[BC] Radio remote broadcast question

[Mike McCarthy]

  One of our station's brokers uses Skype for a daily long form show 
originating from Mexico and the results have been largely positive. 
Except for periodic data bottlenecks which will either loose the call or 
go garbled, they're fairly happy. The connection to the studio is by a 
dedicated DSL line separate from the office network. With all clients 
who use our provided IP services, we warn them of the potential of data 
congestion, loss of content, total disruption, and using IP for 
direct-to-air content conveyance is at their own risk or peril. We're 
providing it to them as a value added service.

We generally don't allow Skype speakershone calls on the air at our 
commercial stations as the speaking caller generally sound's 
"disinterested" unless they're on a headset. "Why do they need a 
speakerphone?  Isn't the on-air call important enough on it's own merit 
to not sound so annoyingly echo'y?"

We will not use Google Talk or Skype for live-to-air in-house long form 
remotes as we can't count on the allocated bandwidth to maintain the 
necessary service levels through the entire path to and from the 
service's servers. For short term/actuality events, that's a bit 
different and worth looking into.

Never the less, I abhore connecting one of our owned MS-WIN computers to 
someone else's IP structure and risk any lurking viri or malware on that 
system to simply use Skype or another VoIP provider. At least with the 
TieLine or Bluebox, you have a nearly hack-proof appliance and nothing 
more for a critical on-air function.

We have Tielines and use IP connections just about all the time.  We 
don't have an I-Phone AP yet, though we're exploring it and might 
experiment with the Tieline AP sometime after the first of the year for 
drop-in broadcasts. That said, AT&T G3 service is necessary and it's not 
as good, widespread, or consistent as they promote. That's a BIG 
problem. Especially at large gatherings such as major sporting events, 
public festivals or concerts.  Case in point, I can't make or take a 
call at Solider Field during a NFL game. Even text and voice mail 
messages take forever to come/go.  But an hour before and 30 minutes 
after the game, instant access.

MM

On 11/26/2010 11:06 AM, Blaine Thompson wrote:
> A colleague asked me this: "Does anyone use Google Talk or Skype for
> remotes, or Tieline for an Apple iPhone?"
>
> If you do, please let me know, with your contact information, and I will
> connect you with him.
>
> Best,
> - Blaine