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Opinions on Sony digital wireless


DyerEar

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I recently used the Sony plug-on transmitter (wireless boom), and it was very good. Transparent sound, never even heard a limited working. The receiver that were used without remote antennas, performed extremely well. Without dropouts and range issues. But when signal overloaded the sound just distorted, a bit too much. Skickas från min iPhone via Tapatalk

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I thought the receivers were all AC power only --- are you using an inverter for the AC power for receivers or am I mistaken about the power requirements for the rackmount receivers.

​That's what I thought too initially. It appears SONY has two iterations of both the rack & slot mounted receivers: SONY DWRR01 & SONY DWRR02. In the second iteration they added the extra functionality of adding a 4-pin DC power connector.

DWR-R01

232182.thumb.jpeg.079d149bca74355a51a48d

DWR-R02


imageController.thumb.jpg.83777190df2e25

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  • 1 month later...

Anyone using the PC control software?  The rack mount receiver has an Ethernet port for connecting to a Sony application via Windows.  Because the controls are done via 2.4Ghz Zigbee mesh network, does that mean all receivers have to be rackmount units if you want contol, or can you just have 1 rack unit and mix with ENG compact receivers and still be able to monitor and control all transmitters via the application?

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Indeed, HL Audio in Berlin sell the DC-WL800 MKII battery eliminator (made by Ambient) in both single and dual versions. Works great for powering Sony DWT-B01 Tx in a bag. I've been using Sony DWX for more than a year now, with fantastic results. Love the system for its audio clarity, reliability and remote control features. I will normally use the AES/EBU digital out, but whenever I need six channels into my 664 I will use the Rx analog outs and go through a Kortwich VCP-M6 preamp (the analog output of the DWR-S01D is at -40 dBu mic level). Attached is a picture of that particular setup. I spoke to Markus Warlich - product specialist for Sony DWX in Europe - a few months back and asked him why they haven't been aiming their best-in-class digital wireless audio system more at the location sound mixer crowd. I was trying to understand why Sony's marketing and design of DWX had been geared almost exclusively towards ENG camera operators and why - as a consequence - so few sound mixers are using it (and being told to use the cheaper UWP instead). Ergonomically, the DWX system is clearly not intended for mixer bag use (bulky slot-in adapters DWA-01D&F01D). My guess was that Sony prefers to sell DWX as an expensive add-on to their high-end camera packages. Here is what Markus Warlich replied: 

"I understand you concern in thinking like an sound engineer and not as a camera operator. The DWR-S02D is made an developed for ENG camera operation and the DWA adapter are an ad on for a different use. Maybe we can show in the future other receiver versions which feed more the needs of sound designers. Until know the system is at it is." 

The somewhat ironic conclusion of all of this is that Sony is consciously marketing their best ever digital wireless audio system to camera operators. Only a matter of time until they start marketing their best ever digital camera to location sound mixers. That'll be the day! 

Sony_DWX_bag_setup.jpg

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Indeed, HL Audio in Berlin sell the DC-WL800 MKII battery eliminator (made by Ambient) in both single and dual versions. Works great for powering Sony DWT-B01 Tx in a bag. I've been using Sony DWX for more than a year now, with fantastic results. Love the system for its audio clarity, reliability and remote control features. I will normally use the AES/EBU digital out, but whenever I need six channels into my 664 I will use the Rx analog outs and go through a Kortwich VCP-M6 preamp (the analog output of the DWR-S01D is at -40 dBu mic level). Attached is a picture of that particular setup. I spoke to Markus Warlich - product specialist for Sony DWX in Europe - a few months back and asked him why they haven't been aiming their best-in-class digital wireless audio system more at the location sound mixer crowd. I was trying to understand why Sony's marketing and design of DWX had been geared almost exclusively towards ENG camera operators and why - as a consequence - so few sound mixers are using it (and being told to use the cheaper UWP instead). Ergonomically, the DWX system is clearly not intended for mixer bag use (bulky slot-in adapters DWA-01D&F01D). My guess was that Sony prefers to sell DWX as an expensive add-on to their high-end camera packages. Here is what Markus Warlich replied: 

"I understand you concern in thinking like an sound engineer and not as a camera operator. The DWR-S02D is made an developed for ENG camera operation and the DWA adapter are an ad on for a different use. Maybe we can show in the future other receiver versions which feed more the needs of sound designers. Until know the system is at it is." 

The somewhat ironic conclusion of all of this is that Sony is consciously marketing their best ever digital wireless audio system to camera operators. Only a matter of time until they start marketing their best ever digital camera to location sound mixers. That'll be the day! 

