Digigram is feeling blu
Published: PRODUCTS
Digigram’s new suite of cloud-based services is designed to streamline end-to-end management of the process of content contribution from an internet-based source to the studio. Named blu by digigram, the manufacturer states that the suite of subsciption-based is a ‘cost-effective, centralised web service’ that simplifies the process for users ‘to establish a high-quality bidirectional communication with any remote contributor with internet access’.
‘This first-of-its-kind broadcast-focused service unites a cloud-based SaaS application with a professional audio interface (blu Connect studio) to improve the user experience,’ explained Digigram product owner, Martin Dutasta. ‘With this pay-as-you-go model for managing and processing contributed content from an array of sources, broadcasters can dedicate more time to creating programming.’
The SaaS software and blu Connect studio interface create a protocol-agnostic contribution platform. Together, they enable instant and secure IP audio contribution via the cloud or by other real-time means, such as by phone or IP codec, and the option for cloud-based audio processing and media recording.
Studio staff connect to blu by digigram using a web platform and using the contacts interface, can launch a full duplex contribution link to connect the contributor with the blu Connect interface. The contributor, out in the field, will receive an email or SMS message with a link to click to complete the connection with a PC or Android smartphone. The web platform supplies audio controls to the users on both ends, as well as tools for an editorial team to add contextual metadata to a recording and to manage the members of their contribution community.
The blu Connect interface includes AES/EBU, AES67 and analogue I/Os, with a plug-and-play system that connects automatically with the blu by digigram service with an encrypted connection and generates the contributor links. The service also provides scalability options, with the manufacturer citing that ‘users can extend the system's capabilities by adding concurrent contribution links, connecting with a traditional AoIP codec, or adding new functionality to accommodate future services’ as an example. The system has also been designed to integrate with a broadcaster’s existing infrastructure, including apps, websites and other contribution portals.