Technology ensures backward compatibility while fostering state-of-the-art wireless capabilities
Rio Rancho, NM – October 2007… Lectrosonics, recognized the world over as a leading manufacturer of wireless microphone systems and audio processing products, is pleased to announce that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued the company a patent (U.S. Patent No. 7,225,135) for its Digital Hybrid Wireless technology. Digital Hybrid Wireless —an integral part of the Lectrosonics Venue, UCR401, UCR411A, and R400A receivers as well as transmitters from the SM, UM, MM, UH, and UT product groups—enables the company’s wireless systems to deliver world-class performance for countless major motion picture and TV projects, as well as being found on stage with leading performers such as the Dixie Chicks and Santana. Additionally, the technology provides backward compatibility with earlier wireless systems from Lectrosonics’ as well as those from other manufacturers.
Lectrosonics’ Digital Hybrid Wireless technology uses a proprietary algorithm to encode 24-bit digital audio information with no compression and low distortion into an analog format that can be transmitted in a robust manner over an analog FM wireless link. The result is much higher dynamic range—free from sonic artifacts— than wireless systems using a compandor are able to offer. Digital Hybrid Wireless technology delivers long operating range, graceful signal decay, and a small spectral footprint, facilitating more channels to be operated simultaneously.
A particularly noteworthy characteristic of Lectrosonics’ Digital Hybrid Wireless technology lies in its ability to provide backward compatibility with earlier generation Lectrosonics wireless products when used in compatibility mode. By emulating the companding schemes of Lectrosonics 100 and 200 Series wireless systems using DSP (Digital Signal Processing), these earlier products can be integrated with the company’s newer systems—ensuring long life and, hence, excellent return on investment. As an added benefit, compatibility with the companding schemes of other wireless equipment manufacturers can similarly be achieved, enabling Lectrosonics wireless products to be deployed with non-Lectrosonics systems.
David Thomas, Lectrosonics Senior Design Engineer and inventor of the company’s Digital Hybrid Wireless technology, commented on the benefits it brings to today’s audio professional. “Digital systems may be hard to beat in terms of audio quality,” notes Thomas, “but they can't touch analog FM systems in terms of spectrum efficiency and long operating range. Enter Lectrosonics’ Digital Hybrid Wireless technology, which combines the best of both worlds. Its digital audio processing makes optimal use of the analog channel—transmitting an encoded signal that is both loud and wideband, to soar over the noise. Of equal significance, Digital Hybrid sounds natural, even on the fringe of reception.”
In addition to its prevalence in motion picture and television work, Lectrosonics Digital Hybrid Wireless technology is an integral part of many live sound projects—both on stage and behind the scenes. The company’s core Digital Hybrid Wireless products such as the UCR411A and Venue receivers, SM Series, plus the UH400A and UH400TM plug-on transmitters are commonly found in use by performers and their engineers while the TM400 Wireless System for Test and Measurement has found favor with the large-scale concert touring companies and loudspeaker companies for sound system alignment.
About Lectrosonics
Well respected within the film, broadcast, and theater technical communities since 1971, Lectrosonics wireless microphone systems and audio processing products are used daily in mission-critical applications by audio engineers familiar with the company's dedication to quality, customer service, and innovation. Lectrosonics is a US manufacturer based in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
