Vortex Sells 500th Industry-standard Comrex ACCESS-IP

Vortex has recently supplied its 500th Comrex ACCESS-IP Audio Codec - the industry-standard for Live Outside Broadcast, News and Sport - with more than 50 being supplied so far this year alone.
The ACCESS sends live - very low-delay - full-broadcast stereo audio over an IP connection including contended networks such as the public internet. It can connect using 3G, WiFi, DSL and Satellite and uses ultra-low nitrate algorithms to demand little of the IP connection.
Powerful forward error-correction and error masking means that it can still produce clear, glitch-free audio even when packet loss reaches 10% and above. BRUTE - broadcast Reliable UDP Transmission Enhancement - comes as standard and provides additional stability and congestion avoidance for situations where internet connectivity is marginal. It also works over a standard PSTN/POTS telephone line still providing 15kHz stereo audio with very low-delay.
Firewall and Port-Forwarding issues often make IP connections less straightforward than dialling on ISDN or PSTN number and the BRIC-TS Traversal Server is a further enhancement that provides straightforward operation of ACCESS codecs, especially for non-technical users. The Traversal Server sits on the internet and ACCESS codes log-on automatically letting all users in that customer's account see all their other active codecs and connect to them. It is even possible to connect back to a codec that is using 3G and behind the Network's own firewall.
To further help with 3G Connectivity, especially in marginal areas, the new Vortex V3X Intelligent 3G Booster uses patented antenna technology to provide a stable connection event when the nearest 3G cell is more than 10km distant.
It scans available cells and tests to find the best data throughput and lock onto that cell, using the other antennae for error correction. Like a super mi-fi it has a cabled or n-WiFi connection to the codec, making the ACCESS useful in places where even mobile phones cannot operate on 3G.
Vortex Communications has imported Comrex products to Europe for more than 20 years and has been in the forefront of audio coding technology for broadcast, first using ISDN, then PSTN/POTS and now using IP. At NAB in April, Comrex - celebrating its 50th year - will be introducing its new Video Codec specifically designed for News, Sport and Outside Broadcast using 3G, 4G and other mobile connection technologies.
(KMcA)