
Tech Focus: Bodypacks, Part 2 - Wireless Transmitters Are Smaller Than Ever, More Flexible Leading models come with a variety of features and functions By Dan Daley, Audio Editor
Wednesday, January 5, 2022 - 12:10 pm
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
Increasingly essential to audio capture for broadcast sports, wireless bodypack transmitters are small, light, flexible, and powerful. Here's a look at some current leading models.
Click here for Tech Focus: Bodypacks, Part 1 - Wireless Transmitters Reflect RF-Industry Challenges.
Audio-Technica The ATW-T5201 bodypack transmitter features a rugged, ergonomic metal body, highly visible OLED screen, power/mute indicator LED, soft-touch controls, 80-Hz high-pass filter, and programmable function button that can be set to switch to a backup frequency or mute the transmitter. The transmitter is available in two frequency ranges - DE1 (470-590 MHz) and EF2 (580-608 MHz, 653-663 MHz) - to provide complete coverage of the receiver's bandwidth. It has a cH-style screw-down 4-pin connector and supplies 5 V DC bias to power condenser microphones. Switchable RF power provides seven hours of battery (two AA alkaline) life in the high (50-mW) setting, nine hours in the mid (10-mW) setting, and 10.5 hours in the low (2-mW) setting. The ATW-T5201 includes a field-replaceable whip antenna and a protective carrying case. www.audio-technica.com/
Electro-Voice RE3-BPT
Electro-Voice The RE3-BPT compact, lightweight UHF bodypack transmitter accepts a wide variety of input devices. The all-metal body is robust and durable and operates on two AA alkaline or rechargeable NiMH cells. An ultrasonic sync function enables simple system setup by syncing the transmitter to the receiver-frequency tuning and other functional data. The selectable output power (band-specific) assists in overcoming the challenges of both long and short transmission ranges. The tuning bandwidth affords generous frequency-tuning options, helping to avoid various sources of possible interference. A magnetic sliding latch-and-lock mechanism keeps the battery door closed securely and eases opening to access the batteries. Recharging contacts provide for functional use with the optional BC2 charging station, allowing the NiMH rechargeable cells within two bodypack transmitters to be charged without removal. www.electrovoice.com/
Lectrosonics DBSM (single AA) and DBSMD (dual AA) digital encrypted beltpack transmitters feature AES 256-bit CTR encryption with four key policies, including shared key, which is specifically designed for sports-broadcast applications. The DBSM and DBSMD offer wideband tuning (470-608 MHz for U.S., 470-614 MHz for export), a highly linear RF-output stage for reduced intermodulation distortion, and 10, 25, and 50 mW RF power settings for a wide variety of applications from broadcast studios to the playing field. A special super-narrow HDM (high-density mode) transmission option allows packing more than 24 channels per 6-MHz TV channel without the need for frequency coordination. The DBSM and DBSMD feature 24-bit/48-kHz digital audio for pristine sound quality, and the extremely compact, all-metal casings are well-sealed from sweat and dust. Each unit has a microSD card slot and can be configured as transmitter or recorder. The DBSM and DBSMD also feature IR sync for quick setup and can also be configured via RM remote commands, compatible with the Lectro RM and PDR Remote smartphone apps, for hands-free setting changes.
Lectrosonics DBSM
The SSM (Super Slight Micro) digital hybrid wireless micro transmitter weighs only 2.3 oz. with battery, tunes across 76.8 MHz or three standard Lectrosonics frequency blocks, features power settings at 25 mW or 50 mW RF power, and runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It measures 2.52 x 1.48 x 0.57 in. The SSM responds to RM remote commands, compatible with the Lectro RM smartphone app. Frequency bands offered are A1 (470-537 MHz), B1 (537-614 MHz), C1 (614-691 MHz, export only).
