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Equipment for V.O.

F

FredRichards

One of the production guys at work asked me to check into something that he could use with a voice over guy to get promos. I've been out of this area long enough not to feel comfortable.

I assume that Telos ISDN is one way, but are there any other methods or equipment I should consider? Anything better than others? I assume most operated on the ISDN premise, but are their systems where someone can V.O. over the Internet? If I go the ISDN route, is there anything I have to tell the TELCO other than "get me an ISDN line".

Any help would be appreciated, as this is an area I'm grossly out of touch with. :)
 
Now THERE'S a proper use for mp3 files. In fact, if it's just short voice clips, they can exchange .wav files via email. No ISDN needed for voiceovers. Live programming, that's another story. But even for that, you could use a Comrex type dial-up system. And it's tough to get ISDN lines in many markets anymore. They want to install Fios or T-1.
 
After talking to our prod director, I think what he is looking for is a way to communicate with the V.O. talent at the same time they are voicing a spot. In other words, have them read the spot in real time, and then he can coach the fellow on how he wants it to sound.

MP3 would work for some situations, but not this one. I'm learning that we will probably have to get ISDN. :-\
 
If your production director doesn't need the broadcast-quality audio itself in real time, why spend the $$ for an ISDN connection, or even an IP codec or such? Why not just connect the VO talent to your production director by Skype, then have the talent send the broadcast-quality audio files as .wav files via e-mail or ftp after the session's finished?
 
Take a look at the Barix products - they're very inexpensive and by using a pair, you'll get the two way communication you need.
 
Hi Fred,

ISDN is probably the way for you to go. While it is not as easy to order as it once was, in the huge majority of cases it is available. And just as in the early days, it is worth a degree of hassle to get it.

Yes, there are some newer options, but these would require your becoming an "early adopter". So, unless you enjoy a challenge just for the sake of a challenge, ISDN is probably your answer. It may indeed be a bit of a project to get it, but at least once you have it it is mature and well understood.

Once you choose a codec, ask get the manufacturers recommendation for how to order the lines. For example mostg manufacturers have and order form that covers all the material the Telco needs to configure the lines. Do NOT just call and ask for ISDN - even if you get it is may well not be configured properly for your box.

Best of luck
 
I'm realizing that it's probably going to be ISDN. Our production director and I talked today about some of the suggestions, and we went to web pages of companies people talked about.

What he wants is for the talent's output to appear on the master router, so it could be sent to any edit suite. Then the output of the suite, or production room, could be sent back to the talent. So it's really necessary that it's all real time, and not e-mailed MP3s or Internet delayed audio.

So, what is the best bang for the buck on the ISDN route?
 
The gold standard for ISDN CODECS is the Telos Zephyr Xstreme.
If all you want is dry voice, look at the Comrex and TieLine boxes, they're less expensive.
I saw, but don't remember the maker, an ISDN CODEC which runs in software on either a Mac or PC (forget which) with an outboard registered coupler.

That being said, I don't think I'd purchase ISDN equipment today, unless the local operating company would give me a guarantee in years of how lone they will sell me the service, at both ends of the system. Many telcos are abandoning ISDN service.
 
littlejohn said:
That being said, I don't think I'd purchase ISDN equipment today, unless the local operating company would give me a guarantee in years of how lone they will sell me the service, at both ends of the system. Many telcos are abandoning ISDN service.
Click to expand...

ISDN availability (or the lack of it) isn't as much of an issue as some say it is - if you're in a reasonably large market.

That being said - I'd probably invest in a Comrex Access or Tieline G3 codec with POTS/IP connectivity. And although this does work on the Internet - the delay is low enough (in milliseconds) to be comparable to ISDN.
 
littlejohn said:
I saw, but don't remember the maker, an ISDN CODEC which runs in software on either a Mac or PC (forget which) with an outboard registered coupler.
Click to expand...

If you recall, let me know. That might be worth looking into. Does Lynn Disler <sp?> still work for Comrex?


Rob Stutson said:
ISDN availability (or the lack of it) isn't as much of an issue as some say it is - if you're in a reasonably large market.

That being said - I'd probably invest in a Comrex Access or Tieline G3 codec with POTS/IP connectivity. And although this does work on the Internet - the delay is low enough (in milliseconds) to be comparable to ISDN.
Click to expand...

We're in a small TV market (#187?), radio market 253, according to Arbitron. Enbarq is the local telco with COI another choice.

Are you saying that the Comrex Access or Tieline G3 codec could be used as either an ISDN box or over fast Internet. We do have (2) T1s at the station, but I don't know what the VO guy has at his place. I know his ISP is Comcast.
 
Someone told me Lynn Distler had retired. Telos is hyping an upcoming Zephyr with internet connectivity. ISDN is a circuit switched service,when the wired network goes to packet switching, it will be a dinosaur. It's been rumored that SS8 or 9 will be a packet switched topology. It will be fun to see if that's true or no.
 
Tieline G3 can be used over POTS, ISDN or IP. Never used the Comrex Access, but I imagine the same.
 
littlejohn said:
Someone told me Lynn Distler had retired.
Click to expand...

Nice lady. When they were selling the extenders, I purchased a bunch of them from Comrex for doing ball games. I still have one pair left in the closet for emergencies.

It's been rumored that SS8 or 9 will be a packet switched topology. It will be fun to see if that's true or no.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that will. But it sounds like the Tieline G3 is what I should be shooting at according to PTBoardOp94's post. In our company we have to amortize equipment for five-years. In today's technology it's hard to get three years out of some stuff.
 
Fred...

To order ISDN on Embarq I normally call the old Sprint BROC in Bristol, TN. 1-877-239-7227 Nice ladies there know what they are doing.

Lynn Distler (She switched to Lynn Cheney right before she retired) was always helpful during her time at Comrex.

I have noticed that most VO talent and recording studios prefer L2 Mono 128. I like AAC Mono 128 if an X-Stream is on both ends.

I would choose a Telos X-Stream over Comrex or Tieline in this application. I have all three and like em all but for ISDN the X-Stream is the way to go.

You may want to call SCMS. 800-438-6040. Ask for Mike. Last time I was there they had a ton of Telos Zephyr Expresses that came from their purchase of Harris. Not the best Zephyr ever made but they will do L2 and L3 as well as G.722. They will not do AAC but I bet that would not be an issue. They may make you a deal. They may also have some used codecs.

Test123
 
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