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GSM Codec Question

R

Robert Bass

I'm not quite sure where to post this, so I'll try it here.

The station I work for has a new digital codec system allowing for the use of a GSM cell phone at the remote site. We’re planning on using this equipment to broadcast high school varsity sports events from sites that do not have a POTS line. During all of our sports broadcasts, we take occasional breaks and run station promos. These promos are played from our automation system at the studio.

My question concerns the GSM codec’s 8 to 10 second delay that occurs between the remote site and the studio, and vice versa. In light of the delay time, I’m curious to know how any of you using such a system, cue the sports broadcasters so they will know exactly when to start talking following promo / commercial breaks.

I have thought about telling our sportscasters over the codec connection that we have something like 20 seconds of time remaining on the last promo. By the time they get that information, the remaining promo time would be down to the last 10 seconds. Theoretically it will take about that long for us to receive the sportscaster's resumption of coverage from the game site.

If you’re using such a system, is this basically how you work around the delay?

Thanks in advance,

R
 
> I'm not quite sure where to post this, so I'll try it here.
>
> The station I work for has a new digital codec system
> allowing for the use of a GSM cell phone at the remote site.
> We’re planning on using this equipment to broadcast high
> school varsity sports events from sites that do not have a
> POTS line. During all of our sports broadcasts, we take
> occasional breaks and run station promos. These promos are
> played from our automation system at the studio.
>
> My question concerns the GSM codec’s 8 to 10 second delay
> that occurs between the remote site and the studio, and vice
> versa. In light of the delay time, I’m curious to know how
> any of you using such a system, cue the sports broadcasters
> so they will know exactly when to start talking following
> promo / commercial breaks.
>
> I have thought about telling our sportscasters over the
> codec connection that we have something like 20 seconds of
> time remaining on the last promo. By the time they get that
> information, the remaining promo time would be down to the
> last 10 seconds. Theoretically it will take about that long
> for us to receive the sportscaster's resumption of coverage
> from the game site.
>
> If you’re using such a system, is this basically how you
> work around the delay?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> R
>


Are you using the Comrex Matrix GSM unit? I have several...the delay is actually around 1 second each way, or a maximum of two seconds round trip.

We use music beds out of breaks as a cue for the announcers. That way, timing isn't critical.<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
I've engineered remote broadcasts in the past where I didn't have any communication with the studio once the game began. All I had was a format sheet. Some breaks 60, some 90 seconds. Used the second hand on my watch.

But then, you're dealing with sportscasters. My sympathies...

More seriously, I'm surprised with delays as low as 1 second with a codec. We have one second or worse delays here with PODCP (plain old digital cell phone), that is, mike into hands free jack, call up studio and talk. Only use that for short drop-ins, cell service around here not reliable enough for longer broadcasts.
 
Our GSM Codec is from TieLine.

Thanks,

R

> Are you using the Comrex Matrix GSM unit? I have
> several...the delay is actually around 1 second each way, or
> a maximum of two seconds round trip.
>
> We use music beds out of breaks as a cue for the announcers.
> That way, timing isn't critical.
>
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by RobertBass on 02/19/06 01:03 AM.</FONT></P>
 
> I've engineered remote broadcasts in the past where I didn't
> have any communication with the studio once the game began.
> All I had was a format sheet. Some breaks 60, some 90
> seconds. Used the second hand on my watch.
>
> But then, you're dealing with sportscasters. My
> sympathies...
>
> More seriously, I'm surprised with delays as low as 1 second
> with a codec. We have one second or worse delays here with
> PODCP (plain old digital cell phone), that is, mike into
> hands free jack, call up studio and talk. Only use that for
> short drop-ins, cell service around here not reliable enough
> for longer broadcasts.
>

Really? I've haven't ever dealt with delays longer than that (OK, maybe a 2 second delay at most). Have you tried the Matrix GSM codec?<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
Just curious, do you mean Vector? We have the Matrix system that works on POTS lines. I know that a Vector unit was tested and from what I was told, the sound quality wasn’t very good. I didn’t have a chance to hear it personally, so I can’t vouch for it. Supposedly the TieLine system has better sound quality.

R

> Really? Have you tried the Matrix GSM codec?
 
> Just curious, do you mean Vector? We have the Matrix system
> that works on POTS lines. I know that a Vector unit was
> tested and from what I was told, the sound quality wasn’t
> very good. I didn’t have a chance to hear it personally, so
> I can’t vouch for it. Supposedly the TieLine system has
> better sound quality.
>
> R


I'm talking about the Matrix - it comes with an add-on GSM module than changes it from a POTS codec to a GSM codec.

http://www.comrex.com/products/matrix_codec.htm

The Tieline has very good POTS quality, haven't used it for GSM, however. Doing an A/B with POTS, I have to say that the Matrix POTS quality is a tie with the Tieline Commander (I have a Hotline, a Matrix, and two Tieline Commanders).

The Matrix GSM quality is acceptable. Not something I would want to use often, but for what it is, it's great. We had one of our morning shows giving away flowers on a street corner on Valentine's Day, and I'll tell you - the Matrix GSM was a lifesaver. Plug it into a lighter socket for juice and go! Better yet, buy the external battery and go anywhere!<P ID="signature">______________
</P>
 
I know that a Vector unit was > tested and from what I was told, the sound quality wasn’t very good.

We have a Matrix portable unit (with GSM and ISDN) and a Vector portable. Sound quality on both is outstanding. The GSM is good for what it is but don't expect 15k stereo audio from it. 1 PD will use it and the other won't won't because I spoiled him with great sounding remotes.


Both units "dial" into rack mounted Matrix units.
 
No, we have almost 1 second delays on ordinary cellphone (tho their systems are digital, hence the delay) at times. Rather disconcerting. But there are many areas with atrocious coverage around us.

I am sure these codecs would work over such marghinal cell systems, but they would some delay reassembling all their bits on the other end.
 
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