Tim Vear Talks Wireless

During the seminar Tim explored three key points; the first was to update us on what is happening in the US regarding spectrum re-allocation and whitespace issues.  Why do we care you ask? NZ is approx 5-6 years behind the US with regards to Digital Switch-over (DSO) so it is important for us to see how this is handled and managed in the US for when we ventually switch over in NZ. So far USA wireless users have had no major problems and everything has gone very smoothly. As long as the user is aware of where the new digital channels are located in the spectrum, they can easily avoid them. For NZ users, you can see where the new Digital channels can be found by clicking here to view the latest Shure NZ Allocation Chart. The bigger issue for wireless users in the US is the soon-to-be-released Whitespace devices (or Television Band Devices “TVBD”). There is currently a coalition made up of powerhouses such as Google, Dell, HP and Microsoft who are designing devices like Blackberry’s and iPhone’s which would work on a similar concept as a wireless microphone. This poses many potential problems...let’s say the Rolling Stones are in the middle of “Satisfaction” and someone in the crowd takes a picture of the scene and then sends it on their handheld device. The phone he is using decides to use the same frequency that Mick Jagger’s wireless microphone is using and he experiences a drop out...his worst nightmare and certainly no atisfaction for the audience! Shure is consulting heavily with the FCC to make sure that TVBD “Whitespace devices” will not interfere with Wireless users. Recently the Whitespace coalition tested various prototype whitespace devices at a Major League AFL match in New York, and Shure was also there with their test equipment to report back to the FCC.

So what new technologies are on the horizon? There were many possible problem-solving technologies discussed, such as Spread Spectrum Technology and Sensing systems capable of dynamic “frequency hopping”, however the one technology that most people seem fascinated with is “digital wireless”. As with most wireless microphone manufacturers, Shure is  obviously investing in new technology for digital wireless microphones, but Tim also explained that currently it is not a viable technology due to long throughput latency (delay) and audio quality issues, which would be compared to MP3 quality with existing bandwidth limitations. Other manufacturers have released digital wireless, however they are still subject to the same compromises in quality.

The third key point Tim discussed was how to use Shure’s Wireless Workbench (WWB) Ver5 software to co-ordinate all wireless frequencies for a live or broadcast production, regardless of the make or model. Flexibility of the software allows all manufacturers’ wireless systems to be included within the intermod/compatibility calculations.

Wireless Workbench V5 is a free download -  click here and if you are interested we also have a short presentation on how to use this software, please email Richard at rbraid@jandsnz.com