New Lectrosonics wideband transmitters get announced: SMWB + SMDWB

[IronFilm]

More info here about the SMWB (uses a single AA battery, a very small transmitter!):

http://www.lectrosonics.com/US/Menu-item-for-category-listing-module-497/product/561-smwb.html


And the info for the dual battery version:

http://www.lectrosonics.com/US/Menu-item-for-category-listing-module-497/product/562-smdwb.html

Wish I could get one of each and a SRc!

Ah well, maybe next year....


However, it is very weird that it has a max of 44.1KHz?? What on earth are they smoking....

Also is a damn pity there is no TC :-( Guess they're still keeping a reason for you to buy their PDR instead.

But having a split gain recording option is nice.

 

[Run&Gun]

Saw those today. I'm still disappointed that they haven't produced a "high-power"(50/100/250mW like the SMQV's I have) version of the wideband transmitters. But at least these are a better design than the "old" wideband belt packs.

Haven't looked at the manual, yet, but the wording sounds like maybe they may not record and transmit at the same time... Because it seems like Zax has that sewn-up...

*EDIT* Confirmed, they CAN NOT record and transmit at the same time. It's either or.

 

[Rick R]

"Confirmed, they CAN NOT record and transmit at the same time. It's either or."
That's to get around the Zaxcom patent. There probably will be a hadware or firmware update for export models that allows simultaneous record and transmit. OTOH, the Tascam model (subject of the Zaxcom v. Teac US patent infringement case) only had a through-put to plug into a third party transmitter. I would not be surprised to hear about Zaxcom v. Lectro litigation soon.. Which also maybe be the reason for JuicedLink's demise with their 'Little Darling' distributed recorder.

 

[Run&Gun]

"Confirmed, they CAN NOT record and transmit at the same time. It's either or."
That's to get around the Zaxcom patent. There probably will be a hadware or firmware update for export models that allows simultaneous record and transmit. OTOH, the Tascam model (subject of the Zaxcom v. Teac US patent infringement case) only had a through-put to plug into a third party transmitter. I would not be surprised to hear about Zaxcom v. Lectro litigation soon.. Which also maybe be the reason for JuicedLink's demise with their 'Little Darling' distributed recorder.

Somebody hacked the F5 and that opened up internal 4K recording that Sony said wasn't possible in that camera, so I'm sure if someone wanted to bad enough and has the smarts, they could probably create a piece of software/firmware to get around the limitation of the Lectro Tx.

 

[ggrantly]

Think Magic Lantern for Canon DSLRs, which is an organization of hackers that does changes the original OS for kicks. Out with the old OS in with the new. There is a community that tests the nightly build. There is a bulletin board much like this one, albeit smaller. The thing is, the market to hack such a specialty item like those Lectros, it probably won't happen unless a determined individual took it on.

 

[firehawk]

Anyone know how much longer there left on the zaxcom patent before others can start selling wireless units that can also record?

 

[IronFilm]

For a hack to happen, you need to have a relatively large pool of people interested in this happening (as that then increases the odds of having someone capable within that group). But Lectrosonics gear is only for an extremely small niche of people (unlike say Canon DSLRs!).

 

[Jim Feeley]

Anyone know how much longer there left on the zaxcom patent before others can start selling wireless units that can also record?

I think the Zax patent was in 2010 (I only recall because this has been discussed so often in various places), so a dozen years. Unless someone licenses Zax's process, a court overturns, etc... At least, that's my understanding.

Here's a press release for what I --think-- is the relevant patent. If nothing else, the info in here can guide further Google explorations:
https://zaxcom.com/zaxcoms-receives-u-s-patent-for-wireless-recording-technology/

 

[davefisk]

The reason these new transmitters don't to 250 milliwatts is because there are issues with wide band and that high of a power output, which is why they haven't discontinued the SMV and SMQV. If you need that output power, you can still get it. Otherwise, the new SMWB and SMDWB are great options.