What would you recommend for a quality wireless unit? I use Canon XA-20 cameras, so I have XLR in. I would like a pair that I could use for lavalier microphones indoors and shotgun mics outdoor for sports. Those may be mutually exclusive.

Also what would you recommend for a quality cavalier microphone?

What's your budget? Audio is crucial, so don't go cheap here. After years with the Sennheisers's, I've grown to prefer the Sony UWP series. I have the older UVP's but they have been rock-solid performers for 4+ years.
Of course, if you've got deeper pockets, there are the Lectrosonics mics.

Can you get decent wireless units under $1000?

Yes, you can get "decent" wireless systems <$1K. At least by my definition of "decent".
To be sure you have priced yourself out of the high-end pro brands like Lectrosonics and Zaxcom, et.al.

You can go to the B&H website and look for "ENG wireless systems" and select your price range.
It would be prudent to avoid systems that sell for <$500 as being fiddly and unreliable.
And there are certain brands that don't enjoy a terribly good reputation.

But the name brands like Audio-Technica, Shure, Sony, and Sennheiser are typically good value/$$$

You can use an XLR output cable with any receiver.
And any transmitter should be usable with either lav or hand or shotgun, etc. mic inputs.

B&H is one of the sponsors of this forum and a reliable vendor, IME.

You might find this valuable to read...
The $500 Wireless Question, or, "What cheap system should I get?" (http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?240037-The-500-Wireless-Question-or-quot-What-cheap-system-should-I-get-quot)
Along with the FAQ list in the stickies at the top of the forum index page.

I've been satisfied with the AT1800 series. They do offer a dual channel receiver (works with two transmitters) as well as the standard single channel type. It officers both body pack and plug-on transmitters. I've found that their plug-on transmitters work well with hand-held mic, including some (but not all) that may require phantom power such as the AT's AE5100 and AT2035 and mics like the SM58 and AT825.

The FCC is making a run on a chunk of the 700 mHz spectrum used for wireless systems (as they did a number of years ago on the 600 mHz spectrum), so evaluate this as you chose models.

So Richard what would I have to spend to get a good system?

No complaints on my Sennheiser G3's.

edit:

The basement, in my opinion, of "good" wireless systems, is in the $600 price range, which is where the G3 starts. Obviously there is an infinite amount of room to go up from there, and some better stuff in the $1k+ space. Putting that on $50k worth of camera gear, I'd probably go for something better. For a $1500 XA-20, unless you had a particular special audio need, I'd stick with something in the $600 space. Not that there's not a difference between the $600 stuff and the $1000 stuff, but the $400 would be better placed elsewhere (better tripod, another light, slider, etc) than on a mic.

As a suggestion is the Sony UWP-D or Sennheiser G3.
Both are mid level systems, great for small productions, corporate, and basic broadcast.
ENG Wireless Systems | B&H Photo Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Wireless-Systems/ci/15419/N/4291086004)

For top level broadcast and feature film you would need to go to the next level up.

For many years the Sennheiser G3 series has been considered the lowest-cost decent wireless kit.

However technology changes the landscape whether we like it or not.
And the biggest part of that technology shift has been the proliferation of wireless devices.
As with most things this is Good News and Bad News.

The Bad News is that many of the frequency bands we have used for wireless mics has been sold off to companies to use for their next greatest wireless mass-market consumer gadget. For example, just a couple years ago here in the US, the FCC withdrew the entire 700 MHz band and sold slices of it to the highest bidder for billions of dollars. (It hasn't seemed to have any effect on the National Debt) So millions of $$$ worth of wireless mic gear instantly became obsolete and was either tossed in the bin, or flogged off in other parts of the planet (where they are still legal) at fire-sale prices.

And there are increasingly clear signs that the same will happen to the 600 MHz band within a few years, so be careful selecting gear for frequencies that won't disappear soon in your country.

OTOH, the Good News is that same proliferation in wireless digital devices has made the technology of high-bandwidth digital wireless communication nearly dirt-cheap. The chips have become "jelly-bean" commodity parts, and the development resources are much more widely available and much easier to use. This means that there is a whole new generation of digital wireless microphone products at much lower cost than the traditional analog gear (Sennheiser G3, etc.).

