Sonifex Net-Log User manual

Manufacturers of audio & video
products for radio & TV broadcasters
Net-Log
Audio Logger
HANDBOOK

Net-Log Handbook
This handbook is for use with the following product:
Net-Log Audio Logger
Stock Code: 30-136
Revision 3.00 March 2018
©Sonifex Ltd, 2018
All Rights Reserved
Sonifex Ltd, 61, Station Road, Irthlingborough,
Northants, NN9 5QE, England.
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]o.uk
Website: http://www.sonifex.co.uk
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of the vendor. Sonifex Ltd shall not be liable for any loss or damage
whatsoever arising from the use of information or any error contained in this manual.
No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, information storage and retrieval systems, for any
purpose other than the purchaser’s personal use, without the express written permission of Sonifex
Ltd. Unless otherwise noted, all names of companies, products and persons contained herein are
part of a completely fictitious adaptation and are designed solely to document the use of Sonifex
product.
Made in the UK by
For the latest Sonifex handbook information please visit the
Sonifex website at www.sonifex.co.uk

Contents
Contents
Product Warranty - 2 Year Extended i
Sonifex Warranty & Liability Terms & Conditions i
1. Definitions i
2. Warranty i
Unpacking Your Product ii
Repairs & Returns iii
Conformity iii
Safety & Installation of Mains Operated Equipment iii
Voltage Setting Checks iii
Fuse Rating iii
Power Cable & Connection iii
WEEE Directive iv
Atmosphere/Environment iv
1. Introduction 1
General Overview 1
The Net-Log 1
Net-Log Control Software 2
Recording 2
Playing 2
Archiving 2
Network 3
Required Hardware 4
2. Net-Log Hardware 5
Physical Description 5
Power 5
Level Indicators 5
Record Control/Indicator 6
Archive Alarm 6
Disk Drive Alarm 6
Reset Switch 6
Audio Inputs/Input Level Control 7
Network Status Indicators 7
Network Connections 7
RS232 Serial Ports 7
Alarm Outputs And Remote Inputs And Outputs 7
3. Set-up & Installation 8
Adjusting Record Input Levels 8
Network Topology 8
Maximum Network Connections 9
Connecting Net-Log To Your Network 10
IP Addresses 10
Subnet Masks 11
Installing Net-Log-Win Software 11
Entering Network Settings 11
4. Startup & Login 16
Starting Net-Log-Win 16
Maximum Concurrent Users 16
Multiple Net-Logs On A Network 16
Licensing Your Net-Log 16
Obtaining License Codes 16
The Login Procedure 17
The Device List Editor 17
First Time Use of Net-Log 18
Changing User Details 18
General Screen Layout 19
Disconnect/Log-Off Button 20
Net-Log Selector 20
Alarm Indicators 20
Network Activity Indicators 20
Net-Log & PC Time 20
Status Bar 20
Screen Selection Buttons 20
Mentor Status Indicator 20
5. Recording 21
The Record Screen 21
Manual Recording 21
Program Recording 21
Auto Recording 21
Remote Recording 21
Serial Recording 21
Manual Recording 22
Program Recording 22
Saving and Loading Record Programs 23
Auto Recording 23
Remote Recording 24
Serial Recording 24
Record Tally Outputs 24

