Pre-Installation Tasks
Please take a few minutes to read this chapter before proceeding with installing your new Omnia.11 processor.
About This Manual
The latest version of this manual is available as a .pdf by clicking this link .
Omnia.11 Components
By now, you’ve unpacked the shipping carton to gain access to this manual. Now is the time to inspect the Omnia.11 unit and its shipping carton for any signs of damage during shipping. Such damage must be reported to your carrier for any claims. The Omnia.11 shipping box includes the following components:
Omnia.11 processor.
Omnia.11 Operating Manual.
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Two IEC Power Cords, one of the USA/Canada style, and one of the Euro style.
Processor Location
We strongly suggest using the Omnia.11’s built-in MPX stereo generator (the BNC Composite outputs or Omnia Direct AES composite digital if your transmitter supports it) for the analog FM channel, if at all possible in your system. This will generally result in the best, most tightly controlled modulation performance. Plus, you’ll be able to make use of the advantages available only in the Omnia.11, such as the SSB option, superb pilot, and SCA protection performance, composite clipping, etc. Remember, analog FM is still analog after all! Using a conventional left/right AES/EBU digital path to a digital exciter can be more convenient and can work well, but it simply moves the location of the stereo generator D/A conversion to the digital exciter over a third-party path, which is not likely to have the above advantages or optimized performance of the integrated stereo generator in the Omnia. Sometimes, these exciters also have built-in limiters or clippers on their AES inputs that can actually introduce overshoot and distortion to the signal!
AC Power Environment
The Omnia.11 subsystem is a DSP-based microcomputer, and therefore requires reasonably clean AC power, just as any modern computer system does. And even though the Omnia.11 power supply is equipped with robust AC transient suppression, we recommend that an "online" style (non-switching type) Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) with transient surge suppression be employed.
At transmitter sites there can be heavy transients on the power lines as well as significant surges introduced into the power system by frequent lighting strikes. These are unwelcome power line events and can damage even the most robust equipment. Therefore you should give the AC power environment and installation practices thorough consideration before plugging in the Omnia.11 (or any other microcomputer-based equipment).
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Installation & Connections
Rack Mounting & Grounding
The Omnia.11 is a large unit so it would be advisable to have the help of an assistant when installing it in the rack.
The Omnia.11 requires four RU (7" [17.78 cm]) of rack space. Find the release pin located on the inside top of each handle. Slide and hold this outwards and then pull the handle towards you until you hear a click. Make sure each handle is securely locked into place. Then and only then, using the handles, rack mount the unit using all four rack screws! No other two-screw mounting arrangement will secure the unit properly or prevent distortion of the front panel!
Once secured to the rack, slide the release pin for each rack handle toward you and fold the rack handles back to their normal position.
Adequate ventilation should be provided, and although not required, it is always good engineering practice to allow one blank rack space immediately above and below the Omnia, especially if equipment generating significant heat is located below the unit. You may install 1RU (1.75") vented or solid rack panels to fill these spaces.
The processor should be installed into a properly grounded 19" equipment rack.
It is a good idea, especially at transmitter sites, to run a separate ground strap or braid from the Omnia.11’s chassis to a solid rack or station ground point. Although no separate ground lug is provided, the end of the strap or braid can be clamped under the Omnia’s top cover using the Omnia’s existing top cover screws.
AC Mains Power
Omnia.11 utilizes an un-switched EMI-filtered IEC power-entry module.
AC Power Connection
Omnia.11’s automatic voltage–sensing, high-efficiency switching power supply allows it to operate on AC mains voltages from 100 to 240 VAC and from source frequencies of either 50 or 60 Hz.
In the USA or Canada, plug the provided IEC type AC power cord into the unit and then into a grounded AC outlet.
Outside of the USA you must use the appropriate power cord that complies with local electrical regulations.
Rear Panel Connections
Analog Audio Inputs and Outputs
Balanced XLR-type connectors are provided in the lower left section of the rear panel for the analog audio. Both analog and digital input sources may be connected simultaneously, however, only the input source that has been selected in the Input menu will be active. Analog/Digital/Livewire input source selection is done through the “Input Source” software parameter setting in the Input menu.
All outputs are active simultaneously.
