auro-3D and IMAX Enhanced, the Storm EVO ISP processor supplies as much as 32 channels of post-processing. This turns out to be useful for room correction and calibration because the processor contains the newest model of Dirac Reside Lively Room Therapy in addition to the state-of-the-art StormAudio Professional Bass Administration system, which options a number of bass zones and selective bass routing.
StormAudio managing director Olivier Thumerel defined that the important thing to the design is that in using solely Ethernet cable, a community change, and speaker cable for its audio connections, this not solely highlights the simplicity and effectivity of an IP-based setup, however eliminates widespread trade points like ground-loop hum whereas permitting for superior options akin to distant setup, debugging, calibration, and monitoring. In line with Anthony Grimani, of Grimani Techniques, “Having labored on greater than 1,000 techniques, I can confidently say that that is the way forward for audio for theaters, media rooms, and business areas.”
I had been wanting ahead to seeing Seymour’s Adjustable Ratio Theater (ART) 4-way masking system in motion, however apparently the workforce bumped into some final minute management points with that so that they opted to not present that function within the demo. I did see a separate demo of Seymour’s automated display masking system and it was extremely quick at switching between varied facet ratios. If you wish to deploy a combined ratio house theater which is equally adept at displaying widescreen 16:9, CinemaScope 2.37:1 and even 1.33:1 content material, it’s best to take a look at Seymour’s automated masking display options.
Take a look at this video to see what went on behind the scenes to get this demo collectively (you may even see the 4-way masking display in motion):
RowOne Seating supplied two totally different types of seats, the corporate’s earlier flagship mannequin energy reclining seat the Cortes, with energy headrest and powered recline within the rear row in addition to the corporate’s newest patent-pending low-back, zero-clearance energy incliner, the Calveri within the entrance row. The Calveri is particularly designed with a low headrest in order that those that sit within the chair, and within the row behind it, won’t have any of the picture or sound blocked in any course whereas having fun with the motion.
As for the demo itself, it went off and not using a hitch, with a number of clips from Hollywood blockbusters highlighting the system’s articulation, low bass extension and broad dynamic vary. Visuals have been spot on with the Seymour display letting us see each final element within the 4K video, with out muddying up the sound from the audio system behind it.
The Backside Line
Whereas the tip shopper in all probability doesn’t care a lot whether or not the connections are digital or analog, customized installers do. By switching over to a networked digital connection, complicated house theater installations can occur faster, and each debugging and system optimization might be carried out remotely, saving the installer journey time and assets. And in a enterprise the place time is cash, I count on this audio-over-IP answer to show highly regarded.
