Boosting Leighton's Transition Across Multiple Platforms by Comrex
Leighton Media, a St. Cloud, Minn.-based company that owns approximately three dozen radio stations in Minnesota and North Dakota, has leveraged Comrex products to support its transition to Audio over IP (AoIP) platforms. This move enables the company to deliver high-quality, reliable audio feeds remotely, essential for remote sports broadcasts and marketing content distribution.
Tony Abfalter, the director of engineering and IT at Leighton Media, has been a long-time user of Comrex equipment. His familiarity with the brand dates back to his work for Entercom in the Milwaukee and Madison markets. Now, Abfalter relies heavily on Comrex solutions at Leighton Media.
One of the key features that Abfalter appreciates is the AoIP integration provided by Comrex. This seamless conversion of traditional broadcasts to AoIP supports multi-platform content delivery and modernises Leighton's broadcast infrastructure.
Comrex products also offer enhanced reliability and audio quality. The codecs and IP-based transport systems provide stable, high-fidelity audio for remote feeds and Studio-to-Transmitter Link (STL) transmissions, critical in live broadcasting scenarios.
Flexibility in network environments is another benefit. Comrex products are known for adaptive bonding technologies, enabling Leighton to maintain broadcast continuity over different network conditions and bandwidth availabilities, thus enhancing operational resilience.
Simplification of remote workflows is another advantage. By deploying Comrex technology, Leighton can simplify logistics and reduce reliance on traditional, often costly, microwave STL links or satellite feeds, improving scalability and reducing costs.
Leighton Media frequently deploys Comrex products, including Opals and BRIC-Links. Abfalter's St. Cloud market sends multiple programs to other stations using BRIC-Links and contact closure buttons. The latest BRIC-Link III, in particular, has been appreciated for its addition of front-panel controls.
For managing internet connections between Comrex IP codecs, Leighton Media uses the Switchboard Traversal Server. This tool simplifies the process, and Tony Abfalter praises the remote management and ease of assigning codecs in the field with the Switchboard Traversal Server.
In one of its markets, it's not uncommon for all four of its stations to be covering sports on the same night. To handle such scenarios, Leighton Media deploys various Comrex Access Portable models for remote broadcasts, including the Access NX. The bulk of Leighton Media's remote broadcasts involve high school athletics.
Comrex's CrossLock VPN technology is paired with the Access Portable units, allowing for multi-network usage and real-time management. This technology has proven invaluable in ensuring seamless, high-quality broadcasts even in complex network environments.
In conclusion, Comrex technology plays a crucial role in Leighton Media's digital and IP-based broadcast transition strategy. The company's expanded use of Comrex products reflects the benefits they bring in terms of AoIP integration, reliability, flexibility, and simplified remote workflows.
- Leighton Media, with its extensive radio stations, uses Comrex solutions to broadcast content reliably and efficiently, leveraging Audio over IP (AoIP) platforms and technologies like the Opals and BRIC-Links.
- Tony Abfalter, the director of engineering and IT at Leighton Media, is a long-time user of Comrex equipment, citing the seamless conversion of traditional broadcasts to AoIP and the flexibility in network environments as key benefits.
- Comrex's StarLock VPN technology, paired with the Access Portable units, allows Leighton Media to utilize multiple networks for remote broadcasts and ensures high-quality, seamless broadcasts, even in complex network environments.
- The use of Comrex technology enables Leighton Media to simplify logistics, reduce costs, and modernize its broadcast infrastructure, all while enhancing operational resilience and multi-platform content delivery capabilities.