However, because the application of the technology to wireless microphones is still new, it remains to be seen whether the new generation (particularly the 2.4GHz gear) is ready to completely replace the analog products we have used for decades. Particularly the question about the 2.4GHz gear is that it shares the same ISM band with WiFi, Bluetooth, and even microwave ovens.

I've been using the Rode digital wireless kit (including lapel mic) and it's been awesome. The hardest thing was getting used to not having to do a routine light hiss removal (per the Sony UWP kit) as it's all beautiful pristine digital quality. See http://www.rode.com/wireless/filmmaker

I'd never change over to anything else, and it's a mere $400ish AUD.

I've heard that Sony and Sennheiser are quite concerned as they have nothing in its price range that can compete with it. Those Rode guys are insanely awesome.

Andrew

The RodeLink is essentially the same technology as the Audio Technica System 10. Sharing the 2.4 GHz band with WiFi and BlueTooth. The RodeLink came out a couple years after the Audio Technica. They are essentially the same price as well (USD 400), but they do not appear to be interoperable. Industry whipping-boy Azden also makes essentially the same kit at half the price (USD 200)

IMHO, the new 2.4 GHz products are the wave of the future as all the old analog bands are taken away from us. 2.4 GHz has the added advantage of having the same legal status anywhere on the planet, so people who travel to foreign jurisdictions don't need to worry about whether their channels are legal in another country.

The RodeLink is essentially the same technology as the Audio Technica System 10. Sharing the 2.4 GHz band with WiFi and BlueTooth. The RodeLink came out a couple years after the Audio Technica. They are essentially the same price as well (USD 400), but they do not appear to be interoperable. Industry whipping-boy Azden also makes essentially the same kit at half the price (USD 200)

IMHO, the new 2.4 GHz products are the wave of the future as all the old analog bands are taken away from us. 2.4 GHz has the added advantage of having the same legal status anywhere on the planet, so people who travel to foreign jurisdictions don't need to worry about whether their channels are legal in another country.
Have you used one? How would you compare it to the G3, or any of the $600 range wireless units (in the 600Mhz band)? Range better/worse? Sound quality? Battery life? They look flimsier.

I have a couple of sets of Sennheiser G2s but increasingly grab my Rode Filmmaker kit first for basic wireless lavalier setups. The audio is quieter, the battery life is excellent, and it has proven very reliable for me. It is a great bargain at $400 or so, considering that the included lavalier mic usually sells for about $250 by itself.

The main weakness is that they haven't yet released their plug-on transmitter for handheld and shotgun mics, which I often use with my Sennheiser systems. It is due out shortly, however.

- Greg

I have two of the AT System 10 and two if the Azden kits also. But I haven't done any extensive testing yet.

I really like to have control over the batteries. If a set of batteries runs low, I want to be able to physically replace them immediately. I dislike products with internal rechargeable batteries because spending a few hours to recharge is not always possible.

So what are the downsides of the Sennheiser G2 and G3 systems from the experience of the people who have actually used them?

I really appreciate the input this is such a great forum.

I have two Sennheiser G3 systems, two AudioTechnica System-10 kits, and two Azden kits.
If anything, the AT System-10s are cleaner than the G3s, But I have not tested them in a heavy 2.4 GHz environment to see how well they play with others. That is my biggest concern with the 2.4GHz technology.

I have not tried the Azdens yet, but my expectation is that the performance will be similar to all the other 2.4GHz systems, while physically, they may not have the same stamina and build-quality.

Of course it is a big MISTAKE to attempt to judge the quality of ANY wireless kit (at ANY price-level) by the quality of the default supplied microphone. That is an independent issue that has NOTHING to do with the quality of the transmitter, receiver, or the protocol design.

Sennheiser perform well enough for me (I have multiple systems) that I don't worry. I've also got some mains powered receiver version of 2.4GHz kit and that too is pretty good sounding but the amount of 2.4GHz kit now being used - video from GoPros, remotes for audio and lighting devices and of course everyone's phones means the band is busy - my radio systems are not friendly TO the other kit, often letting me hear the lighting people moaning because they lost their link, or the sound designer complaining the link to his pad is up and down.

