OPTIMOD-PC 1101 was designed for professionals. It has dedicated, broadcast-quality digital signal processing on-board for audio processing, mixing, and routing. OPTIMOD-PC processing is more reliable than software-based processors that run native on the computer‘s CPU because the operating system can never starve OPTIMOD-PC‘s processor or mixer for processing cycles. This allows more instances of an encoding application to run glitch-free on the computer‘s CPU, which provides higher reliability and lower operating costs because fewer CPUs are required for large operations.

OPTIMOD-PC is suitable for both live streaming and on-demand programming. Its three on-board Freescale DSP56367 DSP chips provide a loud, consistent sound to the consumer by performing stereo enhancement, automatic gain control (AGC), equalization, multiband gain control, peak-level control, and subjective loudness control. Moreover, OPTIMOD-PC is equipped with professional AES/EBU digital inputs and outputs, plus balanced analog inputs and outputs that can operate at professional +4 dBu reference levels while resisting pickup of hum and noise.

OPTIMOD-PC is available in two versions — the 1101 for PCI bus systems and the 1101e for PCIe (PCI Express). Optimod-PC‘s audio driver allows it to appear as two standard sound devices to the computer‘s operating system. With one OPTIMOD-PC, netcasters can replace selected content (such as commercials in a program originally created for radio broadcast) and inject watermark encoding for ratings. This approach maintains the same audio processing path on both program and inserted audio, delivering a polished, consistent sound while eliminating the number one listener complaint: Loud commercials.

OPTIMOD-PC audio processing is appropriate for all digital transmission media and channels. It tailors your audio signal to help you compete in audio netcasting, HD Radio^® (both primary and multicast digital channels), DAB, DRM and other dedicated digital radio services, FMExtra™ and other digital subcarriers, mastering, audio production and many others. Additionally, video-oriented presets use OPTIMOD-PC’s built-in CBS Loudness Controller™ to make OPTIMOD-PC an unsurpassed choice for mono or stereo sound-for-picture applications, including HDTV, DVB-x digital television and audio/video netcasting.

While primarily oriented toward “flat” media, OPTIMOD-PC can also provide pre-emphasis limiting for the two standard pre-emphasis curves of 50 μs and 75 μs. This allows it to protect pre-emphasized analog satellite uplinks and similar channels where protection limiting or light processing is required and makes it ideal for use as a studio AGC driving transmitter-located OPTIMODs.

Without OPTIMOD-PC processing, audio can sound dull, boring, thin or inconsistent in any combination. OPTIMOD-PC’s multiband processing automatically levels and re-equalizes its input to the “major-market” standards expected by the mass audience. It also helps overcome background noise in mobile listening environments and helps you stand out from poorly processed streams.

Broadcasters have known for decades that this polished, produced sound attracts and holds listeners. Orban has long been the number one vendor of stand-alone transmission processing to professional broadcasters worldwide. Commercial broadcasters think nothing of spending upwards of $10,000 to sculpt their audio with an OPTIMOD! Audio processing can help create an audio environment or mood. A broadcaster’s revenue depends on audience share and broadcasters know that compromising their processing is false economy.

Professional radio broadcasters would never consider going on the air without audio signal processing. They consider it a vital aspect of their program content. This carefully crafted content is what holds listeners and keeps them coming back. Since 1975, OPTIMOD algorithms have dominated the world market for professional radio and television audio processing and have been improved continuously since then. OPTIMOD-PC puts this technology inside your computer.

There are many gain/peak control devices and software available to perform dynamics processing. Many of these tools are designed for recording studio applications as effects compressors/limiters for individual microphone or instrument tracks. These devices’ controls need to be tuned carefully for the specific material being processed — they are not “set and forget” processors. Moreover, most do not process mixed program material without introducing objectionable audible artifacts, particularly when called upon to gain-ride input material having widely varying levels.

A broadcast audio processor should ideally be “seen, but not heard.” OPTIMOD processing algorithms simultaneously control audio gain and peaks, artistically, musically and naturally, to give the illusion that processing is not taking place. Moreover, OPTIMOD algorithms intelligently adapt themselves to the input program material. Once OPTIMOD-PC is tuned for the sound texture required for the broadcast or netcast format (which is made easy by OPTIMOD-PC’s many format-specific presets), it will provide excellent consistency regardless of the level or texture of the original program material. OPTIMOD-PC’s automatic gain control and equalization achieve a consistent sound, while accurate peak control maximizes loudness. Booming bass is tightened; weak, thin bass is brought up; highs are always present and consistent in level.

Thanks to OPTIMOD-PC, a netcaster who wants to maximize audience share no longer has to make do with toy processing, ineffective CPU-hungry plug-ins and inappropriate recording studio plug-ins. OPTIMOD-PC offers full broadcast-quality OPTIMOD processing on a card — an economical, space-saving alternative to conventional stand-alone boxes. But thanks to its tight integration into the PC, OPTIMOD-PC offers more features than any stand-alone processor. Among others, these include two digital inputs with mixing of asynchronous sources, two digital outputs, and sound card emulation that allows OPTIMOD-PC to talk through the operating system to applications running on the host.