Comrex Road Warriors - Live & Local

....and on to New Hampshire!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Remote ACCESS) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:15:00 +0000

We are very very excited about the success our customers have been having with their Comrex ACCESS codecs used via the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE (Pantech UML290) modem.

Several major radio networks have been deploying this combo throughout Iowa and New Hampshire and other states that are holding US Presidential Primaries in January 2012.

We recently learned that NPR has been using ACCESS live on the air and came across this audio sample of one of their live reports on their flagship program "All Things Considered." In this audio clip, ATC's Melissa Block interviewed Ari Shapiro live at 5:06pm on Thursday, January 5th this evening as candidate Mitt Romney visited Peterborough, New Hampshire. Audio is here.

Comrex support personnel with be in Manchester, New Hampshire on Monday, January 9th and Tuesday January 10th to assist customers with setup and troubleshooting!!! You'll be able to find Andy and Paul from Comrex at the Radisson Hotel on those days or just give us a call at 800-237-1776.

Here we go a Caucusing!

noreply@blogger.com (Remote ACCESS) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:14:00 +0000

We just love it when a good plan comes together. US broadcaster, NPR is currently in Iowa to kick off the 2012 Primary Season. Armed with their Comrex ACCESS Portables and some Verizon Wireless 4G LTE modems, they are literally inside the Caucuses to report the unfolding events to the nation.

We've managed to get our hands on the audio for a couple of their reports. Take a listen!

From downtown Des Moines. Audio is here.

· 12 noon from a high school in West Des Moines. Audio is here.

If you've got audio or photos using your Comrex gear from your Presidential Primaries coverage, send them to us so we can put them here on the Road Warrior Blog!!

Comrex Named Verizon Innovation Center Partner

noreply@blogger.com (Remote ACCESS) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:44:00 +0000

Devens, MA – August 19, 2011 – Comrex Corporation has recently been added to the Verizon Wireless LTE Innovation Center Program. The Innovation Center, located in Waltham, Massachusetts, provides manufacturers of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) solutions with integration support for devices that utilize the Verizon 4G LTE Wireless Network. Comrex, the leading provider of high-quality audio and video codecs for professional broadcast applications says that the partnership has already produced results with new drivers for several Verizon LTE devices incorporated in the latest ACCESS IP Audio Codec firmware.

"The ultimate goal of the ACCESS product is to make wireless connections simple," said Comrex Technical Director, Tom Hartnett. "This partnership allows us direct contact with not only the provider of the best-deployed 4G network in the US, but also a relationship with modem device manufacturers for easier integration. 4G has substantial benefits for our IP audio codecs and will really shine when used with our forthcoming LiveShot IP Video Codec."

Comrex has recently launched a campaign called "4G Simplicity" which provides a plug-and-play experience on Verizon LTE. Customers purchasing ACCESS IP codecs receive hardware pre-programmed with the BRIC Traversal Server and configured to make "one touch" connections over Verizon 4G LTE and other 4G services.

Jesus Cabrera of Verizon Wireless gives Steve Richardson of Comrex a tour of the Verizon Experience Center (but not before they texted and posted to Facebook about it first).

Comrex Corporation, a privately held, employee-owned company, celebrates its 50^th year as a leading innovator in the development and manufacture of professional broadcast equipment used by radio and television broadcasters worldwide. For more information about Comrex products, contact Comrex Corporation: 978-784-1776, e-mail: info@comrex.com or on the web at: www.comrex.com

Colorado Public Radio's first use of ACCESS

noreply@blogger.com (Remote ACCESS) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:44:00 +0000

CPR Puts ACCESS to the Test.

CPR Audio Producer, Dave Fender, posted on our Facebook wall today:

"This is the first interview we conducted with our new ACCESS Portable system. I met Gov. Hickenlooper in his office at the state capitol and used my HTC Thunderbolt phone as a 4G wireless hotspot, connecting to it with the WIFI antenna on the ACCESS."

Apparently, the interview went well because it sounded great to us! Dave also added, "So far, this is one of the best equipment purchases that I've ever made and I'm really looking forward to figuring out different ways to use it."

Thanks Dave and CPR!

CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW

NPR uses ACCESS 2USB and Verizon 4G LTE to help "Fix The National Debt" and follow the President

noreply@blogger.com (Remote ACCESS) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:26:00 +0000

At Comrex, we love happy customers. And these days, Washington, DC-based NPR is one of the happiest! On the April 7th broadcast of the public broadcaster's program, Talk of the Nation, United States Senator Kent Conrad (pictured below) was able to participate in the program live and in full studio quality thanks to NPR producer John Asante who grabbed his ACCESS 2USB and a Verizon 4G LTE card (Pantech's UML290) and set up the gear in the Senator's office at the Hart Senate Office Building.

US Senator Kent Conrad on NPR's Talk of the Nation

Commented Program Producer Scott Cameron to fellow staffers,

"I don’t know how things went behind the scenes, but on the air Sen. Conrad’s connection sounded great! Thank you for the help, and I hope we can make more use of this technology. Especially in cases like this where congress people can’t leave their offices."

