Orban Optimod 5500i FM Digital RDS/RBDS

OPTIMOD 5500i puts competitive five- and two-band OPTIMOD audio processing into a single rack unit and brings it to you at the most affordable price ever. Quality sound is what 5500i is all about – sound that attracts audiences by providing a polished, professional presentation regardless of format and source material.

The 5500i can also be used as a superb stand-alone stereo encoder with latency as low as 2 ms and full overshoot limiting in both the left/right and composite baseband domains. When used in this mode, the 5500i must be driven (usually via an STL) by a full-featured FM audio processor (like Orban’s 8700i) that incorporates pre-emphasis-aware HF limiting and peak control.

The 5500i is the ideal choice for network broadcasters who process with Orban’s flagship OPTIMOD 8700i at the network origination point and who need a processor at every transmitter to eliminate STL overshoots (using the 5500i’s stand-alone stereo encoder mode) and/or to process local insertions while also eliminating network STL overshoots (using the 5500i’s audio processor / stereo encoder mode). Moreover, the 5500i’s two modes make it easy for large government and network broadcasters to manage its inventory of spares because any 5500i can be used as a stereo encoder with or without audio processing. Available in both modes, the built-in,vdefeatable ITU BS412 multiplex power controller allows the 5500i’s output to meet even the most stringent European government regulations.

Versatility doesn’t stop with sound.
The 5500i includes a full-featured RBS/RBDS generator at no additional charge. The generator supports dynamic PS. It can be controlled via the 5500i presets and an ASCII terminal server that can be connected to automation to support displaying title and artist.

The 5500i has a 10 MHz frequency reference input allows the stereo pilot tone frequency to be locked to GPS or another high-accuracy frequency standard. This improves the performance of single-frequency networks in areas where coverage of the transmitters overlaps.

With the 5500i, your signature sound is just a preset away. An easy, one-knob Less/More adjustment allows you to customize any factory preset, trading cleanliness against processing artifacts according to the requirements of your market and competitive environment. Full Control gives you the versatility to customize your audio further.

This versatility makes the 5500i a superb choice for any format. Its five-band processing is ideal for any pop music format, while phase-linear two-band processing yields ultra-transparent sound for classical, classic jazz, and fine arts formats.

Unlike many lesser processors, the 5500i handles speech particularly well – it’s always clean, even when you process for loudness. If you’re concerned about latency because you need to feed live talent headphones off air, be assured that the 5500i’s ultra-low-latency (5 ms delay) processing will keep the most finicky talent happy. Or use optimum latency (15 ms delay) processing for the most competitive sound with delay that’s still low enough to satisfy most any talent.

The 5500i’s built-in stereo encoder, AES/EBU digital inputs and outputs, and analog I/O permit hassle free interfacing to any broadcast plant, whether the 5500i is located at the studio or the transmitter. Tight band limiting to 15 kHz means you can use any uncompressed digital STL to pass 5500i – processed audio from studio to transmitter without compromising on-air loudness – there’s no need to use STL’s having 44.1 or 48 kHz sample-rate.

The stereo encoder’s stereo sub-channel modulator can operate in normal double sideband mode and in an experimental compatible single sideband mode (SSB/VSB) that is offered to enable users to compare and assess the two modes.

Analog Fallback to digital control that allows Silence Sense to switch the active input from analog to digital if silence is detected in the analog input signal but not on the digital input signal. This function works vice versa as well on both analog and digital AES input. The silence sense parameters apply to both simultaneously and both detectors are available to drive the 5500i’s tally outputs and sending SNMP Traps/Alerts.

Features:
Quick Setup
Like the other OPTIMODs, the 5500i provides a guided setup procedure that helps you installing your unit.



Factory Presets & LESS-MORE Control
With a selection of factory presets and the simple LESS-MORE Control you can easily create your own signature sound. Orban is happy to help you find the perfect setup for your station.



Four Processing Structures
The 5500i features four processing structures which are Stand-Alone Stereo Encoder, Optimum Five-Band (or “Multiband”; 15 ms delay) for a consistent, “processed” sound, free from undesirable side effects, Ultra-Low-Latency Five-Band (5 ms delay), and Two-Band for a transparent sound that preserves the frequency balance of the original program material. The Optimum Five-Band and the Two-Band structures can be switched via a mute-free cross-fade. Please note that switching to or from the Ultra- Low Latency Five-Band structure causes the audio to mute for about two seconds because the DSP code must be reloaded.



ITU BS-412 Multiplex Power Control
A defeatable, programadaptive multiplex power limiter can unobtrusively control the multiplex power according to ITU-R BS412 standards.



Low-Delay DJ Monitor Output
The 5500i offers a low-delay monitor output which takes the audio from multiband compressor output and has an approximate delay of 4 ms. This allows the talent/DJ to comfortably monitor the processed audio off-air with headphones.



10 MHz Reference Input
A 10 MHz reference input allows the stereo pilot tone frequency and digital composite output sample rate to be locked to a 10 MHz reference signal (like GPS), facilitating single-frequency-network (SFN) and near-single-frequency-network (N-SFN) operation.



RDS
The 5500i has a built-in full-featured RDS/RBDS generator that supports static and dynamic RDS values.



Bypass Test Mode and Tone Generator
A Bypass Test Mode can be invoked locally, by remote control or by automation to perform a broadcast system test or to compare easily original and processed sound. A built-in line-up tone generator facilitates quick and accurate level setting.



Diversity Delay
A maximum delay of 16 seconds can be used as the diversity delay in HD Radio/DAB+ installations, which allows the 5500i’s stereo encoder (including composite limiter) to be used in an HD Radio/DAB+ installation.



SNMP Support
The SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) feature allows you to monitor your OPTIMOD’s status and to send alarm notifications via your OPTIMOD’s Ethernet connection to your network.



Remote Control or front panel operation
You can operate and configure the 5500i comfortably via the supplied Windows PC Software. Control is possible over your local network or the internet. It can also be operated easily by using its front panel and display.



Stereo Encoder functionality
The OPTIMOD 5500i allows changing between normal two-band and five-band audio processor modes and stand-alone stereo encoder modes via a smooth cross-fade. This facilitates switching between pre-processed network feeds (where only overshoot limiting is needed) and local origination (where full audio processing is required).