Contents
6. Playing & Downloading 25
Track List Display 25
Play Download 25
Play Program 26
Play Stream 27
Play File 28
7. Archiving 30
The Archiving Process 30
Configuring Archival To A Networked PC 30
Alarm Enabled 30
Buffer Size 31
Warn Time 31
Arrange Archive Audio into Fixed Duration Files 31
Target File Duration 31
File Type 31
Destination IP Address 31
Target Folder Share Name 31
Auto Purge on Record Stop Enabled 31
Format of Archived Files 31
Beginning to Archive 32
8. Serial Control Interface 33
Televic CE2500 Interface 33
Disabled 34
Single Mic 34
Mic Range 34
Televic CE2500 Protocol 35
System Synchronisation 36
President Microphone Activation 36
President Microphone Deactivation 36
Delegate Microphone Activation 36
Delegate Microphone Deactivation 36
Deactivate All Microphones 36
System Reset (Deactivate All Microphones) 36
AMX/Crestron Interface 37
AMX/Crestron Protocol 37
Speed of Commands & Responses: 37
Record Start Command 38
Record Stop Command 38
Status Command 38
Time Command 38
Date Command 38
Reply Error Codes 38
9. Options 39
Saving and Loading Options 39
Record Options 39
Disable 39
Override Enabled 39
Format 39
Mode 40
Channels 40
Sample Rate & Bit Rate 40
Start Level 40
Start Duration 40
Stop Level 40
Stop Duration 40
Service Names 40
Record Capacity 40
Archive Options 40
Alarm Enabled 41
Buffer Size (Mbytes) 41
Warn time prior to data loss 41
Arrange Archive Audio into Fixed Duration Files 41
Target File Duration (mins) 41
Target File Type 41
Destination IP Address 41
Target Folder Share Name 41
Auto Purge on Record Stop Enabled 41
Archive Auto Continue Enabled 41
Play Options 41
Use Defaults 42
Default Play Screen 42
Play Download Defaults: 42
Select Audio By Cut and Generate File Name From Cut Details 42
Folder 42
File Type and Bit Rate 42
Play Program Defaults: 42
Auto Create Program Name and Download Separate Cut
For Selected Days 42

Contents
Folder 42
File Type and Bit Rate 42
Play Stream Defaults: 42
Ignore cut end time selection 42
Play File Defaults: 42
Folder 42
Remotes Options 42
Disabled 43
Momentary 43
Latching 43
Normally Off, Switched On For Alarm Condition 43
Clock Source Options 43
Control Options 44
No Control/Interface Selected 44
Televic CE2500 44
AMX/Crestron 44
Net-Log-Win Options 44
Info Font 45
User Font 45
Information 45
10.The Administrator 46
Licenses 46
Accounts Editor 46
“admin” 46
“user1” to “user25” 46
“guest” 46
Function Access – View 47
Function Access – Control 47
User Name & Password 47
The Onboard Clock 48
Updating The Onboard Clock 48
Network Settings 48
Updating Firmware 49
Resetting The Net-Log 50
11.Tools 51
Show Cut List 51
Auto Refresh Cut Display 51
Play Cut Auto Load 51
Hide Unavailable Cuts 51
Suspend Play Programs 51
Log Play Program Operation 51
Deleting Cuts 51
View 51
Net-Log Connections 51
Net-Log Status 52
Drive Alarm 52
Cut Change 52
Program Change 52
Config Change 52
Record Auto Enabled 52
Record Active 52
Archive Enabled 52
Archive Pending 52
Archive Auto Purge 52
Archive Active 52
Archive Warn 52
Archive Alarm 52
Network Stats 53
Audio Header Info 53
Play Program Log 54
About Sonifex Net-Log 54
12.Auto-Archive 55
Introduction 55
Licensing 55
The Net-Log List 55
The Status Bar 55
Performance 56
System Set-up 56
Starting The Archive 56
The Settings Screen 56
Device List 56
System Name 57
Force Record Stop at Midnight 58
Auto-Delete Archives 58
Use mm-dd-yyyy Format for Archive Folders 58
E-Mail 58
The Status Screen 58
The Control Screen 59

