VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Frank F · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 7:34 pm Post subject:

Jason,

PH was the one I googled first, then found several other links with your name (Bishop Voice) linked with ISDN - all routed to/from PH. Good luck. I believe the search parameters were something such as "ISDN Florida" or "ISDN Indian Rocks Beach, Florida".

AudioTX seems to be the best solution for those who are searching for a combo ISDN/IP scenario at present. There are several hardware manufacturers who now offer IP/ISDN codecs. The cost factor and cross-platform/codec solution is why I chose MDO/AudioTX.

An additional thought: beware of which comapny you choose for your ISDN long distance carrier. I found one LD carrier, who's name I won't mention, but will only say their initials - AT&T was charging a fee even if you did not use their service during the month. The carriers fee was also expensive (around $1.47/minute - off peak). I chose another carrier immediately after receiving the first and last bill from the above "not-mentioned" company - AT&T. I now pay approximately $0.10/minute for outbound LD ISDN calling.

Customer (dis) Service was atrocious from "this company" - AT&T, taking almost four hours "on hold" before being able to speak with some real person about the problem as not one person in any office of "this company" - AT&T knew anything about ISDN connections .

Speaking of LD carriers... you do not NEED an ISDN LD carrier IF you are only receiving calls with your ISDN equipment. However, that said, you are required to use an ISDN telco carrier to initiate calls outbound from your codec to another codec outside of your local area.

Toodles

F2
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Yoda117 · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:04 pm Post subject:

bobsouer · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:08 pm Post subject:

Greg,

I believe there is also a USB ISDN modem available, though I haven't looked in a while. That's going to be a bit more bulky to travel with, but could certainly work with both a laptop and a desktop system. You'd just bring the USB dongle with you when you travel and plug it back in to the desktop when you're home.
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Frank F · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 10:27 pm Post subject:

Yoda,

The eicon diva ISDN USB modem very small and portable (make sure you get the right version) about 4" long x 1" wide x 3" high (http://www.dialogic.com/products/tdm_boards/diva_client/Diva_ISDN_USB.htm). The AudioTX USB dongle is about the size of a quarter. The only real problem with the ISDN side of AudioTX... the ISDN lines are NOT portable.

Using the AudioTX IP side requires the dongle and and internet connection to connect to another IP codec.

AudioTX uses the same product(s) for both your laptop and desktop PC, it has multiple uses, simple to use, less expensive than other "black box" codecs, smaller than other "boxes", and lightweight to transport. Hmmm, I do not see the problem here.

I carry all I need for my AudioTX IP connection in a small bag I used to use for my laptop mouse when traveling. At home on my DAW; AudioTX IP works like a champ too and with ISDN.

To paraphrase from Shakespeare's Hamlet: "Methinks thou dost protest too much". Have fun and take the plunge.

Toodles

F2
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Yoda117 · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 10:41 pm Post subject:

Frank and Bob, you guys do make it rather tempting.

Perhaps they ought to put you two on commission?

AudioTX evangelists

Kinda has a nice ring to it, no?

and with their POTS capability also offered as a separate package, this becomes much more tempting.
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Frank F · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:37 pm Post subject:

Bob and I on the same ticket, hmmmm??? Bob is the lead in my humble opinion.

AudioTX POTS, now there is a horse of a different color. Remember you need two of them to work properly, one on each side of the link. The AudioTX POTS version does require a dialup internet connection and a modem and will only work with another AudioTX POTS program. The POTS version does not work with DSL, FIOS, or cable internet connections.

Toodles

F2
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COURVO · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:00 am Post subject:

Frank's operative phrase there is:
(make sure you get the right version)

Hoo boy is that the understatement of the year! At least for me it was.

I still have an Eicon Diva Serial Port Modem, and an Eicon Diva V1.0 USB modem that no one seems to want on EBay.... buyers?

Neither are compatible with AudioTX.... just rushed to buy without checking. Lessons learned.

CourVO
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Yoda117 · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 4:45 am Post subject:

Two things:

1) unfortunately that little fact regarding the AudioTX POTS kind of kills the idea for me, but I'll keep looking (Comrex has something that can do the job, but it's rather overpriced IMO).

2) COURVO... I hadn't noticed it before, but your signature is hilarious.
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bobsouer · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:16 am Post subject:

Frank F · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:05 am Post subject:

Yoda,

Sorry to hear that the POTS side of things us a deal killer. The Comrex POTS unit also requires a standard dial-up phone line too, so to make things more interesting and less expensive why not consider Skype as your POTS style connection? Another idea for you might be a VOIP product with G.722 or at least G.711 or wideband Speex codecs (not stereo capable, but good mono).

The audio quality on Skype, when using a professional sound card and mic, is much better than standard phone line connections. Of course this depends upon your usage requirements and needs, but Skype IS simple.

Bob, I cannot do it alone. Besides, someone has to be the lead, I am just "window dressing".

Toodles

F2
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georgethetech · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:05 am Post subject:

Ednet does handle the process, as well as provide support at $600/year, but they won't do a thing unless you purchase the ISDN codec from them as well, and they sell it for hundreds more than other sources. I used to send clients to them before they started the mandatory purchase of hardware policy.

Now for my clients I just handle it myself, as I know the right departments and people to call in the LA area for ISDN installations. Even with that I STILL have problems with the order going through in a timely matter (last one with Verizon took TWO MONTHS before they confirmed it).
Dave Immer at Digifon is very helpful and charges a flat $400 to order ISDN for you.
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georgethetech · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:08 am Post subject:

georgethetech · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:22 am Post subject:

If you want the ultimate portable codec that works with just about any connection (WIFI, GSM, EVDO, POTS), the Comrex Access portable is the way to go. Costs an arm and a leg, and you gotta have a Comrex Access on the other end (Out of Hear bridging has one), but it is an amazing piece of kit. I am going to get a unit to demo soon, I'll give a report.
This blog gives video and audio clips of real-world use.
http://remotes.comrex.com/

Cons?
1- How do you get your copy and read it? (iPhone, blackberry?)
2- What if you need to record and FTP a file? (Laptop?)

So it solves some problems, but creates others...
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Yoda117 · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 4:38 pm Post subject:

That's the thing George, and I the Comrex unit was on my radar screen. It seems that there's no good way to "cover all the bases" and to do so in a format that's portable and easily swappable from one system to another.

Somedays, you just can't seem to win, lol!
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