Sennheiser G2 100 Series vs. True Diversity at DVinfo.net

Buddy Frazer · May 4th, 2006, 07:19 AM

Everyone seems to be very happy with their G2 100 wireless system. I am wondering if anyone has problems with the fact that it does not have a diversity receiver?

Wouldn't a diversity system, like the Sony UWP series, be less prone to interference?

The last time I used a non-diversity system, it was subject to breakup and drop-outs when the person wearing it moved around. (I admit this was some years ago, and technology may have improved.)

Buddy

A. J. deLange · May 4th, 2006, 12:41 PM

Dropouts are not usually from interference but rather from multipath which is frequency dependent hence the value of frequency diversity. RF propagation can do wierd things. Everything is dandy for half an hour and then a car drives by and the multipath knocks out the signal. Diversity systems are still sold and people pay the extra $ for the insurance they provide. If what I was recording was critical, i.e. ENG at significant, one time events I'd say diversity was worth it. Otherwize, it's probably not.

Bob Grant · May 4th, 2006, 02:43 PM

The other problem is that in a diversity system the two aerials need to be a certain distance apart (at least 0.25 x wavelength I think) and with the Sony system that's far from the case so basically you're paying more for something that does nothing.
Frequency diversity / spread spectrum are better solutions but they're fairly expensive and typically only single channel.
If you want a better wireless mic get the G2 500 series.

A. J. deLange · May 4th, 2006, 03:41 PM

Good point. In my comments above I was thinking solely of frequency diversity in which case it doesn't matter how far apart the antennas are. In fact the same antenna can be used and so the fact that these systems' receivers, including the G2 500, have two antennas tells me that they are probably spatial diversity in which case the greater the antenna separation is what makes them work and the greater the separation the better.

With spread spectrum (or other digital schemes) it is possible to build adaptive equalizers into the system. These effectively cancel the multipath (example - GSM cell phone).

May 4th, 2006, 07:19 AM	#1
Buddy Frazer Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Addison (Dallas) Texas Posts: 88	Sennheiser G2 100 Series vs. True Diversity Everyone seems to be very happy with their G2 100 wireless system. I am wondering if anyone has problems with the fact that it does not have a diversity receiver? Wouldn't a diversity system, like the Sony UWP series, be less prone to interference? The last time I used a non-diversity system, it was subject to breakup and drop-outs when the person wearing it moved around. (I admit this was some years ago, and technology may have improved.) Buddy

May 4th, 2006, 12:41 PM	#2
A. J. deLange Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: McLean, VA United States Posts: 749	Dropouts are not usually from interference but rather from multipath which is frequency dependent hence the value of frequency diversity. RF propagation can do wierd things. Everything is dandy for half an hour and then a car drives by and the multipath knocks out the signal. Diversity systems are still sold and people pay the extra $ for the insurance they provide. If what I was recording was critical, i.e. ENG at significant, one time events I'd say diversity was worth it. Otherwize, it's probably not.

May 4th, 2006, 02:43 PM	#3
Bob Grant Trustee Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 1,570	The other problem is that in a diversity system the two aerials need to be a certain distance apart (at least 0.25 x wavelength I think) and with the Sony system that's far from the case so basically you're paying more for something that does nothing. Frequency diversity / spread spectrum are better solutions but they're fairly expensive and typically only single channel. If you want a better wireless mic get the G2 500 series.

May 4th, 2006, 03:41 PM	#4
A. J. deLange Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: McLean, VA United States Posts: 749	Good point. In my comments above I was thinking solely of frequency diversity in which case it doesn't matter how far apart the antennas are. In fact the same antenna can be used and so the fact that these systems' receivers, including the G2 500, have two antennas tells me that they are probably spatial diversity in which case the greater the antenna separation is what makes them work and the greater the separation the better. With spread spectrum (or other digital schemes) it is possible to build adaptive equalizers into the system. These effectively cancel the multipath (example - GSM cell phone).