IBC: Launching the NEXUS RIF67 – AES67 Router Interface from Stage Tec

Cooperation between DirectOut and Stage Tec

Stage Tec, the Berlin based manufacturer of digital audio equipment, presented the latest NEXUS interface board at the IBC: the Router Interface AES67 (RIF67). The expansion board for the NEXUS STAR is the first result of cooperation with DirectOut Technologies. The arrangement between the German pro audio specialist and Stage Tec was only agreed at prolight+sound in April.

The DirectOut AES67.IO module has a full AES67 implementation and supports non-proprietary audio and control networking. It enables powerful audio networks to be created via an audio over IP connection.

‘I am delighted that we have already been able to demonstrate a result of our joint undertaking with DirectOut’, explains Dr Helmut Jahne, Managing Director of Stage Tec. ‘By developing the RIF67 router board, Stage Tec is following recommendations for the standards-based AIMS roadmap with the objective of SMPTE ST 2110.’

The RIF67 can send and receive up to 1024 AES67 audio channels. It supports up to 128 streams in each direction. The module provides a capacity of 256 channels in the router. It can manage up to four physically separate IP networks per board. Redundant audio transmission according to SMPTE 2022-7 is also planned. RIF67 is configured using a web interface, with status monitoring via NEXUS. The RIF67 is plug-and-play which means that networks detect and configure it for use automatically. Like all Stage Tec products, the RIF67 is backwards compatible and can also be used in legacy NEXUS systems.

The RIF67 will debut in the new, fully IP-based UHD-1 outside broadcast truck belonging to Swiss broadcaster and TV service provider tpc.

The RIF67 cards will be available from spring 2018 onwards.

Stage Tec has been offering IP-based equipment with the NEXUS XDIP Dante board since 2012. Developed by the Australian manufacturer Audinate, the Dante system makes it possible to set up powerful audio and media networks on an existing Ethernet infrastructure using TCP/IP. The XDIP supports up to 64 bidirectional audio channels and is also compatible with AES67.