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Broadcast Networks Launches The AMU-8HD Audio Monitoring Unit

Winchester – May 2007: UK system integration specialist Broadcast Networks is making its debut as an equipment manufacturer with the launch of the AMU-8HD, a purpose-built Audio Monitoring unit that is designed to monitor broadcast audio in the High Definition environment.

The AMU-8HD is an 8-channel Bar-graph meter with Dolby D/E decoder option, 2 x HD/SD SDI inputs, 8 AES input pairs and 8 stereo analogue inputs. It also has 4 AES output pairs, 4 stereo analogue main outputs (variable), 4 stereo fixed outputs and a stereo analogue monitor output.

Tom Haye, Managing Director of Broadcast Networks, says: “As systems integrators, we have seen a significant increase in the number of studios and Outside Broadcast vehicles that are now adapting to the High Definition environment. We recognised that many of the audio monitoring products on the market were only offering Standard Definition and were therefore not suited to our clients’ needs. Our solution has been to develop our own HD monitor that can fill this gap in the market.”

The AMU-8HD is designed to offer full control and easy set-up. The LCD menu system allows flexible signal routing to the main outputs, monitor outputs, meters and Dolby decoders as well as displaying all Dolby metadata, I/O calibration, channel trim levels and many other engineering functions. All 8 outputs are level-controlled and have independent volume control via the front panel. Inputs can be routed to any output and all settings can be saved for instant recall at a later date.

Broadcast Networks has already installed six AMU-8HD units at Chellomedia’s new HD studio and playout centre in Amsterdam and is now specifying them for various Outside Broadcast vehicle projects.

“Although we initially developed this meter as a custom solution for our own customers, we are also making them generally available as we have had so much interest in this new audio monitor. We feel that an off-the-shelf solution to audio monitoring in the HD domain is something that the whole industry will welcome,” Tom Haye adds.

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