Rode Wireless Go II

Bless you David. May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows your dead. (stolen from John Wayne in some western). All is now well in my world.
 
Bless you David. May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows your dead. (stolen from John Wayne in some western). All is now well in my world.

Plus we saved Paul an early arrival in heaven... heart attack avoided! May you now live in peace. :grin:
 
Most of the negative reviews I've read relate to lose of signal when not facing the receiver.

I believe you, but --

Isn't 2.4Ghz just wifi? Wifi sure doesn't need line of sight

I really like that this could give me a tiny wireless receiver for 2 mics with trs output for a mirrorless camera. That is very nifty, even before we talk about the backup recordings
 
I interpret as it records 24bit but allows export as 32bit as an option but I can’t conceive of a benefit to doing that.

I’m curious how they got around Zaxcom patent of recording while transmitting.

Because Zaxcom's patent doesn't cover 2.4Ghz Wireless so I've been informed. Locally I was told there is no restriction on recording and transmitting simultaneously over WiFi as it comes under "Streaming". Interesting to see if that argument holds water. I highly doubt Rode would have gone down that path if there were any adverse legal ramifications. Just ordered a set 'cos at that price if it all works what's to lose?

Chris Young.
 
Because Zaxcom's patent doesn't cover 2.4Ghz Wireless so I've been informed. Locally I was told there is no restriction on recording and transmitting simultaneously over WiFi as it comes under "Streaming". Interesting to see if that argument holds water. I highly doubt Rode would have gone down that path if there were any adverse legal ramifications. Just ordered a set 'cos at that price if it all works what's to lose?
Chris Young.

The Zaxcom patent is only valid in the USA. I doubt it would hold water anywhere outside the USA especially as there are multiple manufacturers already doing it and AFAIK Zaxcom has not tried to patent outside the USA. It wiil be interesting to see if Rode sells them in the USA.
 
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Isn't 2.4Ghz just wifi? Wifi sure doesn't need line of sight

Wifi is affected by walls etc. and, from personal experience (and plenty of viewable tests online) the original Rode Wireless Go was affected significantly if the transmitter was worn on the rear of a person: obviously this new model has a greater range, but I would be extremely surprised if there isn't a similar impact when blocked from line of sight by the body of the talent (how much will depend on distance). Which is where the on-board recording comes into its own.

I really like that this could give me a tiny wireless receiver for 2 mics with trs output for a mirrorless camera. That is very nifty, even before we talk about the backup recordings
Well, it's very easy to do this with a pair of the mk 1 Wireless Gos and a simple Y-cable: though, obviously, the new version is much more attractive, and still smaller (in terms of a single receiver for two channels).

I'll be ordering.

Cheers,

Roland
 
I believe you, but --

Isn't 2.4Ghz just wifi? Wifi sure doesn't need line of sight

I really like that this could give me a tiny wireless receiver for 2 mics with trs output for a mirrorless camera. That is very nifty, even before we talk about the backup recordings

Power, my man. Power. Most home WiFi systems are running at at least 10x the power of the Rode’s(at least the first gen’s)(100mW vs. 10mW). And in commercial settings there are multiple units all over a building. Heck, even in my one story house, I have a main wireless router in my office, kind of in the middle of the house, and two repeaters to make sure I have a strong signal everywhere.
 
The Zaxcom patent is only valid in the USA. I doubt it would hold water anywhere outside the USA especially as there are multiple manufacturers already doing it and AFAIK Zaxcom has not tried to patent outside the USA. It wiil be interesting to see if Rode sells them in the USA.

B&H started selling them yesterday. But interestingly enough, I don’t believe they are shipping with the ability to simultaneously transmit and record. Supposedly that will come with a later firmware update. Now this opens up theories and speculations, at least on my part. Maybe that is what is allowing them to legally be sold in the US right now while they figure the patent thing out, if it hasn’t already been taken care of by other means(the design itself gets around it or they came to an agreement with Zax). And if they can’t get around it, they just never activate the feature in the US(but nothing is stopping someone from using firmware from another (non-US) region).
 
