Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Tech Focus: Bodypacks, Part 2 - Wireless Transmitters Are Smaller Than Ever, More Flexible

05/01/2022

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
LINK: https://www.sportsvideo.org/2022/01/05/tech-focus-bodypacks-part-2-wir...
See more stories from svg

Most recent headlines

09/12/2025

2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Pam Oliver, Sideline Icon Who Redefined the Role

2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Pam Oliver, Sideline Icon Who Redefined t...

09/12/2025

SVG Summit 2025 Technology Exhibits Preview, Part 2

SVG Summit 2025 Technology Exhibits Preview, Part 2By Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S. Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - 7:17 am Print This Story | Subscr...

09/12/2025

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: Cloud Production Workshop Spotlights Live and Non-Live Workflows in the Cloud

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: Cloud Production Workshop Spotlights Live and Non-Live ...

09/12/2025

Next-Generation Content Protection: Multi-Technology Security is Integral to Combating New Threats

Next-generation content protection: Multi-technology security is integral to com...

09/12/2025

CBS Sports Provides One-of-a-Kind Production' for UEFA Champions League Crossover Event

CBS Sports Provides One-of-a-Kind Production' for UEFA Champions League Cro...

09/12/2025

Spanish Professional Basketball League Relies on NETGEAR AV, MAM Tech for Seamless Production

Spanish Professional Basketball League Relies on NETGEAR AV, MAM Tech for Seamle...

09/12/2025

SVG Sit-Down: St. Thomas's Mike Gallagher and Casey Eakins on the Tommies' Bold Leap to Division I and How Video Plays a Key Role

SVG Sit-Down: St. Thomas's Mike Gallagher and Casey Eakins on the Tommies...

09/12/2025

Free Registration for the 2025 SVG Summit Closes Today at 5 p.m. ET!

Free Registration for the 2025 SVG Summit Closes Today at 5 p.m. ET!After the deadline, tickets will cost $150 to attend the eventBy SVG Staff Tuesday, Decemb...

09/12/2025

University of St. Thomas Ushers in Division I Era With New Arena and a Broadcast Operation Built for the Big Time

University of St. Thomas Ushers in Division I Era With New Arena and a Broadcast...

09/12/2025

Spotify Expands Music Videos in Beta to Premium Users in the US and Canada

For decades, music videos have done more than just accompany a song; they've shaped style, started conversations, and helped us fall in love with our favori...

09/12/2025

Leading the Charge: L3Harris' Advanced EW Technologies for Superior Battlefield Advantage

For decades, customers have turned to L3Harris capabilities in electronic warfar...

09/12/2025

L3Harris Propulsion Solutions: Securing the High Ground in Space

L3Harris propulsion systems enable agile maneuvering and resilience for U.S. spacecraft, supporting national security and mission success in the evolving space ...

09/12/2025

L3Harris Successfully Completes Critical Design Review of Key Components for Japan's New Geostationary Meteorological Satellite

L3Harris Technologies' imaging and sounding instruments will play a critical...

09/12/2025

James Shears Joins ThinkAnalytics as Senior VP, Advertising

LOS ANGELES James Shears has joined ThinkAnalytics as senior vice president, advertising, tasked with leading global strategy and commercial expansion of the co...

09/12/2025

Kathleen Kirby, Heidi Raphael Join Media Institute Board

VIENNA, Va. The Media Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization specializing in communications policy and the First Amendment, has named Kathleen Kirby o...

09/12/2025

Hollywood's Ecosystem for Combating Piracy

Throughout its century-plus existence, the motion picture industry has had to fight battles on multiple fronts to protect its content from piracy. From protecti...

09/12/2025

Football Shifts TV Viewing Towards Ad Supported Services

NEW YORK Fueled by football season, ad supported TV viewing in Q3 peaked in September, representing 74.7% of overall TV viewership in that month, per Nielsen...

09/12/2025

Digital Alert Systems Now Offers DC Power Option for DASDEC-III

LYNDONVILLE, N.Y. Digital Alert Systems has introduced the DAS3-DC-PS, a new DC power supply option for its DASDEC-III emergency alert system. Designed to meet ...

09/12/2025

Macky Beheshti Joins Advanced Systems Group as Director o...

Advanced Systems Group, LLC (ASG), a technology and services provider for media creatives and content owners, announced the appointment of Macky Beheshti as Dir...

09/12/2025

Device Solutions Inc and Triveni Digital Secure Patent fo...

Triveni Digital and Device Solutions Inc today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted them a new patent for their novel ATSC 3.0 r...

09/12/2025

ThinkAnalytics appoints James Shears as SVP of Advertisin...

ThinkAnalytics, the global leader in AI-powered data analytics for TV and streaming, today announced the appointment of James Shears as Senior Vice President of...

09/12/2025

Dot Group Partners with SingleStore to Deliver Real-Time...

European data management specialists appointed as SingleStore champion partner, bringing unified real-time transaction, vector and analytics capabilities to org...

09/12/2025

Broadcast Solutions creates new business to lead on workf...

Broadcast Solutions, the leading systems integration group, has launched a new business, aimed at providing consultancy and design services across the media ind...

09/12/2025

FCC Delays Implementation of Foreign Sponsorship Rules

WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau has once again delayed implementation of sponsorship identification requirements for foreign...

