Shaun Roemich
March 13th, 2014, 10:46 PM
So after addressing my camera, lighting, grip and tripod deficiencies over the past year, I'm finally ready to jump into the big leagues with my wireless audio system, PRIMARILY for lavaliere mics (likely Countryman E or B series) although the ability to use a pigtail for a wireless feed from a mix console will also come in handy.
For years, I've used and owned Sony wireless systems - WRT/WRR-8xx series at the public broadcaster and owned UWP series.
Good enough but lacking in overall mission critical wireless applications.
I DO run wired mics WHENEVER possible. A $100 wired mic is far less likely to have issues than a $6k wireless.
I get that.
BUT... I'm now ready to spend $3-3.5k USD on a beltpack transmitter and portable (camera mountable) receiver pair. That price doesn't include lavs or cables.
I'm overwhelmed by the options at Lectro's website and frankly find it somewhat lacking in terms of explaining interoperability and the like.
I will of course stop by the Lectro booth at NAB in 3.5 weeks.
But, before I do, I'm looking for guidance.
Most of what I do is corporate video production and conference/convention stuff. Talking heads mostly.
Sometimes I work in healthcare facilities and their medical engineering departments have almost uniformly said "100mw is the absolute upper limit" - so no need for a 250mw transmitter in my application. Being able to switch to 50mw in an operating theatre wouldn't be the worst option to have either.
Hybrid digital is where I'm headed.
So...
UCR, Lma, UM???
What series should I be looking at?
My PREFERENCE, all things being equal is a system that runs on AA batteries IF I get the same RANGE performance as a 9v. I'm not currently set up to provide 12v power from the camera - I own a Sony PMW200 as my main camera.
Sturdy and replaceable transmitter antennas are a serious plus. A digital readout on the receiver would be as well.
Besides that, audio quality and range, although I'll NEVER use the system past the 300 feet that Lectro claims for less-than-perfect Line of Sight.
Help a brother out?
For years, I've used and owned Sony wireless systems - WRT/WRR-8xx series at the public broadcaster and owned UWP series.
Good enough but lacking in overall mission critical wireless applications.
I DO run wired mics WHENEVER possible. A $100 wired mic is far less likely to have issues than a $6k wireless.
I get that.
BUT... I'm now ready to spend $3-3.5k USD on a beltpack transmitter and portable (camera mountable) receiver pair. That price doesn't include lavs or cables.
I'm overwhelmed by the options at Lectro's website and frankly find it somewhat lacking in terms of explaining interoperability and the like.
I will of course stop by the Lectro booth at NAB in 3.5 weeks.
But, before I do, I'm looking for guidance.
Most of what I do is corporate video production and conference/convention stuff. Talking heads mostly.
Sometimes I work in healthcare facilities and their medical engineering departments have almost uniformly said "100mw is the absolute upper limit" - so no need for a 250mw transmitter in my application. Being able to switch to 50mw in an operating theatre wouldn't be the worst option to have either.
Hybrid digital is where I'm headed.
So...
UCR, Lma, UM???
What series should I be looking at?
My PREFERENCE, all things being equal is a system that runs on AA batteries IF I get the same RANGE performance as a 9v. I'm not currently set up to provide 12v power from the camera - I own a Sony PMW200 as my main camera.
Sturdy and replaceable transmitter antennas are a serious plus. A digital readout on the receiver would be as well.
Besides that, audio quality and range, although I'll NEVER use the system past the 300 feet that Lectro claims for less-than-perfect Line of Sight.
Help a brother out?