The stereo analog inputs | Individual Left and Right |
A Note about Relative Phase:
If the relative phase of your installation (including the Omnia.11) differs from that of your existing system, your announcers may feel that they sound “weird” in their headphones. If this occurs, then the relative phase of the processor is 180 degrees from what your air talent is used to. To remedy this, you can either reverse the polarity of both of the analog inputs or simply change the “Invert Polarity” setting to [Both] in the Input menu.
Stereo Generator Connections
Four standard female BNC connectors comprise the Omnia.11’s standard analog stereo generator connections. Note: Also see Omnia Direct (AES Composite Out) on the next page.
There are two composite MPX outputs with independent software level controls, one SCA input with level adjust trimpot and one 19 kHz pilot sync output.
COMP 1 & COMP 2 (Composite Outputs 1 & 2) (BNC)
These two low impedance outputs (Composite 1 and Composite 2) are each capable of driving up to 100 feet of RG-58A/U coax cable. The output levels are individually adjustable so the unit can operate as a “composite DA” to drive a variety of equipment. The output levels and other stereo generator settings are set through software parameters in the Composite submenu of the Output menu. An internal jumper sets the output impedance to either 5 ohms (the factory setting) or 75 ohms. The default setting is appropriate for the vast majority of exciter connections. However, in the event that a higher source impedance is required, a jumper can be moved (one for each composite output) on the motherboard to change the source impedance to 75 ohms. For reference, JP10 is for Composite #1, and JP9 is for Composite #2.
Jumpers JP7 & JP8 are also available if you need to limit the maximum peak-to-peak output voltage from the composite outputs to 4v p-p instead of the normal 10v p-p. They default to the Normal (10v p-p) setting.
19 kHz OUT (Pilot Sync Output) (BNC)
This TTL-level 19 kHz square wave output can be used as the reference signal for most RDS or SCA generators that operate at 57 kHz or other multiple of the 19 kHz pilot frequency. This Sync output is phase and frequency locked to the stereo pilot. When this signal is used to synchronize an external SCA or RDS generator, this locking assures that no difference frequencies exist which may cause intermodulation between the pilot and the SCA signal.
SCA INPUT (BNC)
Any SCA or RDS signal above 53 kHz can be added to the composite outputs of the Omnia.11 by connecting the signal to the SCA INPUT connector. The SCA signal is mixed in the analog domain directly into both composite outputs. A high-pass filter on the SCA input provides SCA to main-channel crosstalk protection. The SCA injection level can be adjusted using the SCA IN LVL control trimpot. See below for details.
SCA IN LVL (SCA Input Level) (trimpot adjustment)
Located just above the SCA Input BNC jack is the SCA IN LVL (SCA Input Level) adjustment control.
Carefully insert a small bladed screwdriver into the hole and adjust the control if needed to set the SCA injection level.
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AES/EBU Digital Input, Outputs & AES/EBU External Sync Input
The digital AES/EBU (AES-3) inputs (AES INPUT and AES SYNC IN) use standard balanced 3-pin female XLR connectors. They accept any sampling rate between 32kHz and 96kHz. No user adjustment of the sample rate is necessary on the AES-3 input as a high-quality digital sample rate converter is built in.
There are two AES-3 outputs on standard balanced 3-pin male XLR connectors. These provide either an internally generated output sample rate or can be synced as follows: OUT 1 can be set to an internally generated 48kHz clock, synced to the AES input signal or synced to an external AES reference signal applied to the AES SYNC IN connector. OUT 2 can be set to an internally generated 48kHz or 44.1 kHz clock or synced to an external AES reference signal applied to the AES SYNC IN connector. These options are selectable using the “Sample Rate” setting in the AES/EBU submenu of the Output menu.
Note: The analog and digital outputs are active simultaneously.
Omnia Direct (AES Composite Out)
This provides an all-digital 192kHz AES/EBU formatted signal connection from the output of the Omnia.11’s stereo MPX generator to compatible FM exciters. Please check with your STL/exciter/transmitter manufacturer to confirm its compatibility with Omnia Direct.
The Composite over AES signal is supplied via a male XLR connector on the rear panel above the AC power entry module.
The important thing to know on the MPX over AES is that the cable you use is really important. Many AES cables won’t even pass 192 kHz data beyond a few feet. The best AES cable we've seen so far is the Belden 1800B cable. Many high quality Cat 6 cables will also pass this signal with excellent results.
