Barix Audio over IP Solutions to Accentuate Hybrid AV Surveillance at ISC West

“Video moved quickly from hard-wired to IP systems, and security professionals are cognizant of the additional benefits afforded by moving intercom and PA capabilities on the same infrastructure. This ultimately combines video surveillance, access control, voice communications and alarm monitoring among other operations into a single, hybrid system,” said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix AG. “Barix offers a very cost-effective method of migrating audio to the IP infrastructure, employing a de-centralized model that is not reliant on an expensive server with a single point of failure. This simplifies setup and lowers the total cost of ownership by minimizing equipment and maintenance costs, while offering a reliable means to communicate from one to many locations.”



Video surveillance operations are migrating to hybrid IP-based AV systems with more frequency to more effectively communicate with the targets they see on camera. Barix offers a variety of hardware devices capable of integrating with video cameras and recording technology on the IP layer:

Exstreamer: A range of IP audio decoding devices ideal for streaming voice and audio from a central location to loudspeaker points over PA systems.

Annuncicom: A range of two-way Audio over IP devices ideal for intercom communications, with I/O capability for direct connections to microphones and push buttons at intercom stations. Annuncicom devices also provide SIP functionality for interfacing with telephone and PA systems.

PS16: A multifunction master station for use in IP intercom, paging and voice over IP applications including: group call, public address broadcast, per location audible call identifier, remote relay operation and unattended mode operation.



“Migration to a hybrid IP-based AV surveillance system eliminates the challenges of communicating with targets at door stations, in parking lots or other areas where basic camera audio cannot effectively capture information,” said Rietschel. “One benefit of integration is that when an intercom station button is pushed, the camera switches to the location and the intercom is immediately opened. This allows on-site or remote security personnel to directly communicate with the target through a single portal instead of two or three different systems.”



Barix’ SIP compatibility is also a noteworthy option to enhance inter-facility communications in hybrid surveillance or standalone intercom/PA systems. Barix Annuncicom devices located at a door station can connect to the main telephone system over IP using the SIP protocol. The telephone system can then connect to one or more SIP phones that security guards can use to communicate with a specific door station. Security guards can potentially also enter a code over SIP phones to open specific doors on command.



Barix can also enable facility-wide or zoned announcements over a PA system using the SIP gateway present in the Annuncicom. Security or other personnel can call into an Annuncicom and, using its priority port, make an announcement from a SIP phone over the PA system.





All Barix products are inexpensive, low-power devices that are scalable to the growth of the operation; offer reliability through a PC-FREE design with no moving parts; and serve as a flexible platform for integration into virtually any operation requiring audio transport and delivery. Barix also offers its programmable BCL standard open to all customers to easily tailor applications for specific needs. Local control, audio relay, and low-latency streaming are a few examples of custom programs using Barix’ BCL software environment.