I just spoke to Sennheiser tech regarding this issue. Those of us in major metro areas are really in a quandary about this.

The new G3 series will have significantly expanded frequency bandwidth. They'll have that info at the beginning of May. It may take them beyond that to update their Freq Finder but they'll have info by phone. The Freq availability change (as you probably already know starts in June). Apparently there's still some fuzzy areas about the time frame of implementation but the tech said there'd likely be a grace period through the end of the year.

He basically confirmed there's virtually nothing available in block A or B for NYC currently. I asked because I thought maybe I was misunderstanding the Freq Finder. Currently the scant few vacant areas are not in the G2 freq range.

He mentioned some significant improvements in the G3 itself which will improve the scanning and storing available frequencies. They'll have more details on that at the beginning of May but here's the basics.
Sennheiser Worldwide - ew 100-ENG G3

Summary
Tech suggests waiting until May or June and there will likely be channels available to the G3 as vacant, not possible with the G2. Yes you lose a couple of months on the rebate offer (lose $10/month) but it's really the only safe way to know what block to purchase for your area with G3.

I have a ew 100 G2 ... and just used it 2 weeks ago filming in the tropical mountains of Malaysia. Mt Ophir area (if you are interested to know). The talent was perched about 200m away near a river and I could pick everything with signal strength still at half maximum. Granted this was straight line without any electronic interference in the UHF band - so, just to let you know this thing works. Although specs says 150 feet (50m) - I was getting 4 times that range.

Expecting my Sennheiser EW 122-p G3 this friday or saturday.
Will have a full week of testing it, before taking it out into the field.
Really curious about the ME 4 clip-on cardioide mic. Has anybody used it allready?

Still no sign of it at B&H. As noted above it stinks because I can't take advantage of the rebate because there are no frequencies available in NYC for Sennheiser until G3 is available.

I got them from here:

http://www.bax-shop.nl/combinatie-dr...t-details.html


This is a legit shop in The Netherlands.
Will keep you guys infromed them when it comes in.

I was talking to a sound tech at an Atlantic City Casino last Friday and he indicated there was a class action suit, and because of that allthe manufacturers were to re-crystal the 700 band units free. I can't seem to find anything out about that, so maybe he was blowing smoke or ill-informed.

I have a G2 and am investigating with our purchasing department about what to do. With the current budget crisis (first unpaid furlough day is tomorrow) not sure if there is any $$ to purchase a new system, even with a rebate. Trying to get them to track down exactly when we purchased the system. I don't use it much but it did save my butt once at a high profile event. (first time I used it) short story, I ws all hardwired and taped down in the State House, great sound check etc. then just as the event starts, the sound craps out. turns out it was a faulty Whirlwind mult box. They had set up a second box on the other side of the room. but there was no way I could rip up the cables or lay new ones, lots of dignataries were seated. So I plugged in the receiver and pop the Xmitter on the other mult box and everything worked out. whew!

Oh and during breakdown I took a look at the faulty mult box, and on the side of it there was an old work label that said "DO NOT USE" so much for their press office being on the ball.

G3 in US
 

Craig,
You can buy G3 ENG set from here (for only $634.99 USD - you have to call them first):
Sennheiser Wireless. Evolution G2, G3, 2000, 3000 & 5000 Series Wireless

I bought my G2 (C-range ENG set) from them - they gave me unbeatable price then also; it was before 2006, so it doesn't make any sense for me to go for the $40 rebate (lav mic alone costs more...)

Does anyone know, if C-range unit (illegal in US after June 12) can be sold abroad, where it still might be legal?..

Thanks for that Ilya. I believe NYC would need the G range. Sony has updated their charts yet but they told me as of May 1 they'd have the info needed.

BTW it looks to be $800 for Lav, Hand held base, receiver and Inventory Status shows Special Order (not In stock).

Is anyone aware of plans for a phantom power plug-on transmitter for the G3 series? It seems like a huge oversight.

I'm not aware if this is planned or not.

You could (I'm sure) use a G2 generation SKP500 which, as no doubt you know, looks exactly like the SKP100 but HAS the 48V switchable Phantom power option in the menu that the SKP100 does not.

I have one and it works really well (with my G2 systems)...well at least here in rural England it does!

Are the older G2 devices able to work with a G3 receiver? I haven't been able to figure that out from their website.

yes and no. they use the same modulation and companding techniques, but the new units tune more frequencies than the old. as long as you can find useable frequencies in the older ranges then yes they will work fine and are compatible.

for you phantom plug on users, the skp2000 replaces the skp500g2.

this info from robb@sennheiser during NAB09.