When deployed, the Omnia Direct output level is set by the Composite #1 output level control. This is in parallel with the BNC analog Composite #1 output. If an additional (analog backup) composite is required, use the composite #2 BNC output & control.
Please note that the Omnia Direct 192kHz signal is currently duplicated and present on both the Left and Right channels of the AES/EBU signal but only the Left channel is officially supported. The Right channel is reserved for future use.
Omnia Direct is present on all new Omnia.11’s and those that shipped from the factory starting in early 2014. Omnia Direct can also be retrofitted into existing units at no charge except for shipping. Please contact Omnia Support for an RA number if you wish to send your unit in for the upgrade. You will need to allow 4 to 6 weeks for completion
of the upgrade. Regrettably, we cannot ship loaners out for this upgrade so you will need to make arrangements for backup processing while your unit is out of service.
Ethernet / Livewire Connections
The top RJ-45 10BaseT / 100BaseT Ethernet / Livewire I/O jack can be used simultaneously for both TCP/IP based remote control of your Omnia.11 and audio input/output to your existing Livewire network.
IMPORTANT: If you do not have a Livewire network, please ensure that Livewire is disabled in the Setup menu / Livewire screen. If a change was needed, be sure to touch “APPLY” and reboot the unit for the change to take effect. This must be done since your regular network likely cannot handle the large bandwidth and packet streams generated by Livewire.
Also note that the Omnia.11 requires 2 free IP addresses on your network, the one that you enter (which is used to connect to the unit using a browser for remote control) and the address directly above the one you enter (which is not directly used but must also remain open on your network).
NOTE: The bottom Ethernet jack is not fully implemented in the current software so it has the same functionality as the top jack. We suggest using only the top jack.
[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER: Diagram showing two MAC address boxes and an RJ-45 jack labeled "Livewire", with an arrow and caption "Ethernet 10BaseT/100BaseT Remote and Livewire I/O" and text "< . . . >10/100".]
RS-232 Serial Port (DB-9M)* Connections
NOTE: The RS-232 ports are for internal use / future development only.
The DB9-male RS-232 AUX connector is currently provides a “heartbeat” signal on pin 3 whenever the unit is running.
The DB9 Male RS-232 DIAG connector is for internal use only.
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General Purpose Interface (GPI) (DB-15F)
This DB15-female connector serves as a four-input, opto-isolated interface to the Omnia's internal Trigger Script functions*. Four of the pins are "trigger" inputs, one is a bias voltage input, one is a +5V power output, and the remaining three are "ground."
GPI functions are now available for remote input source selection & diversity delay on/off or preset selection. You cannot have both active at once.
To configure the GPI functions, the remote control interface is used. See Page 85 in Appendix C for full information.
Outputs are not currently supported.
Here is the rear panel GPIO connector pinout:
Powering Up
Now you are ready to power up the Omnia.11 for the first time.
Connect AC power to the unit using the appropriate supplied power cable for your location.
(There is no power switch!)
When the Omnia.11 is first powered on, you will see text-based boot status messages followed by some graphics test screens and finally the main screen as shown below.
This main screen’s metering will appear “frozen” for a while as the I/O board finishes booting up. This is normal.
Audio will appear at the analog audio and AES/EBU outputs approximately 1 minute from power-on. Livewire I/O initialization will take a bit longer.
Initial Screen After Bootup: The “Preset” Screen
You will see that the screen defaults to the Preset menu, showing the currently running preset highlighted in the alphabetically arranged preset list. You will also notice that the presets appear “grayed-out”. The preset list defaults to locked mode in order to prevent an unintended preset change when bringing the touchscreen out of screensaver mode. To make the preset list active, simply touch the “padlock” icon button in the upper-left corner of the preset list. It will then change to an “open padlock” icon and will unlock the preset list. Now you can simply touch the desired preset to put it on the air. To re-lock the preset list, simply touch the “open padlock” icon button again or you can simply exit the preset list by selecting any other icon button and the list will be re-locked automatically.
The Omnia.11 is now ready for configuration and use.
Please proceed to the next chapter to learn how to use the touch screen graphical user interface and how to configure the Omnia.11 for your system.
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