Why Digital Wireless?
Wireless systems are designed to replace signal cables. While cables are simple and reliable, many times going ‘hardline’ is impractical or impossible. A wireless system, such as the A10 Digital Wireless System, that sounds and performs as much like a cable as possible is the next best thing.
Wireless systems can be digital or analog. In a digital wireless system, audio performance remains perfect until range is exceeded and the system drops out. In analog systems, the noise floor gradually increases as the edge of range is approached. Although digital and analog systems behave differently, the result is the same. When the system is out of range, the audio is unusable.
So why choose a digital system? With regulators around the world selling off frequencies in the UHF band to mobile phone companies, it is becoming more difficult to operate wireless systems. Analog systems require very careful frequency coordination to operate without intermodulation effects. Typically, only 8 systems can be used in one 8 MHz TV channel (EU/UK), or 6 systems for one 6 MHZ TV channel (USA).
Digital wireless systems can make more efficient use of the limited spectrum by being able to operate up to 20 wireless systems in one 8 MHz TV channel or 15 wireless systems in one 6 MHz TV channel. In the EU/UK, 20 A10 Digital Wireless Transmitters can be spaced evenly with only 400 kHz in between. Additionally, digital systems benefit from up to 10 dB greater immunity from interference compared to analog wireless systems. This means that your digital wireless system will provide perfect audio in the presence of interference, albeit with reduced range. In an analog system, the interference would render the audio unusable.
Getting the best results from a wireless system requires proper antenna selection and use, and a reliable, consistent RF performance.
Let’s explore how to get the best from digital wireless.
Part 1: Why Digital Wireless?
Part 2: Picking the Right Antenna for Digital Wireless Audio
Part 3: Minimizing RF Problems When Using Digital Wireless Audio
Part 4: Maximizing Wireless Range When Using a Production Bag