At ISE, Barix is launching IP Former, the company’s newest product platform for adding IP networking capabilities to new or existing loudspeaker designs. Replacing the 70/100-volt transformer traditionally used with analog loudspeakers, the PoE-powered IP Former provides an IP network interface, audio stream decoder and amplifier front-end for any 2- to 8-ohm speaker. IP Former will make its global debut in stand 8-K275 at the ISE 2020 exhibition, taking place from February 11-14 in Amsterdam.

IP Former offers a broad array of benefits for everyone from systems integrators and end-users to third-party manufacturers. By using IP Former in place of standard transformers, systems integrators can continue using their preferred loudspeaker brands and models while easily bringing them into the IP domain. Existing installations can similarly be retrofitted with IP capabilities by simply replacing their transformers with IP Former units, saving the end-customers considerable money by avoiding the need to purchase entirely new speakers.

For loudspeaker manufacturers, IP Former provides a path to bringing IP-enhanced products to market by eliminating R&D effort, time and cost of creating their own IP implementations from scratch. Just as important, IP Former’s mounting and connection compatibility with standard 70- and 100-volt transformers enables OEMs to incorporate the Barix module without any changes to their manufacturing processes.

IP Former is based on the IPAM 400, Barix’s latest-generation IP Audio Module and was built with all of the latest IP and IT security standards in mind. The device leverages Power over Ethernet (PoE) through its RJ-45 network interface to minimize cabling and simplify installation by eliminating the need for plugging into a power outlet — making it ideal for installation in locations such as ceilings. Supporting applications ranging from background music and in-venue announcements to paging and emergency warning systems, IP Former decodes audio streams delivered via HTTP, RTP or UDP in codec formats including PCM, AACplus, MP3, Opus, G.711 and G.722.

Barix’s patented Sonic IP method audibly announces each IP Former unit’s automatically assigned IP address during the initial setup, while a straightforward web-based interface allows configuration. Barix’s FLEXA customization layer enables integrators and manufacturers to write and deploy their own custom programs on IP Former, such as triggering play of messages stored locally on the device. IP Former also supports SIP negotiation for use with VoIP phone systems and is compatible with InformaCast and Syn-Apps mass notification platforms.

It’s already on the Barix website here.