B&H started selling them yesterday. But interestingly enough, I don’t believe they are shipping with the ability to simultaneously transmit and record. Supposedly that will come with a later firmware update. Now this opens up theories and speculations, at least on my part. Maybe that is what is allowing them to legally be sold in the US right now while they figure the patent thing out, if it hasn’t already been taken care of by other means(the design itself gets around it or they came to an agreement with Zax). And if they can’t get around it, they just never activate the feature in the US(but nothing is stopping someone from using firmware from another (non-US) region).

All they have to do is sell in the US a version with crippled firmware.
It's not their fault if people get hold of the global firmware and (illegally?) instal that and convert the device to the international model.
Who are Zaxcom going to sue for what?
I can't see anyone paying Zaxcom anything for a patent that does not appear to hold water enough to stand up to scrutiny outside the US.
The US patent office has about as much standing as the Iranian or Chinese Patent offices.
 
The Zaxcom patent is only valid in the USA. I doubt it would hold water anywhere outside the USA especially as there are multiple manufacturers already doing it and AFAIK Zaxcom has not tried to patent outside the USA. It wiil be interesting to see if Rode sells them in the USA.

Already selling them in the USA.

Chris Young

 
Already selling them in the USA.

Chris Young


That appears to do exactly what the Zaxcom patent talks about? (plus a lot more) That will be interesting.
Even though they are aimed at a different market to the Zaxcom: Zaxcom will have to defend or give it up.
 
Power, my man. Power. Most home WiFi systems are running at at least 10x the power of the Rode’s(at least the first gen’s)(100mW vs. 10mW). And in commercial settings there are multiple units all over a building. Heck, even in my one story house, I have a main wireless router in my office, kind of in the middle of the house, and two repeaters to make sure I have a strong signal everywhere.
That was my feelings too. If the Rode is 10mW. Most average pro wireless systems are 30mW with an antenna. That's over 3x less power. Should be fine for normal interviews distances. Here's a video review that test distances. https://youtu.be/9HALos9Jz-g Based on that distance/line of sight were not an issue. Interference and environment seem to be more significant factor. He also talks about issues that I find more significant like auto noise gate and sound quality...

Because it's operates at 2.4 could very well why they aren't effected by the patent. Which is great for us.
 
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That was my feelings too. If the Rode is 10mW. Most average pro wireless systems are 30mW with an antenna. That's over 3x less power. But as long as it's powerful enough to mount behind the talent for interviews without dropouts that should be fine.

Because it's operates at 2.4 could very well why they aren't effected by the patent. Which is great for us.

The Zaxcom patent is irrelevant. They are 2.4ghz so you can operate them "anywhere", internationally and license free unlike UHF systems. That the range is not great is usually unimportant for interviews and that you also have an internal pristine recording means you can sync it up later. I would think it is worth having a set in the bag for anyone that does interviews.
 
That was my feelings too. If the Rode is 10mW. Most average pro wireless systems are 30mW with an antenna. That's over 3x less power. Should be fine for normal interviews distances. Here's a video review that test distances. https://youtu.be/9HALos9Jz-g Based on that distance/line of sight were not an issue. Interference and environment seem to be more significant factor. He also talks about issues that I find more significant like auto noise gate and sound quality...

Because it's operates at 2.4 could very well why they aren't effected by the patent. Which is great for us.


The RF environment is just so congested today that even high powered units can struggle. I have variable power transmitters that run at 50mW, 100mW & 250mW; 25mW, 50mW & 100mW(wideband system) and fixed power transmitters of 100mW and I've been in frequency coordinated environments where I wasn't getting 50 feet at either 100mW or 250mW. And a back-up recording wouldn't have helped, because it was going to camera(via mixer) for a quick-turn feed for air.

But I do have an original Go that I sometimes use for untethered monitoring of camera audio and it's been pretty solid. But the distance is only maybe two feet from camera to my hip pocket.
 
It's definitely a useful option to have.

