BSS Audio has added a cost-effective break-out box to its Soundweb London family of digital signal processors, the new BLU-BOB output expander. Introduced at 2009 InfoComm in Orlando, BLU-BOB compliments the seven other members of London and represents an inexpensive solution to increasing the number of outputs in a Harman HiQnet networked system.
The BLU-BOB features eight analog audio outputs on standard terminal block connectors and the 256-channel, low latency, fault tolerant digital audio bus, also found on the BLU-800, BLU-320, BLU-160 and BLU-120 devices.
In addition to providing a backbone for the transportation of multiple channels, this bus also facilitates the creation of large, fault-tolerant, centralized matrices containing multiple devices. The digital audio bus uses standard, inexpensive Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable, which enables a distance of 100 meters between devices.
The BSS Audio MC-1 fiber optic media converter can be used to increase the distance between devices to over 10km (6.2 miles) using single mode fiber.
A series of DIP switches on the rear of the BLU-BOB device allow consecutive channels, in groups of eight, to be selected from the digital audio bus. Multiple BLU-BOB devices can be configured to receive the same or different eight channel ranges.
Signal present and power status are clearly displayed by front panel LED indicators for monitoring and troubleshooting. The BLU-BOB devices are powered by an external 24VDC power supply such as the BSS Audio 999-PSU.
Two chassis styles are available, the first (BLU-BOB1) is a half rack width, desk or wall mounted version and the second (BLU-BOB2) is a 19-inch single rack space version with mounting ears for equipment racks. Front panel indication and rear panel connections are identical on both versions.
Each of the eight different Soundweb London devices offer a different mix of signal processing, CobraNet and digital audio bus functionality.
BSS Website
Harman Professional Website
(Be sure to visit PSW’s 2009 InfoComm New Product Gallery.)