Tieline Codecs Create The First Mobile Radio Studio For CNV In The Netherlands

This year 'Prinsjesdag' not only marked the opening of the new parliamentary year, it was also the day that René Paas, Chairman of the CNV (Christian Trade Union), used his company car as a mobile radio studio for the first time.
Using a Tieline Commander G3 codec fitted with a 3G module, Paas was able to deliver FM quality live news broadcast contributions "from the back seat" of his moving vehicle.
According to Jos Stuart, Head of Communication at CNV, Paas is "more often than not on the road than in Utrecht". In the past, Paas has been forced to use a mobile ISDN set to dial into the CNV radio studio in Utrecht for broadcasts. This often led to missed radio interviews because "he was either stuck in a traffic jam or didn't have an ISDN line at his disposal. The GSM network is an alternative, but certainly doesn't improve the sound quality," Stuart said. When the opportunity to use wireless broadband 3G data via the cell-phone network became available, Paas was able to deliver studio quality audio while on the move.
The CNV was also keen to improve its services to news and current affairs programmes, so the union invested in a set of Tieline codecs that solved all their problems in one go.
Stuart said: "Speed is of the essence. The codec has been configured in such a way that René presses 2 buttons and within seconds the codec opens a live, high quality bi-directional programme connection from his car, or any other location, to the NOB Master Control Room. NOB acts as the switching point to all the publix radio stations based in Hilversum. As soon as BNR (Business News Radio) and other radio stations have installed the same equipment, we can improve services to them as well."
The CNV's Commander G3 codec uses a Tieline 3G module that connects over the high-speed 3.5G HSDPA mobile network. The low delay has made it perfect for live interviews and as digital technology is being used, the sound quality is so good that listeners often forget that the interviewee is not in the studio. Only the background noise is a possible clue as to their location.
Tieline Technology is a leading supplier of high-quality remote broadcast digital audio codecs. Further information is available at: www.tieline.com.
(KMcA)