Re: Lectrosonics SR Reciever - First Impressions
- From: campatom@xxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 06:41:30 -0700 (PDT)
Thank-you very much for your first impressions report.The interesting
note on the RF signal taking hits makes me wonder if the unit '' smart
diversity '' and/or SAW filters need some tuning.Im guessing that the
ratio diversity mode gave better results ?Im curious to know if the ''
touching'' RF problem went away if the unit is switched to ratio
diversity.
It would be great if you can include details on how you sent the
signal ( level ? ) to the SR unit in its camera slot .What mixer were
you using and which transmitter model did you have ?
Cheers.
On May 29, 8:28 am, atlsoundguy <cmdu...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
The SR Receiver is the much anticipated new Dual Channel Slot Receiver
from Lectrosonics. The unit is based on the front end of the Lectro
401. It is designed to fit into larger cameras such that offer a
wireless slot (such as the Pan SDX-900) offering a clean, balanced and
lightweight solution to large wireless units hanging off the side of
the cameras.
I bought my SR Receiver on Block 21 from Professional Sound Corp in
NYC for $1840 with the external adapter. I also opted for the SRUNI
Panasonic adapter for $122. I also bought cables and backup cables for
the external adapter (4 TA3s to XLR, 2 Camera Power Cables & 2 BDS
Cables). They also offer a Sony adapter and a hardwired adapter for
bag use.
When I first took it out of the box, I couldn’t believe how light and
small it was compared to my 411a’s.
External Camera Hop Use
My first experience with the SR was on BetacamSP in a saddlebag (that
normally carries my 2 411a’s): All seemed well, and I was excited to
be using it. While I wasn’t listening in, however, my cam op was. He
told me that he loved not being weighted down and twisted to the right
by the weight of the two 411s in a BEC box off the side of the camera.
His first question to me was, “Why haven’t you done this sooner!?”
In a Bag
My next experience was using it in a bag alongside three 411a’s.
Another mixer and I had coordinated 10 active freqs with 10 spares
using the IAS coordination program and we were shooting in the middle-
of-nowhere Georgia. I did notice right away that the 411s had a much
greater signal strength than the SR. As the unit is built similarly to
a 401, this was not a big surprise,but I was surprised to see how much
of a difference. While my 411s were solid, I was getting hits on the
SR.
Now, it may just be my SR, but it seems to have some issues. For one,
the battery indicator always showed that channel two was low. Even
when I changed both channels to be on the same frequency, the second
channel was low and often would fluctuate to blinking status and back.
I also noticed that the SR was RF touch sensitive and when I would put
my fingers on or around the unit, the RF signal strength would go up
or down, while the 411s were rock solid. (In talks with Lectrosonics,
they have requested that I send my unit back for testing, so take some
of my technical problems into consideration as I MAY have a faulty
unit.)
Reality
My third experience was once again as a camera hop with a SDX-900 in a
reality situation. I had just received the Unislot attachment for the
SR and was very excited to put it to use. I HAD heard that the Sony
camera slot was single channel only, but I hadn’t heard that
Panasonic’s were the same way. I was saddened to find out that
Panasonics with the Unislot are set up to only use a single channel in
the W.L. (Wireless) setting. Lectro is in talks with Panasonic (and
Sony) to change this, but as of this moment have no confirmation about
future cameras or retrofitting older models.
The Fix for Cameras With Single Channel Wireless Slots:
Lectrosonics will be offering a mod version of the SR called the SR/5P
near the end of June. It will feature a top mounted external connector
to get around the problem of legacy wireless slot single-channel
cameras and run a cable down the camera to connect with the rear
channel 2 connector. It isn’t as pretty, but it will work, and that’s
what counts.
Larry Fisher, President of Lectrosonics, wrote on RAMPS about this
issue: “We will make only the 5 pin warted unit for factory stock for
the foreseeable future and make accessory cables to go between the
wart and the camera external inputs. Once the brontos change over, we
will go back to the original wartless unit as standard. We can convert
already purchased units of the standard SR to the warted SR for the
difference in price. For anyone that feels we misled them, we’ll do
itat no charge. At the moment the whole thing is in flux and our
literature and web site haven’t caught up. ” Thanks Larry.
What if my Camera doesn’t have an accessory power outlet?
I have been told by Lectro a battery sled will be available in the
next few months that will be powered by two 9Vs. This will allow the
SR to be used by the prosumer cameras that don’t have an external
power connector. I look forward to seeing that.
Things I like:
1) Again, the small size and light weight of the SR is incredible.
2) Two in one receiver! No brainer.
3) Easy and Intuitive menu: If you’re familiar with a 211/401/411,
you’ll find it easy to use.
4) Splashproof.
5) My camera operators seem to love it. It definitely has a WOW
factor.
6) Did I mention that is has two channels? =)
Things I’d Like Changed:
1) I would like to see an option for the LED backlight to stay on,
like a 411, rather than having to hit a button to turn it on for when
in use in an ENG bag.
2) I wish the base of the external adapter had easy to see colored
plastic rings blue and red rings around the TA3 connectors, rather
than the hard-to-read low contrast white paint numbers “1″ and “2″ on
the aluminum base. (Lectro is considering this)
3) For those that plan on switching out the bottom adapters like I
had, I feel that the REALLY TINY screws that hold the adapter in place
would VERY easily be lost, especially when being changed out in the
field. I’d rather see a clip release of some sort without integral
parts that could be lost. (Lectro tells me they will now be including
a spare screw taped to the inside of the adapter plate.)
4) For the Unislot adapter top bracket, I wish the screws were
phillips heads rather than flathead. It’s not easy to screw them in
with the included tweaker tool. BTW, the tweaker provided with the SR
is now a two sided screwdriver with the addition of a phillips head at
the top. (Lectro has told me that they were originally phillips, but a
conflict on a new Sony HD camera didn’t allow the higher head of the
phillips and they went with a flathead screw)
5) For battery life, the unit shows a battery icon, but does not have
a volt meter like my 411s.
6) I wish the SR was built based on a 411a, instead of the 401, but I
suppose that’ll have to wait until nanotechnology catches up and the
SR2 comes out. =)
In Conclusion:
The SR is a bold offering by Lectrosonics and will most definitely
change how we use wireless camera hops. I appreciate the unit for what
it offers and applaud Lectrosonics for looking towards the future.
I’ll be using it for much time to come.
I encourage everyone to contact their Camera Reps and plead for the
addition of second channel support!
Note: Next week, I am sending my SR “back to the mothership” for a
check up for my unit’s issues and to mod it to the 5P connector. I’ll
let you know how it works out!
http://www.lectrosonics.com/hybrid/sr/sr.htm
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This is posted on my Audio Blog with pics athttp://blog.chrisdurfy.com/?p=6
Chris Durfy, ATLaudio.com , Chrisdurfy.com
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