Help me out here folks. I volunteer at a non-com and really don't pay much attention to what's going on otherwise since I retired. We have the basic analog Sage-Endec. What do we need to replace it with (I'm assuming the digital version) and do we have to have CAP capability? Thanks.
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New EAS
- Thread starter RadeoEngineer
- Start date
I would consider replacing the unit instead of tacking on an adapter, the reason being the unit is getting old and how long will it be supported? Since you have a Sage, I will go a step further and recommend you replace it with the newer version (it is CAP ready) and the reason for that is, it looks, operates and wires up the same as the old one right down to the same connectors on the back - no rewiring or learning how to use a different unit. There is no printer however, you need a local network connection to it to print from a PC on your network.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
I suggest the Digital Alert System.It is superior in many ways when compared to the Sage Endec.I would not do an adapter on an old box like this.Just bite the bullet and go new.
Yeah, I've recommended the new Sage unit after some research. Money is a huge issue to a listener sponsered station, and I don't like "adaptors."
DASDEC features monitor and ALL control using any standard web-browser on any platform PC, Mac, even smartphone – Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Chrome
SAGE requires Internet Explorer which means it must be a PC, moreover you must load their widgets and have ActiveX running to use it fully.
SAGE requires a separate PC application to modify the configurations, therefore you must download the configuration file, run a separate app, save, upload, and restart wasting time and forcing everything to be done on a Windows PC.
DASDEC can include integrated radios – saves wiring, space and cost. Additionally the sources can be streamed over the network to verify monitoring inputs – Including one’s own radio or TV station!
SAGE supports external sources only.
DASDEC’s solid state storage holds Millions of events AND the associated alerting audio – all in the same storage media and easily accessible.
SAGE has much less storage and, while it can store alert audio it does so on an EXTERNAL USB stick. Two different memory locations – one which is easily removed, lost, or destroyed.
DASDEC has an expansion slot for a host of applications; expanded GPIO, MPEG encoders, more audio inputs. We even showed it with a DTV tuner card decoding CAP messages from the Las Vegas PBS station at last April’s NAB. -- Future ready and provable.
SAGE has no expansion capabilities
DASDEC has an optional Triple Port Ethernet expansion for not 1 but 4 independent 10/100 or 10/100/1G TCP/IP interfaces to segment network traffic and isolate users between networks and devices. (http://www.digitalalertsystems.com/pdf/exp-3nic_datasheet.pdf)
SAGE has a single 10/100 Ethernet port
DASDEC features ports for local Keyboard, Mouse and Video for direct access in equipment racks equipped with the same. (Operating the internal Firefox browser)
SAGE has no direct control expect from the front panel or another third party accessory
DASDEC features an optional full screen Character Generator to display EAS information – great for in-studio displays. This is a full frame-buffer capable of full frame-rate video playback as future rules may require. In addition DASDEC supports interfaces with selectable TFT, SAGE or IP interfaces.
SAGE only supports external CG’s and only if they support SAGE Generic protocol – No IP interfaces.
DASDEC support EAS over IP for many Centralcasting applications – Digital Alert Systems offers 3rd parties it’s EAS-Net™ protocol as an easy way to interface their products over IP.
SAGE offers no EAS support over IP
DASDEC with MultiStation software option can replace 5 SAGE or TFT systems – Yes, that’s 5 unique streams can be run from one box saving significant money, time, training, and wiring over multiple single box solutions. (http://www.digitalalertsystems.com/pdf/multistation_brochure.pdf)
SAGE offer some multichannel support using other, 3rd party products and limited to only 3 channels from what we’ve been told. We’ve not aware of anyone actually using it.
DASDEC uses a standard mini-ATX power supply with standard IEC power cords. There is an optional +48V DC supply option available
SAGE uses a wall-wart transformer - STILL . After all the concerns, comments and complaints from customers. Another manufacturer – DM Engineering even stepped in to make better supplies. Better add that to the “Total Cost of Ownership”
DASDEC uses a fully digital switch that matches the incoming data rates to ensure a clean switch, it cost more then a relay and it works better.
Sage has cut every corner – the AES switching is not digital, it’s a relay.
DASDEC is supported by dedicated customer service technicians. Call the number and you’ll get support.
SAGE ???
SAGE requires Internet Explorer which means it must be a PC, moreover you must load their widgets and have ActiveX running to use it fully.
SAGE requires a separate PC application to modify the configurations, therefore you must download the configuration file, run a separate app, save, upload, and restart wasting time and forcing everything to be done on a Windows PC.
DASDEC can include integrated radios – saves wiring, space and cost. Additionally the sources can be streamed over the network to verify monitoring inputs – Including one’s own radio or TV station!
SAGE supports external sources only.
DASDEC’s solid state storage holds Millions of events AND the associated alerting audio – all in the same storage media and easily accessible.
