The Comrex ACCESS Stereo BRIC IP Audio codec has set the standard for reliable remote broadcast. The new ACCESS 2USB redefines that standard. Now with two USB ports and support for select 4G Wireless cellular data service modems, ACCESS 2USB provides even more flexibility to meet the demands of on-the-go broadcasters. ACCESS codecs now ship with AAC Coding Algorithms included as well as BRUTE (BRIC UDP Transmission Enhancement) to provide users with a complete complement of tools to help get your remote broadcast on the air.

ACCESS 2USB Connections & Features

• MIC/Line switchable mono input on balanced XLR with adjustable level control
• MIC input offers switchable 12v phantom power
• Stereo headphone output on 1/8" (3.5 mm) mini jack with adjustable volume control
• Stereo analog line level inputs/outputs on unbalanced 1/8" (3.5 mm) mini jacks
• "Hands free" cellular connection on 1/8" (3.5 mm) mini jack
• Audio level meters available via integrated LCD interface
• Two USB ports for Wi-Fi & POTS modems (included) and optional 3G/4G devices
• 10/100base-T Ethernet connector
• Mini-DIN connector for serial ancillary data
• Mini-DIN connector for Contact closures (4)
• Multi-pin connector for optional mixer

BRIC Technology

Developed to overcome the inherent instability of challenging data networks like the public Internet, BRIC Technology provides a sophisticated suite of tools that allow for high-quality, low-latency, stable transmission of audio over a wide variety of data networks. Intelligent, Dynamic Jitter Buffer Management, BRIC Algorithms and the BRIC-Traversal Server all work together to provide the most stable Audio over IP transmission platform available for remote broadcast.

IP Networks

IP networks are available virtually everywhere. ACCESS 2USB offers several ways to get connected. You can utilize the included USB Wi-Fi modem to connect to widely available HotSpots or use the integrated Ethernet port to connect to wired DSL or broadband cable IP networks. Either of the two USB ports will accommodate connections to 3G/4G cellular data networks using Comrex supported USB devices. ACCESS 2USB also includes a USB POTS/PSTN modem for use on legacy analog phone lines.

BRUTE

Not all IP Networks are created equally. In fact, some can be quite challenging such as certain Wi-Fi and 3G cellular connections. Comrex has developed BRUTE (BRIC UDP Transmission Enhancement) to help maintain stable and reliable transmission on marginal networks. UDP Reliability and Congestion Avoidance modes provide an extra measure of error protection with a minimal increase in latency.

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)

ACCESS 2USB includes our popular HQ algorithm suite for backward compatibility, but now includes AAC modes as standard. For broadcasts that require the highest audio quality available, AAC delivers. AAC, AAC-LD (low delay), HE-AAC (high efficiency), HE-AACv2 and AAC-ELD (enhanced low delay) can accommodate nearly any bandwidth, latency or audio quality requirement. In particular, the AAC-ELD mode provides the perfect balance of low bit rate, low delay, and high quality audio to get the best out of remote broadcasts.

Portable

ACCESS 2USB is quite simply the most portable and versatile professional IP audio codec on the market. With its 7-hour Lithium Ion battery, integrated mixer, easy-to-navigate touch screen and handheld form factor, ACCESS can go just about anywhere...and has! Wherever there is breaking news, a major sporting event or large outdoor festival, you’re likely to see an ACCESS Portable. The ACCESS Portable is the "go-to" remote broadcast tool for broadcasters worldwide. You can read stories from our users at: http://remotes.comrex.com

Optional Mixer

ACCESS 2USB provides a single MIC/Line input on XLR plus stereo line level inputs and outputs and a headphone output. It’s perfect for reporters running after a story or simple remotes. For situations that require more mics and headphones, the optional ACCESS Mixer easily docks onto the side of the ACCESS 2USB to provide a total of six switchable MIC/Line XLR inputs and six headphone outputs.

Rackmount

While the ACCESS 2 USB has been optimized to provide complete mobility and solid reliability, the ACCESS Rack has been designed as its perfect studio counterpart. The 1U 19" rack mount ACCESS features balanced stereo XLR inputs and outputs, AES I/O on XLR, Ethernet port, POTS modem, multiple USB ports, serial and contact closure ports. ACCESS Rack can be directly controlled with a keyboard/ video/mouse, a USB Touch screen monitor or driven with a standard web browser.

