More than 50 CENTAURI II covered audio communication needs of ZDF and ARD during live-transmissions of the G8 Summit in Germany

Live transmission and innumerable reports from the G8 Summit in Heiligendamm in the Northern Germany in June 2007 required the extremely flexible and reliable technical solutions. Therefore CENTAURI II codecs were chosen for all types of audio transmissions from the main program sound to technical and editorial communication. ARD was responsible for international sound and picture delivery while ZDF took over the responsibility for the German program for its own TV channel and any other program signal recipients in Germany. ZDF also provided an entire technical base for the production.

The highest number of the codecs, specially rented for the production in addition to already owned by ZDF, was used within their mobile compound in Kühlungsborn, approximately 5 km away from the main summit location. 15 CENTAURI II in Mainz were responsible for communication of the main studio with the mobile groups, 6 were installed directly on location in Heiligendamm. Several other units were distributed between the nearby locations, as well as the nearest city – Rostock.

Still widely available in Germany, the ISDN-network was mainly used for communication. All units were also equipped with another traditional interface for the broadcasting industry in Europe – X.21. However, for the first time ZDF used an Audio-over-IP solution via a satellite link as backup, in order to provide the highest possible redundancy of communication. IP/Ethernet interface for audio transmission and management is provided in CENTAURI II by default. To keep the full compatibility with the older infrastructures, as well as for moderate latency and high audio quality there was the traditional MPEG Layer 2 coding algorithm utilized during the production.

About CENTAURI II:

CENTAURI II combines plug-and-play simplicity with a power-user performance and features. These include mono, stereo or multichannel audio for Point-to-Point / Point-to-Multipoint or Uni/Multicast transmissions over IP, ISDN and X.21 / V.35 broadcast interfaces, as well as support of the widest range of network protocols and coding algorithms: G.722, entire MPEG range, including MPEG-4 HE AAC v2 and MPEG-4 Low Delay, as well as  Eapt-X, 4SB ADPCM, J.41, J.57 and many others. The codecs basic functionality includes Backup, Gateway, Twin/Quad Codec and many other features. New features include support of the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for automation of the IP-based connection, higher mobility and codecs compatibility; MPEG TS over IP or ASI interfaces; ASI interface for easy integration into DVB installations; Dual Ethernet; Hot Swappable Redundant Power Supply.

FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY:

CENTAURI II 3001 ISDN/IP Audio Gateway Codec http://www.mayah.com/gifs/pressnmedia/highres/new/cii_3001_300dpi.eps

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MAYAH Communications GmbH
Press & Marketing Assistant
Daniel Adasinskiy
Am Soeldnermoos 17
85399 Hallbergmoos
Germany

Tel.: +49 (0) 811 5517-49
Fax.: +49 (0) 811 5517-55
E-mail: daniel@mayah.com