InfoComm 2008—Las Vegas, NV
—Fort Wayne, IN-based Attero Tech announced that its new InBox and OutBox CobraNet Audio Interfaces use the power of networked audio to make sound system installations simpler and less expensive. Each Box is a fully capable, true-CobraNet component: just one CAT5 Ethernet cable connects to every speaker, mixing console, audio processor, or other CobraNet-ready product in the larger system.
InBox and OutBox products offer small, convenient, wall-mounted audio connectors—RCA, XLR, and TRS jacks—that connect easily with standard powered-network switches to build a flexible and cost-effective audio-distribution system.
“With InBox and OutBox, you can finally say goodbye to the rat’s nest of cabling and logistical issues that normally come with audio system build-outs,”? said Mike Sims, Director of Marketing & Sales for Attero Tech. “There has never been a faster, easier, or more affordable solution for building a complete sound system.”?
CobraNet Eliminates the Complicated Mess of Analog System Design
Traditional sound systems carry analog signals over cumbersome and expensive three-conductor-shielded cables, with dedicated lines for every audio channel. Lines must be spliced, routed, and terminated to connect with a range of external equipment, and then rerouted any number of times for the audio to reach the appropriate destination.
In addition to the time and expense of pulling cable, analog-audio-system designers also fight signal degradation caused by excessive cable length, RF interference, ground loops, and line noise. Plus, there’s the added expense associated with testing for broken connections or incorrect wiring.
A CobraNet system uses specialized hardware and software to digitize and send high-quality audio across a standard Ethernet network. Just one CAT5 cable carries up to 64 channels of uncompressed 48,000 kHz, 24-bit audio to the network, eliminating much of the patchwork of analog cabling.
With VoiceBox, there’s no more need for an analog system’s crosspoint switches and matrix mixers to connect multiple sources to differing destinations. In a CobraNet system, all signal routing is done automatically over the network, which is intelligently controlled by the equipment software.
“Every systems integrator who has worked on an undocumented or mislabeled sound system understands the time-consuming nightmare of trying to straighten out and reconfigure what cable goes where,”? said Sims. “In contrast, CobraNet lets you reroute components without ever touching a single cable. Simply connect to the network with a computer, adjust device settings, and you’re done.”?
Attero Tech InBoxes and OutBoxes mount in-wall, with a simple faceplate that makes the installation look like a natural part of the application environment. Another way that they fit naturally into the application environment is by taking advantage of Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology.
PoE lets each Box work without wiring an additional power source because the same cable that sends and receives audio signals also provides electricity to the Box. With InBox and OutBox, audio-system designers can build a complete CobraNet system using only a dual-gang junction box in the wall, CAT5 Ethernet cable, and a standards-compliant PoE networking switch.
Introducing R8 and X2
Attero Tech offers two models of CobraNet input and output boxes, the R8 and the X2, which work with the audio industry’s most widely used audio-equipment connectors:
• InBox R8 and OutBox R8 have eight unbalanced RCA jacks, for line-level stereo or mono connections.
• The InBox X2 features two balanced female XLR/TRS combo-input connectors, for use with microphones or line-level input signals. InBox X2 features switchable mic/line gain and +12V phantom power, selectable for each channel.
• The OutBox X2 has two balanced male XLR output connectors, for use wherever a line-level balanced output is needed.
Together, R8 and X2 connections cover most audio equipment found in common applications. The R8’s RCA plugs easily connect most consumer-grade audio sources (such as CD and MP3 players, iPods, AM/FM/Sirius/XM tuners, etc.) into the CobraNet audio system. The X2’s XLR and TRS plugs work together with most microphones, musical instruments, amplifiers, processors, mixing boards, speakers, and other professional-grade equipment.
“CobraNet systems are a great improvement for building sophisticated sound systems because they’re easy to install, have flexible configuration, and eliminate the quality and interference problems of analog systems,”? said Sims. “InBox and OutBox offer the full benefit of CobraNet systems, in a diverse form that works perfectly for small-scale audio systems required by conference rooms, meeting centers, hotel ballrooms, sports facilities, convention centers, health clubs, restaurants, bars, and churches.”?
Attero Tech Quality
Attero Tech products are built from more than 20 years of experience in creating audio-visual systems for manufacturers and commercial audiences.
InBox and OutBox join with the company’s other CobraNet components, VoiceBox and MatchBox, along with a range of OEM-applied equipment to make CobraNet-driven audio systems more accessible, cost-effective, and easier to install. For more information, visit
.
AtteroTech specializes in system, hardware, software, and embedded firmware design, for a wide range of markets and application areas: audio networking, digital video recording and playback, whole-house control, and signal routing. AtteroTech provides service in systems engineering, project planning and management, software and hardware development, and transition to manufacturing, on both contract and complete turnkey solution basis. For more information, visit
.
# # #