Sony_DWX_bag_setup.jpg

Still limited to 50 mW. Range is my only concern.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Just FYI, there's a 6 hours left on an auction for a DWR-R02D ch 42 rack mount receiver (version 2 with wide band and XLR-4 DC input) for $1350 with no bids.  I've been watching it for awhile, and was originally priced over $2K and if doesn't sell now, may even be reposted at a lower price.  I was highly interested in getting a Sony configuraiton for my boom op system, but decided against extraneous purchases at this point in time, but seems to be a great price for this unit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121749393264?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

there's even a couple of matching plug-on transmitters at good prices too...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SONY-DWT-P01-Digital-Wireless-Transmitter-Channel-42-51-w-Plug-On-XLR-/111715061636?hash=item1a02bc8f84

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SONY-DWT-P01-E4250-DIGITAL-WIRELESS-PLUG-IN-TRANSMITTER-/321847910537?hash=item4aefa16089

 

Edited by Tom Visser
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It's a picture of a box. Buying on Ebay can be risky enough, but without even a real picture? Come on, this isn't a Star Trek "still in its original box" collector's item. Just open the damn box and take some pictures

3603 positive feedback @ 100% - seems pretty safe to me.  It was relisted at same price.

Edited by Tom Visser
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Still limited to 50 mW. Range is my only concern.

I've never had any issues with range. Besides, we have a max. 50mW limit here in Sweden. The only time I've had to switch to 50mW was when the talent was roughly 100 yards away and on the other side of a 4-way intersection in the midst of rush hour. 50mW got me through it just fine. For really challenging scenarios, I use the Tascam DR-10C recorder with Sony AK-DR10CR adapter, just to be safe. I know the DR-10C is not available stateside, but for those of you in other parts of the world thinking of using your Sony lavs with this handy little recorder, a word of caution: Tascam shows an incorrect (Sony ECM88 config) pin out on its website. I've informed them of this and they have assured me their marketing people will correct the error. To ensure Sony lav compatibility with DR-10C, the correct pin out is the Sony ECM77 config: Pin1 = Bias, Pin2=GND, Pin3=Signal, Pin4=GND (see attached pics). It was a painstaking troubleshooting process that led me to this discovery. I ended up having to get most of my lavs rewired from ECM88 to ECM77 (I mostly have Sanken COS11 lavs and Sanken - unfortunately - recommends ECM88 wiring for DWX). ECM88 is basically ECM77 with the phase inverted. Since DWT-B01 has balanced input circuitry, both ECM88 & 77 phases will work just fine. This is not the case for Tascam's DR-10C (AK-DR10CR).    

 

ECM 77 88 pinout.png

ECM 77 Wiring Diagram.png

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I've never had any issues with range. Besides, we have a max. 50mW limit here in Sweden. The only time I've had to switch to 50mW was when the talent was roughly 100 yards away and on the other side of a 4-way intersection in the midst of rush hour. 50mW got me through it just fine. For really challenging scenarios, I use the Tascam DR-10C recorder with Sony AK-DR10CR adapter, just to be safe. I know the DR-10C is not available stateside, but for those of you in other parts of the world thinking of using your Sony lavs with this handy little recorder, a word of caution: Tascam shows an incorrect (Sony ECM88 config) pin out on its website. I've informed them of this and they have assured me their marketing people will correct the error. To ensure Sony lav compatibility with DR-10C, the correct pin out is the Sony ECM77 config: Pin1 = Bias, Pin2=GND, Pin3=Signal, Pin4=GND (see attached pics). It was a painstaking troubleshooting process that led me to this discovery. I ended up having to get most of my lavs rewired from ECM88 to ECM77 (I mostly have Sanken COS11 lavs and Sanken - unfortunately - recommends ECM88 wiring for DWX). ECM88 is basically ECM77 with the phase inverted. Since DWT-B01 has balanced input circuitry, both ECM88 & 77 phases will work just fine. This is not the case for Tascam's DR-10C (AK-DR10CR).    

 

ECM 77 88 pinout.png

ECM 77 Wiring Diagram.png

Thank you for sharing that, very useful (for those of us who can buy tascam dr-10).

dan.

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  • 8 months later...

Hi Daniel,

This wiring diagram of the ECM77 could help me finish a long search.  I've got a an old Sony Wireless mic set with a WRT805A transmitter.  The transmitter has a 4pin Hirose bayonet connector.   I want to plug my Fender Strat into the transmitter and hop to the amp via the wireless.  I've looked around the net and found the right connector (also via this very knowledgeable site).  I want to wire it correctly and as the ECM77 mic was included in the kit I bought, I believe that reverse engineering your pin outs on the microphone tells me the function of the pins of the input to the wireless transmitter.   I am not an engineer and so I have two related questions   1. Can you recommend a pin assignment of the signal and gnd from the strat to the 4 pin input of the transmitter?  2. Can I ignore the bias pin?

Thanks in advance for any help I can get,

Richard.

