2 Camera Man Communications Setup

[Jon McGuffin]

This may not be the correct forum to post in on this subject, but I’m lost and looking for some help. I currently have a two camera setup and my production partner and I are shooting live concerts in small venue’s. The problem we’re having is the ability to silently communicate between one another. We could use Talk-About’s but they re typically too noisy to use during a live concert. I am looking for some type of headset system that will allow us to communicate with one another while talking quietly. Anybody know of equipment that serves this need?

Jon

[Seth Bloombaum]

Eartec TD900 series. Not outrageously expensive, decent performance. Note that if you later need to expand the system full duplex really only works for 2 systems. I have 3, only 2 can talk at a time.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

http://eartec.com/td900.html

[Jon McGuffin]

Originally Posted by Seth Bloombaum

Eartec TD900 series. Not outrageously expensive, decent performance. Note that if you later need to expand the system full duplex really only works for 2 systems. I have 3, only 2 can talk at a time.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

http://eartec.com/td900.html

Wow, that's exactly what I'm looking for. A little on the more expensive side. I suppose I was hoping to find something decent in the $150 range..

Jon

[Seth Bloombaum]

You might look into headsets for your talkabouts.

[Jon McGuffin]

Seth,

I've looked around more and your recomendation looks like the best one. Evidently they have the newer TD 902 series out now, but it looks to be nearly identical to the TD 900. Do you suppose my using this inside a small concert like arena will make them useable? My concern is that I'm not going to be able to hear the other person without them shouting into the microphone which then in turn we run the risk of disrupting the concert...

Do you find them to be overly staticy and do they really work up to 1300 feet?

Thanks again,

Jon

[Seth Bloombaum]

Jon, I just haven't had experience with what you're shooting.

Mostly I've used them up to 75' across a room, with sound levels only as loud as unamplified acoustic music. The headphones do get loud, but they are an open, on-the-ear style. For your application you might want dual-ear, not single ear. I've heard no static at all.

I have some doubts about 1300', but I've never really tried anything over about 100' with my system. In my experience with wireless Clear-Com intercom systems, 200' and behind a wall framed with metal studs gets very iffy. I think most arenas are rebar reinforced concrete construction, I'd think that would be worse if you got behind any walls. Eartec may be different, I don't know.

Maybe you could discuss your application with the tech support people at Eartec, they've been responsive to my questions.

[Lee Alford]

td902 is just the package name for two td900s. the hardware is the same and much better then family radios. it allows you to speak like your on the telephone with someone.

[Jon McGuffin]

Fantastic...

Thank you so much for the feedback on this topic... I shouldn't need to use these greater in distance than about 50-75 feet either, I was just trying to get a gauge as to how far Eartec will push the envelope when it comes to marketing. It sounds as though this is going to be the way to go..

Jon

[Kevin Kimmell]

Originally Posted by Jon McGuffin

Fantastic...

Thank you so much for the feedback on this topic... I shouldn't need to use these greater in distance than about 50-75 feet either, I was just trying to get a gauge as to how far Eartec will push the envelope when it comes to marketing. It sounds as though this is going to be the way to go..

Jon

Hi Jon. I'm just wondering if this is the route you went and if so how it's going. Me and my partner shoot very similar stuff and are about to pull the trigger on an eartec solution. I've seen mixed reviews so I'm a little leary but we're running out of time and Eartec is telling me that we can have a 30-day money-back on them.

[Jon McGuffin]

Hello Kevin,

This is in fact the route we went and although the Eartec's work just fine, they don't work for us because the concerts we're filming are WAY to loud for us to be able to communicate back and forth. If we talk loud enough we can use them but that kinda defeats the purpose because now we are basically shouting and the people around us can hear us. So, I bought them, used them this one time and haven't used them since. Frankly, I do think they are a bit overpriced for what you get but they do work as advertised and if I were shooting anything other than loud concerts, I'd probably be pretty happy with them.

Why not buy mine at a steep discount? I can probably give you the same try it and if it doesn't work no problem offer. Contact me via private here or my email link.

Jon

[Kevin Kimmell]

Originally Posted by Jon McGuffin

Hello Kevin,

This is in fact the route we went and although the Eartec's work just fine, they don't work for us because the concerts we're filming are WAY to loud for us to be able to communicate back and forth. If we talk loud enough we can use them but that kinda defeats the purpose because now we are basically shouting and the people around us can hear us. So, I bought them, used them this one time and haven't used them since. Frankly, I do think they are a bit overpriced for what you get but they do work as advertised and if I were shooting anything other than loud concerts, I'd probably be pretty happy with them.

Why not buy mine at a steep discount? I can probably give you the same try it and if it doesn't work no problem offer. Contact me via private here or my email link.

Jon

I don't see the option to PM you so... I'm already planning on buying different headsets. Specifically the Ultra doubles for the pit/stage shooters and the Ultra singles for the front of house and field ops. I'm hoping that this will take care of the noise issue although I think I'll also opt for the shell or belt mounted push-to-talk option for the doubles since the pit/stage ops will most likely be next to or near speaker stacks.

I'm doubting that this is still attractive to you from the standpoint of sales since I'd most likely have no use for the headsets you have. Feel free to email me and we can discuss further.

Thanks,
Kevin (kevin _AT_ yurplebliss _DOT_ com)

[Pete Cofrancesco]

I'm curious why not just go with an inexpensive two way radio for like $70 and get ear buds?

[Kevin Kimmell]

Originally Posted by Pete Cofran

just curious why not just with an inexpensive two way radio for like $70?

Full duplex... VOX really isn't a good solution for us. We've tried it.

[Barry Akins]

You may also want to consider using cell phones with good headsets. We did this at a large wedding recently and it worked great...just establish the call(s) and leave them on. If you have a decent package of minutes, you won't have to pay much. And if it's a weekend, in-network, etc. then it's free anyway.
Barry

[Steve House]

Originally Posted by Barry Akins

You may also want to consider using cell phones with good headsets. We did this at a large wedding recently and it worked great...just establish the call(s) and leave them on. If you have a decent package of minutes, you won't have to pay much. And if it's a weekend, in-network, etc. then it's free anyway.
Barry

Not a good idea! Cell phones and Blackberrys can play havoc with audio recording, especially when using wireless mics but they can even interfere with conventional wired mics as well. Getting everyone on the set to shut them off - complete power-down, not just on quiet - is sometimes a major headache.