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Wireless Audio Feed to Camera using a Preston FIZ Remote Focus System


reillysoundworks

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Hey Guys, need some input here on what most of you are using to get around the RF interference to your wireless audio feed when Camera assistants are using a Preston FIZ Remote Focus System, sometimes called a "Fizzy".   In my research, these transceivers operate in the 2.4 Ghz band, and have up to 30 channels to select from.  Ranging from 2.4020 GHz to 2.4800 Ghz.

  Now, on the surface, that shouldn't be much of a problem, but my light weight PR-216 Comtek Receivers  seem to be no match when it comes overcoming the transmitting signals of the "Fizzy".

Outside of moving the receiver to the back of the dolly, which is awkward for the dolly grip, I'm getting "Blown out of the Water" with RF Hits.

    I've used Lectrosonic IFB's with some success, but the complaint from camera, especially Steady Camera Operators, is that they are two heavy.  And I certainly can't argue with that.

   So, the question is, what are you cats using that get around this issue.  I know through talking with other Boom Operators, that some of you are using Comteks, without any issues, so I know there are answers out there, but some how they have eluded me up until now.

 

   Any input, or comments would be greatly appreciated or taken with a grain of salt.

 

    Many Thanks 

 

     be well, mike reilly

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Don't wire the steady cam as balance and weight trump everything in that setup.

 

Otherwise, Velcro the IFB on the camera in a position that the AC can accept. Don't put the rig on another part of the dolly unless you want it pulled off and dragged like a small dog.

 

I don't put anything on the camera unless it is expressly needed by someone. Generally it isn't as we are double system without playback on TV or have a video assist setup for playback on features and commercials.

 

 

Scott

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  • 11 months later...

A Preston Fiz system is causing havoc with 216 Comteks on my set. The issue is partly proximity but, from observation, the problem can be said to occur when the Preston system gets exactly between the Comtek receiver and the Comtek transmitter's antenna (miracle whip). This produces a very irritating squelch effect. Earlier in the week, the Preston got exactly between the antenna and video village, which was some thirty feet beyond, and all Comteks in the village were affected. 

 

The Preston system, similarly when in proximity but most acutely when in direct line of transmitter and antenna, also affects the transmission power of my Lectrosonic 400 series wireless - dropping what should be close to full power down to 25-40%, or sometimes less, sometimes a full dropout when the camera is right over an actor. No direct interference to the audio of the wireless.

 

As a workaround, we are remoting the miracle whip antenna for the Comteks to avoid the direct line across the camera as much as possible. Video village is mostly not affected, but the boom op is sometimes squeezed between the cameras and gets poor Comtek reception, and the director likes to work at times beside the cameras too and has not been happy. Moving the antenna to within several feet of the camera helps in those scenarios but is not always practical or possible.

 

I had not encountered this problem before this particular show, and it is a busy schedule with little time to try other workarounds - such as switching the Preston frequencies. Maybe someone has had an opportunity to be more systematic. Maybe there is a magic frequency on these systems which solves these issues. 

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