VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Drew · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 8:57 am Post subject:

So, just a little over 40 ISDN studios serving the entire state. Hmm. From a bottom line perspective, not a huge revenue generator for SBC, AT&T, or the company that owns the system next week. They're going after cable big time here, pushing hard in Austin for clearance to provide the full monty: TV, Broadband, Wireless, and POTS.

Yup. The codec stays on the store shelf until I get a better handle on what Ma's gonna do.
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Bruce · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 9:35 am Post subject:

Drew, I count roughly 70 Tejas ISDN users on this list and it is by no means complete (it's largely this guy's customers):

http://digifon.com/FramesetOH-WY.htm

There are also all the ISDN's at sports arenas and TV and Radio stations that aren't listed in public.

As I've said on an earlier post here (or somwhere else) a first time ISDN purchase is a leap of faith. It'll cost you about $5,000 or so for a new unit, installation and the first year's phone bill, and it will take at least a year for most people to get that back. If you've got the cash, the profit, or the credit to make that happen (and the faith that many ISDN-only talent reps will sign you up and promote you) then it's worth having that "arrow in the quiver". If not, there's still much wampum to be made the old fashioned way.

Bruce

Frank F · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 9:51 am Post subject:

Beta Testers agree, it's time for a change.

The use of ISDN for audio delivery is still going to be formidible. It has continuted to maintain it's strength, curently due to it's longevity. Will it continue? I cannot predict that, my Crystal Ball has a crack in it.

However, data delivery via ISDN lines is continuing to diminish. As Jeff pointed out, .mp3 delivery via broadband internet is still somewhat risky. That said, other than 6 days of no internet about a week ago, my DSL has been stable and reliable for more than seven years. My ISDN on the other hand, is becoming problematic on a monthly basis... and service in this area is sometimes spotty at best.

Will the audio industry embrace a new concept? Personally, I do not know, but I sure hope so.... I am betting MY bank on it.

Jim Barton · Guest

Another good ISDN list is The Audiobahn http://www.dplay.com/audiobahn.pdf

It lists about 50 ISDN sites in Texas, including 20 radio stations and sports networks, and 11 voice talents. (Neither of which will likely provide voiceover work to outside people, but that's not what this thread is about.)

Jim

Frank F · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:24 am Post subject:

However, with Audiobahn, note: it is very outdated... locally, I am not listed... and several of the ISDN equipped studios listed are no longer in business.

Be careful of what you read on the internet....

Frank F

billelder · Guest

Yes. If I had a job that would justify the cost, I'd do it in a minute. So far, I'm doing well without it, but I wouldn't hesitate to do it. I hope the new FSDN works. It's always good to have other options.

(But IMHO, getting tv, radio and studios to change is going to be a task. Why? It works, it works now, more than enough VO people worldwide have it and it's installed.)

Jeff McNeal · Guest

Good question about the dial-up modem. God, I haven't used dial-up in so long, that the option completely escaped my mind yesterday, but yes, I could have saved it to my laptop and used the 56k internal modem to transfer the copy via dial-up. It's so slow and a PIA though, I'd almost rather slit my wrists.

Frank, I don't mean to rain on your parade. As one who has invested in ISDN and has a willing group of studios and producers willing to dial me up and pick up the line charges on a regular basis, I have no qualms with the $50 access fee every month. But rest assured, if and when the trends begin changing in the studios, I will be right there with them. If I stick around you long enough, I might be slightly ahead (but not way ahead) of the curve.

I try to avoid being a pioneer whenever possible, because the pioneers are always the ones getting the arrows through their hats. Cheers.

Hart · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 11:35 am Post subject:

As in history Jeff? Those that lead the revolution are usually the first to be killed?
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Jeff McNeal · Guest

Essentially, yes. I'm admittedly too preoccupied with self-preservation at the moment.

Frank F · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 4:02 pm Post subject:

Me too Jeff! et al...

