Ferncast Unveils aixtream 3.9 Software Release, delivering Enhanced Latency Optimization and Feature Improvements
Online PR News —4 October 2024 — Aachen, Germany
Ferncast, the innovative audio logistics company specializing in 24/7 radio software solutions, is thrilled to announce the release of aixtream version 3.9. This latest version brings significant improvements in latency optimization, as well as new features and enhancements designed to further elevate the performance of the aixtream platform.
Key Latency Optimization Features in aixtream 3.9
Version 3.9 delivers major advancements in latency management, with a focus on providing users with granular control over delay parameters.
Depending on packet size the delay caused by audio encoding algorithms can be as low as 4ms, but other aspects, like jitter buffer and the network situation can greatly impact the total latency. With these new features, aixtream empowers the user to take control of latency as much as possible.
The most major change is the inclusion of the new “low delay” audio mode, which minimizes all buffering and processing features which would otherwise cause latency. This is a mode of operation perfect for use cases that require lowest possible delay while taking advantage of a stable network connection.
In the same vein, existing features related to latency, like the jitter buffer, Forward Error Correction, and redundant streaming have been overhauled to enable greater scalability and stability with a diverse range of values. The jitter buffer, for example, can be set to any ms value desired.
The Smooth Delay Adaption, which can be used to dynamically and seamlessly adjust the audio buffer for audio/video sync use cases, has also benefited from these changes. This function increases or decreases the delay at a defined rate until the target value is reached, in order to avoid an abrupt change of delay, which may be very noticeable to the audience during a live production. This way, the sync between audio and video can be gradually fine-tuned even while a program is on-air. Like the jitter buffer, the smooth delay can be freely adjusted to any ms value desired.
Additional Features and Improvements in aixtream 3.9
In addition to these major updates, version 3.9 includes numerous improvements, specific feature additions, and general bug fixes. These include, but are not limited to:
• AoIP “Demux” for multi-channel AoIP inputs (up to 128 channels). A resource-saving way to receive a large multi-channel AES67 stream and process individual channels in different workflows.
• Alarms now have a “recovery period” to better manage situations in which an issue causes repeated alarms.
• UECP parsing now includes DAB dynamic label options.
Availability
aixtream version 3.9 was officially released yesterday and is now available to all current customers.
Detlef Wiese, Ferncast CEO, commented the release: “With the newest release of aixtream we emphasize the importance of the topic “latency.” In audio signal processing chains, latency can be caused by the encoder, decoder, technologies like channel coding, Forward Error Correction, jitter buffer delay, an intentional delay for synchronization, and, last but not least, the internet itself. Depending on the application latency might be more or less important. While on streaming applications which quite often are in the range of seconds, a few additional milliseconds will not hurt, in other applications, like a studio-to-transmitter-link or SIP communication it is much more important to keep latency low. With the new suite of options, we optimize the flexibility of aixtream to account for different use cases.”
About Ferncast GmbH:
Ferncast develops software and hardware solutions for audio workflows in broadcasting, and offers services and consulting connected to their extensive expertise. The core product is aixtream, a 24/7 software solution for radio streaming, de/muxing, SIP/WebRTC communication, podcasting, STL, loudness normalization, transcoding, event recording and logging, and more, which Ferncast continuously develops and improves. It runs as server appliance, in virtual machine, and in Docker containers for AWS and other cloud services, as well on hardware.
About AVW
Celebrating our 40th year of operation and innovation, AVW Group is a leading technology distributor, our areas of expertise include Broadcast, RF, IT and AV (audio-visual) technologies. With a presence spanning five time zones, from the East Pacific Islands to Western Australia and beyond, we pride ourselves on providing comprehensive channel solutions for our Customers, Vendors, and Partners across Australia and New Zealand. www.avw.com.au | www.avw.co.nz . AVW Group is an exclusive distributor for Ferncast GmbH.