The Zaxcom ZMT3, ZMT3-HM, and ZMT3-Phantom digital wireless transmitters were being show at NAB 2017. The ZMT3 is a ultra small bodypack transmitter with features such as NeverClip™, PowerRoll™ and ZaxNet remote control. This unit it tiny and weighs in at just 2.2 oz (62 grams) with the battery.
The ZMT3 is a wide-band transmitter and is compatible with all Zaxcom receivers. It’s housed in a high strength, impact resistant nylon polymer casing with rounded edges, machined metal and rubber gaskets.
It works with ZaxNet, Zaxcom’s 2.4-GHz RF network that distributes remote control commands, timecode and IFB audio. The ZMT3 features internal recording to MicroSD Cards in the .ZAX format which easily converts to BWAV or MP3. The beauty of having internal recording is that if there is radio mic interference you still have a clean back up track you can use.
The ZMT3 can be ordered in one of two configurations:
ZMT3.5 – covering blocks 20 through 23 (512-614 MHz)
ZMT3.6 – covering blocks 23 through 26 (596 – 698 MHz)
The ZMT3-HM a new plug-on transmitter that looks to be a good solution for ENG applications. The ZMT3-HM combines wide-band transmission, selectable 12, 24, 32 and 48V Phantom power and a rechargeable internal battery.
The ZMT3-HM is available in two frequency ranges covering 512 – 614 MHz (blocks 20-23) or 596 – 698 MHz (blocks 23-26). The plug-on transmitter also has selectable output power of 25, 50, or 75 mW with the battery providing up to 5 hours of continuous operating time.
It weighs in at 3.1oz (88g), and is housed in a high strength, impact resistant nylon polymer casing with rounded edges, machined metal and rubber gaskets to protect it in production environments.
Audio can also be recorded internally to a microSD card as a safety backup or when there is radio frequency (RF) interference or distance issues. The ZMT3-HM can provide a timecoded reference recording matching the camera’s timecode. The integrated antenna is completely invisible.
The ZMT3-Phantom miniature wideband transmitters shares most of the features of its larger siblings, including built-in backup recording with time code, full encrytion, and Zaxcom High Density (ZHD) modulation.
The ZMT3-Phantom adds selectable phantom power in 12, 24, 32 and 48V. It provides 114dB dynamic range with no limiting or compression distortion and its internal battery lasts for up to 5 hours of run time in 48V depending on the microphone used. The antenna is internal for maximum convenience when stashing the transmitter on a shotgun microphone at the end of a boom pole, but still transmits digital audio up to 200 feet.
The ZMT3 costs $1,775.00US and is available to purchase now. The ZMT3-HM and ZMT3-Phantom will both be is $1,995.00US and will be available in June.
