Sony PD 150 Shooting Manual page 17

PD 150 shooting guide
A cabled microphone is plugged into a transmitter, and the audio is transmitted via a radio link to a receiver that plugs into
the camera. The transmitter has sockets for the mic and for the aerial. The receiver will have one or two fixed aerials and a
socket for the cable that runs to camera. Hired in radio mics are sometimes supplied with both line and mic level leads - it
doesn't matter which you use but make sure you set the Beach or Glensound box input switch accordingly.
Radio mics are delicate pieces of equipment and need to be looked after. When plugging up, line up sockets and inputs
carefully, there are often dots indicating the right way round - under no circumstances try to force leads into place. Likewise
when unplugging be firm but careful, and don't disconnect by pulling at the leads. Store radio mics carefully - they will not
fare well thrown into a pocket of your kit bag. Best would be to keep them in the hire company's box, with the spare aerials,
batteries, and optional clips etc.
Radio mics need batteries in both the receiver and the transmitter, often of different types. They lose power far faster than
other mics, and although there is a battery checker we suggest that you change the batteries in both the receiver and the
transmitter before filming an interview or sequence to ensure that one or other element does not fail at a vital moment. All
the time the microphone is plugged into the transmitter it is using battery power, so should be unplugged when not in use, as
should the lead from the receiver to the camera.
The audio signal is transmitted on a pre-set frequency and more expensive radio mics have a choice of two channels, so
make sure that transmitter and receiver are both switched to the same channel. The frequencies will be different for each
radio mic set, so make sure that you are using the transmitter and receiver that belong to each other - the pair usually have
the same number stickered to each, or you can check that their frequencies match on the factory stickers.
The signal range of radio mics varies greatly and is affected by buildings and other obstacles that can cause the radio link to
break up. On expensive models there are lights on the receiver indicating signal strength, and some, known as diversity
radio mics will automatically take the strongest signal from one of two aerials, thereby reducing the chance of break up. It is
possible to cause or be affected by interference, in which case try switching both the transmitter and receiver to the other
channel, and as with all radio equipment be aware that radio mics should not be use in locations like hospitals and
aeroplanes without consulting the appropriate authorities.
You may have noticed a small level control that looks like a plastic screw head on the top of the transmitter. This can be
adjusted using the small screwdriver you will have in the kit, but it should already have been set to a reasonable level -
about half way.