NAB Show: Barix To Showcase Audio Over IP Transport

Why It Matters

The affordable, low‑latency SRT/RIST support lowers entry barriers for broadcasters, accelerating adoption of open‑protocol audio over IP. This expands flexibility for radio stations and media producers navigating diverse network environments.

Key Takeaways

• MultiCoder M400 adds SRT and RIST under $500.
• Supports four simultaneous audio formats via internal engines.
• LX400 can encode or decode across STL, SRT, cloud.
• Reflector Evo provides full‑duplex cloud audio distribution.
• Linux‑based platform adds HTTPS security and customization.

Pulse Analysis

Audio over IP has become a cornerstone of modern broadcasting, offering higher efficiency and reduced infrastructure costs compared with traditional satellite or microwave links. At this year’s NAB Show, Barix is positioning its Instreamer and Exstreamer lineup as a bridge between legacy studio‑to‑transmitter (STL) workflows and fully cloud‑native audio distribution. By showcasing devices that can operate on multiple protocols, the company underscores the industry’s shift toward flexible, software‑defined transport solutions that can adapt to both on‑premise and remote production environments.

The introduction of SRT and RIST support in the MultiCoder M400 marks a significant price‑performance breakthrough. Priced under $500, the encoder delivers low‑latency, secure streaming in formats such as OPUS, AAC+, PCM, and 320 kbps MP3, while simultaneously handling four separate streams. This capability addresses the needs of broadcasters who must deliver content to varied endpoints—ranging from headend facilities to remote service providers—without investing in multiple dedicated devices. The LX400’s dual encoder/decoder flexibility further simplifies deployment across traditional STL IP links, point‑to‑point SRT connections, or the Reflector Evo cloud platform, offering redundancy and end‑to‑end delay control.

Barix’s emphasis on open, interoperable protocols aligns with broader industry trends favoring vendor‑agnostic solutions. As more stations migrate to IP‑based infrastructures, the demand for secure, low‑latency transport over public internet and unmanaged networks grows. The Reflector Evo cloud service, delivered through partner StreamGuys, provides full‑duplex audio contribution and distribution, positioning Barix as a key enabler of enterprise‑scale, cloud‑first broadcast operations. This move not only expands Barix’s market reach but also signals a maturing ecosystem where cost‑effective, protocol‑agnostic hardware drives the next wave of audio innovation.