Playback

Avega’s networked playback software renders media received from networked sources.

Networked media can originate within the home from PC servers, network attached storage (NAS) devices, iPods with networked docking stations, as well as analog or digital sources bridged onto the home network. The Internet provides a further, extremely rich, source of networked media, with content services such as Rhapsody™, RadioTime™ and others offering millions of on-demand songs and tens of thousands of music channels and world-wide radio stations.

Avega’s networked playback software is the only solution to bring true multi-room and multi-channel functionality into the UPnP/DLNA framework. The software is UPnP/DLNA compliant and can render content from any UPnP/DLNA server, with playback being controlled by any UPnP/DLNA control point. The standard UPnP/DLNA functionality is augmented with synchronization and device management technology to achieve multi-room and multi-channel capabilities while retaining the full interoperability benefits of UPnP/DLNA.

Wireless networking support includes 802.11a/b/g, as well as 802.11n for superior range and bandwidth. Wired connectivity is supported via 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet. Up to eight independent, concurrent streams of CD quality (PCM) audio can be played over 802.11n, with higher numbers supported over Ethernet.

The structure of the Avega playback software is shown below. Please use the form located here to request further details.

Software

Key specifications:

  • Network connectivity:
    • Wi-Fi - 802.11n with dual-band capability (2.4GHz or 5GHz); 802.11a/b/g
    • All Wi-Fi security modes supported
    • Ethernet - 10/100Mbps
  • Network setup options:
    • Push button setup (WPS compliant)
    • On-device setup if device contains a user interface (automatic network side survey)
    • Setup via an Ethernet cable
  • Audio transport and rendering:
    • Audio formats: MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, WAV, FLAC
    • Streaming protocols: HTTP, ICY (IceCast/ShoutCast), MMS
    • Playlist formats: M3U, ASX, PLS, WPL; includes ability to import iTunes playlists
    • DRM: Real Networks RADEA and Microsoft WDRM-PD
  • Standard compliance:
    • UPnP AV 1.0 certified
    • DLNA 1.5 certified

 

  • Multi-room playback:
    • Playback of independent content on individual devices enabled with the playback software
      • Up to 8 streams of uncompressed PCM over 802.11n; higher over Ethernet
    • Synchronous playback to multiple devices enabled with the playback software; connected together to form an “audio zone”
      • Sample-accurate synchronization (< 5usec)
      • Multiple concurrent zones supported
  • Multi-channel playback:
    • Surround sound and stereo
    • Sample-accurate synchronization (< 5usec) across all channels
    • Scales with number of channels
  • Supported home network content sources:
    • UPnP/DLNA servers
    • iPod/iPhone exposed on the home network via the Avega server software
    • On-product USB inputs with connected storage drives exposed on the home network via the Avega server software
    • On-product inputs (analog and digital) exposed on the home network via the Avega server software
  • Internet content sources:
    • Leading on-demand music services for North America and Europe
    • World-wide Internet radio (50,000+ stations)

Hardware Module

The playback software can be deployed on a wide range of processor platforms. Avega offers ARM9 and ARM11 processor based digital networking modules capable of supporting the playback functionality. The modules are also capable of concurrently supporting control and server functionality.


Hardware Reference Products

Avega offers two complete player product reference designs.

 

The first of these is Basic Media Player, a networked audio player with pre-amplifier capability. The Basic Media Player is designed to bring networked audio playback capabilities to legacy home audio systems

 

The second reference design is the Rich Media Player, a networked audio player with built-in amplification and a color screen based user interface. The Rich Media Player forms the basis for self contained audio products such as bedroom radios, lifestyle Hi-Fi systems, and more.