German audio logistics company Ferncast will unveil its new fernReport at IBC2023. The portable aixtream platform is for audio reporting in the field, live sports commentary and any use case profiting from portable audio codecs with on-device controls and monitoring. It is a compact solution combining aixtream software and the new RasPad 3, a Raspberry Pi Tablet.
Users control the new fernReport via a 10-1-inch touch screen. Connectivity includes WiFi, LTE/4G/5G and Ethernet. The fernReport has a five-hour rechargeable battery and includes up to 128 GB of storage. It has three USB ports for headsets/inputs; splitters, adapters and external interfaces can enable more microphones and different connector types.
The intuitive and user-friendly interface is highly customizable, allowing users to create the control interface that suits them best, even mimicking knob and fader control panels for users who prefer the classic experience. Ferncast has allowed the fernReport to match existing hardware solutions, ensuring switching to this new solution is easy. The company says it has worked hard to improve the responsiveness and feedback of touchscreen controls for audio transmission UIs. It is confident that these offer an improved user experience while being future-proof.
With the new fernReport, Ferncast is entering the professional reporter market with a powerful software-based device offering the largest touchscreen and all formats compatibility at a highly competitive price compared to the existing premium devices.
Detlef Wiese, CEO and founder of Ferncast, says, “We completely rethought how reporters can do their news gathering: a freely configurable UI controlled with touch screen — no knobs, no potentiometers and no faders — everything in the software. We will release the final pricing at IBC. It will be extremely attractive because we avoided so many costs. Users will benefit from a modern, high-quality solution, as they are used to with aixtream.”
Wiese adds that the fernReport will also be available with a carrying case and audio hardware included for customers who desire a one-stop solution.
You can discover the new fernReport at Ferncast Stand 8.F83 (Hall 8) at IBC2023.