Sonifex just launched new Dante commentary units, the AVN-CU2-DANTE Configurable Dante Commentary Unit for two commentators and the AVN-CU4-DANTE Configurable Dante Commentary Unit for four commentators at AES-NY 2019.

Both units use Dante AoIP together with four wire connections so they bridge the gap between old and new technology, allowing the ease of connectivity and functionality of AoIP together with the legacy connections needed to operate with the existing infrastructure in some stadia and sports grounds.

The AVN-CU2-DANTE takes a new approach to provide a multipurpose configurable tool for commentary teams. Its power lies in the impressive mix engine, which overlays the usual Dante Controller settings. Once Dante flows have been made, inputs and outputs can be mixed freely to AoIP or physical inputs and outputs, controlled using the programmable buttons and rotary encoders, which control the gain and pan of inputs, outputs or cross-points, allowing total flexibility for different situations.

It can be used in any number of different commentary situations, controlled manually or remotely and controls can be ‘locked down’ so that they can’t be tampered with or altered, to guarantee reliable operation. It’s housed in a rugged and user-friendly package.

The AVN-CU2-DANTE was designed from the ground up to be totally flexible in operation and the use of Dante AoIP means that inputs and outputs can be added as required (up to a max of 16 per unit). Because any physical analog or digital input can be mixed and routed with any Dante AoIP input to any physical output or Dante output, you can define your own audio pathways.

Additionally you can choose which of those pathways need to be controlled (volume and pan) by the use of rotary encoders. Using a built-in web GUI, up to four nameable pages of six rotary encoders (24 in total) can be placed on the mix matrix at inputs, outputs or cross-points. Each rotary encoder has a separate color-coded meter section showing the channel name, detailed level metering and left/right panning on a bright daylight reading display. Colors can be programmed per encoder to quickly identify particular source groups, so headphone source selection becomes intuitive.

The AVN-CU2-DANTE provides two mic/line inputs with a wide, adjustable gain range and has two stereo headphone outputs with lockable jack sockets, suitable for operation by two commentators.

It’s powered using Power over Ethernet (PoE), using Neutrik EtherCON connectors, with primary and secondary ports for power and data redundancy. There’s an additional four-pin XLR 12V DC input.

The AVN-CU4-DANTE is a portable commentator unit using Dante AoIP. It is a dual version of the AVN-CU2-DANTE providing four mic/line inputs with a wide, adjustable gain range and four stereo headphone outputs with lockable jack sockets, suitable for operation by three or four commentators.

Here are the specs.