It *is* available - it's the SKP 2000.

The new 2000 series is the replacement for G2 500 / 550 series.

So the replacement for the EK 500 G2 camera receiver is the EK 2000.


G3 300 and 500 replace G2 300.

Sorry to be dense about this. But the Sennheiser website offers very little info and doesn't arrange their products logically.

Will the SKP2000 plug-on transmitter work with a EK-100 G3 camera receiver?

I'd like to get the 100 series for a lavalier and then get a phantom-powered plug-on transmitter to use with the same receiver. Looking at the list price for the 2000 maybe getting the older 500 might be the way to go.

I complained directly to Sennheiser last year about how lacking in basic, clear information their website product specs were when I discovered it was nigh on impossible to determine if the G2 Series SKP500 plug-in transmitter worked with my G2 100 Series receiver (it really was n't clear if 100 and 500 Series could talk to each other). Anyway, thanks to this forum, yet again, I was quickly informed they do - and so bought one! BTW, I never heard a thing back from Senny other than the appropriate Marketing woman was on holiday and "could I contact her on her return?".....not my idea of customer service!!!! (she should contact me, right???)

I suspect it will be the same thing here, the G3 SKP2000 (link below) SHOULD work with any G3 receiver, including the 100 Series one you mention...BUT I'm sure someone who knows all the details will again inform us soon - so don't rely on my hunch (or their ambiguous website!) until we know for sure.

Sennheiser Worldwide - SKP 2000

It is logical in a Germanic sort of way - the UK sits on the back of the main website so that any updates immediately get incorporated into the pages. The wireless products are shown by type rather than series.


Yes - any evolution will work with any evolution (and that *includes* the 2000 series) as long as they are both on the same frequency.


Yes - this will be fins as long as you get the transmitter to match the frequency window of your 100 G3.

Are there significant advantages to the SKP 2000 over the SKP 500? I realize the 2000 has a broader range of frequencies, but that doesn't make a big difference since I'm more limited by the 100 series receiver. The SKP 500 B-Band goes from 630-662 and the EW 100 G3 receiver goes from 626-662 so I'm only losing 4mhz of possible frequencies.

The SKP 500 is less than half the price of the 2000.

if you have a 100 series rx i see no need to go beyond the skp500g2. btw-my b units are all 626-662, incl the skp500g2.

Definitely - YES - (see below)


Actually:
G3 range B is 626 - 668 MHz
G2 range B is 626 - 662 MHz

It's the same bottom frequency, but you get an extra 6MHz at the top end with G3.

Where did you get your figures from?

2000 series range Bw is 626 - 698 MHz

2000 series replaces G2 500 series - although the main difference between the SKP 500 G2 and the SKP 2000 is the wider tuning window, there is more.........

........ and the reason the SKP 2000 is that much more expensive.

The SKP 2000 has adjustable output power: 10 / 30 / 50 mW - and the USA version also has 100 mW (which is illegal elsewhere).

So - if you need range - the SKP 2000 may be the better bet.

I got the numbers off a retailers description of the item, so I'm sure they made an error.

Mostly I'm less than 20 feet from the transmitter. For press conferences or events I might be as far as 100 feet away. So I'm thinking the 500 would be fine.

If you ask me those affected by the FCC rule changes should file a class action lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission and have THEM pay for or re-crystal our wireless gear. It's time to pull the screwdriver out of the 'ol tool belt, Chairman Copps!

Hi Bill,

1. Have you tried using the receiver's scan feature to find an open frequency?

2. Where are you mounting the receiver?

3. Are you using A. the body mic or B. plug on?

4. If A, is the wearer also wearing any sort of cell phone, blackberry or powered heart maintaining device?

Regards,

Ty Ford

Maybe you have your Squelch on "High"?
It's should be on low if there's not a lot of RF competition. You lose range w/more squelch.

Bill,

How close to El Rancho are you? :)

Regards,

Ty Ford

BTW B&H Finally accepting order for G3 series.

sennheiser g3 Page/3 | B&H Photo Video

By the time you spend $380 for a decent lav mic for the Senn equipment, you have closed enough of the gap between an entry level Lectro set that the Senn units are not that much of a deal.

My kids do love playing with the G2 sets spying on each other, so they are usable, and pretty durable.

Jeff,
Your figures don't add up. Even with spending the extra $380 you haven't reached the price of a new Lectro, and in any case, you'd still have to spend that $380 to buy the lav for the Lectro.

I only said closed the gap. The Lectro may be a little more, but it's not that much more, but I haven't checked prices lately. The Lectros come as a kit with or without lav mic, so you can pick. I don't think the Senn does that.