Comrex Connect LTE Modems

USB modems are by far the simplest way to do audio and video remotes over LTE. But they are becoming less available, and their form factor generally isn't "pro-grade". So we're introducing our solution, the Comrex Connect Modem.

There are actually three versions, thanks to all the intricacies (both technical and political) of interworking with multiple LTE providers. One version works on Verizon, one on AT&T, and the other on most non-US networks.

Connects come with nifty mounting solutions designed for our LiveShot and ACCESS portable codecs. They have high-gain adjustable antennae to help in fringe areas. Just add a full-size, subscribed SIM and you're ready to go. Contact your friendly dealer or Comrex sales at sales@comrex.com for more info.

Introducing Fleet Commander

Do you have a "farm" of Comrex audio IP codecs? Do you want a slick, unified interface where you can control all of them? Fleet Commander is that. It's a new Windows application that offers full configuration and control of up to (tbd)* codecs simultaneously.

Fleet Commander also has some unique functions, like the ability to copy custom connections and profiles between codecs.

Fleet Commander has a cost, but we're offering a limited number of free licenses to beta testers. You'll need to qualify as a beta tester by having over three ACCESS or BRIC-Link codecs, and a need to use a unified control app. In other words, we want beta testers who need, will use and provide feedback on Fleet Commander. Drop a note to techies@comrex.com to see if you qualify.
* unlimited based on your computer and network

ACCESS/BRIC-Link 4.0 beta testing

If you're a "cutting edge" type of audio IP codec user, you can now give our 4.0 firmware a spin. It includes the CrossLock VPN reliability layer, which enables the use of multiple networks on a single codec. It also includes support for the U620L modem from Verizon.

4.0 works on all ACCESS Racks, BRIC-Links, and BRIC-Link IIs. It also works on most ACCESS Portable 2USB modems (without the card slot) but you'll need to check with Comrex support to make sure your hardware qualifies.

Verizon's new 4G modem

The modem situation on Verizon's 4G network has not been pretty for the last months. But Big Red has finally introduced a new 4G modem that covers their entire spectrum, deployed and "yet-to-be". It's the U620L and it replaces the "a lot to be desired" 551L modem. It came out in mid-July and we've already integrated support in our ACCESS and LiveShot firmware. LiveShot beta firmware is available now, and ACCESS support is coming in 4.0

Allow me a line or two to whine about USB modems. This is Verizon's fourth-gen 4G modem. So far each modem has used an entirely different software interface, (requiring a firmware update)and a different SIM card size (the U620L uses the Apple-style nano SIM).

Keep making it easy on us Verizon, we love you!

CrossLock is coming to ACCESS/BRIC-Link

We'll be cutting a beta-level release of new audio codec firmware in a couple of weeks.  It will be all about reliability.

As you many have noticed, we've been toiling hard the last few years in the video segment.  It's a lot harder to move video over 3G/4G networks than audio, since it's 10-20 times the digital bandwidth for HD video. So this required that we take a look at how we can stabilize a poor data channel even further. It also required the ability to aggregate multiple IP networks for increased bandwidth.

What we came up with for video was coined "CrossLock". Essentially it's entirely new VPN layer that gets established between your hardware devices. It has all new error correction facilities (including both FEC and ARQ styles) throttling, and the ability to use multiple networks on each end of the link. It's the "killer app" for IP reliability and it's time to deliver it to audio codec users in firmware 4.0

Watch this space for firmware 4.0 release before Sept 1.

Are Robo-calls tying up your IP codecs?

Many ACCESS and BRIC-Link users set their codecs to accept incoming SIP calls, which is required for the the system to be compatible with apps like LinPhone and WebRTC. But a side effect of opening these ports is that they will also answer calls from other SIP-based sources.

We are finding an increasing number of SIP-based "probes" or robo-callers, attempting to make connections with random IP addresses. When one of these hits your codec, it will attempt to answer the call. This typically results in a "hang" condition of the codec until the bad-call timer runs out, defaulted at 60 seconds. This is annoying but not usually a major concern.

Until recently, when we've started seeing a persistence of these dialers to hang on to a codec. When the codec disconnects, the dialer reconnects, resulting in a Denial-of-Service like condition. The user generally needs to reboot his system (maybe a couple of times) for the call to completely clear.

So we took a look at the incoming parameters of these calls to see if there was some way to reject them out-of-hand. And we found a series of "user agents" (the name of the software used to make the call) that were common among these calls.

We now have a beta-level version of firmware for ACCESS and BRIC-Link that adds a "blacklist" which defaults to the three most common user agents we have found in these dialers.  The list can be expanded by the user. If you're experiencing incoming SIP calls on your codecs that tie up your system, ask our support department about an upgrade.  You can reach them at techies@comrex.com.

Edit 3/17/15: Firmware 3.0p6, available at our support page for all models, has this fix. And our UML295s are in stock.

USB modem situation worsens on Verizon

It seems LTE USB modems are going the way of the Dodo bird and ISDN lines fast.  Verizon recently killed off it's line of Pantech modems, and the remaining one, the Novatel USB551L has a lot to be desired (see reviews from the Verizon site on left).

This is even more so on versions recently purchased from Verizon. We got some troubling reports, and got our hands on a sample.  This modem works fine on a computer, but there's a fundamental hardware timing issue that makes it unable to associate with our ACCESS codecs. It doesn't look like there's any work-around, either. So don't buy these.

We will be announcing a long-term solution to the USB modem issue next month at NAB. Until that solution is in place, we'll be stocking the Pantech UML295 (yes, we got a hold of a limited supply) for sale. This is the only USB modem that can take advantage of all of Verizon's LTE bands. And is hands down the best USB solution we have seen so far. Contact our sales department for more info.

Oh and don't forget the idea of using the ACCESS Wifi modem in conjunction with a hotspot device on Verizon! This lets you share your 4G with a computer in the field.