Contents
The Archive Screen 59
The Event Log Screen 60
Reports 60
Status Report 60
Error Report 61
Possible Errors 61
Archive Warn Report 61
Archive Alarm Report 61
Startup/ Shutdown 61
The Schedule 61
The Schedule Database 61
Network Scheduling 61
The Schedule Screen 62
13.Net-Log Scheduler 64
Introduction 64
Database Connection Status 64
Primary and Backup Schedules 64
Database Locations 65
Create a New Event 66
Refreshing the Schedules 67
14.Technical Specification 68
MP2 Record Data Rates 69
MP3 Data Rates Supported For Play Download 69
Pin Connections 69
15.Glossary 72
Figures
Fig 1-1: Net-Log System Block Diagram 1
Fig 1-2: Single Net-Log Connection example 2
Fig 1-3: Multiple Net-Log Connection example 3
Fig 2-1: The Front Panel 5
Fig 2-2: The Rear Panel 6
Fig 3-1: Network Topology 8
Fig 3-2: Maximum Simultaneous Streams. 9
Fig 3-3: IP Addresses 10
Fig 3-4 : Net-Log-Win Installation 11
Fig 3-5: Net-Log-Win Serial Utility 12
Fig 3-6: Detail of Net-Log-Win Serial Utility 12
Fig 3-7: Diagram of a Null Modem Cable 13
Fig 3-8: Diagram of ‘straight through’ and ‘crossover’ CATS cables 13
Fig 3-9: Details of Net-Util Tool buttons 14
Fig 4-1: The Initialisation Screen 16
Fig 4-2: The Licensing Screen 17
Fig 4-3: The Login Screen 17
Fig 4-4: The Net-Log Device List Editor 18
Fig 4-5: User Details 19
Fig 4-6 General Screen Layout 20
Fig 5-1: Manual Record Screen 21
Fig 5-2: Program Record Screen 22
Fig 5-3: Program Record Popup Menu Commands 23
Fig 5-4: Auto Record Mode 24
Fig 6-1: Play Download Screen 25
Fig 6-2: Play Program Screen 26
Fig 6-3: Play Stream Screen 28
Fig 6-4: Minimum Play Stream Delays 28
Fig 6-5: Play File Screen 29

Figures
Fig 7-1: Archive Options Screen 30
Fig 7-2: Archive Screen. 32
Fig 8-1: Control Options Screen 33
Fig 8-2: Televic CE2500 Interface Options 34
Fig 9-1: Record Options 39
Fig 9-2: Archive Options 41
Fig 9-3: Play Options 42
Fig 9-4: Record Remotes Options 43
Fig 9-5: Clock Source Options 43
Fig 9-6: Control Interface Options 44
Fig 9-7: Televic CE2500 Control Options 44
Fig 9-8: Net-Log-Win Options 45
Fig 9-9: Info Options 45
Fig 10-1: Net-Log Administrator Menu 46
Fig 10-2: Accounts Editor 46
Fig 10-3: Function View 47
Fig 10-4: Function Control 47
Fig 10-5: Select or Edit User Name & Password 47
Fig 10-6: Network Settings 49
Fig 10-7: Upgrading Firmware 49
Fig 11-1: Net-Log Tools Menu. 51
Fig 11-2: Net-Log Connections Screen 52
Fig 11-3: Net-Log Status Screen 53
Fig 11-4: Net-Log Stats Screen 53
Fig 11-5: Net-Log Audio Header Info Screen 53
Fig 11-6: Play Program Log Screen 54
Fig 11-7: Net-Log About Screen 54
Fig 12-1: The Status Screen 55
Fig 12-2: The Net-Log List 55
Fig 12-3: Net-Log Device List 57
Fig 12-4: The Settings Screen 57
Fig 12-5: The Settings Screen 58
Fig 12-6: The Status Screen 59
Fig 12-7: The Control Screen 59
Fig 12-8: The Archive Screen 60
Fig 12-9: The Event Log Screen 60
Fig 12-10: Sharing and Security Selection 62
Fig 12-11: Schedule Properties Screen 62
Fig 12-12: Permissions Screen 62
Fig 12-13: D:Scribe Dongle 62
Fig 12-14: Primary Archive Screen 63
Fig 13-1: Net-Log Scheduler’s Listing 64
Fig 13-2: Block diagram showing two mirrored systems for use
as primary and backup 65
Fig 13-3: Selecting Database Locations 65
Fig 13-4: Entering a New Schedule Recording 66
Fig 13-5: Updated Listings with a New Recording 66
Fig 13-6: A Schedule List Showing Multiple Recordings 67

