Sony WCS-999 Wireless Microphone System
11/7/2004
A relatively low cost solution for adding a wireless mic to your system (professional systems runs in the thousands). The specifications list the maximum distance about 150 feet (45M), but the sound starts to degrade around 120 feet (36M).
This wireless system also works when the subject, wearing the mic, is several rooms away.
The WCS-999 comes with a receiver with an attached 18" cord and a 3.5mm (1/8") diameter mono plug, transmitter, a lavalier microphone and an earpiece. It requires 2 AA batteries (not include). Battery life is about 20 hours.
It works best when all you want to do is capture the voice or surrounding sounds from the subject wearing it. The mic is omni-directional, so it will pick up sounds from all around. I've found it valuable when recording conversations in a car, with the windows rolled up, and the camcorder outside; an interviewer, 50 feet away (or more); and capturing bird sounds in a tree, with the transmitter and mic planted on the tree.
It does produce some type of radio frequency noise, but, you have the choice to switch to 3 different channels to minimize the noise.
It is a mono system that will record to the left channel only. To
record to both channels, you need an adapter, such as BeachTek's
DXA-2.
An important note about powered mics
They use batteries. They have an on/off switch. After using these mics, it is
important to turn them off. This is my only problem, and could be your's. Always
carry backup batteries, or know where the nearest Radio Shack is. The other thing
is to use some type of headset (or earphones). You will always turn on the camcorder,
but sometimes forget to turn on the mic.
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