New Lectrosonics wideband transmitters get announced: SMWB + SMDWB

[David Peterson]

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.

 

[Med D]

Maybe they have limited horsepower in the processing. That would also explain why it can record or transmit, but not both at the same time. It would be better obviously if it could do both. Maybe to keep the power draw down they had to make these sacrifices. It seems strange though.

 

[Michael Lindsay]

Looks good

Zaxcom I believe has a patent around a TX that simultaneously records.. killer feature so we bought zaxcom for our little setup

 

[David Peterson]

Yes, it is a well known fact in sound circles that Zaxcom's patent is a major stumbling block as to why the others are not offering this. Is the only reason why this new Lectrosonics product doesn't do it.

However many people believe their patent wouldn't hold up in court, but nobody has tried because to do so would be very expensive! (and our market is a far too tiny niche to make the heavy lawyer fees worthwhile)

But there is talk that Lectrosonics is going to be legally challenging this.

 

[Marc Wielage]

But there is talk that Lectrosonics is going to be legally challenging this.

Zaxcom served Lectrosonics with legal papers at NAB in April, so it's a question of when a court date will happen with this patent dispute. It's actually been going on behind-the-scenes for 6 months already.

I personally don't think the idea of putting a transmitter and a tiny recorder in one box is patentable. But I'm not a patent attorney, and sometimes strange things happen when these things get to court. What I wish is that Zaxcom simply asked for a very small per-unit royalty -- like $10 per box -- and allowed the Lectro product to be sold.

 

[David Peterson]

What I wish is that Zaxcom simply asked for a very small per-unit royalty -- like $10 per box -- and allowed the Lectro product to be sold.

That would have been win-win for everyone?

But now it will be lose-lose for everyone. Except for their lawyers who it will be win-win-win-win!

 

[David Peterson]