SAGE has much less storage and, while it can store alert audio it does so on an EXTERNAL USB stick. Two different memory locations – one which is easily removed, lost, or destroyed.
DASDEC has an expansion slot for a host of applications; expanded GPIO, MPEG encoders, more audio inputs. We even showed it with a DTV tuner card decoding CAP messages from the Las Vegas PBS station at last April’s NAB. -- Future ready and provable.
SAGE has no expansion capabilities
DASDEC has an optional Triple Port Ethernet expansion for not 1 but 4 independent 10/100 or 10/100/1G TCP/IP interfaces to segment network traffic and isolate users between networks and devices. (http://www.digitalalertsystems.com/pdf/exp-3nic_datasheet.pdf)
SAGE has a single 10/100 Ethernet port
DASDEC features ports for local Keyboard, Mouse and Video for direct access in equipment racks equipped with the same. (Operating the internal Firefox browser)
SAGE has no direct control expect from the front panel or another third party accessory
DASDEC features an optional full screen Character Generator to display EAS information – great for in-studio displays. This is a full frame-buffer capable of full frame-rate video playback as future rules may require. In addition DASDEC supports interfaces with selectable TFT, SAGE or IP interfaces.
SAGE only supports external CG’s and only if they support SAGE Generic protocol – No IP interfaces.
DASDEC support EAS over IP for many Centralcasting applications – Digital Alert Systems offers 3rd parties it’s EAS-Net™ protocol as an easy way to interface their products over IP.
SAGE offers no EAS support over IP
DASDEC with MultiStation software option can replace 5 SAGE or TFT systems – Yes, that’s 5 unique streams can be run from one box saving significant money, time, training, and wiring over multiple single box solutions. (http://www.digitalalertsystems.com/pdf/multistation_brochure.pdf)
SAGE offer some multichannel support using other, 3rd party products and limited to only 3 channels from what we’ve been told. We’ve not aware of anyone actually using it.
DASDEC uses a standard mini-ATX power supply with standard IEC power cords. There is an optional +48V DC supply option available
SAGE uses a wall-wart transformer - STILL . After all the concerns, comments and complaints from customers. Another manufacturer – DM Engineering even stepped in to make better supplies. Better add that to the “Total Cost of Ownership”
DASDEC uses a fully digital switch that matches the incoming data rates to ensure a clean switch, it cost more then a relay and it works better.
Sage has cut every corner – the AES switching is not digital, it’s a relay.
DASDEC is supported by dedicated customer service technicians. Call the number and you’ll get support.
SAGE ???
Sage is the same box with a new color and newer software. I wouldn't trust these people. Harris reported this to be a forever box capable of software upgrades of any kind. Sage also reported that they would continue to support the product then made it obsolete to sell essentially the same product over again. That is why I suggested and got these units for at least 20 stations.
My goal is to make sure that everyone who is looking at EAS this time around avoids Sage. Sage should allow current owners of their "product" to upgrade... but would rather stick it to the customers who relied on their future promise of support.
If you buy this expect the same service when some pencil neck geek decides to modify the EAS again.
My goal is to make sure that everyone who is looking at EAS this time around avoids Sage. Sage should allow current owners of their "product" to upgrade... but would rather stick it to the customers who relied on their future promise of support.
If you buy this expect the same service when some pencil neck geek decides to modify the EAS again.
We bought a Sage--because it was for a single-station location. Audio in/out is through XLR's, so you can by-pass the box by simply disconnecting the cables and plugging them together. Also, the DASDEC uses screw terminals for program audio in and out, easy to knock audio wires loose from the "Euroblock" screw terminals (or pull it out of the jack) when moving other stuff around in a rack.
I'll agree that the front panel is not conducive to easy navigation, to program it you need to use their (free) software through the local network. Instead of mounting the unit in the control room and running monitor feeds to it, I stuck it back in the engineering shop, where the audio processing and monitor feeds are--as well as the network switch. One less CAT-5 to run, just need a 3' jumper. I bought a cheap computer speaker set, and use the powered one to provide warning audio in the control room (helps that the laundry--err engineering room is right beside the master bedroom/control room--just fed the wire through the wall into the closet & set the speaker on the CD storage cabinet. We're in a 3 bedroom ranch on 3 acres with this station).
Staff (station is live 6 to 6)has adapted to having their controls on a browser--we have 4 computers in the control room, so they just pull it up on one that is used mostly for internet browsing (but it does have an audio feed into the console).
The power supply is a notebook-style supply--only problem I see is that it uses an oddball AC cord rather than a standard IEC type like every thing else in the known universe.
I couldn't get it to print off the USB port--the drivers appear to be only for HP models, but it is actually easier to pull the log up off the network and print what I want on either our network printer or the little Brother laser I have in the shop.
