Lectrosonics has announced a new miniature IFB (Interruptible Foldback) Receiver pack, the IFBR1B, as well as the companion CHSIFBR1B Dock Charging System.
Wireless IFB (interruptible fold back) systems are used for talent cueing and crew communications in broadcast and motion picture production. In other cases, the IFB system is used by directors and other management to monitor program audio during a production
Key Features
- Stores up to 10 frequency presets in memory
- LCD interface for programming and operation
- High sensitivity for extended operating range indoors or outdoors
- USB port for firmware updates
- Compact, rugged machined aluminum housing
- Attached battery door
- 8+ hours battery life with removable LB-50 Li-ion
- Dock chargeable with optional CHSIFBR1B
The receiver unit is nearly half the size and weight of the industry-standard IFBR1A receiver that it is replacing and it uses a slim 3.7V LB-50 rechargeable lithium-ion battery instead of the archaic 9V type. The new removable battery will power the unit for up to 8 hours.
It features a backlit LCD and membrane buttons, as well as 10 presets which can be programmed from the front panel.
The IFBR1B tips the scales at just 3.4 oz/ 96.4 g (with battery and wire belt clip)
The design uses +/-20 kHz FM deviation for efficient use of the bandwidth, with compandor noise reduction circuitry for an excellent signal to noise ratio. A supersonic Pilot Tone signal controls the audio output squelch to keep the receiver silent when no transmitter signal is received. The
incoming RF signal is filtered and amplified, then mixed
down to the IF frequency with a microprocessor-controlled synthesizer.
If a monaural earpiece is connected, this condition is automatically accommodated, with no loss of audio output power or battery life. Full output power is available with either type of connector, without the power losses that result from a resistive circuit design. The headphone cable
doubles as the receiving antenna.
The receiver will drive a wide variety of earbuds, headphones and induction neck loops at substantial levels, with loads from 16 Ohms to 600 Ohms.
The new IFBR1B is fully compatible with the existing line of IFBT4 transmitters.
Five tuning ranges are available:
- VHF version (red knob) covers 174-216 MHz
- A1 (470-537 MHz), B1 (537-614 MHz)
- C1 (614-692 MHz) versions (blue knob) cover the UHF TV frequencies for most countries
- 941 Band version (black knob) covers the North American license-only 941-960 MHz range.
Future firmware updates can be installed in the IFBR1B in the field via the USB jack on the bottom of the unit. The IFBR1B comes standard with a wire belt clip. An optional “clamp” style belt clip, part number IFBR1BBCSL, is also available and can be installed with two small screws.
The system’s new companion dock charging system, the CHSIFBR1B, is capable of charging up to four receivers or four batteries in any combination. The charging dock can be also be ganged in groups of up to four. It is powered by a single power supply, allowing charging any combination of up to 16 units or 16 batteries.
Price & Availability
The new IFBR1B receiver pack and CHSIFBR1B charging system will be available in Q2, 2020. MSRP for the receiver pack is $725 USD, and the charging dock is $599 USD (not including power supply). They will both be available in May 2020.