The SMWB (single AA) and SMDWB (dual AA) transmitters can be configured as either transmitter or recorder, with files stored on microSD-card memory in the industry-standard Broadcast Wave (.wav) format at 24 bits. The units tune across 76.8 MHz or three standard Lectrosonics frequency blocks and come in several frequency ranges. RF power for these models is selectable at 100, 50, or 25 mW. The SMWB and SMDWB feature the standard TA5 connector with servo-bias mic input also found on all previous SM Series units and all current TA5 beltpack units. The microSD memory card can also be used to update firmware in the field. These transmitters also feature IR sync for quick setup and can also be configured via RM remote commands, compatible with the Lectro RM and PDR Remote smartphone apps, for hands-free setting changes.
The WM is a fully water-resistant transmitter with a membrane keypad and a specially designed machined-aluminium housing. It offers 1,024 frequencies in 25-kHz steps and is available in nine frequency blocks, each covering a 25.6-MHz bandwidth. Features include selectable RF power at 50, 100, and 250 mW; dual bi-color modulation LEDs for accurate gain adjustment; and a backlit LCD for ease of use. Two AA batteries power the WM, with internal switching power supplies providing constant voltages to the transmitter circuits from the beginning (1.5 V) to the end (0.85 V) of battery life. The WM responds to RM remote commands, compatible with the Lectro RM smartphone app, for hands-free setting changes. www.lectrosonics.com/
Q5X
Q5X QT-AD10
Developed in collaboration with Shure, the newest additions to the Q5X family of QT-AD10 Axient Digital transmitters offer Q5X's safe, small, and rugged form factors and Shure's market-leading Axient Digital technology, which adds encryption and improved spectrum eff
More from Sports Video Group
16/05/2022
LaLiga and Mediapro achieve massive viewing figures for first live TikTok broadc...
16/05/2022
Getting the balance right: The inside track on the eSkootr Championship By George Bevir
Friday, May 13, 2022 - 10:03
Print This Story
The first stage of t...
16/05/2022
NAB 2022 Perspectives: Puget Systems Matt Bach and Eric Brown on Optimizing Virt...
16/05/2022
USFL Mixers for Fox, NBC Find Their Rhythm on a Profusion of Audio Sources Players, coaches, coordinators, and officials are miked By Dan Daley, Audio Editor
...
13/05/2022
NAB 2022 Perspectives: Cobalt Digitals Suzana Brady on Foreseeing the Challenges...
13/05/2022
BT Group forms a new premium sports joint venture with Warner Bros. Discovery an...
13/05/2022
SVG Returns to Sydney for SVG Australia Summit on June 1 Register now to attend event at Telstra Customer Insight Centre in Sydney By SVG Staff
Friday, May 1...
13/05/2022
NAB 2022 Perspectives: Vizrt CTO Gerhard Lang on the Future of Adaptive Graphics...
13/05/2022
Families in Recovery: Susan Ford on Her Mother's Legacy and the Founding of ...
12/05/2022
NAB 2022 Perspectives: Crown Castles Anush Sarabakhsh on Powering Connectivity W...
12/05/2022
NAB 2022 Perspectives: Edgecast's Ariff Sidi on Interactive Live-Streaming E...
12/05/2022
SVG Sit-Down: Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley on ATSC 3.0, HDR Sports, Bally Sports D...
11/05/2022
SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: APM Music's Max Crutchfield on the Impact of High...
11/05/2022
Heavy audio presence: Audio-Technica takes the MotoGP challenge onboard at Jerez By Michael Burns
Tuesday, May 10, 2022 - 10:01
Print This Story
At MotoGP...
11/05/2022
Live from Jerez: Dorna and Audio Technica sounding ready for another MotoGP in the Spanish sun By Michael Burns
Friday, April 29, 2022 - 09:47
Print This S...
11/05/2022
Tech Focus: Production Music, Part 2 - What's Happening in Libraries Choices in genres, tunes, and cues are proliferating By Dan Daley, Audio Editor
Wed...
11/05/2022
Tech Focus: Production Music, Part 1 - Sports Is Big Part of the Industry's ...
10/05/2022
Warner Bros. Discovery brings a world feed production in-house for the first tim...
10/05/2022
Speedway Grand Prix data and innovations placed in the hands of fans in Warner B...
