TRXLA2

All of Zaxcom’s wireless microphone system uses only 100% digital modulation, this results in audio quality superior to any analog or digital hybrid FM wireless system.

Zaxcom transmits its audio as 1s and 0s in a 100% digital form so no companding is needed to alter the audio content; this results in a much higher quality reproduction of the original audio under all circumstances.

Conventional FM wireless systems, including standard companded FM and digital hybrid wireless, use analog FM modulation and contain no digital content. Noise reduction systems, pilot tone squelch, FM distortion and RF interference all contribute to system performance that cannot begin to match that of a pure 100% digital system like Zaxcom’s digital wireless.

The range of Zaxcom’s new digital wireless 2.0 is now equivalent to, or better than, that of any FM radio system.

Traditional FM wireless audio can be hacked into and listened to by any commercially available scanner.  In some situations this isn’t an issue, but there are times where privacy is necessary. For example paparazzi with an inexpensive device can listen in on your set. Or in the case of some corporate settings where there may be sensitive or legal matters discussed and you want to ensure that you have maximum privacy.

Zaxcom wireless systems, both the UHF transmission as well as audio sent via ZaxNet, features full digital audio encryption. Digital encryption is the only way to keep all audio transmission private.

The way it works is if you set an encryption code the transmitter, the audio will be encrypted and can only be listened to if the receiver has the matching encryption code entered. If you are trying to receive an audio signal and the codes do not match, all that will be heard is white-noise or silence.

Zaxcom’s encryption system features two sets of three numbers that form a single six-digit encryption code; this provides a total of 16,777,216 possible code combinations. So when using Zaxcom digital encryption you can ensure that your audio will only be heard by those who you want to hear it.

Intermodulation occurs when the RF from multiple transmitters, in close proximity to each other, mix together in the transmitters amplifier, and combine their outputs. Intermodulation can occur even if you are running just two transmitters on set, or in a sound bag. Intermodulation is undesirable because it creates spurious emission which can greatly interfere with reception and degrade audio reception.

Zaxcom’s fully digital wireless is immune to most intermodulation. This will give you the confidence that you will be getting the cleanest RF signal possible with no need to worry about special channel spacing. And without the typical channel spacing limitations, that are necessary in other wireless systems, the number of useable channels that can safely fit into a frequency block is greatly increased.

All of Zaxcom wireless has a unique feature that is not available in any other wireless systems. Each of Zaxcom’s TRX belt pack, plug-on and, camera link transmitter features a built-in two track timecode recorder.  This feature allows the inputted audio to be recorded directly to a removable micro SD card.

You can use the transmitter as a standalone recorder. So if you need to record talent for long periods of time or, if they are going to wander off on their own out of reception range, just wire them up and you can cleanly capture hours of high quality timecoded audio. In that situation you can also optionally shut of the RF transmitter portion and use the TRX in record only mode to extend the battery life.

The recorder can also give you the confidence that you can cleanly capture high quality, drop out free audio regardless of how harsh of an RF environment you are in. You can set up the recorder to be in constant record mode where it is recording all the time, or you can set it up to go into record when the scene begins. This system is like having an infinite virtual multi-track where you have no track or range limits.

The recorder is capable of recording 96 hours of full bandwidth 24 bit timecoded audio on a single card. The recorder utilizes Zaxcom’s Mobile Audio Recording Format or MARF. MARF is an ultra stable, loss-less fault tolerant recording system that will give you confidence that in the event of power loss, due to dead batteries, all audio up to the exact point that the TRX lost power will be preserved. The files are recorded as a .zax file extension and can be quickly and easily be converted to both industry standard BWF and MP3 file, while maintaining its timecode and metadata. All that is needed is ZaxConvert, a free utility that can be downloading from the Zaxcom web site.

NeverClip™ incorporates two separate analog to digital converters that work in conjunction with each other to give you an unprecedented 137dB of dynamic range in Nomad and Zax-Maxx recorders and 125dB of dynamic range in Zaxcom TRX wireless and ZFR miniature recorders. The signals from the two converters are combined in the digital domain to provide the entire, unclipped dynamic range of the audio inputs to Nomad, Maxx, TRX’s transmitters or ZFR’s recorders.

The full dynamic range of the NeverClip inputs can also be recorded to the isolated record tracks of Nomad and Maxx. These tracks can give you extended headroom of up to 44dB. Currently, typical file headroom is 20dB but Zaxcom’s NeverClip files can offer headroom of 26dB, 32dB, 38dB or 44dB.

The embedded iXML track metadata will indicate the headroom for each NeverClip file. NeverClip files are
industry standard Broadcast Wave files with extra iXML data included which can
be utilized by any post production system.

If you’re recording on a Zaxcom Nomad recorder, please talk to your post department to see how NeverClip files can enhance dynamic range and give them the isolated track files they need to produce the best mix possible.

ZaxNet is a wireless network that runs on a user selectable 2.4 GHz RF signal. ZaxNet is used for the distribution of timecode, IFB audio and metadata. That same ZaxNet signal is also is used to control TRX wireless transmitters.

ZaxNet gives you the ability to control any Zaxcom TRX wireless remotely, so there is no need to approach talent and fumble with a transmitter anymore. You can remotely change the
frequency, pre-amp gain, transmitter output power and have the ability to place
the transmitter’s built-in recorder into record, playback and stop modes. All TRX transmitters also receive timecode for the built-in recorder via ZaxNet.

ZaxNet will also distribute audio, timecode and metadata over the same ZaxNet 2.4GHz frequency. This allows you to send timecode and audio throughout your set. An ERX-TCDwill receive Zaxnet and simultaneously output frame accurate timecode and audio. So an ERX-TCD mounted on a camera or digital slate will keep everything in perfect sync since the ERX will be constantly be re-jamming its timecode via ZaxNet. Another option is to use the ERX-TCD to simultaneously feed both timecode as well as a mono audio track to any camera (even if the camera does not have a  timecode input).

An ERX body pack receiver can also be used on set for anyone to monitor audio via the same ZaxNet signal. Not only can you use an ERX for monitoring audio but it can also aid in taking script notes since the LCD on the ERX can display timecode, user bits, and scene and take information.