Warranty Registration
Sonifex Limited 61 Station Road Irthlingborough Northamptonshire NN9 5QE United Kingdom
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected]o.uk Internet: www.sonifex.co.uk
Register Online for an
Extended 2 Year Warranty
As standard, Sonifex products are
supplied with a 1 year back to base
warranty.
If you register the product online, you
can increase your product warranty
to 2 years and we can also keep
you informed of any product design
improvements or modifications.
To register your product, please go online to www.sonifex.co.uk/register
Product:
Serial No:

i
Warranty
Product Warranty - 2 Year Extended
As standard, Sonifex products are supplied with a 1 year back to base
warranty. In order to register the date of purchase and so that we can keep
you informed of any product design improvements or modifications, it is
important to complete the warranty registration online. Additionally, if you
register the product on the Sonifex website, you can increase your product
warranty to 2 years. Go to the Sonifex website at: http://www.sonifex.
co.uk/technical/register/index.asp to apply for your 2 year warranty.
Note: For your own records the product serial number is recorded on the
CE certification page of this handbook.
Sonifex Warranty & Liability Terms & Conditions
1. Definitions
‘the Company’ means Sonifex Ltd and where relevant includes companies
within the same group of companies as Sonifex Limited.
‘the Goods’ means the goods or any part thereof supplied by the Company
and where relevant includes: work carried out by the Company on items
supplied by the Purchaser; services supplied by the Company; and software
supplied by the Company.
‘the Purchaser’ means the person or organisation who buys or has agreed
to buy the Goods.
‘the Price’ means the Price of the Goods and any other charges incurred by
the Company in the supply of the Goods.
‘the Warranty Term’ is the length of the product warranty which is usually
12 months from the date of despatch; except when the product has been
registered at the Sonifex website when the Warranty Term is 24 months
from the date of despatch.
‘the Contract’ means the quotation, these Conditions of Sale and any
other document incorporated in a contract between the Company and the
Purchaser.
This is the entire Contract between the parties relating to the subject
matter hereof and may not be changed or terminated except in writing in
accordance with the provisions of this Contract. A reference to the consent,
acknowledgement, authority or agreement of the Company means in
writing and only by a director of the Company.
2. Warranty
a. The Company agrees to repair or (at its discretion) replace Goods
which are found to be defective (fair wear and tear excepted) and
which are returned to the Company within the Warranty Term
provided that each of the following are satisfied:
i. notification of any defect is given to the Company immediately
upon its becoming apparent to the Purchaser;
ii. the Goods have only been operated under normal operating
conditions and have only been subject to normal use (and
in particular the Goods must have been correctly connected
and must not have been subject to high voltage or to ionising
radiation and must not have been used contrary to the
Company’s technical recommendations);
iii. the Goods are returned to the Company’s premises at the
Purchaser’s expense;
iv. any Goods or parts of Goods replaced shall become the
property of the Company;
v. no work whatsoever (other than normal and proper
maintenance) has been carried out to the Goods or any part of
the Goods without the Company’s prior written consent;

ii
Warranty
vi. the defect has not arisen from a design made, furnished or
specified by the Purchaser;
vii. the Goods have been assembled or incorporated into other
goods only in accordance with any instructions issued by the
Company;
viii. the defect has not arisen from a design modified by the
Purchaser;
ix. the defect has not arisen from an item manufactured by a person
other than the Company. In respect of any item manufactured
by a person other than the Company, the Purchaser shall only be
entitled to the benefit of any warranty or guarantee provided by
such manufacturer to the Company.
b. In respect of computer software supplied by the Company the
Company does not warrant that the use of the software will be
uninterrupted or error free.
c. The Company accepts liability:
(i) for death or personal injury to the extent that it results from the
negligence of the Company, its employees (whilst in the course of
their employment) or its agents (in the course of the agency);
(ii) for any breach by the Company of any statutory undertaking as to
title, quiet possession and freedom from encumbrance.
d. Subject to conditions (a) and (c) from the time of despatch of the
Goods from the Company’s premises the Purchaser shall be responsible
for any defect in the Goods or loss, damage, nuisance or interference
whatsoever consequential economic or otherwise or wastage of
material resulting from or caused by or to the Goods. In particular the
Company shall not be liable for any loss of profits or other economic
losses. The Company accordingly excludes all liability for the same.
e. At the request and expense of the Purchaser the Company will test
the Goods to ascertain performance levels and provide a report of
the results of that test. The report will be accurate at the time of the
test, to the best of the belief and knowledge of the Company, and the
Company accepts no liability in respect of its accuracy beyond that
set out in Condition (a).
f. Subject to Condition (e) no representation, condition, warranty or
other term, express or implied (by statute or otherwise) is given by
the Company that the Goods are of any particular quality or standard
or will enable the Purchaser to attain any particular performance
or result, or will be suitable for any particular purpose or use
under specific conditions or will provide any particular capacity,
notwithstanding that the requirement for such performance, result or
capacity or that such particular purpose or conditions may have been
known (or ought to have been known) to the Company, its employees
or agents.
g. (i) To the extent that the Company is held legally liable to the
Purchaser for any single breach of contract, tort, representation
or other act or default, the Company’s liability for the same
shall not exceed the price of the Goods.
(ii) The restriction of liability in Condition (g)(i) shall not apply to
any liability accepted by the Seller in Condition (c).
h. Where the Goods are sold under a consumer transaction (as defined
by the Consumer Transactions (Restrictions on Statements) Order
1976) the statutory rights of the Purchaser are not affected by these
Conditions of Sale.
Unpacking Your Product
Each product is shipped in protective packaging and should be inspected
for damage before use. If there is any transit damage take pictures of the
product packaging and notify the carrier immediately with all the relevant

