Studer takes DSP technology to the next level with its Vista X digital console

Studer has introduced its new Vista X digital console and the Studer Infinity Processing Engine. According to the manufacturer the Vista X offers an unsurpassed intuitive user interface, retaining the patented Vistonics and FaderGlow user interface, and provides control of 800 or more audio DSP channels and more than 5,000 inputs and outputs.

At the heart of the system is the Infinity DSP core, which uses CPU-based processors to provide huge numbers of DSP channels for large-scale, high-resolution audio processing and mixing. Up until now, most audio DSP has used SHARC or FPGA chips. When applied to large-scale broadcast mixing applications these chip sets suffer two shortcomings: firstly, SHARC chips were developed nearly 15 years ago, and over time the capacity has increased by about 22 times. This has not kept pace with the increasing demands of modern multi-channel production. FPGAs, on the other hand, have increased in capacity hugely over the years but they are more complex to program for the specialist needs of audio DSP.

The impetus behind Studer's desire to create a DSP engine was largely due the fact that CPU technology used in most computers has resulted in huge R&D investment in the technology. As such, these chips are not only extremely reliable in operation but also result in a doubling of processor power every 24 months – known as Moore’s Law.

The new Infinity DSP engine provides 12 A-Link – Studer’s new fibre-based audio interface – high-capacity fibre digital audio interfaces, providing more than 5,000 inputs and outputs. A newly designed high-density I/O system - D23m – is used to break out these A-Link connections to standard analogue, digital and video interfaces. The A-Link interface also provides direct connection to the Riedel MediorNet distributed router, allowing many Infinity systems to be connected together.

A key element in the design of the series has been the desire to avoid the possibility of a single fault causing loss of audio. Taking a lead from the aircraft industry which uses multiple redundant processors for flying the airplane, the Vista X console features four processors, offering complete redundancy of the control surface.

The Infinity Core, therefore, with a combination of CPU-based DSP and A-Link audio interfaces, offers N+1 redundancy of the DSP engine and I/O with instant switchover between main and standby system without audio break. The provision of two completely independent DSP engines overcomes potential single points of failure offered with traditional TDM-based systems. This new design also offers the possibility of two complete Vista X surfaces to be working on the same project at the same time. This allows very large, dual language or multi-format productions to be undertaken with ease.

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