Questions and Answers

Why should I consider DigiCart/E
over other networked audio systems?

• More DigiCart recorders are in use in television broadcast than any other brand of hard disk audio recorder. It has an 11-year track record.
• DigiCart/E is 100% compatible with your present investment in recorded audio, disk libraries, system wiring, and operating methods.
• DigiCart recorders are one of the most reliable pieces of broadcast equipment ever made.
• Tens of thousands of people already know how to use DigiCart recorders.
• People like hardware-based solutions. It's faster and easier to use than a PC.
• 360 Systems' audio network makes economic sense for small and mid-size stations. It can be expanded to almost any size without sacrificing the original investment.
• 360 Systems' audio network is conservative, based entirely on proven technology, and can be maintained by available network professionals.

• Operating controls are very similar. People familiar with DigiCart II can immediately use DigiCart/E.
• Files created on DigiCart II can be played on DigiCart/E. Your entire library of recorded audio is directly playable. Transfer methods include Zip^® disk and D-NET.
• Files for use on DigiCart II may be created on DigiCart/E, and exported on 100 MB Zip disks or by D-NET. Export file types include Dolby^® AC-2 and 16-bit linear files.
• Serial control via 9-pin RS-422 is identical.
• GPI control by contract-closure is identical.
• File-naming conventions and ID numbering schemes are compatible.
• All DigiCart recorders employ professional XLR-3 connectors for analog and AES/EBU digital audio, plus 75-ohm BNC connectors for AES-3-ID and IEC-958 Type II (consumer) digital audio.

• Network access to centrally stored audio from any location in the building
• Native wave (WAV and BWF) file formats for compatibility with workstations
• Compatible with all sample rates from 44.1 through 96K
• Compatible with audio word lengths from 16-bit to 24-bit
• Converts any input sample rate or word length to any other, for storage
• Converts any stored file to any sample rate or word length for playback (real-time)
• Records, plays and edits in standard wave (WAV) file format
• Front-panel Hot Keys for instant playback of cuts
• Easier navigation with buttons for Drive, Directory and File
• Much larger LCD permits easy browsing, displays five titles at once with continuous scrolling.
• Easy-to-ready interactive menu items.
• Includes headphone jack with adjustable level
• Integral rack mounting; only 2U (3½") high

How much delay occurs when playing
a cut from the file server?
Because a cut is immediately buffered in local DigiCart memory when selected (as are all Hot Keys), playback starts instantly.

What are the audio inputs and outputs?

• AES/EBU interfaces appear as XLR ports with transformer isolation and also as 75-ohm BNC ports (AES-3-id-2000).
  
  
• Analog inputs are balanced on a XLR-3 connector with pin 2 hot, Z=20K/leg, +4 operating level, 16 dB of headroom to full-scale.
  
  
• Analog outputs are balanced, Z=50-ohms/leg, +4 operating level, full scale output = +20 dBu. Outputs have a rear panel level trim. Audio connectors have gold plated pins for low noise.

Is there a separate AES/EBU
reference input?
A separate AES-11 sync input is provided on the
rear panel.

What sample rates does DigiCart/E
operate at?

DigiCart/E can record and play at standard sample rates of 44.1K, 48K, 88.2K and 96K. DigiCart/E permits different sample rates to co-exist on its hard drives. It is equally adept at playing different rates, even when back-to-back within a play list.

What digital audio word widths does
DigiCart/E operate at?
Files may be created in either 16-bit or 24-bit word widths. The internal A/D converter is 24-bits, but can also produce high-quality 16-bit files. Digital audio inputs of any word length are acceptable, and can be converted to 16 or 24-bit lengths before being recorded. All conversions take place in real-time.

Does DigiCart/E contain a
sample rate converter?
A 24-bit sample rate converter (SRC) is available on AES/EBU digital inputs and outputs. It may be used to convert any input sample rate to a preferred recording standard. For example, a compact disc (always a 44.1K audio stream) can be easily converted to 48K and recorded as a 48K file within DigiCart/E.

The sample rate converter can also be used to provide an AES/EBU digital output at a rate different than that used to record the file. For example, a music master may exist on hard disk as a 24/96 file, but can still be played out (in real time) as a 48K, 16-bit audio stream — or any other sample rate.

DigiCart/E’s file flexibility permits audio to be stored at its “native” sample rate and word size, and then converted to a new standard on a project-by-project basis.

