Crown Audio Introduces PIP-BLU Programmable Input Processor Card for CTs Series Amplifiers at PLASA 2011

At PLASA 2011, ending today at Earls Court, London, Crown Audio announced the introduction of its PIP-BLU programmable input processor (PIP) card for the Crown CTs Series power amplifiers. The PIP-BLU adds BSS Audio Soundweb London digital audio bus functionality to Crown CTs Series amplifiers, offering a simple, cost-effective way to get digital audio all the way to the amplifiers, the company says.

"The PIP-BLU adds BSS Audio's Soundweb London digital audio bus to Crown's popular CTs Series amplifiers, without having to use additional network switches. This makes installation much easier, saves time and money, greatly simplifies the cabling within an amplifier rack and provides advanced control and monitoring capabilities," said Daniel Saenz, install business segment manager, Crown Audio. "With the PIP-BLU, contractors are now able to leverage the functionality and simplicity of the Soundweb London digital audio bus all the way to the amplifiers."

The PIP-BLU is compatible with Crown CTs Series two-channel amplifiers built after April 2011. It provides BSS Audio Soundweb London digital audio bus functionality along with analog input and output connectors, and offers two digital audio bus channels to the amplifier, an RJ-45 Ethernet jack for remote configuration, control and monitoring and two digital audio bus channels back from the amp (for the listen bus), along with two analog input channels and two analog output channels. The analog channels provide analog backup and also facilitate using the CTs amplifier as a TWO-channel Break-In Box (BIB). The analog outputs provide a buffered version of the inputs, allowing daisy-chaining down a rack.

The PIP-BLU card allows the amplifier to be connected into the Soundweb London digital audio bus ring, providing the sharing of digital audio, fault tolerance and greatly simplifies cabling. The PIP-BLU uses Harman's HiQnet protocol and is configured, controlled and monitored using HiQnet London Architect.