Revisiting the choice: ISDN or Source Connect?

[Resonater]

It's been a few months since we've had a thread on this topic. So, who's using what and liking it?

If you're using Source Connect, is there any way to connect with an ISDN studio? Or can you only connect with other studios using Source Connect?

I know that ISDN is a kind-of-major investment, but Source Connect, at least the "Pro" packages are $1500-$2000. Is everyone out there using one of the Pro packs or just the $350.00 entry-level? I'm hoping to do some ADR work and I'm not sure which I should get...Source Connect or ISDN?

I'm on a PTHD systems, PPC G5 Dual 2.0, 7.4.cs7, OSX 10.4.11.

Any suggestions, comments, etc will be greatly appreciated!

[minister]

Maybe this thread helps?

ISDN into PT - Digi User Conference

My research shows that Source Connect is as reliable as ISDN. But many use it with success.

[celticrogues]

We usually use ISDN at the ADR studio I work at - its more expensive but more reliable overall. We had a client recently who wanted to use Source Connect to save money and had an absolutely miserable couple of sessions before they were convinced to just go with the ISDN. The dropouts and glitches over Source Connect just stalled the sessions too much for either the actor or the producers to feel conformable.

Cheers!
-Mike

[RecRoom]

As far as connecting Source Connect and ISDN, I'm sure companies like ednet could do that for you, but why would you? Seems like you're just asking for trouble.

[Rick Sanchez]

Ednet does have the ability to bridge between source-connect and any ISDN codec, though the bridging fee often will negate the cost savings of source-connect vs ISDN.

I still use ISDN most of the time, even though I hate the sound of it. I'd be out of business without it. Way of the world.

The idea of source connect is great and the new feature where you can record the clips compressed for speed during the session and then retrieve the 48k .wav or AIF. to replace them after the session. If you have a T1 or higher line, Source Connect seems to be fairly stable. It's not quite up to the reliability of ISDN, but the potential is there.

[Sonsey@mac.com]

The big issue with Source Connect has been in running it UNDER TDM... As an RTAS plug-in there are problems with the constant real-time running under HD causing the plug-in to stop responding...which during a remote session is a PAIN to put it mildly. This is a known bug, you can reference it on their website.

Since our need for ISDN connects don't warrant the cost of installation (we do maybe four to six a year), our solution was to simply use a laptop running LE for the Source Connect (which we already had) bridged through Ednet or Digifon. This is attached just as a normal ISDN box would be to our main PT rig. This option has proven completely stable for us even under DSL, even running TC. However the cost of bridging is quite steep. If you're doing more than one a month, it's probably worth it to actually GET a dedicated line.

[Frank S.]

We use ISDN daily and I've only worked with one voice talent that used Source Connect. I have to say it was VERY frustrating because there was a wicked delay. He was bridged through someone like ednet to connect to our Zephyr and the delay had to have been at least 1.5 seconds if not 2. Very frustrating.

[Resonater]

Guys, thanks to everyone for their posts. So, it seems as though ISDN is really the most robust format at this point.

Having said that, does anyone have suggestions as to which ISDN box to get? Are their favorites or are they pretty much all the same? Of course, I'd be checking eBay as well to see if I could pick up one second hand. But any suggestions as to make/model?

Thanks in advance!

[Rick Sanchez]

From what I've found the Telos Zephyr seems to be the standard in the US and the APT is more common in Canada and Europe.

Ednet can bridge between the two if needed.

[Frank S.]

We have both Telos Zephyr and APT boxes here. It seems that we tend to do more ISDNs with facilities (post houses, recording studios, etc.) using the APT and more with voice talents (working from home) using the Zephyr.

[Yappydog]

Awhile back I did a session using SC bridging to a studio in LA using ISDN and it went flawlessly the next time was anything but. I've since put my faith in ISDN keeping Source Connect as a backup.

Cheers!