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Large (quarter-VGA) active-matrix color liquid crystal display (LCD)
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Makes setup, adjustment and programming of the 8500 easy. Navigation is by a miniature joystick, two dedicated buttons, and a large rotary knob. The LCD shows all metering functions of the processing structure in use.
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Locate joystick
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Used to navigate through a menu that lets you recall a preset, modify processing (at three levels of expertise), or to access the system’s setup controls.
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Absolute Control of Peak Modulation
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Universal transmitter protection & audio processing for FM broadcast
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Can be configured to interface ideally with any commonly found transmission system in the world, analog or digital. |
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Pre-emphasis limiting for the internationally used pre-emphasis curves of 50 µs & 75 µs
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Produces a clean, open artifact-free sound whose subjective brightness matches the original program as closely as possible.
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Tight peak control at all its outputs
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Analog, AES3 (x2), and composite baseband.
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Stereo encoder integrated with audio processing
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Eliminates the overshoot problems that waste valuable modulation in traditional external encoders.
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Bandwidth limiting & overshoot compensation
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By providing 15 kHz low-pass filters ahead of the 8500’s audio outputs and stereo encoder, the 8500 prevents aliasing distortion in subsequent stereo encoders or transmission links. |
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Internal, DSP-based stereo encoder (with a patented “Half-Cosine Interpolation” composite limiter operating at 512 kHz samplerate)
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Generates the pilot tone stereo baseband signal and controls its peak level. The composite limiter is a unique, “you can only do this in DSP” process that beats composite clippers by preserving stereo imaging while fully protecting the stereo pilot tone, RDS/RBDS and subcarriers. |
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| Analog & AES3 digital inputs & outputs |
The analog inputs are transformerless, balanced 10 kΩ instrumentation-amplifier circuits. The analog outputs are transformerless, balanced, and floating to ensure highest transparency and accurate pulse response. The digital input and the two digital outputs can operate at 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.1 kHz and 96 kHz samplerates. The pre-emphasis status and output levels are separately adjustable for the analog and digital outputs. Each output can emit the analog FM processed signal, the digital radio processed signal, or the low-delay monitor signal. |
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AES11 sync input
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Allows you to synchronize the output samplerate of either (or both) AES3 outputs to this input. You can also synchronize the outputs to the AES3 digital input or to 8500’s internal clock. The sync source of each AES3 output is independently selectable. |
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Defeatable delay line
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Delays the FM analog processing output up to 16.2 seconds. Delay can be trimmed in intervals of one sample of 64 kHz to match the analog and digital paths in the HD Radio system, eliminating the need to use the delay built into the HD Radio exciter and permitting the 8500’s internal stereo encoder and composite limiter to drive the analog FM exciter. Starting with V2 software, the diversity delay can be independently applied to any output emitting the FM-processed signal can.
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Two independent composite baseband outputs with digitally programmable output levels
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Robust line drivers enable them to drive 100 feet of RG-59 coaxial cable without audible performance degradation. |
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Two subcarrier inputs
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The inputs are mixed with the output of the 8500’s stereo encoder before application to the composite output connectors. One input can be re-jumpered to provide a 19 kHz pilot reference output. Both inputs have internal level trims to accommodate subcarrier generators with output levels as low as 220 mV. |
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Defeatable multiplex power limiter
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Controls the multiplex power to ITU-R BS412 standards. An adjustable threshold allows a station to achieve maximum legal multiplex power even if the downstream transmission system introduces peak overshoots into the 8500-processed signal. Because this limiter closes a feedback loop around the audio processing, it allows the user to adjust the processor’s subjective setup controls freely without violating BS412 limits, regardless of program material.
The improved multiplex power limiter acts on all outputs (not just the composite output). Further improvements in V3 make the audible action of the Multiplex Power Controller more subtle by moving it after the OPTIMOD’s left and right peak limiters. Previously, the controller was located between output of the OPTIMOD’s multiband compressor and the input of the OPTIMOD’s peak limiters.
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Rigorously RFI-suppressed input, output & power connections
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Orban’s traditional exacting standards ensure trouble-free installation.
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Certified
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Meets all applicable international safety and emissions standards. |
Adaptability through Multiple Audio Processing Structures
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Rides gain over an adjustable range of up to 25 dB
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Compresses dynamic range and compensates for both operator gain-riding errors and gain inconsistencies in automated systems.
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Multiband compression, limiting & clipping
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Increases the density and loudness of the program material, improving the consistency of the station’s sound and increasing loudness and definition remarkably, without producing unpleasant side effects.
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Four processing structures
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A processing structure is a program that operates as a complete audio processing system. Only one processing structure can be on-air at a time, although all are active simultaneously to permit mute-free switching between them. Use the Optimum (17 ms delay), Low-Latency (12 ms), Ultra-Low-Latency (3 ms) Five-Band structures for a consistent, “processed” sound. Use Two-Band (17 or 22 ms delay) for a transparent sound that preserves the frequency balance of the original program material. A special Two-Band preset creates a no-compromise “Protect” function that is functionally similar to the “Protect” structures in earlier Orban digital processors.
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Speech Mode
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You can program two sets of processing parameters into the on-air preset and have the 8500’s speech/music detector switch between them automatically, eliminating the compromise usually required between speech and music programming.
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Eight programmable GPI inputs
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Contact closures or 5-12V AC/DC pulses can recall presets, force test mode, and more.
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| Serial port #1 |
Can interface to an IBM-compatible computer running Orban’s PC Remote software. The connection can be either direct or through an external MODEM. |
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Tally Outputs
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Two open-collector tally outputs can be programmed to indicate errors or silence in the input audio or to indicate which input (analog or digital) is active. |
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Serial port #2
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Allows the user to set up security and communications parameters through a simple ASCII terminal program running on any PC. It also permits simple ASCII strings to trigger preset recall, facilitating interface to automation systems that can emit such strings through an RS232 serial port.
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Built-in 100 Mbps Ethernet port
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The 8500 can be connected through its built-in 100 Mbps Ethernet port to a TCP/IP network. |
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Can be invoked locally or by remote control to permit broadcast system test and alignment or “proof of performance” tests. |
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Software Upgrade
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The 8500 can be upgraded remotely or locally through its serial or Ethernet port. |
| Hardware upgrades |
Any 8500 can be upgraded to full OPTIMOD-FM 8600 functionality via upgrade kits available for purchase. Three kits are available: 8500FM to 8600FM, 8500FM to 8600HD, and 8500HD to 8600HD. |
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8500 PC Remote Software
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A graphical application that runs under Windows 2000 and XP. It communicates with a given 8500 via TCP/IP over modem, direct serial, and Ethernet connections. You can configure PC Remote to switch between many 8500s via a convenient organizer that supports giving any 8500 an alias name and grouping multiple 8500s into folders. Clicking an 8500’s icon causes PC Remote to connect to that 8500 through an Ethernet network, or initiates a Windows Dial-Up or Direct Cable Connection if appropriate. The PC Remote software allows the user to access all 8500 features and allows the user to archive and restore presets, automation lists, and system setups (containing I/O levels, digital word lengths, GPI functional assignments, etc.).
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Built-in line-up tone generator
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Facilitates quick and accurate level setting in any system. |
Versatile real-time clock
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Allows automation of various events (including recalling presets) at pre-programmed times. To maintain accuracy, this clock can be synchronized automatically via the Internet to a reference time source. |
