Eventide recently announced what is claimed to be the first digital voice logging recorder and archiving system to be based on a Linux software platform. The VR778, Eventide's 4th-generation digital logger, is intended for mission-critical environments including public health, safety, and security applications.

The device is capable of recording up to 160 channels of input on internal RAID disks, for tens of thousands of hours of online storage. Access is available both from standard PCs using Eventide client software, and from the front panel using an intuitive color graphical user interface (GUI) using softkeys and a rotary selector knob.

The VR778, which measures 7 x 19 x 26 in., can be equipped with up to 160 recording channels (8-160 analog in combination with 16-96 digital channels), enabling it to meet a variety of recording requirements. Compression rates can be varied among 13.3, 16, 32 and 64 kbits/sec, providing a wide range of control over recording time and signal quality. Storage capabilities include a standard mirrored RAID 1 system with dual 120 GB hard disks (380 GB RAID 5 optional), which can record 19,800 channel hours at 13.3 kbits/sec. A built-in DVD-RAM can record up to 1,540 hours per DVD (dual DVD-RAM is optional). Optional archive drives include 4 mm DDS-3 or DDS-4, or a 120 GB removable hard drive. For enhanced reliability, the system has fault-tolerant features that include dual hot-swap power supplies and fans, and mirrored hard drives. The Linux operating system resides in Flash memory.

The front panel interface consists of a 320 x 240 color TFT LCD screen plus soft and hard keys, navigation wheel, keypad, playback speaker, volume control, LED indicators, and line-out and headphone jacks. Additionally, the VR778 can function as a network server, allowing up to 16 separate users to simultaneously access the system from networked PCs, using Eventide's Call Record Browser client software. The browser provides live monitoring or playback of up to eight simultaneous channels. In addition, recordings can be emailed via simple drag-and-drop functions.

“Linux allows us to provide a sophisticated system without the costs of licensing fees and without the application complexity commonly associated with Windows-based recording systems,” noted Gordon Moore, general manager of the Eventide Communications Systems Division.

 
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