Why We Like Tieline
In a nutshell: Because they work. In the last week we had one day, last Sunday, three live broadcasts or some feed via Tieline. One was our weekly show utilizing a POTS connection, one was an extended broadcast utilizing IP through a resort, and one was feeds from a concert utilizing IP via Verizon 4G modem. Meanwhile a fourth unit was in Mexico ready for a week of morning show broadcasts utilizing IP. Needless to say everything worked just fine with minimal issues.
If that was not enough, we helped a fellow broadcaster stay on the air while tower work occurred at their site. We provided our Aux site for use and we used a Tieline to provide audio from their studios to ours via IP. Once again, all worked just fine.
If you have not noticed, and you have read the trades, audio delivery via IP is our number one choice. We prepared for and accepted the Internet as a viable option, even international. Latency has not been an issue. Quality is quite acceptable and actually superior. The one caveat is the occasional data hit. This is kept to a minimum with the right combination of data rate and error correction. Of the worst offenders was the resort hotel right in our backyard. Our experience is they have minimal bandwidth shared with many guests. The kicker is the broadcast from Cabo had less errors than the local resort!
The ease of use and the flexibility of the Tielines keep us on top of our live broadcasts. We are sticklers on quality. We like to tinker with the latest (4G). We are successful because of it. Our oldest Tieline iMix-3G is coming up to at least 5 or 6 years old now. We work them hard, and we will be working them harder.
Tech Notes from the Field 
Bill, Are you using the USB Module with your iMix G3? We are experiencing problems with our Tielines We just purchased a new iMixG3 with a USB module. And can’t get the tielline to recognize the the Verizon 4g air card. We have spent hours with tieline support trying to get it resolved with no luck. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
-Camden
Wow, I was typing this out and, bam, it was gone. Starting over…..
Camden, we have never used the USB module. We progressed so quickly that we never took that path. We use Cradlepoint routers with the Verizon Pantech ULM290 or 295 USB modems. This combination worked out well for us. Which “air card” are you using? We have found in the past that some just do not work well. I suggest obtaining the Pantech. If the Tieline does not recognize the modem, it may be an odd compatibility thing. Not all are created equal.
As for troubleshooting, there is not much that can be done except doing swaps. Try a different USB device. Try, if they loan you one, a different USB module. Known good devices make it easier. Also, and a routine you should do, is plug the USB modem into a computer and run it on that. Wireless networks are constantly changing/upgrading services and they push out updates and information to the modem. This includes firmware updates. You will not get these updates if connected to the USB module. Also connecting it to a computer insures that the modem is authorized and active.
Other than that, without more information on the USB module, there isn’t much I can think of at this time. The swapping of parts will quickly show where the issue is. Also remember that when updating the Tieline firmware on a codec that they recommend removing the USB module first, run the update, and then reinstall the module.
If you get any more information, please pass it along. I will think more of this and get back to you if I have any bright ideas.
Bill