Telos Zephyr Xstream - Manual (Page 27)

USER’S MANUAL
Section 2: INTRODUCTION – Getting to Know the Zephyr Xstream 15
2 INTRODUCTION - Getting to Know the Zephyr Xstream
2.1 What is the Zephyr Xstream?
In 1993, we had a dream. We envisioned a way for CD‐quality audio to be sent over common
digital phone lines — the perfect marriage of advanced audio coding and digital telephone
technologies. Our pursuit of that dream resulted in the Telos Zephyr™, which transformed
broadcasting by making ISDN an easy‐to‐use, effective tool for sending and receiving high‐
quality audio.
Since its introduction, broadcasters and audio professionals worldwide have made Zephyr the
most successful digital broadcast product ever. Its name has become synonymous with easy,
instantaneous point‐to‐point audio transfer: “Just Zephyr it to me!”
Zephyr Xstream™ continues this tradition of excellence. It includes all the tools and features
Zephyr users have come to rely on — ISO/MPEG Layer III, Layer II and G.722 coding,
straightforward front‐panel controls, full‐duplex, 20kHz stereo audio, analog and digital I/O
(model Xstream) — as well as new capabilities.
In 2002 we added to the versatility of the Zephyr by adding the Zephyr Xport to the product line.
A portable, easy‐to‐use, mono codec the Xport can connect to POTS lines and call your ISDN
Xstream at the station. An ISDN option permits connectivity with AAC and G.722 over ISDN.
A software upgrade in 2006 adds enhancements to IP such as bi‐directional dialing and AAC with
error concealment. Units manufactured since 3
rd quarter 2006 also have hardware support for
Livewire™ direct input/output to and from Axia audio networks.
In short, the Zephyr Xstream is an advanced, economical, flexible, and easy to use audio codec.
While we have added a number of advanced features, we’ve also maintained ease of use. Some
highlights of the Zephyr Xstream family are:
• MPEG 2 AAC (Advanced Audio Coding). This new standard for audio coding
combines the techniques developed by researchers all over the world into a
single algorithm.
• Unique Dual Receive mode in MPEG Layer‐3, allows independent audio
streams arriving from two distant codecs.
• Unique POTS to ISDN technology communicates with a companion Xport in
the field using aacPlus™ for the absolute best quality at the very low bitrates
required.
• Auto Receive mode searches and determines the correct decoder settings
for the incoming audio stream.
• Advanced technology – lower heat generation and improved reliability –
Unit has no cooling fan for silent operation in your studio.
• V.35 option allows connection to serial synchronous data equipment for use
with services such as dedicated lines, Switched 56, or Satellite services.