Can digital audio word lengths be changed?
24-bit recordings may be dithered to 16-bit for output, and 16-bit input data streams may be recorded as either 16 or 24-bit words.

Is the Dolby AC-2 data format from
earlier model DigiCarts available?
Dolby AC-2 processing is carried forward from the earlier DigiCart II to maintain file compatibility. It is possible (though by no means required) to record new files in that format, and also to import and play DigiCart II files in Dolby AC-2 format.

What audio file formats does DigiCart/E
record and play?

• Linear PCM in 16-bit or 24-bit WAV (or BWF) format
• Linear PCM in 16-bit DigiCart II format
• Dolby AC-2 as used in DigiCart II

Can DigiCart/E accept a feed from
program distribution for recording?
Each DigiCart/E recorder includes both stereo line-level analog inputs and an AES/EBU digital input. Either may receive a feed from a control room output. Long-term logging is possible if desired, as the maximum file length is in excess of 32 hours.

Can a DigiCart/E record directly
to the file server?
All DigiCart/E recorders can record directly to the network file server, or to their internal hard drive.

What editing operations are available?
Editing tools include head-trim, tail-trim, and pre-roll time. Edit points may be rapidly located with the weighted jog wheel, or by typing a desired location. Edits are pointers (for use within the DigiCart product family) and are non-destructive. Other DSP-based editing features are fade-in, fade-out, and gain-adjustment.

Can cuts be looped?
Accurate editing tools make it easy to create virtually seamless loops.

What about working with
watermarked material?
DigiCart recorders employ 360 Systems Bit-for-Bit technology in digital recording. Input data received digitally will be replicated exactly at the output, provided such data has not been edited, sample rate converted, re-dithered to another word size, or subjected to some other DSP process such as fade-outs, etc. Standard digital recording is always Bit-for-Bit.

How does DigiCart/E handle
data-compressed bitstreams such as
Dolby AC-3, Dolby-E, MPEG-2?
360 Systems' Bit-for-Bit digital architecture guarantees that encoded data will not be corrupted by internal machine processes. Dolby Laboratories markets stand-alone encoders for their proprietary formats. These may be connected to 360 Systems' DigiCart/E, which will then act as an "audio data" recorder for Dolby-encoded multi-channel audio.

Can stored cuts be locked or
password-protected after editing?
Operators may invest a great deal of time cutting a piece of music to fit one of their shows. DigiCart/E can lock files to prevent modification by other parties.

Are real buttons used for
firing audio playback?
DigiCart/E has real illuminated buttons on its front panel and on its optional remote control. "Hot Keys" also exist on both.

Is there a playback stack or "jukebox"
(user-based memories) for each DigiCart?
As many as 1,000 customizable "playlists" may be created and stored on each drive. Each playlist may contain an unlimited number of cuts, and each can be given its own unique name, representing a show, a user, or any other identifying characteristic. Playlists can be nested, looped, and single-stepped.

Can pre-built playlists be accessed
from any location?
When playlists and audio cuts are stored on the network file server, they can be accessed from any location on the network. A sequence of cuts may be developed in an edit area, and then accessed for production on a stage.

Can files be transferred between DigiCart/E
and the network file server?
Files recorded to DigiCart/E's local drive can be transferred to the file server, or vice-versa. Note that original recordings can be made to a local drive, or to the server; there is no requirement to move files except as a user convenience.

How can saved cuts be imported and
exported to an external medium?
DigiCart/E includes a 250 MB Zip^® drive, large enough to archive a majority of file sizes used in broadcast. The drive can also use 100-MB disks to exchange material with DigiCart II recorders.

Can DigiCart/E handle "peripheral bus"
or E-Mem serial commands?
Yes. A menu determines what format is accepted by the 9-pin serial port.

Can DigiCart/E accept the same automation
commands as earlier models?
Yes. Major automation systems such as Harris/Louth will directly control DigiCart/E.

What about GPI control?
Five GPI inputs are provided on a 25-pin D connector: PLAY, STOP, RECORD, LOOP, PAUSE and SECONDARY. All include an open-collector output for operating an LED or lamp.

Can I play audio if the file server goes down?
DigiCart/E contains its own internal hard drive. Mission-critical locations such as Master Control can keep "local" copies of important cuts so they can always go to air. DigiCart/E does not have to be connected to a network, and also operates as a stand-alone recorder/editor/player.