Modular Audio Router & Interface with 8 Exp Slots
Penta 720 is a new generation of audio router and audio distribution interfaces from NTP Technology, which provides a versatile and flexible interface for signal distribution of analogue and digital audio via AES/EBU, MADI, SDI SD/HD/3G embedded audio as well as routing via IP Gigabit Ethernet and optical fibre networks.
Penta 720 is a 2U modular audio interface designed for use in television or radio studios, outside broadcast vehicles and public-event venues. It comes with eight channel AES3 input/output channels, MADI and two IP Audio Ethernet in/outs.
Up to eight optional cards can be incorporated to match specific operational requirements. The range of available plugincards includes an eight-channel analogue input interface, eight-channel analogue output, two-channel SDI/HD/3G embedder interface and a two-channel SDI/HD/3G de-embedder interface. All cards support hot-swop. A mini-module slot is available for dual SFP MADI optical input/output module, which is also compliant to the NTP HotLink/Dual MADI format.
Key Features
- 8 AES/EBU I/O and 1-3 MADI I/O
- 8 card slots for analogue and digital I/O cards supporting hot-swop
- IP audio L3 Ethernet I/O powered by Dante
- TCP/IP control via NTP Router Control System and Stand alone control applications for PC
- Single or Dual power supply
Key Benefits
- Analogue and Digital audio interfacing
- Interfaceing and routing of embedded audio in video SDI SD/HD/3G signals
- Flexible patching and routing of digital audio signals providing
- Stand alone IP audio interface and format converter
- Interface for NTP TDM router systems
- Low latency, tightly synchronised, transport of uncompressed audio over IP networks using off the shelf switches
Signal Routing
Penta 720 include a 1024×1024 multiplexer,enabling all analogue and digital inputs and outputs to be routed in any combination; this enables the unit to also split signals for advanced signal distribution. The multiplexer can be used to establish the static connections of the signal inputs and outputs, and furthermore it incorporates soft switching with a fade down and fade up functionality of the signal level. Soft switching ensures that setting or changing a signal path can be made without any audible click or artefacts.
Expandability Galore: I/O Card Options
We have the following I/O expansion cards to choose from when you consider what to add to the expansion slots:
- 8 Channel Balanced Line A/D In
- 8 Channel Balanced Line & Mic Preamp A/D In
- 8 Channel Balanced Line D/A Out
- Dante w built-in SRC (128 Channels)
- 8 Channel AES
- Dual MADI (128 Channels)
- Dual SDI embedder/de-embedder
Further, you can also add 2 x 64 channels of MADI to the base unit as SFP modules.
- SFP/LC – Opt module multi mode 1300 nm low output LED / 647-110
- SFP/LC – Opt module single/multi mode 1300 nm, laser / 647-200
- SFP – Coax MADI tranceiver w. HD/mini-BNC / 647-400
This does not occupy any of the two available expansion card slots.
The expansion cards for the AX Center, AX32, AX64 and NTP Penta 720 and 721s are fully inter-changeable between the products.
However, future cards developed for the AX Center and AX64 will not be backwards compatible.
IP Audio Powered by Dante
The Penta 720 IP Audio protocol is based on the robust tried-and-tested Dante™ digital audio network technology, and will interoperate with products of other brands that comply with Dante. The Dante IP Audio format provides fast, flexible, and economical audio routing via IP and is compatible with NTP Penta 721s and other Dante devices.
The IP Audio routing provides Low latency, tightly synchronised, transport of uncompressed audio over Gigabit IP Ethernet Layer 3 networks using off the shelf switches, and routers for audio routing via one or more sub-nets. A total of 512 channels can be routed on a 1 Gigabit network, and more if the network capacity is higher.
Dante is the ultimate choice for High Reliability and High Performance Audio Routing and Audio Processing. Small in size, but big in performance. The all digital Penta 720 is developed with the newest technology in FPGA, SMD and software design. Featuring single or dual processor. Ultra compact, ultra fast, ultra reliable. Reliability, innovation and years of experience.
DADman Control
The Penta Audio interface is controlled via the DADman software. DADman can connect to the Penta interface either via Ethernet.
Using control over Ethernet the two RJ45 connectors acts as a switch for connection to more units. The Dante /AES67 audio is also passed on the two RJ45 connectors.
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PENTA 720 are TCP/IP controlled via one or two Ethernet ports. Control and supervision can be made by the NTP RCCore control system, and the operation is done via the NTP VMC control software client applications. A simple dedicated software control application for Windows is available for controlling and setting up PENTA 720 on a unit to unit basis when less advanced operation is required.
The IP Audio routing is for larger systems controlled by the NTP RCCore Router Control System, for easy and simple setting of connections on the Gigabit IP Ethernet. PENTA 721 can also be controlled by the Dante IP Audio routing controller software.
