"Did you say 'networked audio?'"

Indeed we did. All Axia products are based on Livewire, a pioneering technology invented at Telos to convey low-delay and high-reliability audio over switched Ethernet.

With Livewire, a single Ethernet cable carries real-time uncompressed digital audio, device control messages, program associated data, and even routine network traffic. An entire facility can be wired in hours, instead of weeks. Expanding or modifying your system is simple thanks to Axia's inherent scalability and modularity.

Livewire offers a revolutionary change in how studios can be built. But at the same time, it's a natural continuation of general trends and what you already know.

What is Livewire? 

Livewire is a new protocol developed by Telos, that allows transport of real-time, "live" audio, plus program associated data (PAD) and machine remote control over a switched Ethernet network. The same network can also carry files transfers, messaging and other routine traffic.

How Livewire works

Livewire has an audio advertising system. Every source has a text name and numeric ID. These are transmitted from source devices to the network. Receivers can build lists of all available sources from which users can select. With hardware nodes, you enter the names, numbers, and other configuration information via an attached PC with a web browser. With PC nodes, you open a configuration window.

Livewire networks employ two types of audio streams: Livestreams, with small, fast packets for high-priority live audio, and Standard Streams with bigger packets audio file transfers and other non-critical audio. 

All Axia hardware devices transmit and receive both stream types. There is no inefficiency from having both available because all streams stop at the Ethernet switch and take no system network bandwidth unless they are subscribed to by a receiver. Each receiver takes only the one it needs, taking the low-delay version if available, or the higher-delay version, if not. The selection happens transparently with no user action needed. Users just select the channel they want and audio is delivered to the equipment they are using.

Converged Networks

An Ethernet network used for Livewire audio can also be shared with other data transmissions, such as file transfers and web browsing. An Ethernet system with a switch at the center may have a mix of audio nodes and normal servers, PCs, etc., because the Ethernet switch directs traffic only to where it is needed. 

Even on a single link, traffic can be mixed because we use modern Ethernet's priority mechanism to be sure audio packets have first call on the link's bandwidth. A studio audio delivery system could use this capability, for example, to download an audio file from a server while simultaneously playing another live. 

Livewire adds to the convergence possibilities in a broadcast facility. We predict that you eventually will have your computer data, telephone, audio, and control on a single network and that this will use computer/telephone industry standard wiring.

Audio Quality 
An Axia network is a controlled, high-speed environment, with no risk of audio drop-outs from network problems and plenty of bandwidth for many channels of high-quality uncompressed audio. We use studio-grade 48kHz/24-bit PCM encoding. Axia digital audio nodes deliver 138dB of dynamic range, with less than 0.0002% THD. Even analog audio nodes have 100dB dynamic range, < 0.005% THD, and headroom to +24dBu.

Howdy, partner.
Some of the industry's top audio hardware and software vendors have partnered with Axia to integrate Livewire functionality into their newest offerings. See the full list of Axia software and hardware partners, or browse some new broadcast gear that's Livewire-ready.

The Amazing Switching Ethernet

  • Livewire Switch Specifications

PC Audio flies free
With Livewire, PC-based audio can be directly connected to the network. This means audio delivery systems can use the Ethernet connection they already have to send and receive audio - the audio remains in digital form from the PC's files to the network with no alteration or degradation. 

Livewire is standards-based.
Livewire uses the Internet’s IP standard for streaming media, called RTP/IP, for Standard Streams. RTP stands for Real-Time Protocol. It's the internet’s standard way to transport streaming audio and video, just as TCP/IP is the standard for general data. Since we adhere to Internet standards, your audio can be played by PC players such as Windows Media and Real that support standard protocols and uncompressed PCM audio.

Read Intro to Livewire v2.1
  • Get audio performance specs