6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

6-1. Do I always need a controller?

No. For simple single-speaker use cases, Independent Mode is sufficient and the speaker can be triggered directly using HTTP/CGI or VMS actions. A controller is recommended when you need zones, BGM scheduling and centralised monitoring.

6-2. Can I mix Controller Mode and Independent Mode on the same site?

Yes. You can have a central IP Audio System for most zones and a few standalone Independent Mode speakers where it is simpler. Design carefully so that Independent speakers are not expected to follow controller priorities or schedules.

6-3. What happens if I configure more than one controller?

Multiple controllers managing the same speakers can cause conflicts. Design guidelines recommend a single controller per broadcast system.

6-4. Can IPAS work without any VMS at all?

Yes. IPAS can operate standalone using scheduled BGM and announcements, IP microphones for paging, and contact inputs for event-triggered playback.

6-5. Which firmware version should I use for IPAS devices?

Integration guides assume IP speakers and bridges run firmware 3.4.5.38 or later. Always confirm minimum required versions with the latest release notes.

6-6. What audio formats are supported?

IPAS devices support WAV and MP3 formats within the documented bit rate and sampling ranges (for example MP3 64–320 kbps and WAV 16–48 kHz).

6-7. Why doesn’t my audio file play when I trigger it from WAVE/SSM/HTTP?

Common causes include a file name mismatch (case sensitivity or special characters), incorrect mode (speaker still linked to a controller), network/firewall issues or incorrect credentials in HTTP/CGI actions.

6-8. Can I trigger audio from an existing access control or fire system?

Yes. Use either contact closures (relays into IP Audio System contact inputs) or HTTP/S requests if the system supports them.

6-9. Can analog speakers be integrated into an IPAS system?

Yes. Existing analog loudspeakers can be connected to IPAS via IP audio modules/bridges. The module appears as an IPAS endpoint on the network, so those speakers can still be assigned to zones, presets and schedules and managed like any other IPAS device.

6-10. Does IPAS support 2-way audio from all VMS platforms?

Yes. 2-way audio (live talk-down) is supported with Wisenet WAVE and is now also available with Milestone XProtect and Genetec Security Center in the latest IPAS versions. Availability and behaviour may depend on the VMS version and integration method.