D'Oh!!!!!! at DVinfo.net

Scott Moore · April 27th, 2004, 11:30 PM

I picked up what looked like a good deal on
a couple of wireless lavs + receiver.

when I got it unpacked, I learned that the
receiver can ONLY be powered AC/DC......

am I screwed? will I forever be intercepting
60hz electrical hum???

is there any hope????

Ken Tanaka · April 27th, 2004, 11:41 PM

Are you saying that the receiver is a tabletop-style unit that can only plug into the wall?

No, you probably won't pick up interference from such a transformer. But this type of unit will certainly limit its usefulness if you planned to connect it to your camera.

Scott Moore · April 28th, 2004, 05:24 AM

Are you saying that the receiver is a tabletop-style unit that can only plug into the wall?

"Yes"

No, you probably won't pick up interference from such a transformer. But this type of unit will certainly limit its usefulness if you planned to connect it to your camera.

"What might those problems be, if interference
isn't the issue?"

Douglas Spotted Eagle · April 28th, 2004, 06:31 AM

If it's AC powered/plugged in, you won't be mounting it to a camera, you'll always have to have AC power available to use it, and you'll always be tied to developed areas rather than being able to work in the field where there is no power. That's the problem with being dependent on AC. Further, you'll be somewhat limited as to the distance your talent can get away from the tabletop unit as opposed to being able to get away from only the camera.

Ken Tanaka · April 28th, 2004, 09:58 AM

This type of unit is designed for applications such as corporate meeting rooms, theatrical settings and broadcast studios where the receiver can be stationary and the talent can't roam far.

Mike Butler · April 30th, 2004, 10:09 AM

Actually the talent movement limitation of any wireless mic system is dictated by the radio performance of the wireless system in question. I have regularly used Shure and other brands of AC-only-powered receivers from the FOH (front-of-house) position with no radio dropouts...the talent would have to leave the building before I would have a problem receiving.

It is very true that we can't use these type of receivers as on-camera units or operate in a run-and-gun environment. On the other hand, when I am shooting in a more locked-down situation: indoors, on a tripod, camera plugged into AC mains anyway, I am confident using the "tabletop" or "half-rack" receivers. One reason is that the ones I own are pretty good quality, the more important thing is I can just leave them powered up and not worry about batteries. (Just have to keep an eye on the transmitter batteries.)

Joe Garnero · April 30th, 2004, 10:15 AM

Scott,
You say it is powered by AC/DC. If the voltage is a unit of two (2,4,6,8, 12 volts) you could get a gel-cell lead-acid battery for power. This will isolate the receiver from AC line noise.

We used to use Globe Battery 12V sealed lead-acid batteries with our diversity receivers to allow optimal placement without concern for wall outlet location. In your case this sounds like the location will be a fanny pack or vest, or mounted to the tripod..

Mike Butler · April 30th, 2004, 12:05 PM

Come to think of it, Joe, looking at the back of my Shure Marcad diversity receivers, the AC power supply is external and the power enters the receiver through a jack calling for 12 volts DC. So...if I were to connect to a 12-volt lead-acid battery and find the right connector to fit the power jack on the receiver, that should make it "portable"...at least from the standpoint of not being dependent on AC mains. Of course, having said that, the combination of the half-rack receiver and the battery (a 7.2 Amp-Hour weighs almost 6 pounds, a 3.3 AH about 3 pounds) still don't make for the most convenient on-camera rig...but it would work!

April 27th, 2004, 11:30 PM	#1
Scott Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 48	D'Oh!!!!!! I picked up what looked like a good deal on a couple of wireless lavs + receiver. when I got it unpacked, I learned that the receiver can ONLY be powered AC/DC...... am I screwed? will I forever be intercepting 60hz electrical hum??? is there any hope????

April 27th, 2004, 11:41 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Are you saying that the receiver is a tabletop-style unit that can only plug into the wall? No, you probably won't pick up interference from such a transformer. But this type of unit will certainly limit its usefulness if you planned to connect it to your camera. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

April 28th, 2004, 05:24 AM	#3
Scott Moore Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 48	Ken (or someone else) please explain... Are you saying that the receiver is a tabletop-style unit that can only plug into the wall? "Yes" No, you probably won't pick up interference from such a transformer. But this type of unit will certainly limit its usefulness if you planned to connect it to your camera. "What might those problems be, if interference isn't the issue?"

April 28th, 2004, 06:31 AM	#4
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	If it's AC powered/plugged in, you won't be mounting it to a camera, you'll always have to have AC power available to use it, and you'll always be tied to developed areas rather than being able to work in the field where there is no power. That's the problem with being dependent on AC. Further, you'll be somewhat limited as to the distance your talent can get away from the tabletop unit as opposed to being able to get away from only the camera. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

April 28th, 2004, 09:58 AM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	This type of unit is designed for applications such as corporate meeting rooms, theatrical settings and broadcast studios where the receiver can be stationary and the talent can't roam far. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

April 30th, 2004, 10:09 AM	#6
Mike Butler Machinist Mate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Connecticut Posts: 644	Actually the talent movement limitation of any wireless mic system is dictated by the radio performance of the wireless system in question. I have regularly used Shure and other brands of AC-only-powered receivers from the FOH (front-of-house) position with no radio dropouts...the talent would have to leave the building before I would have a problem receiving. It is very true that we can't use these type of receivers as on-camera units or operate in a run-and-gun environment. On the other hand, when I am shooting in a more locked-down situation: indoors, on a tripod, camera plugged into AC mains anyway, I am confident using the "tabletop" or "half-rack" receivers. One reason is that the ones I own are pretty good quality, the more important thing is I can just leave them powered up and not worry about batteries. (Just have to keep an eye on the transmitter batteries.) __________________ I ain't straight outta Compton, I'm straight out the trailer. Cuss like a sailor, drink like a Mc. My only words of wisdom are just, "Radio Edit."

April 30th, 2004, 10:15 AM	#7
Joe Garnero Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Woodstock, GA Posts: 60	If it's AC powered/plugged in, you won't be mounting it to a camera, you'll always ha Scott, You say it is powered by AC/DC. If the voltage is a unit of two (2,4,6,8, 12 volts) you could get a gel-cell lead-acid battery for power. This will isolate the receiver from AC line noise. We used to use Globe Battery 12V sealed lead-acid batteries with our diversity receivers to allow optimal placement without concern for wall outlet location. In your case this sounds like the location will be a fanny pack or vest, or mounted to the tripod..

April 30th, 2004, 12:05 PM	#8
Mike Butler Machinist Mate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Connecticut Posts: 644	Come to think of it, Joe, looking at the back of my Shure Marcad diversity receivers, the AC power supply is external and the power enters the receiver through a jack calling for 12 volts DC. So...if I were to connect to a 12-volt lead-acid battery and find the right connector to fit the power jack on the receiver, that should make it "portable"...at least from the standpoint of not being dependent on AC mains. Of course, having said that, the combination of the half-rack receiver and the battery (a 7.2 Amp-Hour weighs almost 6 pounds, a 3.3 AH about 3 pounds) still don't make for the most convenient on-camera rig...but it would work! __________________ I ain't straight outta Compton, I'm straight out the trailer. Cuss like a sailor, drink like a Mc. My only words of wisdom are just, "Radio Edit."