iii
CE Conformity
details of the shipment. Packing materials should be kept for inspection and
also for if the product needs to be returned.
The product is shipped with the following equipment so please check to
ensure that you have all of the items below. If anything is missing, please
contact the supplier of your equipment immediately.
Item Quantity
Product unit 1
IEC mains lead fitted with moulded mains plug 1
Handbook and warranty card 1
If you require a different power lead, please let us know when ordering the
product.
Repairs & Returns
Please contact Sonifex or your supplier if you have any problems with your
Sonifex product. Email [e-mail] for the repair/
upgrade/returns procedure, or for support & questions regarding the
product operation.
Conformity
The products in this manual comply with the essential requirements of the
relevant European health, safety and environmental protection legislation.
The technical justification file for this product is available at Sonifex Ltd.
The declaration of conformity can be found at:
http://www.sonifex.co.uk/declarations
Safety & Installation of Mains
Operated Equipment
There are no user serviceable parts inside the equipment. If you should ever
need to look inside the unit, always disconnect the mains supply before
removing the equipment covers. The cover is connected to earth by means of
the fixing screws. It is essential to maintain this earth/ground connection to
ensure a safe operating environment and provide electromagnetic shielding.
Voltage Setting Checks
Ensure that the machine operating voltage is correct for your mains power
supply by checking the box in which your product was supplied. The voltage
is shown on the box label. The available voltage settings are 115V, or 230V.
Please note that all products are either switchable between 115V and 230V, or
have a universal power supply.
Fuse Rating
The product is supplied with a single fuse in the live conducting path of the
mains power input. For reasons of safety it is important that the correct rating
and type of fuse is used. Incorrectly rated fuses could present a possible fire
hazard, under equipment fault conditions. The active fuse is fitted on the
outside rear panel of the unit.
Power Cable & Connection
An IEC power connector is supplied with the product which has a moulded
plug attached.
The mains plug or IEC power connector is used as the disconnect device.
The mains plug and IEC power connector shall remain readily operable to
disconnect the apparatus in case of a fault or emergency.
The mains lead is automatically configured for the country that the product is
being sent to, from one of:

iv
Safety & Installation
Territory Voltage IEC Lead Type Image
UK & Middle East 230V UK 3 pin to IEC lead
Europe 230V European Schuko round 2 pin to
IEC lead
USA, Canada and
South America 115V 3 flat pin to IEC lead
Australia & New
Zealand 230V Australasian 3 flat pin to IEC lead
Connect the equipment in accordance with the connection details and
before applying power to the unit, check that the machine has the correct
operating voltage for your mains power supply.
This apparatus is of a class I construction. It must be connected to a mains
socket outlet with a protective earthing connection.
Important note: If there is an earth/ground terminal on the rear panel of
the product then it must be connected to Earth.
WEEE Directive
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
Directive was agreed on 13 February 2003, along with the
related Directive 2002/95/EC on Restrictions of the use of
certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic
equipment (RoHS). The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive
(WEEE) aims to minimise the impacts of electrical and electronic equipment
on the environment during their life times and when they become waste.
All products manufactured by Sonifex Ltd have the WEEE directive label
placed on the case. Sonifex Ltd will be happy to give you information about
local organisations that can reprocess the product when it reaches its “end
of use”, or alternatively all products that have reached “end of use” can be
returned to Sonifex and will be reprocessed correctly free of charge.
Atmosphere/Environment
This apparatus should be installed in an area that is not subject to excessive
temperature variation (<0°C, >50°C), moisture, dust or vibration.
This apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing, and no objects
filled with water, such as vases shall be placed on the apparatus.