If I needed a new system tomorrow - I'd buy another Sennheiser.

i have used the G2's for years, and while they have held up, the bands are getting crowded here in NYC. I do a wide range of video, including client and personal blog/reviews. for the latter, i discovered the sony aw4, a wonderfully simple, small, cheap system based on bluetooth. I also grabbed an at system 10 at that steal of a deal in adorama a bit back ($240!) and that has become my go to for client use and i'm looking to sell my G2 sets

For all blogging/review videos, i'm using the sony aw4, and i even toss it into my gig bag as a backup.

I have a friend who uses the rodelinks, and he has also used the system 10, he prefers the system 10. When i saw the size of the rodelink transmitters, i was turned off to them. The system 10 pack is also somewhat large, but it's decently flat, which is much preferred to the fatter rodelink.

Link reliability i would side with the system 10, 2.4ghz may be a busy spectrum but it can be diced up a bagillion ways, and with these new digital systems they are always scanning for clean pipelines and auto switch for the best signal. That along with auto/simple pairing make them really quite attractive to single shooters.

Sound quality i will relate to video cameras: you can pixel peep and side-by-side all you like, but they all can produce 'good' quality if used properly. and of course it all depends on budget and use. One may be better than another, but just because one sounds 'worse' doesn't necessarily mean it sounds 'bad'

Mic capsules is another consideration, as universal as the 3.5mm jacks on the G2 are, i prefer the 4 pin locking on the system 10, it's more robust (i've had more than 1 of those screwlock G2 connections deteriorate)

Just as important as buying the 'right' audio system is learning how to use it properly. there's some great tutorials out there on how to lav-up a subject. this one in particular is quite nice 7 Ways to Hide a Lavalier Microphone, by Izzy Hyman (http://mediahalo.com/articles/lavmictech/)

I do like Audio Technica's System 10 as the rode is a little bulky so 2.4GHz is a good way to go. If you are on a tight budget my mate Roger in the UK has a pair of Boya 2.4GB units and he swears by them and has never had an issue despite the fact they are a quarter of the price of the AT or Rode ... For $100 they are definitely worth a try if you are dubious about using the 2.4Ghz system. They also have a talk back facility so it's a cheap 2nd shooter comms system if you don't like it for your main audio.

BY-WM5 - BOYA AUDIO EQUIPMENT CO.,LTD (http://www.boya-mic.com/products/show-389.html)

What kind of audio quality are you after? If good rather than excellent is what you need then have a look at the Sony ECM-AW4 which is a Bluetooth wireless mic setup. Canon and Nikon also have their own versions of it and are more expensive but the Sony works great.

I did a small review of it just to test it - Sony ECM-AW4 Bluetooth Wireless Mic Review | ATL Photography ? Wedding Photographer Clane Dublin Kildare Ireland Wedding (http://www.atl-photography.com/wedding-photographer-ireland-sony-ecm-aw4-review-microphone-wedding-video/) -

The sound is raw and as recorded into the camera without any processing. I was using cheap lavs and mic's but if you use good quality mic's the sound is very impressive for the price. I'm not an audio engineer so the sound is good enough for me.

They have a range of 50m and last about 3 hours on one battery.

Speaking of cheap Boya. I have these without the display a individual volume control. Whish I had seen them first.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=171879807796&alt=web

Hi Donald

Those look a lot better made than the Boya and you get two transmitters and a dual receiver which is good ..I wonder how long the Li-Ion batteries will last?? I would prefer those to standard cells but it would be a bummer if they died half way thru a shoot. So do you have the same Rowa ones but without a display? It would be nice to get some feedback on these units ... I had an Azden dual system but it was pathetic but my single Azdens still work well!!!

I'm far from an expert. But the first few minutes are using the Rowa's
https://youtu.be/7PGa7NctYUY

That sounds pretty good and thanks for the upload! I wonder if they also make single units too?? I use an XLR adapter on my camera for audio so it has 2 independent channels with all the necessary controls so for me two wireless sets are a better solution. So your Rowa has one output where the left and right channels are combined into a "stereo" output?? Can you control your output levels coming from each transmitter or is the signal coming out the dual receiver a mix ??

The reason I posted the ebay one above. Looks like it has control on the input of the tranciever. The one I have only has one control in the receiver non on the tranciever.

