[BC] dueling algorithms and audio quality

[Thomas G. Osenkowsky]

I recall a post long ago where a statewide network
(can't recall which state, must be a large one) went
to satellite delivery and boasted a tape-free facility.
Their field reporters used MiniDisc recorders, all
editing and storage was digital.

Some affiliates complained about very poor audio
quality. The network was mystified as their engineers
verified all audio was pristine listening back off the
satellite. They visited a couple of affiliates and agreed
the audio was very poor, especially on long form programs
the affiliates stored on their digital systems for later playback.

Consider a field recording made on MD (ATRAC). Then
transferred to the network's digital system (MPEGx). Then
sent via SEDAT or DATS on the satellite. Then stored on
the affiliates system (MPEGx). Multiple algorithms, all of
which are lossy and have to remove content by definition.
Add to this a digital Telco or lossy-compressed STL link and
it gets only worse. No defective equipment here, just too 
many on the field.

At our Danbury, CT stations back in the day, we used
ASI (Analog Station Interface) cards to each computer that
had a 56k modem. You were lucky to get a 14.4 connection
due to the multiple conversions on the Onyx digital phone
system. Plug directly into a Tip/Ring easily gave a 52k
connection. Same idea.

Tom Osenkowsky, CPBE

> Something that sounds a bit nasty is HD2 at 48kbps then into and out of 
> ATRAC/MiniDisc.