1
Introduction 1
1. Introduction
General Overview
The principal behind the Net-Log logger is that generally speaking,
computers should not be used for recording audio where their general
unreliability can cause system crashes or lockups, with little regard for
the security of the audio being recorded. However, for playback, using
computers is perfectly acceptable and probably preferable, due to the
ability to manipulate and edit the audio, provided it is in a suitable format.
Fig 1-1: Net-Log System Block Diagram
The Net-Log
The Net-Log is a 1U rack-mount, hardware audio recorder, designed
primarily for audio logging in a broadcast environment. It is able to record
up to 4 mono, or 2 stereo audio feeds, which are saved onto a large internal
IDE hard disk. The hard disk is continuously over-written, allowing access
to all the audio recorded on it. Apart from the front panel mounted record
override button, all functions and configurations are controlled via the
Ethernet TCP/IP network connection using the supplied Windows control
software package.
Audio Input Buffers
MPEG/G.729A DSP
TCP/IP Stack
Microprocessor
Real Time
Clock
EIDE
Interface
High Capacity
EIDE Disc Drive
System
FLASH ROM
Non-Volatile
RAM
System
RAM
Ethernet Interface
Audio Input Buffers
MPEG/G.729A DSP

2
1 Introduction
Net-Logs can be used singularly (Fig 1-2), or if more record channels are
required, multiple Net-Logs can easily be configured to operate on the same
Network (Fig 1-3).
Fig 1-2: Single Net-Log Connection example
Net-Log Control Software
Net-Log works in conjunction with a software control package that runs
under Windows. This package consists of Net-Log-Win, Net-Util and Net-Log
Auto-Archive. Net-Log-Win is the main control and configuration program.
Net-Util is a configuration and monitoring utility that communicates with
Net-Log via a serial connection. Net-Log Auto-Archive is a program designed
to Archive audio data from multiple Net-Logs simultaneously.
Recording
Audio presented to the inputs is encoded in one of two user selectable
formats, MPEG layer 2 or G.729A (An additional license is required to
enable the G.729A format – contact Sonifex Ltd for details). The compressed
data is then written to the internal IDE hard disk drive. Recording can be
either continuous or programmed to start and stop at selected times.
Record set-up allows for mono/dual mono/stereo and sample-frequency/
bit-rate selection, depending on record format selected.
When recording has started, these parameters can only be altered once the
audio on the disk has been deleted. The hard disk audio cannot be deleted
whilst the logger is recording.
Playing
Two methods of audio playback are supported by Net-Log in conjunction
with the Net-Log-Win software. Sections of audio can be transferred to a
file on the PC using the Play Download function. These files can then be
played using Net-Log-Win’s media file player. Alternatively, Play Stream
offers the ability to play audio direct from the Net-Log.
Archiving
Archive is an automated method of transferring audio data from one or
more Net-Logs to a designated PC via the Network interface. When the
audio data arrives at the PC, it can be arranged into files of a predetermined
size. These files can then be copied to a removable media for long-term
storage. If temporary audio storage is required, to satisfy broadcast
authority requirements for example, then Archiving may not be necessary
as the large hard drives used in Net-Log can, depending on the format or bit
rate of the recordings, hold several weeks of audio. Sections of the audio
could be downloaded as required using the Play Download function. The
Net-Log-Win software provides a simple method of Archiving audio data for
users with a single Net-Log. For larger installations where multiple Net-Logs
Net-Log
10Mb Network Connection
100Mb Network Connection
Net-Log-Win Clients
100Mb Network Switch
Audio Inputs
Archive
Client
PC
Audio Playback
PC
Audio Playback
PC

