Pioneering DAB Station Relies On Omnia Audio Processing
25 October 2002, Cincinnati, OH USA
The installation of an Omnia-6dab audio processor marked a historic event as Susquehanna Radio’s WYGY-FM became one of the US’s firstfull-time IBOC (In Band, On Channel) digital radio stations.
After FCC approval of iBiquity Digital’s “HD Radio” format, WYGY acted quickly to install a new Omnia-6dab processor, the final link in their DAB airchain. WYGY staff completed installation of their Omnia-6dab in just 20 minutes, commencing DAB service at 11 A.M., October 16th.
WYGY’s new digital broadcast is characterized by expanded audio frequency range, resulting in notably cleaner, more defined high end and more detail throughout the audio spectrum.
“We just completed a new linear digital studio facility for WYGY, including an Omnia-6fm. The analog audio is pristine and we wanted the HD Radio audio to sound it’s best, so I called Frank Foti,” says Norm Philips, Susquehanna’s Director of Technical Operations. “We compared the digital and analog signals using an iBiquity receiver. As great as our analog signal sounds, there was a noticeable improvement in the clarity of the high end when listening to the digital signal.”
“Bring on the HD radio receivers. Thanks to Omnia-6dab, we are ready.”
“This was a history-making event, and we’re thrilled to have been part of it,” says Omnia founder and
Telos Systems President Frank Foti. “Omnia has been involved in US testing of IBOC since the beginning. It’s very exciting to watch everyone’s hard work begin to pay off.”
Omnia enjoys a rich legacy of involvement with DAB. In Europe and Asia, Omnia audio processors are used by many high profile Eureka-equipped stations and network broadcasters. In the US, formal testing with USA Digital Radio and Lucent Digital Radio began in 1998; today Omnia processors are key components of iBiquity DABtests conducted with broadcasters throughout the US.
The Omnia-6dab offers broadcasters the ability to maintain a well-defined “signature sound” in the new digital medium. Since the Omnia-6 platform samples at 96kHz, it’s a natural for DAB applications whose frequency response can extend to 20kHz. Omnia-6dab is optimized for digital transmission and accommodates the bitrates outlined in DAB specifications.
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Telos Systems, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio with offices in Europe and Canada, is a leading manufacturer of ISDN, coded audio and telephone interface products for talk-shows, teleconferencing, audio production, remote broadcasts, and intercom applications.
Omnia, a Telos company, is world-renowned for its digital audio signal processing expertise. Omnia audio processors for FM, AM, TV, DAB, Internet, and audio production are setting new standards for professional audio quality.