1. How many mic units can I use with an MCW-D 100 central controller? – 65000 per controller.
2. Is the MCW-D system difficult to set up? – Not at all. All new purchased systems come pre-configured from the factory to function perfectly straight out of the box. Therefore, when installing the product, it is just a case of allowing a suitable place for the MCW-D 100 central controller to be mounted, using appropriate antennae and cable with good line-of-sight of the microphone units and then powering everything up. It is preferable that the central control unit is powered up first and then the mic units, so that each mic can locate the controller straight away. If the product is to be connected or controlled in other ways (ie. Connected to a PA system or controlled via a media control unit), further adjustments can be made via either the Editor or Controller software.
3. What is the MCW-D Editor software actually used for? – For adjusting the transmitting and receiving frequencies of both the mic units and the central controller, for changing the volume levels of the mic unit loudspeakers, headphone outputs and main audio output of the central controller plus changing the ducking level of the mic unit loudspeakers when the mic is activated. You can also set the time and sensitivity (threshold) of the mic unit Auto Off function, which will cause the mic unit to automatically switch off when no audio signal is received by the microphone.
The software also provides a visual representation of the type of mic unit (chairman or delegate) related to the individual unit address and the individual mic unit battery status, as well as the current RF power output and input sensitivity.
4. What is the MCW-D Controller software actually used for? – It provides a graphical user interface for different types of control by either a chairperson or conference technician. Functions include remote mic unit activation/deactivation, with the ability to load an image of the room the system is being used in onto the front screen and place “virtual” delegate stations on this image.
Access to a Request-to-talk list is available whereby, when a delegate pushes his/her mic unit to speak, their request is entered into a list and given a number. The chairperson/technician then has the ability to either activate the mic units manually, in the order that the delegates pressed their push-to-talk buttons, or allow the software to automatically open the next mic unit when the previously speaking person has closed his/her mic.
A Log File (or event recorder) is also available, which basically stores a note of which microphone address has been activated to speak, when it was activated and how long it was activated for. This file can then be saved for viewing at a later date, possibly in conjunction with audio recordings made via a Neal recorder or similar.
Other functions also include a facility to prevent certain mic unit addresses being able to speak, by entering their addresses into a list called “Not Allowed to Speak list”, handy if the units are to be used by the Press. A global open mic Clear button and a button to power down all of the mic units are also available. There is also the possibility of setting individual delegate unit talk times and the ability to adjust the warning time (before mic shutdown) of the gooseneck LED ring.
All of these facilities can be used with either a standard or touch-screen compatible PC, or a media control system such as CUE, Crestron or AMX.
5. How many mic units can I have talking simultaneously? – Using a standard MCW-D 100 controller (populated with 4 Smartlink modules) 3 delegates and 1 chairperson can speak simultaneously. With a fully populated MCW-D 100 controller (7 Smartlink modules fitted), up to 6 delegates and 1 chairperson can speak simultaneously.
6. What is the transmission range from the MCW-D 100 controller to each mic unit? – Using the standard CA 2411 angle rod antenna, 100 metres line-of-sight is recommended. Using the CA 2413 Planar antenna, correctly mounted with suitable 2.4 GHz-compatible cable (either Aircell 7, Ecoflex or RG 213 types), this distance can be extended to up to 400 – 500 metres line-of-sight.
Bear in mind that, the more bodies in the room, the less area there is for roaming RF signal, so mounting of antenna is recommended at seven feet from the ground or higher (above average human height). This provides much better line-of-sight than lower mounted antenna and therefore a stronger signal.
7. What is the battery time of the microphone units? – With the unit fully charged and switched on but without the microphone activated to speak, the battery time is up to 12 hours. With the unit fully charged, switched on and activated to speak, the battery time is up to 8 hours. Charging time is approximately 2 hours, using either the MCW-D 10 or MCW-D LED 10 charging units.
8. Are there any products that can cause interference with the digital RF signal of MCW-D? – Yes there are. The main culprit is the microwave oven, which emits an extremely high frequency signal that can cause interference noise within the 2.4 GHz band. In most cases this will not disrupt, or cut-out, the transmission or reception signal, only a introduce a clicking or hissing noise to the audio signal.
Other potential products that would cause problems would be the new range of high power wireless LAN units which can, if working in close proximity to the MCW-D system, actually knock out the transmitting and receiving signal of the MCW-D product. In this case, adjustment of frequencies of either product can usually overcome this problem.
As with most other audio products, mobile phone signals (the all too familiar dit, dit, diiiit emission) will also be picked up by the MCW-D system. There is currently no way of stopping this, other than switching off the phone when the system is in use.
The transmission is digital and has a high level of encryption making it virtually impossibld therefore a very secure system to operate. The built-in loudspeakers on some models preclude the necessity of having