 

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Thank you Daniel,  I missed the fact that it was Jonne who originally posted - this IT thing is complicated for an old dog.  I will take your advice and give the job of making the cable to a pro.   Jonne, can you recommend the pin assignments?

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20 hours ago, bluesman said:

I want to plug my Fender Strat into the transmitter and hop to the amp via the wireless.

Instrument inputs (guitars) and wireless mic inputs (which include bias voltage power) are quite different in impedance and level. Then there's the mic level receiver going back to an instrument input on the amp. It probably won't sound very good.

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Hi Rick, thanks for your comment.   I checked the manual and discovered that it is for a later model of the same transmitter I have.  One of the  differences being that Sony changed the input connector from Hirose to a 3.4mm jack and offered the option of a guitar lead into that jack.  So I think I am trying to fit a square peg into a round hole and will go buy a purpose built wireless guitar system.

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  • 3 years later...

Hi,

Digging up.

 

I'm searching more informations about that system and found this old topic. So 3 years later, new post. Hope I'll get some more details here. This is a very obscure product with not so much infos available...  And sony is not very helpfull.

 

Specs & fonctionalites seem great, and it seems also really intended for professional camera work, obviously. Still I'm curious on how to add this kind of system in my bag. Because why the hell not... Actually, I found an used  Sony DWT tansmitter for sale at a very decent price. Dealer is serious. Frequencies are still ok for us (in Europe  600 mhz +  : can still be used in my country for some time )...

 

,,,But no receiver available.

And the Sony receivers for sale are just too big and not designed for bag work. And pricey. No information about a compatibilty with UWP receivers wich I already own in these blocks as well... And they deliver anaolog mic level output at -40 Dbu, so I wont put some crazy money for something that do not suit my needs at all)

 

So my main concern is compatibility with other brands receivers. I wonder if they are compatible with Wysicom MCR42 or MPR 52's for example ?

Is it fully digital tranmission (if yes then we are stuck with sony) or do they get analog transmission mode as welll ?

 

, Because I'm very interested into getting some of those wideband and very flexible receivers from my italian friends at wysi. Sent an e mail no answers yet.


I Know they got different modes that you can select and I assume it changes the companding/expanding behavior, but not really certain about it.

Anyone has something to get me out of the dark ?

 

Thanks a lot

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DWT transmitters are fully digital and are only compatible with the DWX receivers, which come in Sony slot format (have adapters available with battery shoe, headphone outputs, output connectors, AES...) or the rack units.  Sound quality is very good and one of the few systems that offer full remote control over a secondary RF network.

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  • 1 year later...

Hi guys, apologies for jumping in. I'm doing some digging around and saw this thread so I'm hoping someone could kindly shed some light on this haha.

 

Recently got a set of DWR-S02d for bag-based work. I need to build some cables for the 4pin analog to 3-pin XLR for my recorder. Does anyone happen to have the wiring diagram or how I can go about doing this?

 

Thanks so much in advance!

 

Best Regards,

DD

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  • 1 year later...
On 8/13/2015 at 8:20 PM, JonneWilkinson said:

 

The somewhat ironic conclusion of all of this is that Sony is consciously marketing their best ever digital wireless audio system to camera operators. Only a matter of time until they start marketing their best ever digital camera to location sound mixers. That'll be the day! 

Sony_DWX_bag_setup.jpg

@JonneWilkinson, are you using the Sony DWA-01D to power your receivers and get the audio out of them into your Sound Devices recorder? 

 

Has anything simpler/lighter/cheaper/smaller than the Sony DWA-01D ever came out instead for powering SONY DWR receivers? (by Sony, or anybody else?)

 

 

On 6/15/2019 at 6:26 PM, Tom Visser said:

DWT transmitters are fully digital and are only compatible with the DWX receivers, which come in Sony slot format (have adapters available with battery shoe, headphone outputs, output connectors, AES...) or the rack units.  Sound quality is very good and one of the few systems that offer full remote control over a secondary RF network.


Have you ever come across any issues mixing digital Sony wireless together other wireless on set? (Shure/Lectrosonics/Wisycom/Zax/etc) So long as they're properly frequency coordinated they don't interfere with each other? 

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14 minutes ago, IronFilm said:

@JonneWilkinson, are you using the Sony DWA-01D to power your receivers and get the audio out of them into your Sound Devices recorder? 

 

Has anything simpler/lighter/cheaper/smaller than the Sony DWA-01D ever came out instead for powering SONY DWR receivers? (by Sony, or anybody else?)

 

 


Have you ever come across any issues mixing digital Sony wireless together other wireless on set? (Shure/Lectrosonics/Wisycom/Zax/etc) So long as they're properly frequency coordinated they don't interfere with each other? 

If you have only receivers in the bag it should not matter that much.  

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