2 way communication Device...

jrazz wrote on 5/11/2006, 6:40 AM
I would like to get some 2 way radio headsets that my assitant and I can use to communicate during a wedding- so it would have to be able to pick up a whisper. An issue that we would have to contend with is headphones. I have 1 shotgun mic on 1 channel and 1 lapel on the other (on both cams) so this gives me audio into my left & right channels into my headphones.

So the question is: Are there headphones that have a "third channel" so to speak, that can "break" in to the audio without being recorded on the camera and allow for two way communication (ie equipped with a mic)?

I am sure that I can pay a pretty penney for some somewhere, but something closer to 500USD or less would be great if it is out there.

j razz

Comments

DavidMcKnight wrote on 5/11/2006, 9:53 AM
J - eartec.com is a popular solution. They have a Videographer's package that is in your budget. We got two custom-wired headsets that allow you to plug in your camera audio, that way your comm is in one ear and your cam audio (or other source) is in the other. We've used them successfully on several projects. Ask for Ryan, tell him I sent you.

<edit>
This is what we have, but with upgraded headphones (the Ultra Double), and both units have the custom control switch to monitor cam audio.

http://eartec.com/td902.html
Tech Diver wrote on 5/11/2006, 12:40 PM
A much less expensive route (but also much less elegant) is to get several "family" walkie-talkies along with the hands-free headset accessory. These are the ones that most folks get to keep track of their kids while skiing (that's what we use them for). Sometimes you see folks traveling on motorcyles using these for conversation. Two manufactures off the top of my head are Motorolla and Cobra. Make sure the units support an adjustable noise-gate for the mic so you only broadcast when you speak.
musicvid10 wrote on 5/14/2006, 3:41 PM
The entertainment industry standard AFAIAC is the ClearCom Wireless. Just used a set for a three-week show and I like the range, clarity, and rejection in noisy auditoriums. It is also the best for discrete communications because it will pick up a whisper clearly.

Although it may be a bit much for you right now, the expandability ensures you won't be ditching it when its time to grow.

http://www.clearcom.com/
jrazz wrote on 5/14/2006, 3:58 PM
The ClearCom wireless looks pretty neat- although for me, I could not justify buying it as it is overkill for anything I think I would ever do or need. Plus, I need something completely mobile.

The other suggestions are more along the lines of what I need/want, but I would really like something that allows me to keep my left and right audio and allows for a "break-in" of my assistant when necessary and then right back to the audio coming from the camera.
Thanks for the suggestions so far.

j razz
apit34356 wrote on 5/14/2006, 5:44 PM
jrazz, this is a simple electronics project. Since both devices are outputting to a headset, a simple summing/mixing op circuit, about $8-20 cost, could be build. Radio Shack electronics project book probably has a simple, clean design or "Circuit's Cellar " online library, don't know if they still use that name, tho.
BrianStanding wrote on 5/14/2006, 5:48 PM
One word of caution with FRS and GMRS radios. Some of these frequencies interfere with steadyshot if it's engaged. I had this experience with my Sony PD-150. The image suddenly started rapidly jumping around the screen in totally random jerks. After a few seconds of sheer panic, we figured out it was the GMRS radios we were using.

rs170a wrote on 5/14/2006, 6:45 PM
...I could not justify buying it as it is overkill...

Poor man's ClearCom

Mike