Btw, I had a question about 3.5mm output. There has been a lot of devices using this for dslr/mirrorless but I have a camera that takes XLR. I find it difficult to get it to work. I was testing out my MixPre which also has a 3.5mm out and it won't work with this adapter https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/999455-REG/rapcohorizon_ltiglblox_blox_series_laptop.html It worked for the headphone out but not the line out.

Related to this guy talks about similar issue trying to plug the Rode Go into an xlr of Zoom recorder. (7:00) https://youtu.be/o-PYr44J_fM https://youtu.be/rNYdfb8BqFY
I thought these were battery powered so why would power be an issue. He ends up saying he needed to buy a special adapter to make it work https://www.amazon.com/Rode-VXLR-Fe...R&qid=1614203023&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-2
 
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Begin rant/ Is it just me or has BH's customer service gone down the tubes? I ordered the new Rode mic yesterday less than an hour after it announced. Still hasn't shipped. I called customer service. Almost three hour wait time to talk to cs. The tell me there's been shipping delays because of the storms and it's shipping tomorrow. What storms? It's in a warehouse in either Brooklyn or NJ. I live in NYC! And besides it hasn't even SHIPPED yet so how can you pin this on Fedex? Just tell me the truth - that you're under-staffed (I'm assuming from Covid) and that you're doing your best to catch up. Geez.. /Rant over
 
Begin rant/ Is it just me or has BH's customer service gone down the tubes? I ordered the new Rode mic yesterday less than an hour after it announced. Still hasn't shipped. I called customer service. Almost three hour wait time to talk to cs. The tell me there's been shipping delays because of the storms and it's shipping tomorrow. What storms? It's in a warehouse in either Brooklyn or NJ. I live in NYC! And besides it hasn't even SHIPPED yet so how can you pin this on Fedex? Just tell me the truth - that you're under-staffed (I'm assuming from Covid) and that you're doing your best to catch up. Geez.. /Rant over

Wow, considering what New Yorks been through and will go through for the considerable future on top of some recent big snow weather, I'd consider cutting them some slack. And when I 've ordered several items from them recently they have placed this at the top of every order page if you bother to read:

Please Note: B&H and our shipping partners are doing our best under difficult circumstances to deliver your order quickly and safely. It is possible that some shipments may experience unforeseen delays. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

The big budget production I'm working on had to shut down for two days because of the weather and you know what when we came back to work they were two days behind.
 
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Begin rant/ Is it just me or has BH's customer service gone down the tubes? I ordered the new Rode mic yesterday less than an hour after it announced. Still hasn't shipped. I called customer service. Almost three hour wait time to talk to cs. The tell me there's been shipping delays because of the storms and it's shipping tomorrow. What storms? It's in a warehouse in either Brooklyn or NJ. I live in NYC! And besides it hasn't even SHIPPED yet so how can you pin this on Fedex? Just tell me the truth - that you're under-staffed (I'm assuming from Covid) and that you're doing your best to catch up. Geez.. /Rant over

Wow, considering what New Yorks been through and will go through for the considerable future on top of some recent big snow weather, I'd consider cutting them some slack. And when I 've ordered several items from them recently they have placed this at the top of every order page if you bother to read:

Please Note: B&H and our shipping partners are doing our best under difficult circumstances to deliver your order quickly and safely. It is possible that some shipments may experience unforeseen delays. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

The big budget production I'm working on had to shut down for two days because of the weather and you know what when we came back to work they were two days behind.


B&H has been behind for approaching a year, now. The pandemic was a legitimate excuse last April, BUT other companies have figured out a way to carry on and return to normal operations. Pre-pandemic, I received my in-stock B&H orders in two days. Now, it's usually at least a week. And God help you if you need to return something, even if it's damaged/defective. I went through this last summer, as well. It took almost a MONTH. I've even started looking for(and buying) things on Amazon that I would normally buy from B&H, because of B&H's (now) slow shipping and PITA return/exchange system.

And three hours of holding to talk to a CSR is completely unacceptable. But that's been SOP for them since last year, as well. Even the on-line chat is usually overwhelmed. The only reasonable line of communication with them, for me, has been via email.
 
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