3
Introduction 1
are used, the Net-Log Auto-Archive package offers the ability to archive
audio data from up to 20 Net-Logs simultaneously.
Fig 1-3: Multiple Net-Log Connection example
Network
The speed of the network connection on Net-Log is
10Mbps, and the physical connection is made via a
BNC connector for coax cables, or a RJ45 connector for
twisted pair cabled networks. For maximum network
performance, the Net-Logs and client PCs’ should be
linked via a network Switch. This will cater for the
Net-Logs’ 10Mb connection whilst allowing the client
PCs’ to run at 100MB/1GB. In most applications,
this arrangement will provide sufficient network
performance for multiple clients to simultaneously
access multiple Net-Logs. However, on existing
networks where network traffic is already high, or
where archiving audio from multiple Net-Logs running
at high data rates, the required bandwidth of the
network hardware needs to be carefully considered. In
such cases a dedicated network may be required. The
specification of the PC used as the Auto-Archive client
will also need to be able to handle the large amounts
of audio data being transferred. If the network
hardware is incapable of handling the required data
rates, Play Stream will be interrupted by periods
of silence and audio data on the Net-Log may be
overwritten before it can be archived to the target PC.
The following example illustrates a known working
configuration and provides a starting point when
considering larger systems.
5 Net-Logs each configured as follows:
4 mono channels of MPEG compression recording non-
stop, 32 kHz sample rate, 192 kbps bit rate, archiving
to a single Auto-Archive client PC via a dedicated
100Mb Network Connection
Net-Log-Win Clients
100Mb Network Switch
Net-Log
10Mb Network
Connection
Audio Inputs
Net-Log
10Mb Network
Connection
Audio Inputs
Net-Log
10Mb Network
Connection
Audio Inputs
Net-Log
Auto-Archive
Client
PC
Audio Playback
PC
Audio Playback
PC
Audio Playback
PC

4
1 Introduction
10/100Mb Network switch. The Auto-Archive client PC is an Intel PIII, 1GHz
or equivalent fitted with a 100Mb network card.
This system provides sufficient bandwidth for continuous archiving plus the
capability for additional Net-Log-Win clients to Play Stream audio.
Required Hardware
Audio can be delivered to a network-connected remote PC for live playback
through an appropriate audio card. For recordings made using the MPEG
format, a software codec supplied as part of the Windows XP, 7, 8 or 10
operating system, provides the decoding and conversion of the audio to a
format supported by any standard Windows audio card capable of playing
.wav files. Likewise, recordings made using G.729A are converted to the
same Windows supported format by a software codec embedded in the
Net-Log-Win software. Therefore, Net-Log-Win client PC’s can play audio in
both formats using a single audio card.
It is recommended to use a PC with the following minimum specification:
Pentium 166MHz
64MB RAM
Audio card & speakers as above
100Mbps network connection
Windows 7, 8 or 10
DirectX 6 or greater

5
Net-Log Hardware 2
2. Net-Log Hardware
Physical Description
The logger is housed in a 1U high 19” rack mount box. The front panel is
chrome plated and there are chrome plated panel inserts for the fan inlet/
outlet with domed labels for the “Sonifex” and “Net-Log”.
Power
The unit is powered via an IEC filtered input for 95 – 265V supply at
47–63Hz, peak 60W, 30W average. There is an external fuse for the mains
input that is rated at 2A. We recommend that the Net-Log is operated from
an uninterruptable power supply. It should be noted that the record header
is written regularly during the record process so if the power fails the data
lost will be limited. At a bit rate of 192kbps this loss will be a maximum of 1
minute. Lower data rates will give proportionately greater time loss.
Level Indicators
There are four tri-colour LED’s positioned on the front panel indicating input
levels for each individual channel:
Led State Meaning
Off Input level < -18dBu
Yellow –18dBu < Input level < 0dBu
Green 0dBu < Input level < 12dBu
Red Input level >12dBu
Power
LED
Disc Drive
Alarm
Level
Indicators
Archive
Alarm
Record
Control
Reset
Switch
Fig 2-1: The Front Panel

