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PCM Digital Audio Transmission

PCM digital audio provides CD-quality audio that can be transmitted as a quasi-video signal via microwave, satellite, laser, fiber optics or any other means of conventional video transmission.  Suitable for concerts and events where audio quality is demanding, it allows for transmission from any venue by whatever the most suitable and cost-effective means of transmission including cable, fibre, microwave and satellite.  PCM can also be recorded using a video recorder for later playback through a PCM decoder.

Originally designed for recording digital audio onto VCR's, PCM processors take two channels of audio and convert them to a video-like signal that can be transmitted with extremely high reliability.  The video image produced appears as a noise field with vertical stripes containing the PCM (pulse-code modulation) code.  From experience, the nature of this signal is very robust and forgiving, making it ideal for transport by virtually any means of video transmission or cable.  A second processor at the receive end or at the termination of the signal path reconverts the signal back to analog audio.

PCM provides a much greater dynamic range and improved S/N when compared with most transmission means of analog audio.  As a rule, microwave, satellite, and some fiber optics have limited headroom and cannot reproduce the dynamic range of tape typically expected by engineers.

PCM audio transmission is ideal for the televising or radio productions of concerts, performances or other events requiring the best possible audio, particularly from isolated venues.

For more information on PCM Digital Audio transmission via uplink, newsvan, portable microwave, or Canobeam, call DBS at 845-267-2800.