NAB 2011: Digital Alert Systems Products Preview

2011 NAB Show Preview
Digital Alert Systems
Booth C2952

Digital Alert Systems is a provider of next-generation Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and Emergency Alert Systems (EAS).

DASDEC-II Models: DASLC and DASLCR (New)—The new DASLC and DASLCR provide core Emergency Alert Systems (EAS) and Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) functionality, offering dual monitoring inputs and analog-only switching in a compact low-cost package equipped with key features. Economically designed to keep costs down, these 2RU models make DAS technology available at the lowest price yet.

The DASLC and DASLCR are specifically designed for radio and television facilities needing minimal EAS/CAP requirements. The DASLC offers critical functionality in a low-cost design, and the DASLCR provides the same functionality and two integrated high-performance AM/FM/WX radio receivers in a space- and cost-saving package. Both units meet all FCC Part 11 rules and conform to FEMA CAP V1.2 and IPAWS 1.0 standards, allowing broadcasters to reduce headaches and substantially improve operational efficiency for just a little more than adding a CAP-converter to their legacy EAS equipment.

Digital Alert Systems MultiPlayer (New)—The new MultiPlayer eliminates the restrictions of sharing a single Emergency Alert Systems (EAS) encoder/decoder system with relays and switches by providing multiple and completely independent EAS switching, playout, and control to simultaneously cover the EAS requirements of multiple program streams. MultiPlayer is configurable for analog or AES switching of up to four program streams and networks to any DASDEC system for management and logging. In addition, the integrated switching and multiple GPI/O’s for each channel makes facility integration a breeze. MultiPlayer, coupled with a DASDEC system and MultiStation software, provides the lowest possible cost per-independent stream EAS and Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) coverage available.

DASDEC-II—DASDEC-II provides a flexible platform for emergency alert and Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) management in a fully integrated package. DASDEC-II includes full support for automatic FCC-compliance logging within the system’s nonvolatile memory. With a true browser-based interface that allows multiple, simultaneous tiered access and up to four Ethernet ports for easy integration in the modern facility, DASDEC-II makes it easier than ever for broadcasters to deploy content to multiple channels and manage all Emergency Alert Systems (EAS) and CAP functions remotely. Fully featured and ready to go straight from the box, the DASDEC-II system can be used as a drop-in enhancement for any existing EAS encoder/decoder set.

DASDEC-II supports a broad range of physical connection and interface protocols, making it simple for broadcasters to integrate a wide variety of third-party equipment that may already be in use within a broadcast facility. With its IP-based technology, DASDEC-II is engineered to handle future emergency messaging requirements with easy-to-upgrade software. The system’s flexible packaging allows for various model configurations, ranging from low-cost, decoder-only setups to sophisticated messaging platforms tailored to the most demanding multi-channel, multi-interface applications.

The MultiStation software adds capacity to select sequential forwarding, giving broadcasters the ability to schedule the alert to air on each channel at an appropriate time, without interrupting critical programs, on up to five stations — whether they originate from the same building, same state, or across the nation. By eliminating the need for independent encoder/decoder sets dedicated to each station, one DASDEC-II system replaces five separate encoder/decoder sets, reducing the amount of wiring, rack space, and power required.

DASDEC-IR and EAS-NET—For broadcasters multicasting from a single centralcasting location, DASDEC-IR offers a means of monitoring and distributing EAS and Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) messages from remote locations to the primary facility. The DASDEC-IR system combines the feature-packed DASDEC-II system with the company’s EAS-NET software supporting forwarding of emergency alerts over an IP network to a central facility. And because DASDEC-IR is a fully functional EAS encoder/decoder, each location’s unit can process alerts independently if the connection to the central host system is lost or broken. With its complete remote management and control interface, the DASDEC-IR helps broadcasters fulfill their compliance obligations while conserving resources with equipment that is simpler and more efficient than ever before.