Pyko is a pair of Rx / Tx boxes offering distribution of digital audio over an IP network via EtherSound.
DescriptionBoth devices can be rack-mounted (1/3 width 1U high), din rail mounted or just tucked out of the way under a desk or behind a loudspeaker.
The PYKO-In unit can operate in one of two different modes; either as a stereo input device or as an intercom device with one input and one output. The operational mode is set by loading different firmware versions. The PYKO-Out is a stereo output device.
As well as a plethora of audio streaming options with a three stream priority structure to ensure automated fall back in the event of problems or to allow a higher priority source to cut in, the units have GPIO (4 in/4 out) and an RS232 serial port.
All this sounds well and good; and at first glance there is no reason to think otherwise. Digigram has taken a solid core EtherSound core and wrapped around it its own inimitable software to allow you to configure the device in a multitude of different ways. This unfortunately leads to the biggest problem with the series.
Everything is possibleThe PYKO boxes are not something to be grabbed off the shelf just before you run to site with the expectation that a couple of minutes tweaking and you’ll be up and running. Having read the manual thoroughly and planned what you want to do, documented it on paper and checked that the latest firmware has implemented the features that you need, get someone from the programming department to dial in all the settings for you!
As the saying goes “everything is possible”. Whether you view this as a blessing or a curse will depend on your approach to life and the need for a specific solution at the time. This is typified by what you initially believe will be one of the neatest features of the boxes. On power up the IP address of the unit will be announced out of the headphone socket - a neat touch. If I need to configure the unit on site and there is no documentation lying around (surely not! – Ed.) I can plug in my cans, power up the unit and it will tell me where I need to point my browser.
As long as the feature is still enabled this is what it will do in a clear voice. Unfortunately the headphone socket is fed in parallel to the main outputs so if there is also an output device connected you may well have told an awful lot of other people what the IP address is.
Control of the unit can be done via GPIO and serial port along with internal web page control and Digigram’s Audio Manager software. This will be supplemented in a forthcoming firmware update with SNMP control.
The next release should also include shout-cast support as well as enabling the onboard USB storage and playback facility (the out box has both internal and external USB ports). Hopefully this will also address the power on ‘thump’ as well.
ConclusionsAll in all the PYKO devices are a useful tool, with great audio quality and very flexible control options, to have in the box; but there is still some refinement left to add in order to make it as friendly as it needs to be for widespread adoption. If you feel it will address a need on your project I would advise talking to the friendly folk at Digigram to get some advice.