NEWS ANALYSIS SHURE/CHANNEL 38
Crossing the channel T
It may be coming a bit too soon for many in MI, but the 2012 Digital Switchover is getting ever closer, meaning it’s probably time to see what it all means. Adam Savage translates all the technical jargon into a more digestable format…
o the majority of individuals, even those with a reasonable knowledge of all things technical in MI, trying
to get one’s head around a topic like wireless systems, frequency ranges and the ongoing Digital Switchover is a confusing prospect to say the least. So, with much needed research and inevitable head scratching, here’s a brief guide that will hopefully help tackle the bewilderment that surrounds this particular subject. We all heard about the change from
analog to digital when we were told to throw out our old, knackered telly in favour of a shiny new, HD-ready alternative, but what many don’t know is that all wireless mics and in-ear monitoring systems in the UK use exactly the same spectrum as analog television. The time is rapidly approaching,
therefore, when all wireless users will simply have no choice but to abandon their old Channel-69-enabled systems and get hold of a model that is ready for the new home of wireless microphones and in-ear monitors, coming as a result of the switchover in 2012 – Channel 38. The good news is that Channel 38
users will not be sharing the spectrum with any interfering, unlicensed devices, such as phones using Bluetooth or laptops on a Wi-Fi connection. The not such good news is it isn’t just Channel 69 facing the cut – all frequencies from 550 (Channel 31) to 606MHz (Channel 37) will be switched off, and so too will everything in between 790 (Channel 61) and 862MHz (Channel 69). Those using Channel 70 (863 to 865MHz) will be unaffected by the Digital Switchover, however, and Shure’s MD Peter James explains this is a way small-scale wireless users can avoid the kafuffle. “One of the main points that wireless
users need to know is that the deregulated band, Channel 70, which exists now and will continue after the switchover, is free to use and there is no need to buy a license,” he said. “This is perfect for small setups, but not a solution for those using larger systems.” It should also be noted that Channels 21 to 30 and 41 to 60 will also be usable for wireless microphone and in-ear monitor purposes post 2012, although only for special project events and will need a unique licence.
Do you have a licence for that system, monsieur?
14 miPRO DECEMBER 2010
ON TO THE NEXT LEVEL So what is the reason behind all this? Well, the clearing of the old frequencies will put the UK in line with the spectrum changes in other European countries and, more crucially, it will allow for the introduction of next-generation mobile
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