Connect and Control

ACCESS codecs offer several ways to be configured, controlled and managed. Comrex BRIC Device Manager is a free Windows app that allows for easy IP configuration of ACCESS codecs as well as firmware and license updates. BRIC-Remote Control, also available at no charge to Comrex customers, provides an easy way to connect and control a fleet of ACCESS codecs from a central location. Comrex BRIC-Traversal Server, managed by Comrex, provides a simple way for ACCESS codecs to "see" each other from behind Firewalls and private LANs. Use is optional and requires a nominal license unlock fee per unit but no other on-going cost.

BRIC-HQ1 (High Quality 1)

This algorithm keeps delay low (around 1/10 second) but allows for full fidelity (15 kHz) audio transmission. It delivers music or voice audio equally well and runs at a data rate of 28 kb/s. This mode also allows dual mono transmission, so that two independent audio signals (using twice the network bandwidth) can be sent to the same location. HQ1 settings offer choice of mono, dual mono or stereo.

BRIC-HQ2 (High Quality 2)

This mode minimizes artifacts and encodes speech and music equally well, providing a 12 or 15 kHz fidelity signal over 24 kb/s of network bandwidth. BRIC-HQ2 also allows for stereo operation at the lowest data rate of 24-30 kb/s, making stereo over a single modem connection possible. BRIC-HQ2 has moderate delay of about 1/3 second, which is in the range of many ISDN codecs. HQ2 settings offer choice of mono 12K, mono 15K, stereo 12K or stereo 15K. Selecting 12K further reduces artifacts.

BRIC-ULB (Ultra Low Bitrate)

This mode is designed for speech transfer only but has a remarkable compression ratio of around 25:1, allowing it to deliver 7 kHz at an astonishingly low bitrate (around 14 kb/s). The voice quality of BRIC-ULB is comparable to the old codec standard G.722 (7 kHz), but uses less than 1/4th the amount of data.

VoIP

G.711 and G.722 coding algorithms for compatibility with SIP-style VoIP phones.

While BRIC-HQ1, BRIC-HQ2 and BRIC-ULB are more than suitable for the majority of remote broadcast applications they are not what some would consider "STL quality" audio.

In order to provide both 20 kHz STL quality audio as well as future compatibility with codecs from other manufacturers, Comrex has implemented MPEG-4 AAC, MPEG-4 HE-AAC, MPEG-4 HE-AAC v2, MPEG-4 AAC-LD and MPEG-4 AAC-ELD licensed by Fraunhofer IIS for ACCESS. These algorithms are now included with all new ACCESS codecs.

AAC

For applications that require reduced bandwidth but excellent audio quality, ACCESS can utilize the highly regarded AAC coding algorithm (licensed by Fraunhofer IIS) to provide near-transparent stereo audio at a data rate of 128 kb/s or lower.

HE-AAC

To further reduce network bandwidth requirements, HE-AAC combines the coding power of AAC with Spectral Band Replication to reduce the data requirements for high frequencies. HE-AAC is typically deemed to sound nearly as good as AAC at lower network bandwidth. HE-AAC is the standardized version of the algorithm known as AAC-Plus.

Audio Connections

• Mono In: 3-pin XLR female, pin 1 ground, pin 2 +, pin 3 –
• Stereo Line In: 1/8" (3.5mm) female, tip=left, ring=right, sleeve=gnd
• Line Out: 1/8" (3.5mm) female, tip=left, ring=right, sleeve=gnd
• Headphone Out: 1/8" (3.5mm) female, tip=left, ring=right, sleeve=gnd
• Mobile In/Out: 1/8" (3.5mm) female, tip=send, ring=receive, sleeve=gnd

Audio Specifications - Mono Input

• Type: Balanced
• Impedance - Mic: 20k Ohms (pins 2-3) | Line: 200k Ohms (pins 2-3)
• Level: Mic: -60 dBu nominal, -15 dBu max Line: 0 dBu nominal, +20 dBu max

Audio Specifications - Stereo Input

• Type: Unbalanced
• Impedance: 9k Ohms (tip to sleeve, or ring to sleeve)
• Level: -10 dBu nominal, +10 dBu max

Audio Specifications - Line Output

• Type: Unbalanced
• Impedance: 0 Ohms (tip to sleeve, or ring to sleeve)
• Level: Normal: -10 dBu nominal | Professional: 0 dBu nominal