VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Art]

Personally, I'm just waiting for ISDN to shrivel up and go away, and have managed to so far avoid spending four thousand bucks on an audio codec which will soon be a door stop.



Now, there's a new weapon in this war, a simple plugin for ProTools. You got the plugin, I got the plugin, we're both on the net, I click your "address" and immediately, we're recording remotely. Very low latency, and not limited to the 128k of ISDN, most likely.



So that's two ISDN alternatives (with Audio TX) that are cheaper and better.



Not to mention that just about any two Windows computers can hook up for high quality remote recording with just the software that comes with 'em. I'll bet Macs can too, right?



Sorry, Zephyr. Sorry, RoadRunner. Sorry, Musicam. Sorry, Southwestern Bell. Looks like you're not going to get a bunch of my money after all. Guess I'll remodel the kitchen instead.

[billelder]

I have a friend who fills in for vacationing talk show hosts from his spare bedroom and uses ISDN. I don't see computer to computer being reliable enough in his situation.



Plus, I think networks, television and radio stations are fairly set in their ways as far as using ISDN. Do you think they'll go willingly into this new protocol?

[Frank F]

Very well put Bill.



However, the networks I am dealing with are looking at several protocols to replace ISDN. The ProTools diddy is still in it's infancy an will need a LOT of growing up prior to it's adaptation by TV, Radio, networks, etc.



Limitations are in throughput (both Tx and Rx), packetization, and sustainable low priced or freeware codecs.



The times they are a changin'... to quote Bob Dylan out of context, and the world of landline, copper-wire, twisted-pair, conditioned line communication IS out of date. What will take the place of ISDN, and WHEN is more the issue than IF radio, TV and networks will change to the latest technology.



Anyone, let me repeat that... "Anyone" who spends more than a $1000.00 USD on ISDN each month will bless the opportunity for a low-cost/no-cost, HUI oriented, quick connect communications interface which is able to connect with any up-to-date computer in the world - in real-time. If not, then they are not in business.



VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) is close, and as I have mentioned before, there are technologies which are already working in some areas of communication which will use VOIP to it's potential. My private little VOIP company is close to rolling out the Beta of it's offering. We are waiting to see how the ProTools toy is accepted in the market. The we will swoop in for the "kill".



Codecs such as IAX (Asterisk) can use the MPEG II, Layer 3 format (.mp3) at present with VOIP. Soon available will be MPEG IV for both audio and video, and other well defined audio oriented codecs which will turn an ordinary computer - PC or Mac - into a communication wonder... watch for this within the year.



Frank F

[kgenus]

This application is geared specifically towards post production houses, not radio stations. Lets not forget most radio stations are downloading spots from spot taxi, spot taxi gets their content from the same post facilities who will be using these plugins. This has to be the reason the plugin is an RTAS/TDM plugin for use with ProTools.



AudioTX, on the other hand was obviously designed as a replacement for ISDN. Given all the funds stations rake in, ISDN is probably 3 cents on every dollar. Are you ready to base live remotes on a topology based on packet "loss" when your advertising funds are on the line? No way.



If you are workign with clients at a post production facility, the plugin may be an option. If you're not, ISDN may still remain a solution until they simply stop using it because it's outdated. Most of the newer units are coming with IP streaming output, so you never know what might happen....



Kevin
_________________
Genus

[Charlie Channel]

Yea, I hear both sides. I worked at Sun Microsystems, Inc. (as a project/program manager) in my past life. Five-nines were/are the gold standard for "Webtone" as McNealy said. Uptime. You know, when you're interested in calling an ambulance and pick up the phone, you do not expect or desire a spinning hour-glass. And, fortunately, you usually DO get "dial-tone." Web-tone must, at least, match dial-tone or it just ain't worth the risk in really important matters.



Five-nines refer to uptime that is equivalent to 6 seconds down-time per year. Most of us are estatic with two or three nines -- 10 to 1 minute downtime per week. I can tell you, Comcast high speed Internet has frustrustrated the hell out of me with two. It IS a psychological thing. But, damn it, when I am ready to cook I expect the gas to be there, since I'm holding the match and ready to strike it.



I use Internet. Love it. Advocate it, too. But, in some instances, I would not recommend anybody bet their life on its availabilty/reliability. Saying that, I'm sure it's getting better every day. And, there's new stuff happening all the time.



You'll have to forgive me, but I just did a VO gig and it's the end of the day. I've taken the liberty of shooting a tequilla and I'm in the middle of a Missippii Mud (very dark and delicious beer). And, my mind just focused on having dedicated trace routes to specific designated backbone servers that are available/reliable. What a concept. Somebody must have though of that, by now. I digress.