LISTEN TO ACCESS 2USB being used on Talk of the Nation

NPR used the same technology combo on its flagship program, All Things Considered. The April 21st broadcast featured a segment with White House Correspondent Ari Shapiro who was literally on the move after President Obama's visit to Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, CA.

LISTEN TO ACCESS 2USB being used on All Things Considered

According to NPR Director of Operations, Charlie Mayer, "A month ago—before LTE—this interview would have been on a cell phone. The listening experience for our audience would not have been so good.

This is a preview of what we can expect from the 2012 election season. The campaign trail is where the mobility of the Comrex ACCESS and the speed of LTE change how we work and the quality of what we put on the air."

Calle Ocho! ACCESS is HOT in Miami!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Remote ACCESS) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:17:00 +0000

ACCESS and the new 4G LTE service have gotten together once again to benefit radio listeners and advertisers. This time in Miami. Comrex customer, George Corso, from Beasley Broadcasting just sent us this note:

"Sunday we used the ACCESS with our Verizon broadband card at Calle Ocho, an outdoor festival that brings over a million folks to 8^th Street in Miami. This year both our CHR station Power 96 and 99.9 KISS Country (“The Gringo Stage”) broadcast all day. We had two stages, 5 blocks apart, and cut-in live several times per hour. We never missed a break. Even with a third of the population of South Florida walking 8^th Street between 12^th Ave and 27^th Ave the Access never let us down!

Thank you,

George Corso, CSRE

Regional Director of Engineering

Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc."

WOR Rules the Air with Comrex ACCESS & Verizon 4G LTE

noreply@blogger.com (Remote ACCESS) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 14:31:00 +0000

New York, NY – January 14, 2011 – WOR-AM successfully broadcast the two hour "Joan Hamburg Show" from the prestigious 21 Club via Comrex ACCESS utilizing the new Verizon 4G LTE wireless data service. The broadcast was originally scheduled to use a POTS codec with a 4G backup, but phone line issues forced a switch to the ACCESS system at the beginning of the broadcast, where it performed flawlessly.

"The skyscraper-lined streets of Manhattan have often presented special challenges for radio remote broadcasts," said Tom Hartnett, Comrex Technical Director, who participated in the test. "ISDN is difficult and expensive to install and 3G signals are notoriously overloaded. The new Verizon 4G service allows ACCESS to deliver incredible quality and low delay in environments that couldn't previously support any wireless remote broadcasts. The 700MHz band used by Verizon LTE provides for superior building penetration."

The WOR technical crew utilized the ACCESS portable codec with the Verizon Pantech UML290 4G adapter attached via USB. Tom Ray, Corporate Director for Engineering at Buckley Broadcasting/WOR said, "We had attempted ACCESS remotes on 3G in NYC before. It simply doesn't work well inside the city. So I was skeptical about using 4G in Manhattan. We were in an area that is notorious for poor cellular calls. But the 4G just - simply - worked. I must say that I'm impressed."

Support for the Verizon UML290 4G modem is included in ACCESS firmware version 2.8, available from the Comrex website at comrex.com

SPH Union Works goes LIVE & LOCAL in Southeast Asia

noreply@blogger.com (Remote ACCESS) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:09:00 +0000

As an early SE Asia adopter of remote broadcast IP codec technology, Singapore’s SPH Union Works has been using the Comrex ACCESS system to great advantage over the last few months. We caught up with the broadcaster’s Director of Marketing, Dawn Lee SY, to see how things were going.

Why did SPH Radio invest in Comrex IP codec systems at this time?

SPH: Needless to say, all broadcasters are interested in fresh programming concepts. At SPH, we decided to add smart, mobile entertainment to our existing mix. We were especially interested in doing remote broadcasts from our many sponsor locations. We sought to liberate our DJs from the studio and get them out into the field. That would put the DJs in direct contact with the listeners and promote viral excitement for the shows while allowing us to target programming and advertising geographically.

To accomplish this, we needed an easy-to-use, totally mobile remote transmitting solution that provided crystal clear audio. After looking at everything available, we found the Comrex ACCESS system to be ideal for our needs.

Can you describe the benefits of this approach for your listeners?

SPH: This approach and technology brings Radio closer to the listeners allowing them to see our DJs in a cool, fresh, sexy way. Listeners get to see their favorite Radio personalities at work. This creates a terrific rapport between the talent, the listeners and the local advertisers. It’s been a game-changing strategy for us.

Can you give us some examples of your remote broadcasting strategy at work?

SPH: Sure, let’s begin with our first Comrex remote… A famous SE Asian snack food chain, Old Chang Kee (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Chang_Kee) wanted to reinforce their brand and build awareness of their latest F&B concept, "The Mushroom Café." A special weekend was planned for a "Healthy Morning Walk-About" at Mac Ritchie Reservoir where they catered to more than 150 people. Armed with their Comrex ACCESS Portables, our DJs Jianwen, Ah Dong, Xinying and Kemin, were walking with the participants as they did ‘live talk’ sets while allowing walkers to share their actual experience, on air, as it happened.