I am not looking forward to having arrows in my hat, or of being offed, but it comes with the territory.

No one is "raining on my parade", I am one who listens, and does what he pleases anyway... I guess I'm just fickle. And, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

ISDN is not going to go too far too soon, if you have it, keep it, I only suggest that you might consider an alternative... of course, I have an alternative in mind.

What will come in the next few months is not a replacement of ISDN, rather it is an alternative and an adjunct to ISDN... maybe sometime in the future things will change, but not right now.

To make iSpeek or any alternative viable, it needs a consumer base of approximately 2000 to 3,000 users. That is a good start. To get to that base it will take a lot of pioneers, and folks who just plain want to try something new and less expensive than the current solution (ISDN). Once released for public scrutiny, I hope that a lot of folks will try it for a month or two (or a long time more....), and use it, and talk about it to their connections like the radio stations and television stations and the... what-have-you. The more the merrier.

I broached this subject to guage the need or desire for ISDN, not the alternative - iSpeek or anything else. I wanted to know who is using the service and how often. I also would like to know if those who are using ISDN, besides myself, would be open to something else... apparently that is a sore subject as many have defended ISDN with their teeth bared and snarls on their faces....

I have avoided talking much about iSpeek, so as not to confuse anyone about the alternative, and not to make an advertisment out this board. Believe me, I have wanted to put several plugs in several hundred posts...but I restrained myself - so far. Soon, there will be an alternative, that is all I can say... the legal beagles are watching everything I say these days...

Frank F

Dave · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 4:58 pm Post subject:

Hart · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 5:23 pm Post subject:

I've thought alot about ISDN over the past two years, but I just haven't had the need for it to justify the expense. I suppose I see that all the "big dogs" have it, and since I will be a big dog that must mean I have to have it right? Get Lost

Well, that's the reasoning that rattles in my head late at night. So I continue to research it, but just can't see spending the money to have it installed (which is something on the order of 5 to 6 times more expensive around here than it was a few years ago according to the engineers I know) plus the equipment costs, plus the monthly costs since I have no clients that require it.

I suppose that gives me the luxury of a wait and see attitude right now, but yes I would love to have it.
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Jeff McNeal · Guest

Brian. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT invest in an ISDN codec unless you have a client that requires you to use it on a regular basis which in turn, will make it worth your while to have one. Then you can use it for other gigs.

I resisted getting ISDN (and got along quite fine without it) for many, many years. The only reason I finally bit the bullet, was because it became a requirement. Now that I have it, terrific. I can tout it as another option for my clients. But if you don't have ISDN, don't sweat it.

At least, that's my advice. Others may disagree. But I can't fathom how.

glittlefield · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 6:30 pm Post subject:

I think that is the best approach, Jeff. If it's a requirement, you should be able to offset the cost of the ISDN somewhat with what you charge the client. I voted for "wait and see" mostly because I'm going to wait and see if I get to a point where I need it before the next best thing comes along.

Travis · Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2006 11:46 pm Post subject:

Of course, whether I'd buy would depend on a number of considerations. What I would want would be:

Release 1: The system provides a method whereby clients can hear my work in real-time, with a reasonable amount of fidelity, through a DSL/cable connection with 128kbps upload speed. Talkback from the client (hi-fi not necessary) is a requirement. I could capture the recording and then email/ftp the audio after the session. I would like less than 3-seconds delay between input, and delivery to the client. I should be the only one required to pay for my end of the system - clients should be able to monitor my work through windows media player, quicktime player, or through an application they can get for free.

Release2: Same as above, but full-fidelity so clients can record the session as it happens and use their real-time recording in the same way we use ISDN audio today. Backup recording on my end included.

Release 3: Provide video (o.k. more than 128Kbps) so I can see the faces of the directors/producers as I work, simulating an in-studio experience. Two way video would be cool, but I would like my end of the video to make me look better.
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