09/12/2025

#GALSNGEAR Announces 2026 Leadership Retreats

WASHINGTON #GALSNGEAR has announced two major leadership retreats in early 2026 that the group said are designed to equip women in media, entertainment, and tec...

09/12/2025

Cox Media Group, Verizon Trade Barbs Over Possible Blackout

WASHINGTON With a Dec. 15 deadline looming for a new retransmission consent and carriage deal between Cox and Verizon, the two parties have started trading barb...

09/12/2025

Samba TV Secures New Funding of up to $60 Million

SAN FRANCISCO Samba TV has announced that it has secured new financing from Horizon Technology Finance Corporation, an affiliate of Monroe Capital, with an init...

09/12/2025

Survey: 75% of Cord-Cutters Ditched a Streaming Subscription in 2025

Many cord-cutters looking to reduce their monthly cable or satellite bills are also cutting back on streaming costs, according to new research from All About Co...

09/12/2025

Shure Takes Center Stage at CMAs, Latin Grammys

LAS VEGAS and NASHVILLE, Tenn. Shure technology played a critical role during the broadcast productions of the 59th Annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena i...

09/12/2025

Nixer to address AV market demands for speed visibility a...

Unveiling of new CV1, web-browser workflows and Milan roadmap for mission-critical AV environments Nixer Pro Audio will return to Integrated Systems Europe (IS...

09/12/2025

How to Prepare for Daylight Saving Time in WO Automation for Radio

Spring Forward Are you ready to spring forward? The following steps will automate your transition from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time. Ensure all WO Aut...

09/12/2025

Judy Murray calls for PE to be a priority for all schools in Scotland to support girls develop leadership skills and engage in sports

Tuesday 9 December 2025 Judy Murray calls for PE to be a priority for all schoo...

09/12/2025

Kyocera and Rohde & Schwarz demonstrate OTA characterization of mmWave PAAM at CES 2026

Kyocera and Rohde & Schwarz demonstrate OTA characterization of mmWave PAAM at C...

09/12/2025

Riedel and Racing Electronics Announce Strategic Partnership to Revolutionize U.S. Motorsport Communications

Wuppertal December 9, 2025 Riedel and Racing Electronics Announce Strategic Pa...

09/12/2025

Verified: LinkedIn crosses 100M member milestone

Verified: LinkedIn crosses 100M member milestone From LinkedIn Published on Dec 9, 2025 Categories: Company News, Featured News LinkedIn Corporate Communi...

09/12/2025

Highlights of the Year 2025

Another year, another 12 months of amazing adventures. We are pleased to bring you our Highlights of the Year 2025. We've worked hard and played hard this...

09/12/2025

Redefining Remote Production Through Cloud-Connected Workflows

Original article published in TV Tech: https://www.tvtechnology.com/equipment/bmg-redefines-remote-production-through-cloud-connected-workflows When I started ...

09/12/2025

N-Series wireless mic system now available in the United States

DPA Microphones today announces the immediate availability of its new N-Series Digital Wireless Microphone System for customers throughout the U.S. In addition ...

09/12/2025

Building Confidence in Retail Media: A Q&A with WPP Media's Jason Wescott

Jason, before we get into the detail, what first got you involved in retail media standards? And how did you come to chair IAB Europe's Retail and Commerce ...

09/12/2025

She can dance, she can jive: Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins revealed as third contestant for Dancing with the Stars 2026

Current Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins has been revealed as the third contestant...

09/12/2025

December 08, 2025

An easier approach to recreate the powerful nerve-blocking molecule found in shellfish A Scripps Research-led study resolves the challenge of synthesizing saxit...

08/12/2025

SVG Summit 2025 Technology Exhibits Preview, Part 1

SVG Summit 2025 Technology Exhibits Preview, Part 1By SVG Staff Monday, December 8, 2025 - 6:56 am Print This Story | Subscribe Story Highlights The 2025...

08/12/2025

2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Bill Rasmussen, the Entrepreneur Who Dreamed Sports Into a New World

2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: Bill Rasmussen, the Entrepreneur Who Drea...

08/12/2025

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: Live Production Innovation Workshop Goes Deep on ST 2110, MXL, AR/XR, and More

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: Live Production Innovation Workshop Goes Deep on ST 211...

08/12/2025

#GALSNGEAR Announces East, West Leadership Retreats for 2026

#GALSNGEAR Announces East, West Leadership Retreats for 2026By Ken Kerschbaumer Monday, December 8, 2025 - 9:10 am Print This Story | Subscribe Story High...

08/12/2025

MediaKind Acquiring Harmonic's Video Business to Create New Streaming-Video Heavyweight

MediaKind Acquiring Harmonic's Video Business to Create New Streaming-Video ...

08/12/2025

Platinum White Paper: Sony HDR/SDR Camera Shading Techniques for Live Production Applications

Platinum White Paper: Sony HDR/SDR Camera Shading Techniques for Live Production...

08/12/2025

SVG Sit-Down: NESN's Kenny Elcock and Harmonic's Jean Macher Talk Next-Gen Distribution for Live Sports

SVG Sit-Down: NESN's Kenny Elcock and Harmonic's Jean Macher Talk Next-G...

08/12/2025

Monsters Funday Football,' ESPN's Latest Live Animation Effort, Advances the Altcast Art Form Again

Monsters Funday Football,' ESPN's Latest Live Animation Effort, Advances...