Next, we were invited by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to do a remote broadcast highlighting the Hong Kong Winter Fest 2010. Two of our DJs, Jianwen and Limei, flew to Hong Kong with an ACCESS Portable to do a special, four-hour remote segment. The DJs toured Hong Kong's iconic attractions while sharing their experiences and comments with our Singapore listeners. In that single effort, live broadcast was actually conducted at The Peak, Lam Kwai Fong, Central and Causeway Bay. Such a time-line was simply not possible with our previous OB equipment. The entire trip was also photographed so listeners could savor the Hong Kong spirit via our website and Facebook page on their computers or mobile devices.

Last month, our Radio 1003 was invited to visit a local museum by Singapore’s National Heritage Board as part of their 'I Love Museums' Campaign. With an objective to let Singaporeans see Museums in a ‘fun and different light,’ they got our DJs to wear a different hat and act as tour guides for that day. We used the ACCESS Portable for this project, where our DJs Kemin and Ah Dong did ‘live talk’ sets as they toured the museum – interacting with visitors and sharing their ‘observations’ to enhance the museum experience with our listeners. The event was also photographed and fed live to Facebook to incorporate listener comments into the program.

One final application I have to share is the broadcast for the Top Korean “boy band” – Super Junior Concert. Our Radio 1003 was the official radio station for the concert and -- as this was a highly popular group -- quite a number of media companies came to cover the event. The organizers for the event were ‘thrilled’ when we introduced a live mobile studio concept via our Comrex ACCESS system. This allowed real time updates to ‘KPOP’ fans instead of a delayed news update the next day. Our DJ, Ken, was also able to share the actual happenings on the ground, such as reporting crazy ticket queues. Comrex ACCESS helped us to stir up real time excitement due to easy, high quality local transmissions.

BBC World Service uses ACCESS for Commonwealth Games

noreply@blogger.com (Remote ACCESS) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 14:21:00 +0000

According to the Jeff Brown from the BBC's World Service, having a Comrex ACCESS at the recent Commonweath Games, in Delhi, India was a great asset. Jeff sent us these photos and comments:

"First transmission for BBC World Service's Sports World at The Commonwealth Games, Delhi. Poolside at the Lalit. BGAN [had some technical difficulties with the ISDN service] before we went on air so we did 40 minutes on the Comrex with a Tata Photon 3G stick Worked a treat and saved the transmission!"

"The Comrex ACCESS (attached to 3G) is set up as the backup here. When it works, the BGAN is OK, but we've had a few instances here of it dropping off, so 3G is the next option. We're using Comrex's to report from venues where there are no ISDN's available and they are getting the thumbs up from our reporters..."

"This is BBC World Service's Sports News reporter, Alex Capstick, reporting live from outside the JN stadium, prior to to the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games."

You can connect to the World Service's Sports World page at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/sport/2009/03/000000_sportsworld.shtml

Radio New Zealand uses ARC for "Grab and Go" Reporting

noreply@blogger.com (Remote ACCESS) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:52:00 +0000

Radio New Zealand, the country's public broadcaster, has been putting the Comrex ACCESS Reporter Codec, or ARC, through its paces as it has been giving it a trial run using some recently acquired Motorola Milestone Android-based smartphones. ARC had been used successfully in a couple of big stories recently... the aftermath of an earthquake and snow storm.

Here is a sample of one of the broadcasts using ARC:

http://www.comrex.com/downloads/audio/pool-19800101-1200-ARC_1-128.mp3

Radio New Zealand's web site can be found at: http://www.radionz.co.nz

98.1 WOGL/Philly puts ACCESS to work for Children's Hospital

noreply@blogger.com (Remote ACCESS) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:12:00 +0000

Longtime Comrex user and our good friend Tom MacDonald sent us this email this morning. What a GREAT way to start off a work week!

"I was doing a telethon for Children's Hospital in Philadelphia for WOGL-FM using ISDN when we heard the story of a 14 year-old boy who was finally going to get a heart transplant. The producer on the scene wanted to go outside the operating room to talk to the parents. The first thing suggested was to pull out a cell phone. I wanted audio quality, so I suggested the ACCESS, since the hospital had an open WI-FI system available everywhere. A quick check of the battery, grab a microphone and run to the operating room with the talent. The unit connected seamlessly and worked without a dropout as we found out the young boy's new heart was beating. We were there to tell the story, and it was crystal clear thanks to Comrex and the AAC-ELD setting. The producer was amazed, I was happy, but I knew all the time with the portability and battery power of the Comrex ACCESS we were going to get the job done. It was amazing, using the hospital Wi-Fi...the producer called it a game-changer for this type of remote...next year they want to go to the different wards of the hospital and interview children who can't come to our remote in the lobby."

Tom MacDonald

TRM Corp.

The 98.1 WOGL Loves Our Kids Radiothon raised $475,030 this past weekend for The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. You can read, see and hear more at: http://wogl.radio.com/98-1-wogl-loves-our-kids-radiothon/

Also at: http://giving.chop.edu/site/PageServer