VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

COURVO · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject: RainRecording on ISDN

Remember how I said all the hassle with ISDN was worth it for the knowledge gained?

Well, I put a little bit of that knowledge to use, and wrote an article (the third in a series) on ISDN for the RainRecording website.

Click HERE to see it.

Any comments, suggestions, corrections, reactions, or advice appreciated.

CourVO
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KaseyKruz · Club 300 Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 336 Location: Michigan

Great article. I have considered the cost effectivness of ISDN for my situation and, for now, have determined to hold off on that investment. I am slowly securing some paying jobs with my home studio, mostly recorded news reporting for small market radio stations, and don't have the need for ISDN at the moment, however, you make some valid points with the chicken/egg arguement.
I am not really trying to do voice acting at this point, but am always looking for deals on equipment, and a codec is always high on the list.
Thanks for that article.
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bobsouer · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 5:06 pm Post subject:

Dave,

Very cool. The only other comment I have is that you mention ...

COURVO · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 5:38 pm Post subject:

I also sent them ednet's link (Steve Anthony's fave), but they haven't added it yet. I suspect there are more... actually I was hoping to shake a few loose from the tree with this article.

Dave C
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melissa eX · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:02 pm Post subject:

Great article Dave - and I see you stayed away from the old engineering standbys:

ISDN = It Still Does Nothing.

or I Still Don't (k)No(w). LOL!

Seriously, I've held off on getting ISDN - am fortunate in that I have access to it when I need it. But I wonder at this point would Audio TX be a better option than a codec that doesn't also do IP? I mean, if at some point things start to move to IP then the 3k spent on a less pricy box without that capability ends up being not such a bargain compared to Audio TX which, it's my understanding, does both - and at less cost.

COURVO · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:58 pm Post subject:

Ah Melissa....

You're right, AudioTX absolutely does the hi-quality audio thing over IP... it really does it all... AND claims to be compatible with virtually all other codecs. I have seen no reason not to believe them so far... it just takes a little more "tweaking".

CourVO
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Yoda117 · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:27 am Post subject:

There's just one thing I don't like about AudioTX.

You can't put it on a laptop to my knowledge.

When they get a mobile form factor, I'll be in like flynn.

/yeah, I want it all... I know.
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Ed Gambill · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:44 am Post subject:

Hello Flynn

Check out this link. http://www.avm.de/en/Produkte/FRITZ_for_ISDN/index.html

I have bought two off ebay one branded as AVM Fritz and the other BT ISDN

Both PCMCIA cards are made by AVM and both are CAPI 2.0 compliant. Audio TX also sell the card a well.

Now if I can get the TELCO to find there problem! The one thing I have noticed is there seems to be no real standardization on line conditioning. The requirements from Digifon, Musicam, Telos and even AutioTX don’t seem to line up.
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Bruce · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 10:07 am Post subject:

The decision to go ISDN is actually simple from my perspective. If you can do the following, you should go ahead:

- Spend $3,500 on a new, self-contained unit so you don't have the hassles of assembling an Audio TX or the worries of dealing with a used unit, and you won't miss the money or mind the interest payments on your credit card

- Spend $85 a month (give or take) for the phone lines (plus any installation charges) and you won't miss the money

- You've got the 6 to 24 hours of spare time to order the lines and box and the figure out how to install it all and integrate it with your software/mixer

- You've got the time to contact the production houses and agents that will only talk to you if you're ISDN equipped

If you can wait for the return on investment to come back to you, then it's totally worth it for a VO artist.

(Now that I've read the article....Kinda what Dave said only taken to the bare bones.)

B
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Frank F · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 10:28 am Post subject:

Yoda,

Who ever told you that you cannot put it on a laptop?

Due to the simple fact I have the "USB dongle" version of AudioTX I have successfully used it with my lines here in the house. As far as portability, the IP side of AudioTX works well on a laptop - anywhere (as long as you have good quality high speed internet).

No more excuses. Just DO it.

Toodles

F2
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Jason Bishop · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:39 pm Post subject:

Um...dumb question...

Just for kicks, I inquired about ISDN from Verizon today and was told it is no longer offered in Florida.
And the cable/internet/phone companies don't offer it....
So what's a lad to do at this point if he wants to play with the big-ISDN-boys?
(and still be taken seriously?)

Thanks,
Jason
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bobsouer · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 5:02 pm Post subject:

Jason,

You need to find the one person (as Dave notes in his article linked earlier in this thread) who still knows about ISDN. Try calling the small business phone center. You may have better results.
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Frank F · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 5:38 pm Post subject:

Jason,

You might consider checking here: http://www.56k.com/isps/isdn/usa/fl.shtml

This is a list of ISP (Internet Service Providers who offer ISDN internet service. They will be able to direct you to the local Telco which offers service in your area.

ISDN IS offered throughout Florida, many of the so called "Bell" companies employees are not schooled in it's existence anymore. The Clearwater/St. Petersburg area has several possibilities for you.

I notice in some offerings while searching the web for ISDN in Florida were posts alleging YOU already have ISDN??? Is this a fact, fiction, or just wishful thinking?

Good luck.

Toodles

F2
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Jason Bishop · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject:

Hey Frank,

Thanks for the info.
I'll check it out Wednesday.

As for me having ISDN, that's fiction.
But you got me paranoid, so I did a Google of "ISDN Florida Jason"...and found what appears to be one of my Production Hub entryies in the search results.

But while the Google search page results entry includes the words "Naples, Florida. ISDN Voiceover talent with Professional studio,".......I double checked my directory entry and my classified ad on Production Hub, and neither say I have ISDN.
My classified posting says only "Phone-Patch available plus willing to go to any Tampa-area studio of your choice. "
And neither have the word/city "Naples" in them, so a call to PH is forthcoming.

Until then, color me vexed.
Thanks for the heads up!

Jason
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COURVO · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:52 pm Post subject:

That's a great link on the Fritz equipment, Ed.... thanks!

Bruce is RIGHT ON THE MONEY with his bare-bones list. I had been turned away from at least two production studios who liked my demos, but shook their heads when I couldn't tell them I had ISDN.

That, plus the more-affordable AudioTX solution put me over the top with my decision.

And Jason, I have Embarq in Vegas, but I ended up finding the (one) person who knew exactly what I wanted, in an office in Florida -- AFTER MANY CALLS, AND BEING SHUTTLED AROUND TO MANY DEPARTMENTS within Embarq.

CourVO
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Courvo's "Voice Acting in Vegas" Blog: http://www.CourVO.biz
on your phone at courvo.mobi
702.610.6288
"I'm not a news anchor, but I play one on TV."