360 Systems DigiCart/EX - Manual (Page 14)

What’s New in DigiCart/EX
DigiCart/EX is the most advanced hard disk/cart system in the broadcast industry. Building on the
proven design of the industry-standard DigiCart II and DigiCart/E, your new DigiCart/EX delivers
many significant enhancements, such as SD memory card removable media, network connectivity
through 360 Systems’ Ethernet Audio network, 24-bit audio, WAV file format, a separate sync input,
larger display, larger internal disk drive and many other refinements. Please refer to 360 Systems
Ethernet Audio Network Manual for information on setting up the network.
The star feature of the new DigiCart/EX is its connection to the Ethernet Audio™ network. This
100Mb Ethernet connection allows file transfers, playback over the network, and recording to a
network drive. With Bit-for-Bit™ technology, DigiCart/EX and the Ethernet Audio network are also
fully compatible with non-PCM audio data such as Dolby-E and AC-3.
A notable feature of DigiCart is selectable recording formats. Choices include linear sampling rates
of 96, 88.2, 48, or 44.1 kilosamples/second in stereo, or 48K Dolby AC-2. All formats can coexist.
Further, DigiCart/EX has a built-in sample rate converter that can be switched into either the
incoming or outgoing audio path. Now, each digital recording can be converted on-the-fly so an
entire library can be maintained in at one sample rate standard. Alternately, a library of recordings
may be maintained as a mixture of native sample rates; DigiCart/EX can convert these files on output
to a predetermined standard (e.g. 48K, for broadcast).
DigiCart/EX can now build and store Playlists on network drives that can be accessed from any
DigiCart on the network. Playlists can be used concurrently from many locations, or can be
accessed from anywhere in the plant as a production moves from studio to studio.
Hot Keys have always been a DigiCart accessory, but fixed Hot Keys have now been added to the
front panel of DigiCart/EX. Hot Keys allow pre-assignment of a cut or Playlist to a trigger key, so that
it can be played immediately. This takes the work out of searching for a file when it is needed in a
hurry.
An important feature in DigiCart/EX is network Hot Key assignments. Hot Keys can be stored and
recalled in two ways, either Network Drive or Local Drive. The chief benefit of using Net Drive Hot
Keys is that those Hot Key assignments can be accessed by more than one user concurrently from
anywhere on the network.
DigiCart/EX now has a separate AES-11 sync input. An AES-75 ohm input connection is dedicated to
this task. Also new are gain adjustment trims on the analog outputs so that DigiCart/EX can be
matched perfectly with downstream equipment.
DigiCart/EX now provides power to the 360 Systems RC-320 remote control via the serial cable, so
there is no need for a separate wall-mounted power supply. Additionally, there is now a second
serial port available for ES-Bus or Peripheral Bus controls, so that the RC-320 remote control can
always remain attached.
Finally, DigiCart/EX’s LCD display and menus have been organized to provide a clear understanding
of the machine state and settings.
2
• 0BOverview