10/05/2022
NAB 2022 Perspectives: Telemetrics Michael Cuomo Provides Update to Companys Rob...
10/05/2022
NAB 2022 Perspectives: Genius Sports' Michael Connell Offers Look at Award-W...
10/05/2022
SVG Sit-Down: House of Highlights' Sam Gilbert on the Live Strategy Behind t...
10/05/2022
NBC Officially Names Rob Hyland as Coordinating Producer of Sunday Night Footbal...
09/05/2022
SVG College Summit 2022: To Stay in SVG's Hotel Block at Special Room Rate, ...
09/05/2022
EMG Italy produces 20th edition of Milan Marathon for RCS Sport By Roberto Landini, Italian Correspondent
Thursday, May 5, 2022 - 14:37
Print This Story
T...
09/05/2022
NAB Show 2022: AT&T Global Video Solutions Scott Beckett Tours the Companys New ...
09/05/2022
SVG On Demand: Behind the Scenes of MLB Network's Revamped Studio 3, New Stu...
06/05/2022
Silicon Valley Video Schedules What Did You See at NAB? Debrief on May 26 By SVG Staff
Friday, May 6, 2022 - 8:15 am
Print This Story | Subscribe
Stor...
06/05/2022
ESPN Adds University of Oklahoma's SoonerVision Content to Streaming Portfo...
06/05/2022
NAB Show 2022: MediaPros M rio Sousa Dissects the Tools Empowering Content Creat...
06/05/2022
WNBA 2022 Preview: ESPN Elevates League's Continued Growth With High-Profile...
06/05/2022
NBC Returns to Baseball as MLB Sunday Leadoff Streaming Package Debuts on Peacoc...
06/05/2022
As Lindsay Schanzer Makes Kentucky Derby History at Front Bench, NBC Sports Welc...
05/05/2022
Turner Sports Takes to Stanley Cup Playoffs Ice for the First Time TBS and TNT will carry up to 28 first-round games, including 16 in five days beginning Thursd...
04/05/2022
On the Ice Again After Nearly Two Decades, ESPN Continues To Innovate for 2022 S...
04/05/2022
NAB 2022 in Review: Audio Continues Its Trek Toward an IP Future Innovations and combinations, some spurred by COVID, abounded on the show floor By Dan Daley, ...
04/05/2022
NESN Becomes First U.S. RSN to Broadcast MLB Games in 4K HDR With All Red Sox Ho...
04/05/2022
NAB Show 2022: Fujifilm/Fujinons Stosh Durbacz on Showcasing New 4K Box Lenses a...
04/05/2022
On the Ice Again After 20 Years, ESPN Continues To Innovate for 2022 Stanley Cup...
04/05/2022
NAB 2022 Perspectives: The Video Call Center's Larry Thaler on AirFirst, Sol...
03/05/2022
Ambition versus success: TV 2 on balancing its goals to be the number one sports...
03/05/2022
Crowds and crew return to the Crucible for the World Snooker Championship By George Bevir
Wednesday, April 27, 2022 - 10:28
Print This Story
For the past ...
03/05/2022
Moving on up: Timeline joins the big league with significant studio and OB fleet...
03/05/2022
World first 4K HDR broadcast workflow to feature at Tyson Fury versus Dillian Wh...
03/05/2022
Wind in Her Sails: SailGP's on Its Plans to Exploit Even More Data Points fo...
29/04/2022
NAB 2022 SportsTechBuzz in Review: Central Hall By SVG Staff
Friday, April 29, 2022 - 9:26 am
Print This Story
The SVG and SVGE editorial teams were out i...
29/04/2022
NAB 2022 SportsTechBuzz in Review: West Hall By SVG Staff
Friday, April 29, 2022 - 10:37 am
Print This Story
The SVG and SVGE editorial teams were out in ...
29/04/2022
NAB 2022 SportsTechBuzz in Review: North Hall By SVG Staff
Friday, April 29, 2022 - 11:45 am
Print This Story
The SVG and SVGE editorial teams were out in...