OK--it's far from perfect. Chief gripes:
Manual written for front panel operation. They need to add or provide a manual for use with the software--including screen shots. Some parts of it are simply inscrutable. Some entries are undefined as to what they do.
Has the bad habit of looking for another network address every time it looses power. One more box on the battery back-up. Should come up with a fixed IP address like a network printer. There's supposedly a way to do this, but this Luddite couldn't figure it out.
Don't know if it will relay traffic off the internet. NWS has sites called CAP but have yet to see anything from them. May be a configuration error on my end, may be because they are not in a format the box will recognize.
Monitoring inputs are unbalanced. May be a problem in hi-RF locations
Have another studio complex which will get a new EAS this summer--that will probably be the DASDEC. Different set-up: two stations run out of that studio, with both stations automated, more RF (FM transmitter at studio). The DASDEC looks like it will better fit in since it's relay structure should work well with the studio switchers I use there, rather than running audio through the box.
I'll agree that the front panel is not conducive to easy navigation, to program it you need to use their (free) software through the local network. Instead of mounting the unit in the control room and running monitor feeds to it, I stuck it back in the engineering shop, where the audio processing and monitor feeds are--as well as the network switch. One less CAT-5 to run, just need a 3' jumper. I bought a cheap computer speaker set, and use the powered one to provide warning audio in the control room (helps that the laundry--err engineering room is right beside the master bedroom/control room--just fed the wire through the wall into the closet & set the speaker on the CD storage cabinet. We're in a 3 bedroom ranch on 3 acres with this station).
Staff (station is live 6 to 6)has adapted to having their controls on a browser--we have 4 computers in the control room, so they just pull it up on one that is used mostly for internet browsing (but it does have an audio feed into the console).
The power supply is a notebook-style supply--only problem I see is that it uses an oddball AC cord rather than a standard IEC type like every thing else in the known universe.
I couldn't get it to print off the USB port--the drivers appear to be only for HP models, but it is actually easier to pull the log up off the network and print what I want on either our network printer or the little Brother laser I have in the shop.
OK--it's far from perfect. Chief gripes:
Manual written for front panel operation. They need to add or provide a manual for use with the software--including screen shots. Some parts of it are simply inscrutable. Some entries are undefined as to what they do.
Has the bad habit of looking for another network address every time it looses power. One more box on the battery back-up. Should come up with a fixed IP address like a network printer. There's supposedly a way to do this, but this Luddite couldn't figure it out.
Don't know if it will relay traffic off the internet. NWS has sites called CAP but have yet to see anything from them. May be a configuration error on my end, may be because they are not in a format the box will recognize.
Monitoring inputs are unbalanced. May be a problem in hi-RF locations
Have another studio complex which will get a new EAS this summer--that will probably be the DASDEC. Different set-up: two stations run out of that studio, with both stations automated, more RF (FM transmitter at studio). The DASDEC looks like it will better fit in since it's relay structure should work well with the studio switchers I use there, rather than running audio through the box.
Never had an issue with euroblock connectors,you can always make an xlr pig tail.Don't use the print mode on that sage unless you have lots of paper,it prints about 3 lines per page..But to each his own..
http://www.broadcastbuyersguide.com/compare.php?TNum=87&lst=reset&fw=1
pretty good comparison link for EAS.
Hey,i dread this crap just like the rest of the engs..But my money is on digital alert...
http://www.broadcastbuyersguide.com/compare.php?TNum=87&lst=reset&fw=1
pretty good comparison link for EAS.
Hey,i dread this crap just like the rest of the engs..But my money is on digital alert...
I went with Digital Alert as well, making life much easier. Had a Sage, glad there are alternatives. Nuff said.
Be careful about sinking money into these adaptors or converters or whatever... Do they have FCC certification and FEMA testing for CAP? Digital Alert and Sage have "yes" to both, from what they said at NAB, but no adaptor that I know of. The Digital Alert product is just so much smarter of a design to boot.
Be careful about sinking money into these adaptors or converters or whatever... Do they have FCC certification and FEMA testing for CAP? Digital Alert and Sage have "yes" to both, from what they said at NAB, but no adaptor that I know of. The Digital Alert product is just so much smarter of a design to boot.
We are now entirely Digital Alert Systems, we retired our old motley mix of Gorman-Redlich boxes (didn't work correctly either, Gorman-Redneck is more like it) and our TFT boxes (Toys for Tots or Trouble From Taiwan). Digital Alert Systems can handle the needs of multiple station clusters, offers EAS that works and is CAP compliant, and offers superb support and upgrades as needed. And above all, listens to their users needs. Why not try their EAS solutions, I love our DASDECS. These so called add on boxes to make an older EAS CAP compliant are foolish investments when many an EAS unit is old and in quite a number of cases had issues when new. Buy all new good make CAP compliant units and enjoy less stress.
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