Lee Eichelberger - Clear Channel Communications, Idaho

Compares the "Scoop" GSM to the Marti

Before testing the demo gear on a "real" remote broadcast, I set up the units here in our studio building. We were testing two specs, delay and perceived audio quality. Our ops manager had talked to "some" sales person (your gear or some one else's gear?) who said cell phone codecs had no delay. I was sure that was not the case and was able to demonstrate the delay. The manager's initial reaction to the audio quality was less than enthusiastic. It was not as "good" as Marti audio.

We used the demo equipment for about half a dozen remotes last Wednesday through this past weekend. After listening to the remote broadcasts on the air, the Ops manager's evaluation was much more favorable. Though not as clear as a good Marti remote, the cell codec audio was much better than cell phone audio. Cell phones were, in the past, used for several remotes where there was no reasonable Marti line-of-sight shot. The Scoop setup was rated by those that set up the remotes as very easy and the setup was much more professional looking than remote broadcasts done just on a cell phone.

Bottom line, we are sold. We will purchase at least one transmit/receive pair in the near future. Since our Boise stations are Clear Channel, we will use Clear Channel purchase procedures and pricing will be a major factor in comparing brands and vendors.

Thank you for the hands on use of your demo equipment.
Lee Eichelberger
DOE Idaho
Clear Channel Radio