Having played with the Pro Tools plug-in and AudioTX, both ISDN and IP, I'll have to say I can work with anything. But, since I'm fairly comfortable with technology and its frustrations, I'm just as certain that there are others who, after one frustrating experience, will opt for ISDN.



The economy of the methodology will be a factor. But, as often as I find it's easier to just pick up a phone book rather than use the WWW to find a phone number or address, I think most people will go the easy, reliable, way.



CC

[Jim Barton]

[kgenus]

[Micazon]

Here's a link to another way to transfer audio without ISDN or equipment.





http://www.source-elements.com/Source-Connect/



Anyone using this?

[Charlie Channel]

[Jim Barton]

[Charlie Channel]

Actually, I'm not sure what EdNet sells. I may have the name wrong. I know my agency doesn't use the SBC or other telephone companies that provide ISDN service. I was told that they were not reliable enough, and they had connectivity issues like you described.



There are alternative ISDN service sellers. But, they're expensive. I'll get the name of the company that was recommended as an alternative to telephone companies.



CC
_________________
Charlie

[Charlie Channel]

I've just verified that EdNet is the name of the biz.



I'm guessing. But, I think EdNet provides not only hardware and bridging services, but ISDN circuit service as well. So, instead of the signal going through SBC or Verizon or whatever the telco is, the ISDN circuit is primarliy handled by EdNet.



I know the ISDN circuit is wired through telephone lines to my house, and I use SBC -- without any issues now. But, I think others will agree that many telephone companies in the U.S. don't do ISDN well. EdNet, on the other hand, has a reputation for providing reliable service with excellent technical support. That's what an engineer at my agency told me, which is why they use EdNet and no longer use SBC for ISDN.



Cheers!



CC

[billelder]

So, where do you think this is going to go?



Aren't you expected to use whatever the production people are using?



If so, do you see a time when you'll have to have it all...meaning every software or hardware solution?



Or, is there a standard that you think everyone will eventually adopt?



Has ISDN actually gone away to the point that a person can't order a new line at all?



Where is Comrex when we really need them?



Isn't this why the government broke up the "Bells" so there could be competition? <g>



Why is there air? (Sorry...stole that one from Bill Cosby)

[Frank F]

Air? We have air?



Just for grins, I called the local telco and asked if I could get ISDN at one of my other locations... anyone want to know the answer?



"At this time, we cannot service that location with ISDN. Sir, we show you already have ISDN at two locations, why would you need a third"?



The local mentality of the telcos is definately something interesting to deal with. I guess if I need to put in another ISDN line I will have to find somewhere else to do it.



Thanks Bill, for the heads up.



As Bill also questioned, is it coming down to a point of being required to have every toy and every software package to communicate with others in the business? I looked at Source Elements - Source Connect - after attempts were made to listen to their "samples" and seeing the price - I just started laughing - haven't stopped yet.



$1500.00 for a plug-in - on each end, plus an "iLok" key, plus broadband internet, plus....????



Hey, I'll stay with ISDN until I have my own technology in place.



If you look at Source Connect - and subtract out the fancy DigiDesign toys and hype - you have AudioTX Communicator. And AudioTX is cheaper and doesn't require the iLok. SC also had some inherent problems - at least on my optimized system, the samples were stodgy and slow in getting into the timeline, lots of jitter, latency - which was unreal, and much more...



You now what they say - "The more the hype, the less the truth".



Frank F

[Charlie Channel]

As talent, I think we've got to be flexible. And, I think we need to tell it like it is. Some of the stuff just ain't ready.



I got in from my gig in San Francisco. The studio I recorded in was really great. It took me 10 minutes to do the read. Thumbs up from the producer and engineer! Nice. Cash waiting in an envelope with my name on it.



OK. Sure, it took me 35 minutes to drive to the studio. And, yes, I could have done it from my home-studio. But, with Comcast being down, it would have been a hassle to deliver the mp3. I was outta the recording studio and back home before I got a return E-mail from the Comcast saying, 'Don't reply to this E-mail but we got your note.'



What a drag. I called. I was told that their diagnostic timed-out. No joke. They can't communicate with their modem inside my house. No joke. Tech will be out on Monday. No joke! The conditions of service is that if it's my problem, they're going to charge me. No joke. I'm seeking another high speed solution. No joke.



This is called progress! One thing I'm not doing is buying another plug-in that would only confuse everyone about where the critical point of failure is. Meanwhile, I'm climbing on my roof in a minute to connect the coaxial connections on my outside antenna.



TGIF!



CC