Zaxcom Introduces Complete Wireless Audio Microphone Packages And Extends IFB Audio Range

Zaxcom announced that it has created two new digital audio microphone packages designed to make it easier for broadcasters and ENG professionals to wirelessly transmit and record broadcast-quality audio signals.

Built on the company's patented technologies, Zaxcom's new Broadcaster IFB Package includes four TRX900AA transceivers with integrated IFB functionality, one IFB100 transmitter, one RX4900 single-rack receiver unit with four receivers, and other accessories required to support the wireless transmission of broadcast-quality audio, 2.4-GHz IFB signals, and RF remote control.

The new ENG Package, designed to provide ENG audio professionals with a stereo bag-to-camera link with integrated confidence monitoring, is comprised of one TRX900AA with internal recording and IFB support, one STA100 stereo adaptor, one stereo receiver, and one IFB100 transmitter.

"We have been focused on the development of our wireless microphone system for quite a while now, and it's gratifying to see all of our efforts come together in a full-featured system that we can tailor to various uses," said Glenn Sanders, president of Zaxcom. "We're happy to introduce our Broadcaster IFB Package and ENG Package as a means for our customers to get all of the features relevant to their specific industries in a simple, turnkey system that removes concerns of quality or reliability."

Zaxcom's TRX series of digital wireless transceivers first began with the goal of developing the only truly digital modulation transmitter—with no FM-companded audio. Features include internal recording for 100 percent error-free audio tracks, an RF receiver for integration into the TRX bodypack to support RF remote control, 2.4-GHz IFB support, timecode reference with integrated timecode jamming, reduced power consumption and heat generation, and stereo transmission.

Both the Broadcaster IFB Package and ENG Package are based on the TRX900AA, part of Zaxcom's TRX digital wireless microphone product family. The TRX900AA was developed for users who need a longer running time and prefer the convenience of using AA batteries, two of which support a 10-hour run time. The TRX900AA includes a 12-hour internal recording capability, with audio quality that is indistinguishable from that of a hard-wire connection. The audio files are recorded directly to a Flash memory card in Zaxcom's fault-tolerant, proprietary format and then transferred as .wav files to either a PC or Macintosh for post-production.

Zaxcom has also announced a new IFB voting feature for the company's TRX900 family of digital wireless microphone transceivers. The voting feature, part of the new 2.4-GHz IFB100 on display at IBC2007, allows the TRX900's internal IFB receiver to select the highest quality signal automatically from a group of IFB transmitters operating on different frequencies. With this capability, users can greatly extend the range and flexibility of their wireless microphone systems by setting up several IFB transmitters within a large space.

"We've expanded on our new IFB100 to include a voting feature, which will further open the doorway for the use of wireless microphone transceivers, even in the difficult or expansive environments often encountered in reality TV or live news productions. Audio crews could set up IFB transmitters on each floor of a building, for example, and be confident that together the transmitters will provide an extended coverage area free of any RF interference from the walls of the building," said Glenn Sanders, president of Zaxcom.

Zaxcom's IFB100 operates at 2.4 GHz and uses spread-spectrum technology for superior resistance to interference. Up to 32 IFB channels can be operated at one time. The IFB100 with integrated voting is designed for use with Zaxcom's TRX900 and TRX900AA digital wireless microphone transceivers, the industry's first wireless microphones with internal IFB, integrated audio recording, and timecode transmission. This patent-pending feature set allows audio professionals to record up to 12 hours of audio directly to a Flash memory card and then transfer the .wav files to either a PC or Macintosh for post-production.