Need to buy new gear because of the changes in frequencies world wide? Rode have just released a product that meets the new requirements, and then some. Those clever fellas have given us an encrypted fully digital audio transmission pack which uses frequency in the 2.4Ghz range.

That's right. They're using the WiFi frequency range (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi) (and possibly the standard) to transmit digital audio back to your camera. As WiFi frequencies are rather unlikely to be changed around, this means we'll never have to throw out perfectly good lav kits ever again.

I so want one already.

More at: http://www.dvinfo.net/news/rode-breaks-new-ground-in-2015-with-multiple-product-launches.html

Andrew

I hope it happens. I was disappointed when the VideoMic HD didn't make it to market, but that's about their only announced product I can think of which didn't appear after being announced.

Can't seem to get the link for the lav mic details to work. From the photos, the new RodeLink appears to use a TRRS connector for the mic - I do hope there will be adaptors made available to use lavs with other connectors. The SC4 adaptor will probably not be wired correctly to take Sennheiser mics like the MKE 2 Gold.

EDIT: Found some information on the RØDE Microphones - RØDELink Filmmaker Kit (http://www.rodemic.com/wireless/filmmaker) link but am still confused about connectors - under "Transmitter" it lists a
"locking TRS output". Is that meant to be "input" I wonder?

100M range sounds good!
Any indication of the price point?
Wonder if they plan a handheld transmitter (XLR with some level of phantom power)?

doesn't AT have a similar product using the same technology?

This is something I am definitely interested in. Hope it does work with the typical Sennheiser connection.

B&H has a presale price of $399 . The Rode lav by itself is over $200. (if it's the same one)
Rode RodeLink Wireless Filmmaker Kit RODLNK-FM B&H Photo Video

The extreme low price brings out the skeptic in me.. as usual. I wouldn't sell the Lectros or G3s just yet.

I doubt the Sennheiser wiring is compatible.

I just posted a 22-point feature-comparison between the A-T System 10 and the RodeLink wireless systems.here:
RODE Announces New Wireless Sytem and Two New Shotgun Mics (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?332924-RODE-Announces-New-Wireless-Sytem-and-Two-New-Shotgun-Mics&p=1986513146#post1986513146)

I would post it here, but this forum does not appear to support text tables.

The 30 M vs. 100 M range is a major difference. Be interesting to see some real world tests.

Wonder how many can operate at the same time in the same venue, and how susceptible they are to interference from other near-by gear such as wireless routers.

The technology used by the A-T and the Rode are likely very similar or identical. And the A-T appears to have better receive antennas. I would be very surprised if they didn't have effectively the same working range under similar conditions. I attribute the difference to be the corporate philosophy in spec-writing.

The A-T System-10 claims: "Up to eight systems may be used together without any frequency coordination problems or group selection issues." Although apparently at the expense of some of the "triple-redundancy".

A ~3x difference in range implies a ~10x difference in combined power + antenna + receiver performance.

Yes, if you believe there REALLY IS a 3x difference in range.
I do not.

30 metres is more then enough for all my needs. 100 metres is pure bonus.

Andrew

Over here in Andrew and my land, the next best is the Sony systems which a close to $800 so this sounds like a great system! The connectors are not a big deal really ..it's just a standard 3.5mm jack socket with a threaded collar on it ..Azden have been using the plugs for years ... the jack plug goes in the usual way and it's threaded cap just screws into the socket ...just a simple way to stop the jack plug from being able to be accidentally removed.

Sony also make a wifi unit BUT it needs a smart hotshoe only on Sony cameras for the receiver. The transmitter from Sony is also way to big to be discretely hidden on talent!! It is cheap though at around $250

Looking forward to this being released ..our frequencies changed this month and I'm relunctant to replace what I already have and then face another change!!

Chris

Just a thought here... I was sorting out my spare gear and found my Bluetooth transmitter that I usually plug into the camera headphone output and that sends a BT signal to BT headphones so they are remote and I can wander around freely. I wonder if anyone makes something like this that would work much the same way but with a lav mic ... BT can run with multiple transmitters and still have a nice range.

Sorry..in my previous post the unit Sony makes is not WiFi but Bluetooth ... it seems to work quite well and again no stupid frequency changes. Is BT on a different frequency to WiFi???

