Plymouth Meeting, PA. Techni-Tool has released a tool kit designed specifically for broadcast engineers. The Techni-Tool 8440 Broadcast Engineers’ Kit is a complete 80-piece tool kit packaged in a molded polyethylene case, with a patented comfort handle, interior partitions for test gear, recessed locks and two tool pallets in a molded black poly shell.

The set contains a full selection of pliers, nutdrivers, balldrivers, screwdrivers, strippers, files, hex keys, and lots more. Various optional items such as crimp tools, meters, and an ESD field service kit are available to customize the kit for specific applications. The kit is priced at $385 (US), and the case is available separately for $135 (US). The case is 18″L x 13″W x 6″D.

Vancouver, Canada. Warner Music Canada and Atlantic Records (NY) recently teamed up with Digital Courier International (DCI) to release the first single from Phil Collins’ latest album to radio stations.

“Dance Into The Light” went to 38 radio stations in five time zones across Canada simultaneously at 8:00 am local time, over the DCI network. The stations received the release on DCI-supplied terminals via regular phone lines or ISDN. Using DCI, stations had the option of loading it into their digital automation systems or playing the song directly to air.

Warner Music Canada was delighted with the speed and quality of delivery. “Normally, we’d get the single out to stations on tape, via normal courier service,” commented Melody Sieger, National Promotions Assistant at Warner. “But we weren’t scheduled to even receive the product until nearly a week after its U.S. release. We had to scramble to get it to the stations as quickly as possible and DCI was the quickest way.”

DCI delivers full CD quality audio, as well as text and data, to radio stations across North America. Typical content carried on the network includes commercials, interviews, short form programming, and pre-recorded live performances, as well as data such as traffic instructions. “Dance Into The Light” marks the third single delivered over DCI, and the second by a major label in Canada.

DCI offers three grades of service: one-hour delivery, four-hour delivery, and overnight service. It solves problems of reliability, speed of delivery, and convenience, associated with the usual methods of shipping tape.

The network was introduced across North America one year ago, and it already boasts 3500 recipients, including 90% of target radio stations across Canada. DCI says that its network will be particularly appealing to U.S. operations in light of Telecommunications Act of 1996, which is leading to a wholesale consolidation of radio broadcast operations into large multiple-station organizations. Other users include duplication companies and production studios.

The system is built around DCI’s proprietary audio compression technology, a lossless scheme that provides a 6-to-1 compression ratio. DCI provides terminals (hardware and software) to recipient radio outlets at no cost. The service is paid for by content providers who send material over the network.

“I thought the service was wonderful. Everybody got [the single] it at the same time, and I didn’t have to worry about a thing,” said Warner’s Sieger. “I’d definitely like to use DCI again!”