Zaxcom today introduced a new concept in professional audio technology with the QRX100 four-channel RF audio receiver. The QRX100 will receive four channels of audio from up to two Zaxcom stereo or mono digital transmitters, allowing ENG audio professionals to leverage the full capabilities of today's four-channel cameras. By bundling an optional timecode receiver and IFB transmitter in a single, lightweight package, the QRX100 will offer the added benefit of reducing broadcasters' equipment costs, RF bandwidth requirements, and power demands.

“We’re excited to introduce our QRX100 concept and expect it to be very popular among ENG professionals for the superior functionality, quality, and flexibility it will provide,” said Glenn Sanders, Zaxcom’s president. “Replicating the capabilities of the QRX100 would require mounting up to four receivers, a sync generator, and an IFB transmitter to the camera, all of which increase the cost and physical weight of supporting four audio channels. Our QRX100 system will make it easy for broadcasters to take advantage of all four channels on-the-go, without prohibitive power requirements.”

With an industry-standard mounting kit, the QRX100 will integrate quickly and easily with any broadcast camera. The QRX100 will receive two separate transmitter signals on two separate frequencies simultaneously – providing unprecedented flexibility and ease-of-use in a broadcast ENG receiver. The unit will receive one to four channels of 100 percent digital audio and will output the channels in both analog and AES digital formats, ensuring audio quality that can only be matched with a hard-wired system. Digital modulation of the audio signals will remove concerns of the interference that would typically add distortion to an analog-based ENG system.

“The QRX100 will offer vastly elevated performance compared to slot-in receivers, which offer only single audio-channel operation in most cases,” added Sanders. “By replacing this type of receiver, the QRX100 will remove the typical slot-in concerns of limited power supplies, degraded interference rejection, high operating temperatures, and limited compatibility with cameras.”

The QRX100 will operate in frequency blocks between 512 and 860 MHz with a digital sampling rate of 32 to 196 KHz. Weighing just six ounces, the QRX100 will feature a compact profile of 3.230″ X 1.25″ X 5.0″. The system will require a voltage range of 6 to 18 VDC and a power consumption of 200 mA at 12V. Multi-camera serial remote control will be supported with RS422 and RS485 ports.

With the addition of the QTX50 2.4-GB IFB return option, the QRX100 will be equipped to send a mono return channel to Zaxcom’s TRX900, TRX900AA, and TRX992 wireless microphone systems. The QTX50 option will additionally allow each receiver to control RF frequency and audio level. Adding the QSYNC50 option to the QRX100 will ensure subframe locking of multiple video cameras with an integrated video- and timecode-referenced sync generator. The QSYNC50 will even control the record/stop function of each camera remotely.

For a demonstration of the QRX100, visit Zaxcom at the 2009 NAB Show, booth N3114, or learn more about Zaxcom’s full line of audio systems at www.zaxcom.com.