Systems, methods, and devices for providing networked access to media signals

Abstract

A system for providing networked access to media signals, the system comprising at least one virtual media card configured to interface with at least one application that produces and/or consumes media signals, and/or at least one media interface configured to interface with at least one physical media card that produces and/or consumes media signals. The system may also comprise a network interface configured to enable the system to exchange media signals with other devices on a common network, and a reference clock configured to provide a common clock signal to the at least one virtual media card, the at least one media interface, and the common network. An advertisement and discovery module configured to identify when the at least one application is started and/or stopped and when the at least one media card is attached and/or detached from the system may also be provided. The advertisement and discovery module is configured to: (i) make I/O channels of the at least one media card available to the system and the common network, and (ii) make I/O channels of the at least one application available to the system and the common network.