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Quick Reference & Compatibility Guide for the
apt-Xª / 256 System(the BCF256)
I. Installation
Your EDnet supplied apt-X / 256 system consists of Audio Processing Technology's BCF256 as well as two network termination devices (NT1). Your ISDN line(s) should run from the wall jack to your NT1(s) and then on to an RJ-45 telco jacks on the rear of the BCF256. Line 1 will go to I/F 1, and line 2, unless you've chosen not to install two lines, will go to I/F 2. Although each brand of NT1 has a slightly different nomenclature, the jack that connects to the wall will likely say "LINE" or "U," while the jack that connects to the BCF256 will likely say "TERMINAL" or "S/T." When all the telco connectors are in place and the BCF256 is powered up it will go through an initialization process, after which the LCD display should yield a "Ready" message and the ISDN channel LEDs should all be red.
II. Operating the BCF256
A.) General Configuration Issues
Like all ISDN gear, the BCF256 requires configuration specific to the attached line(s). This includes switch protocol, directory numbers, and SPIDs. If EDnet has provided your telco line(s) as well as your BCF256, then most likely we've taken care of this for you and you're ready to plug and play. This process is discussed further in section II (C2).
B.) Menu Navigation
The five keys to the left of the LCD display govern dialing instructions and menu navigation. Some of these keys have multiple functions. To access the menu tree, press the SET key, which then becomes a right arrow key to move horizontally across menu options. Once in "set-up mode," the center (DIAL/ENTER) key moves vertically down the menu tree or, once at the root level, invokes parameter changes; the DEL key becomes a left arrow key for horizontal menu navigation; and the ESC key becomes an up arrow key for vertical navigation. At the top menu level the ESC key terminates "set-up mode."
C.) Menu Settings
The main menu level consists of three submenus: AUDIO SETTINGS, ISDN SETTINGS, and USER SETTINGS.
1.) Audio Settings
Contains four submenus. The only one that likely requires attention is labeled AUDIO MODE. There are four possible audio modes:
a.) Stereo
A minimum of two calls is required (each call refers to an individual ISDN B-channel, each ISDN circuit having 2 B-channels), yielding 7kHz of top end. A 3rd call yields 12kHz, while a 4th call yields 15kHz.
b.) Dual Destination
Allows for simultaneous 15kHz mono sessions to two separate remote sites. The left audio channel corresponds to calls dialed on B1 and B2; the right audio channel corresponds to calls dialed on B3 and B4.
c.) Local Loopback
Useful as a diagnostic tool. Encodes both audio input signals and outputs the decoded audio. Although no telco connection is required, the unit first looks for a 64k clock from B1. Therefore loopback will only function when B1 and B2 are either in a "Ready "or "Inactive" state. If calls are present, then putting the unit into local loopback will cause the far end unit to loopback to itself through the telco network, while the near end unit still loops back to itself locally.
d.) Mono Destination
Allows for a single, 20kHz mono connection utilizing B1, B2, and B3. In this mode, only the left audio input and output are active.
2.) ISDN Settings
Contains submenus for telco related settings, several of which are critical.
a.) Network Type
Or, more accurately, "switch type." This information is ISDN line specific and provided by the telco. Virtually all newly turned up EDnet ISDN lines are provisioned as National ISDN-1.
b.) Default Line Speed
This is the rate at which the ISDN circuit transmits data in an outbound call. The two valid rates are 56kbits/sec and 64kbits/sec. It is important that the remote APT unit be set at the same ISDN rate as the local unit.
(Tip: You'll only get the full frequency extension displayed to the screen at 64K. At 56K, roll-off will start just above 13 or 18kHz. The midrange, however, won't be effected.)
c.) Current Line Speed
Displays the bit rate of the call(s) currently connected. Regardless of the "Default" parameter's setting, the unit will properly adapt itself to the actual rate of the incoming call(s).
d.) Setup Line Numbers
Contains four storage locations, B1 through B4, which correspond to the 7-digit directory numbers for the four respective B-channels.
e.) Setup Line SPIDS
Contains four storage locations, B1 through B4, which correspond to the SPID (Service Profile IDentifier) numbers for the four respective B-channels. This information must be furnished by the telco.
D.) Connectors / Controls
1.) Connectors (rear panel)
Line level audio is delivered via the left and right XLR inputs. For non-dual destination mono connections, use only the left channel. Audio from the far end is output the XLR outputs. The post-NT1 telco connections are on standard RJ-45 jacks. In virtually all installations the various data ports will not be utilized.
2.) Controls (front panel)
Beyond the numeric keypad, FD0, FD1, DISC key and the five navigational keys previously described, there are no other front panel controls.
E.) Dialing
While at the main "Ready" screen use the up & down arrow keys to position the cursor on the B-channel you wish to dial from. Hit the DIAL/ENTER key, enter the number, then hit DIAL/ENTER again. After the call completes, the corresponding B-channel's red LED will turn green, indicating that you have a call present. Then use the arrow keys to move to the other B-channel(s) and repeat the above process. As you add calls the screen will report the current status of the audio connection (e.g. 15kMono). When you're ready to hang up you can either hit the DISC key the disconnect all calls or the DEL key to disconnect only the call at which the cursor points.
(Tip: If, after placing a call, the timer reverts from "Set-up" to "Wait" then the call has failed. You can hit ESC to abort the attempt rather than waiting for the counter to count down to 0.)
III. Compatibility To Other Codecs
A.) Compatibility to other apt-X codecs
1.) DSM-100 with Pro-Link ISDN Manager
This is the big brother of the BCF256. It utilizes up to three ISDN lines to achieve a full range (20Hz-20kHz) stereo connection, and 3 B-channels to achieve a full range mono connection. Of course, when connected to a BCF256 only up to 15kHz stereo or 20kHz mono extension is possible, in which scenario you are fully compatible.
2.) DSM-100 IMUX
APT manufactures two versions of the DSM-100, one in which the IMUX function is driven within the DSM-100. These units require external terminal adapters (the dialing device) not manufactured by APT. Nevertheless, you should be fully compatible with these sites at up to 15kHz stereo.
3.) 3D2
Per an old agreement between APT and a third party reseller, some APT codecs are marked "3D2," and you'll occasionally hear people refer to their APT systems as "my 3D2." These systems are compatible with yours. A common source of confusion stems from the order of the dial-up numbers at 3D2 sites. If, when connecting to a 3D2 site, you have difficulty establishing a good mono connection, then you may not be dialing the numbers in proper sequence.
4.) DRT128
This is the little brother of the BCF256. Although it is compatible with the BCF256, it is a single ISDN line device and only capable of 15kHz mono connections.
B.) Non-APT Codecs
The apt-X 100 coding algorithm is proprietary to APT. Although Comrex implements a version of this algorithm on some of its products, these codecs are still not compatible with your system. If you need to connect to an MPEG device (e.g., Telos and CCSMusicam), a Dolby codec (AC-2 / AC-3 algorithms), or a G.722 unit (e.g., Comrex) then you'll need to arrange use of our EDLinkª bridging service. Call the 800 number that appears below.
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