6
2 Net-Log Hardware
Record Control/Indicator
This backlit button gives an indication of what channels are currently being
recorded and can also be used to give limited control over the recording.
When pressed, the button will flash indicating that a record start or stop
has been initiated and must be pressed again within three seconds to
confirm the action. The LED states and their relative modes are shown
below:-
Button State Mode
Off No channels recording
Fast flashing Record Start/Stop initiated
Slow flashing Some channels recording
On All available channels recording
When the button is pressed, the Net-Log checks to see which channels can
be altered using this button (See Options, Record Format options, Override
Enabled). If recording, a confirmed button press will stop the recording. If
not recording, a confirmed button press will start the recording on enabled
channels.
Archive Alarm
This red coloured LED is used to warn of loss of data during a recording
process. If the Net-Log is about to overwrite data that has not been
archived on to a remote computer then this indicator will start to flash. The
amount of warning time you get before data is lost can be configured in the
main software.
Led State Meaning
Off Normal
Flashing Data is about to be lost
On Data has been lost
Disk Drive Alarm
A red coloured LED giving an indication that there has been an error
reading/writing from/to the internal hard disk.
Reset Switch
Restarts the machine. NOTE that this does not overwrite any configurations
and simply reboots the machine.
Power
Connector
Audio
Inputs 1&2
Audio
Inputs 3&4
Serial
Ports
Input Level
Controls
Network
Status LED’s
Network
Connections
Alarm Outputs/
Remote Inputs
Fuse
Fig 2-2: The Rear Panel

7
Net-Log Hardware 2
Audio Inputs/Input Level Control
The audio inputs consist of four 3-pin XLR connectors (2-channel stereo,
4-channel mono) with independent level gain controls for each input,
accessible through the rear-panel using a flat-blade screwdriver.
Network Status Indicators
There are four network status indicators, which are all labelled
independently.
Rx Receiving data
Tx Transmitting data
Link A network link has been established
Col Network collision
Network Connections
There are two network connectors: one a BNC (coax, 10base2), and the
other an RJ45 (10baseT). Either of these can be used for TCP/IP connection.
RS232 Serial Ports
There are two 9 pin D-Type connectors (COM1 and COM2) situated on
the rear panel. COM1 is used for firmware updates and for updating the
network settings, i.e. IP Address, Subnet Mask, etc. It can also be used as
a messaging output for data analysis. COM2 is used for the Serial Control
Interface.
The settings for COM1 are fixed at:-
Baud rate 115200
Data Bits 8
Parity NONE
Stop Bits 1
Alarm Outputs And Remote Inputs And Outputs
The remote connector is a 15 pin male D-type, which has four remote
inputs to control recording, four record tally outputs to indicate which
channels are recording and a double-pole-double-throw alarm output relay
which activates on either the Archive Alarm or the Hard-Disk Alarm.
The remote inputs and output can be driven by 5V logic. The inputs are
active low. These can be set to momentary or latching action via the
Remote Options screen. The record tally outputs are open-collector driven.
See Chapter 14 for pin connection details.

8
3 Set-up & Installation
3. Set-up & Installation
Adjusting Record Input Levels
The peak audio input levels are preset at +12dBu. This means that an audio
signal of +12dBu, once encoded, will be at the maximum digital value. To
change the peak audio input level, follow the procedure below.
1. Switch the unit on and while the alarm LED’s on the front panel are
flashing, press the record control button. The record button will
illuminate.
2. Connect a constant audio signal at the required peak level to Input 1.
3. Adjust the Input 1 level control on the rear panel until the input level
LED 1 on the front panel is green.
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 for all 4 inputs. When you have finished, simply
press the record control button and the Net-Log will complete its
initialisation procedure.
The peak audio input levels can be changed at any time, but it should be
noted that any ongoing recordings would be interrupted as the unit has to
be power reset.
Network Topology
The network that the Net-Log is connected to must be a dedicated network,
if you are to guarantee the audio being available for play streaming. The
ideal configuration is shown in Fig 3-1, with the Net-Log(s) connected
directly to a network switch, which is connected directly to dedicated
network interface cards in the PC’s. It is under these conditions that the test
results have been achieved in Fig 3-2.
10/100 Switch
Net-Log
Audio Inputs
10Mbps 10Mbps
100Mbps 100Mbps
100Mbps 100Mbps
100Mbps 100Mbps
100Mbps
Net-Log
Audio Inputs
PC PC PC PC PC PC PC
Fig 3-1: Network Topology