Alteros is an Audio-Technica company, launched in late 2016 to capitalize on A-T’s years of extensive ultra-wideband (UWB) and RF technology research. Under the direction of President and CTO Jackie Green, Alteros is dedicated to the research, development and sale of innovative technology products, with a special focus on high-end wireless tools for broadcast studios, live audio production, sporting events, theaters and other applications.
At the 2017 NAB Show, Alteros will introduce the GTX Series Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Wireless Microphone System, which the company calls "a truly game-changing professional broadcast solution that offers immunity to radio frequency spectrum regulatory changes, bandwidth loss and channel crowding."
The Alteros GTX Series - shipping in the second quarter of 2017 - is a fully digital 6.5 GHz system that provides reliable, interference-free performance and license-free operation, supporting up to 24 simultaneous, high-quality, low-latency (< 3ms), uncompanded 48 kHz/24-bit audio channels in any indoor or outdoor broadcast environment.
The product of seven years of dedicated research and development, during which it underwent real-world testing in conjunction with major broadcasters and wireless audio professionals, the GTX Series system offers several significant benefits. The GTX Series operates far beyond the UHF and VHF television bands, requires no frequency coordination, license, database registration or STA, and does not cause interference or create intermodulation products. The system is ideal for studio-to-studio operation since it emits less intentional radiation than the typical PC and will not interfere with surrounding signals.
The GTX Series system launches with three key components: the GTX3224 control unit, GTX24 body-pack transmitter and GTX32 transceiver. No additional filters, combiners or distribution amplifiers are required. The GTX3224 control unit simultaneously supports up to 24 channels, an additional 24 channels of talkback audio, and eight group assignment channels in just 3U of rack space. The unit features MADI, Dante and AES67 digital outputs that are all available simultaneously and allow for seamless integration with IP-based infrastructures. A single-mode fiber output supports long-distance runs. The 7-inch front-panel touch screen provides access to system settings, monitoring tools, performance reports and other controls.
Up to 32 GTX32 transceivers may be deployed, connecting to the GTX3224 over standard shielded Cat 5 cable, which is operational to 1,000 feet. The GTX Series system’s powerful management software maximizes operational efficiency, enabling users to set up and confirm operation of 32 transceivers and 24 transmitters in only a few hours.
The GTX24 body-pack transmitter may be purchased on its own, without a microphone, or configured with one of two Audio-Technica Subminiature Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier Microphones, the AT899cL4 or AT899cL4SW, the latter equipped with an in-line talkback switch. The GTX24’s talkback function allows talent to easily speak to production staff, eliminating the need for a separate wired talkback box, or may be used as a momentary “cough switch.”
Broadcast-friendly features of the GTX3224 control unit include two separate and fully redundant AC power supplies and the ability to synchronize directly to the house clock, with failover to an accurate internal clock. The front panel GUI offers a real-time battery gauge that displays the remaining operational time for each transmitter and additionally allows user to set custom battery level alerts. The unit may be remotely monitored and controlled from a PC or computer network, and offers a timestamped event logger tool that can track and record the performance of every GTX32 and GTX24 for up to one month.
At NAB booth C2622, Jackie Green, Alteros President and CTO; Brian Fair, Executive Vice President Digital Engineering, and Bob Green, Executive Vice President, Product Engineering, will be on-hand to meet attendees to help illuminate the current and future state of the broadcast industry, solutions offered by Alteros and long-term goals of the company.Corporate developments for Alteros include the opening of a new dedicated R&D facility in Stow, Ohio, a new manufacturing partner in San Jose, California and a recent expansion of their engineering staff. Alteros has several RF solutions in the works, including a version for large stadiums, extreme sports and campus-based events.
“It’s a new world now for wireless audio, and not just because of the RF reallocation,” stated Jackie Green. “Alteros is designing RF products for how the industry is going to need to work in the future as well as today. Our foundation is still pro audio, but, as we move up into the 6 GHz-10 GHz ranges, we’re entering new territory, and we need new thinking to go with that.”
www.alteros.tech