According to Wikipedia, Bluetooth also runs on the 2.4GHz range.

On a side note, those bluetooth motorcycle comms devices (aka walkie talkie things) are a cheap way to having comms between two camera operators.

Andrew

Sony makes a couple of BlueTooth wireless microphones. One of them (ECM-AW4) even features "talk-back' so the director can cue the "talent".
An older model that I tried a couple years ago had quite noticeable latency, however.

Hi Richard

The EW1 is now discontinued cos the receiver only support Handycams via the hotshoe .. the AW4 has an audio out which is neat but pity about the transmitter! For video it would be ugly especially at a wedding. Then again at $186 from B&H it's a lot cheaper than a UHF system !! Sony could have easily included a 3.5mm jack for a remote mic.

We will have to see what the Rode system comes in at when the rush is over ..it might be quite affordable too...I'd like to hear the quality but I suspect being Rode it will be up to par!

Azden amost got it right with an IR system but it only works indoors so it seems that was a failure too!!


Finally check this out on eBay ...used as a cordless 2.4Ghz BT cable between mics/instruments and amplifier inputs http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/JOYO-JW-01-Guitar-Bass-Wireless-Transmitter-Receiver-Transfer-System-AU-Plug-191-/221270240560?pt=AU_Pro_Audio&hash=item3384bbed30



Chris

Range has to take into account things in the path that might attenuate the signal. For instance my wifi performance falls off significantly from the opposite end of the house. Maybe it's 100m in open space and quite a bit less otherwise? Looks like you need about 2Mbps throughput + encryption overhead.

Range is a function of transmitter power, receiver sensitivity, antenna efficiency and orientation relative to each other, as well as environmental effects such as walls, nearby materials, and competing signals. Transmitter power, frequencies, modulation methods, and the like are regulated by governments, the rest is technology and user.

Most rate range based on clean line of sight with no nearby obstructions that might cause multipath, etc.

Data rate is based on sample rate, bit depth, and transmission protocol overhead.

An uncompressed single (mono) channel with a 48k sample rate and 24 bit audio would start at ~1.2 mbps. To that add the overhead for protocols and encryption.

I would post it here, but this forum does not appear to support text tables.

That's something I've always wanted to do -- thanks for the reminder.

the Sony AW4 has an audio out which is neat but pity about the transmitter! For video it would be ugly especially at a wedding. Then again at $186 from B&H it's a lot cheaper than a UHF system !! Sony could have easily included a 3.5mm jack for a remote mic
Actually Sony did! See the manual http://pdf.crse.com/manuals/4533246021.pdf and this video Sony ECM-AW4 Wireless Microphon - YouTube
Pity that this important feature is not mentioned on the bhphotovideo.com product page.
I found no information about the data/bit rate of audio transmission, unfortunately.

I've been using 6 Line-6 digital wireless systems for a couple of years now, with hardly a complaint - and I'm very happy. Since day one I have had no drop outs whatsoever. The only downside is to other users of the 2.4GHz spectrum - the original Line 6 gear was 100% rock solid, but wiped out wireless for other users quite spectacularly - people in the vicinity of the transmitters would often be heard saying "is the internet ok, I keep losing my connection". Line 6 altered the frequencies slightly with a software upgrade, and reduced the impact on the other users. However, this didn't seem quite so solid, dropout wise, so I went back to the original system channels.

Biggest drawback is simply band occupancy - laptop users, iPhone users, people using iPads for monitoring, or viewing remote images from drones etc etc.

2.4GHz is very country friendly - but it's also very, very busy.

My typical use is on a groom at weddings so I'm always line of sight and usually, if not always no more than 5 metres away so I'm thinking that BT will work quite well. IF IR would work outdoors that would be easy but then the transmitter would have to be visible to the receiver sadly ..with weddings that would be ugly!

I'm still tempted to try the units that musicians use ..they are discrete and again have a short distance to go and are under $100 too!! The transmitters do have a 6.3mm jack plug sticking out of the end to go into a guitar but they also have a 3.5mm mic socket and level control too. The transmitter could slip into a breast pocket and I don't think that it would be difficult to rip out the instrument amp jack plug and replace with a short cable going to an XLR plug. At that price it's worth a look!!

Chris