I have some G2 sets and some EK3041's with sk transmitters, all with tram TR50 lavaliers. The EK series are getting old but still have a beautifull sound and are very low noise. I recently bought the sennheiser AVX wireless system and I'm very impressed by it. Now looking to replace all for avx. It's a very compact, good sounding system at 1.9Ghz so not in the consumer 2.4ghz band. You don't even have to put the system off as it turns itself off and on with the phantom power of the camera. The receiver's battery lasts about 3hours while the transmitter lasts about 8 hours on one battery. One spare battery for the receiver would help you though a long shooting day.

Hi Donald

The transmitter sections may have preset controls inside the battery compartment..have you looked in there? I have two Azden transmitters that have no external level controls but they do give you a mini screwdriver which allows you to adjust the output levels inside the cover.

I would like to see the System 10 and similar models provide a plug-on transmitted with phantom power to allow use of other mics and take advantage of the improved S/N and frequency response compared to compander-based analog systems.

The System 10 transmitters are powered so surely they will support a condenser mic .. the mic that comes with the unit from Audio Technica is not a powered mic so surely any other mic will also work?? My old Azden transmitters are similar and when I do weddings I use a desk mic on the lectern (which requires phantom power) and just plug straight into the transmitter ..it gets it's power from there.

Can anyone confirm that the System 10 will support non-powered mics?? I would certainly think it would!

Admittedly a plugon transmitter is neater as it clips into the XLR connector on the mic so you don't have to try and mount the transmitter somewhere ... perfect for a roving microphone of course. With some DIY expertise I'm sure one could rig something that had a little frame with an XLR plug on it that the standard System 10 transmitter could be clipped into.

The mic that comes with the AT System-10 body-pack transmitter is an electret condenser (as virtually all modern lavs are). All electret condenser mics require power. There are two different ways of powering microphones. One of them is the 48V phantom power typically found on larger microphones with XLR connectors. The other method is called "plug-in power" which uses a very low voltage like 5V. That is the method used by all wireless body-pack transmitters.

Plug-on transmitters are used with XLR microphones, and if they are condenser mics, then they want 48V phantom power. It is challenging to provide that high voltage in a small plug-on transmitter with decent battery life. That is why you don't see those products immediately available when a vendor brings out a new wireless product.

Usually the Phantom Power plug-on transmitters are significantly more expensive than the non-powered. plug-on. In the case of the 100 G2/3 system, the compatible 300 and 2000 series plug-on transmitters are in the $700 range. Sony has an 'affordable' Phantom Powered plug-on system, though I don't recall the model #.

UWP-D16 (UWPD16) : Product Overview : Australia : Sony Professional (http://pro.sony.com.au/pro/product/broadcast-products-professional-audio-portable-microphone-packages-uwpd/uwp-d16/overview/)

I have 3 sets and I love them......

While the current recommended phantom power standard is 48 VDC, 24 and 12 volt standards also exist. Some condenser mics are rated to work with lower voltages, on the order of 11 volts phantom power. This includes a number of the AT mics such as the AE5100, AT875R, and AT2035 to name the ones I have used. I have successfully used them with the AT1800 series plug-on transmitter that provides 12 volt phantom power.

Phantom power is designed to work on balanced audio systems and is different from the unbalanced DC bias provided by some systems and body packs.

On the strength of Aindreas Lynch's review of the little Sony ECMAW4 Bluetooth mikes, I bought a set; because, oh, heck, I love a gadget. Actually, I am impressed by how well they work at interview distances.
I can see a situation where a spot news shooter could stick one of these on the lapel of the harried fire captain at a news scene and be ready to shoot in, literally, 30 seconds. The transmitter and receiver are each the size of a pocket cigarette lighter and the whole kit could tuck into a small pocket of your kit bag for emergencies.
There is a built in mike that works nicely, and you can plug in a mini-plug mike like the Audio Technica ATR3350 (which I also tried, with good results). Good audio level into my Nikon D7000 (peaks at about minus 9dB on Nikon's auto level system) and a noise floor (which may be includes room tone) of about -50 dB. The set can also work as a cueing system. Cables, earphones, windscreen included. For a backup or quick news shot maybe these Bluetooth gadgets have some value....Lectrosonics? No. Useful? I think so.