Source Elements

Carlos Estanga · Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008, 21:36 (GMT) Post subject: Source Elements

Hi everyone, I need to buy a ISDN equipment ASAP but I understood that Souce Elements can do the same at less price and without ISDN line .My question is ..what would be the best buy to do my job?

Johnny Milford · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008, 11:40 (GMT) Post subject:

Since time seems to be of the essence for you Carlos, my main question would be, do you have ISDN lines already installed? Depending on where you are, an installation appointment can take anywhere from a few weeks to months, depending on availability. That might influence your decision one way or the other. Good luck!

Thom Wilkins · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008, 18:35 (GMT) Post subject:

Carlos - Source Connect - does not support ISDN - source connect will give you better than ISDN quality (>128k Mpeg L2) to another source connect studio, but most main studios require ISDN - not source connect.

Source Connect can go through Digifon bridging service for source- connect to ISDN - at a surcharge of $100 to $160 per hour on top if the studio ISDN charges... digifon.com (It does work - IF - you can get the studio to agree to this... )

A Few studios have source connect as well as ISDN( including me... ) esp. in Europe and some smaller producers use source connect, but as yet it is not mainstream.
Codec over IP has not been standardized yet, but it is the wave of the future, and will replace ISDN, but not for several years yet.

AudioTx is a SW codec - supports Codec over IP and ISDN sessions - but you will still need ISDN lines ($100-$300 to install plus $70 -$100+ per month line fees...

OR you will need a HW ISDN box (Musicam, Telos...) $1000+ used, $5000 New.

Thomas C. Gass · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008, 19:12 (GMT) Post subject:

Thom,

Thank you so much for your posting - you just made it to the point! I've spent hours talking to other VO about ISDN and voice over ip, but it's difficult to convince them that a software can't (yet) replace ISDN.

Ed Gambill · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008, 06:23 (GMT) Post subject:

Carlos

This past Sunday, Thom and I did about an hour long hook up using AudioTX demo software in the IP mode. The only time we had any problem was when I was transmitting and i had clicked on another program in on my computer. Good quality.

Audio TX as Thom said is both able to do ISDN and IP. You will need an ISDN service and an ISDN modem for you computer.

The big advantage Audio TX has over Source Connect is that AudioTX is self contained and dual functioning.

Source Pro and Audio TX are in the $1,000 price range. Any ISDN box will cost over $2,500 new.

Allen Brown · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008, 16:09 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Ed,

Just wondering...when you say "good quality"... can you give some numbers...bit rate etc? I'm really interested in these new alternatives. Smile

Thanks

Thom Wilkins · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008, 19:01 (GMT) Post subject: Audio TX quality...

Allen, this in the portion of the audio TX test session that Ed and I did last Sunday - Raw file - at 192K.

Ed is in North Carolina - on the left channel- through the Audio TX
( Note: Ed has his TV on in the background)

I am in Georgia - on the right channel from my mixer.

Chris Mezzolesta · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008, 19:39 (GMT) Post subject:

Dang, that's quite good - what are the limitations on the demo version? Very Happy

I seem to be getting 6.5M down and about 430k up between here (Wilm, NC) and Atlanta, would have to think that that'd work for most locations at the bitrates you're talking about, at least in best circumstances. And this was solely IP based? Shows promise...

Allen Brown · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008, 22:53 (GMT) Post subject:

192 k! That's great. I'll give a listen when I'm not on my laptop.
Thanks Tom and Ed.

Thomas C. Gass · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008, 19:24 (GMT) Post subject:

Ed & Thom

I've listened to your AudioTX test and must say, that's amazing! I've ordered a demo version of AudioTX as well and would really like to make some tests as well.

I'm thinking about transferring an audio file with some specific test tones (sines in various Hz, white noise, sweeps etc.) via IP and do the same with a partner studio via "traditional" APT or Mayah ISDN. We could then analyze the transmitted files in detail and publish the results here.

Anyone interested in participating? Just drop me a PM then we could discuss details!

Thomas

Thom Wilkins · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008, 23:54 (GMT) Post subject:

Thomas, Chris, All-

the Audio-TX demo sw is limited to one install per cpu - 30 days , it times out randomaly has beeps after a period of time - so you can't really use it for a session, but you can use it for a test as Ed and I did - just make sure you and (whomever) install about the same time and schedule your tests within the 2 week period...

I posted an excerpt of the actual test session - Ed and I were impressed with it as well. and tested it about an hour, very low latency - I also took the audio TX signal from Ed and tested an ISDN bridge session which worked as well - Took Ed's Audio_TX(IP) to Thom's AudioTX(IP) to Thom's ISDN > Encoded out on line 1 and dialed Line 2 for the back channel.. (Now I didn't record this as it was mono MPEG L2 @64K vs the normal 128K - because I was using only one ISDN line vs normally 2 lines for a mono signal...

BTW: My ADSL line is 384Kbps up and 3Mbps down, [and I am a Source-Connect certified studio - sufficient bandwidth for no drop-outs with that product ] - don't know what Ed's data rate was, but both were sufficient for an Audio-TX session with-out problems.

Thom

George Whittam · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 21

AudioTX and Source Connect are the front runners in the computer based IP audio tranceiving technology. They each have advantages and disadvantages. Neither truly replace ISDN, yet.

Source Connect Advantages
1- Cheaper, costs $400 to purchase plus $50 ilok USB key (get at GC).
A fully functioning demo for 15 days is available once you have the iLok.

ATX is $1200 from Digifon. Don't buy it from AudioTX directly, they require you to wire the money to the UK, not fun or cheap, and you must wait for their proprietary USB dongle to arrive before you can use it.

2- Runs on Mac or PC- ATX is Windows only
3- Much better customer support and service, based in the US and Europe
4- Sound quality is excellent with the AAC codec SC employs
5- Includes a free VST application to run the plugin without the need for Pro Tools.

AudioTX Advantages
1- Requires only about 128Kbs up/down for an MPEG L2 Mono 128 session, whereas SC needs about 300kbs give or take for reliable 96kbps/AAC mono sessions.
2- Won't integrate with any other software since it is strictly a stand-alone client.

I sell and support Source Connect, so naturally I may display a little bias, but the studio I built for outofhear.com, a cost effective bridging service alternative to digifon or ednet, supports both so I am well versed in their strengths and weaknesses.

I Hope this helps in your decision making process.

George Whittam
eldorec.com

Thomas C. Gass · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 18:41 (GMT) Post subject:

...hmm, I've ordered my Demo Copy of AudioTX, but didn't hear anything from them since 2 days.

Anyways, if anybody would like to participate in the IP/ISDN test, just drop me a PM (hopefully my demo version will arrive 'til then Wink

Thomas

Carlos Estanga

I want to say ..THANKS A LOT my friends for your super help ..I got my ISDN CODEC and everything that I was looking for, THANKS AGAIN.