Topics relating to wideband telephony, aka. HDVoice or HDComms
Over the past week I've been making use of a new headset, the Plantronics Savi Office W430. While I've been very happy with the performance of the Savi Go, which has graced my desk for the past year, I thought…
A few times I’ve seen people complaining about unacceptably low volume being provided by one of the Gigaset handsets. Most recently this was being said about the S67H handset, but I can recall a similar complaint about the A58H as well. We don’t feel that the handsets we’ve used have a problem in this area.
However, when the complaint occurs more than once it makes me think that perhaps a little investigation is worthwhile. Could this be production variance in the handsets? Is there a difference between the various models of handsets? How do they compare to the output of some respected desktop phones?
So the past two weekends I set about a little informal testing.
It appears that HDVoice is making considerable strides in the UK. Orange recently launched HDVoice calling for their mobile users, offering a selection of three HD-capable (AMR-WB) handsets from Nokia. The HDVoice section of their web site highlights the difference…
I’ve said many times that I would never buy and iPhone. Well, true to my word…I didn’t….yet one graces my desk anyway. A co-worker gave me his older 3G after he upgraded his family to a set of shiny new iPhone 4s. Call it an effort at recycling.
In truth I have no interest in the iPhone as a cell phone, but I look forward to having an iOS platform on which to try some of the more interesting apps that have been offered. With its built-in microphone the iPhone 3G is, for me, a better option than an iPod touch.
Some would say that HDVoice is my major passion. I’m not sure that this is true, but I will admit that I grow increasingly dissatisfied with the quality of PSTN audio I encounter in the course of life.
I am especially aggravated by radio & TV stations that use the PSTN to pass production audio. It’s as if they simply don’t care about the technical quality of their broadcast. Why not just give every reporter an old Sony Walkman style cassette recorder? That would actually sound better than a phone call in many cases.
I accept that for call-in style radio shows the PSTN is still the primary means of connecting to the audience, and many people will use cell phones as a matter of convenience. Given these facts audio quality is going to be variable…never great…and often very bad indeed. However, for cases where there is a reporter the field, or passing audio between remote studios, there are much better options.
Last month a reader question prompted a short investigation of how you might leverage wideband (HDVoice) telephony in support of a podcast or online radio show.
This past week I was tasked with working a booth at the Texas Association of Broadcasters annual convention and exhibition in Austin. While at the show I stumbled upon Tieline Technology, a company that makes IP-based wideband audio connective gear for radio & TV stations.
Friend and VUC sponsor E4 Technologies yesterday announced a promotion on the HDVoice capable Polycom SoundPoint IP335 desk phone. Normally offered at $138.95 they are selling them for a mere $118 each when you checkout using the promo code VUC335.…