Zaxcom has announced the ZMT3-Flex, a wireless transmitter created to capture the on-field experience of professional sports. The company wanted to create a product that boosted functionally while maximizing player safety.
The ZMT3-Flex is constructed from a soft, durable silicon rubber that allows the transmitter to bend and flex, allowing it to be worn safely by professional sports players. The design also features rounded corners and is extremely thin at only 0.4 inches (1.02 cm). It weighs only 3 oz (85 g). Previously radio mic transmitters that were made out of harder materials were not suitable to worn by professional sports players during games. The ZMT3-Flex looks to be an ideal solution for bringing viewers closer to the action, allowing them to hear what is happening on the playing field. I’m not quite sure how the ZMT3-Flex is mounted as there are no images showing the back of the product.
The ZMT3-Flex is based around the companies ZMT3 transmitter. The only real difference is it has been encased in silicon rubber, instead of housed in a hard enclosure.
The ZMT3-Flex can transmit a fully encrypted digital audio signal while simultaneously recording the audio internally. The unit is versatile, capable of transmitting audio from a single mono microphone or dual microphones in stereo through two microdot inputs. The internal recording simultaneously provides a catalog of all audio whether transmitted or not to a microSD card with timecode. The audio is recorded to a lossless format called MARF that eliminates file corruption due to a dead battery or early card removal.
When transmission security is of the utmost importance audio can be encrypted using one of the 16 million encryption codes for an unbreachable level of privacy. ZaxNet functionally is included which allows you to control the ZMT3-Flex remotely without removing the bodypack from the talent. Sound recordists can select a channel, adjust the input gain, jam timecode or place the unit in record and playback modes.
The ZMT3-Flex is also equipped with Zaxcom High-Density modulation or ZHD for short. ZHD increases the number of available channels at a location. This is especially important in places where there are a number of nearby wireless systems., such as sporting venues.
An integrated OLED is paired with manual controls to navigate the menu system. Powering the unit is done through a single rechargeable battery. The ZMT3-Flex is shipping now and has a retail price of $2,495 USD.
SPECIFICATIONS TRANSMITTER
RF Modulation: Proprietary Digital Method
ZMT3.5-Flex RF Frequency Range: 512 – 614 MHz
ZMT3.6-Flex RF Frequency Range: 596 – 698 MHz
RF Frequency Step: 100 KHz
RF Bandwidth in ZHD48 Mode: 50 KHz
RF Bandwidth in ZHD96 Mode: 100 KHz
RF Bandwidth in XR Mode: 200 KHz
Channel Separation in ZHD48 Mode: as close as 100 KHz
Channel Separation in ZHD96 Mode: as close as 200 KHz
Channel Separation in XR Mode: 400 KHz
Antenna Connector: 50 Ω SSMA Female
Emission Designator: 180 KV2E, 100 KV2E, 50 KV2E
FCC Part: 74.861
TRANSMITTER AUDIO
Dynamic Range Mono Mode: 128 dB
Dynamic Range Stereo Mode: 108 dB
Distortion: 0.002%
Frequency Response: Mode 0: 20 Hz to 16 kHz
High Pass Filter: Off or 30 to 220 Hz, Steps: 10 (6 dB Per Octave)
Mic Power: 3.3 VDC
Mic Connector: two microdot
Input Range: -60 to -30 dBu
Mic Impedance: 6.8 k Ω
ADC Bit-Depth: 24 Bits
ADC Sampling-Rate: 48 kHz
TIMECODE READER / GENERATOR
Clock Accuracy: 1.54 PPM (1 Frame Out in 6 Hours)
Timecode Type: SMPTE
Timecode Frame-Rates: 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97NDF, 29.97DF, 30NDF, 30DF
INTERNAL RECORDING
Media: MicroSD Card (Flash Memory)
File Format: .ZAX / Converts to BWAV or MP3
2.4 GHZ ZAXNET RECEIVER
RF Frequency Range: 2.403 to 2.475 GHz
RF Modulation: Digital Spread Spectrum
RF Frequency Step: 0.001 GHz (1 MHz)
RF Bandwidth: 1 MHz
Channel Separation: 2 MHz
Sensitivity: -96 dBm
PHYSICAL
Weight: 3 oz / 85 grams with Battery
Dimensions (H x W x D): 4.8″ x 1.7″ x .4″
Display: Graphic OLED
POWER
Power Output: 25 / 50 / 75 mW – Software Selectable
Battery Type: Li Ion 1300mAH
Battery Life: Up to 6 Hours with 24 Hours of Standby
