 Demystifying Simultaneous Interpretation Equipment |
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There are two main types of simultaneous interpretation equipment (often erroneously called translation equipment): infrared (also called IR) and radio frequency (also called RF or FM). Both are used for assistive listening and simultaneous interpretation systems.
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| Infrared |
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Infrared (IR) is electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than radio waves. This equipment is best suited for meetings where their restricted range of transmission is an advantage, typically, where industrial espionage or national security is a major concern. They are also the system of choice in areas of the world where poor regulation of the radio frequency spectrum allows interference with FM equipment.
The main advantage of infrared equipment is its immunity to radio interference. The main drawbacks are restricted range, susceptibility to light, and the fact that it requires professional installation. |
| Radio frequency |
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Radio Frequency (RF) is a frequency in the range within which radio waves may be transmitted, from about 3 kilohertz to about 300,000 megahertz. FM radio frequency systems are the most widely used in meetings and conventions because of their superior range, ease of operation, mobility, and reliability. They are also very user-friendly and can be installed by anyone with a basic knowledge of sound equipment.
Below is a side-by-side comparison of features and functionality for our most popular RF and IR systems:
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|
Feature |
Listen Radiofrequency |
Williams Sound Radiofrequency |
Williams Sound Infrared |
Bosch Integrus Infrared |
|
Frequency Response
+/- 3 db |
50 Hz-15 KHz |
22 Hz-16 KHz |
30 Hz-16 KHz |
20 Hz-20 kHz |
|
Frequency Bands |
72 MHz
216 MHz |
72 MHz |
2.3-3.8 MHz |
2-8 MHz |
|
Signal to Noise Ratio |
80 dB |
74 dB |
> 60 dB |
> 80 dB |
|
Number of channels |
56 |
6 |
4 |
32 |
|
Nominal range |
72 MHz: 1,500 ft. (457 m)
216 MHz: 3,000 ft. (914 m) |
72 MHz: 1000 ft. (304 m) |
18,000 ft2
(1,700 m2) per emitter (2-channel mode)
28,000 ft2 (2,600 m2) per emitter (1-channel mode) |
1000 m2 per medium-power emitter (4-channel mode)
2000 m2 per high-power emitter (4-channel mode) |
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Transmits through walls? |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
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Works well outdoors? |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
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Performance affected by light fixtures, camera flashes, shadowed areas or sunlight? |
no |
no |
yes |
yes |
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Susceptible to RF interference? |
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
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Transmission security? |
no |
no |
yes |
yes |
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Stereo Transmitters / Receivers? |
no |
no |
yes |
yes |
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Multiple channels simultaneously? |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
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Portable systems? |
yes |
yes |
no |
yes | |
Use the following chart to compare the different radio frequency simultaneous equipment offerings on the market.
Radio Frequency Simultaneous Interpretation Equipment Comparison Chart |
|
Listen |
Williams |
Phonic Ear |
Telex |
Starlin/ Gentner |
Drake |
Comtek |
| Stationary Transmitters |
| Model Number |
|
PPA-T35 |
PE 560T |
ST-300 |
TX-37A |
ALT1000 |
BST-50b |
| Number of Channels |
57 |
87 |
50 |
17 |
37 |
17 |
50 |
| Frequency Bands Available |
72 & 216 MHz |
72MHz only |
72MHz only |
72MHz only |
72 & 216 MHz |
72MHz only |
72MHz only |
| Number of Audio Inputs |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
| Maximum range in linear feet on 72MHz/216MHz |
1,500/ 3,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1500 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,500 |
| List Price |
$660.00 |
$649.00 |
$610.00 |
$600.00 |
$620.00 |
$699.00 |
$1,425.00 | |
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Listen |
Williams |
Phonic Ear |
Telex |
Starlin/ Gentner |
Drake |
Comtek |
| Wireless Transmitters |
| Model Number |
|
T16/T1-216 |
PE 300T |
PST-170 |
PTX |
NA |
M72 |
| LCD Display |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Number of Channels |
57 |
8/10 |
40 |
17 |
37 |
1 |
| Frequency Bands Available |
72 & 216 MHz |
72 & 216 MHz |
72MHz only |
72MHz only |
72 MHz |
72MHz only |
| Number of Audio Inputs |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
| Maximum range in linear feet on 72MHz/216MHz |
150 |
150 |
100 |
NA |
10/50 |
300 |
Battery Life (Alkaline/ Rechargeable)
in Hours |
15/8 |
15/8 |
40/10 |
8/4 |
4/2 |
30/5 |
| List Price |
$450.00 |
$400.00 / 389.00 |
$275.00 |
$505.00 |
$410.00 |
$535.00 | |
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Listen |
Williams |
Phonic Ear |
Telex |
Starlin/ Gentner |
Drake |
Comtek |
| Lowest Cost Receivers |
| Model Number |
|
PPA R7N |
PE 500R |
SR-50 |
RX-1A |
MR306 |
PR-72b |
| LCD Display |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
| Number of Channels |
17 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
17 |
1 |
| Frequency Bands Available |
72 & 216 MHz |
72 & 216 MHz |
72MHz only |
72MHz only |
72 MHz |
72MHz only |
60-216MHz |
| Tuning Method |
Digital |
Trim Pot / Coil |
Auto Freq Control |
Crystal |
Trim Pot / Coil |
Digital |
Crystal |
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Battery Life (Alkaline/
Rechargeable) in Hours |
30
/15 |
32/6 |
60/30 |
20/14 |
60/30 |
30/NA |
40/NA |
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List Price |
$82.00 |
$79.00 |
$97.00 |
$85.00 |
$77.00 |
$99.00 |
$235.00 | |
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Listen |
Williams
|
Phonic Ear |
Telex |
Starlin/ Gentner |
Drake |
Comtek |
| Multichannel Receivers |
| Model Number |
|
PPAR7-4N |
PPAR7-6N |
PE 506R |
SR-400 |
Digital 6 |
MR306 |
NA |
| LCD Display |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Number of Channels |
57 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
17 |
6 |
17 |
| Frequency Bands Available |
72 & 216 MHz |
72 MHz |
72 MHz |
72MHz only |
72MHz only |
72 MHz |
72MHz only |
| Tuning Method |
Digital |
4 Position Dial |
6 Position Dial |
6 Position Switch |
Digital |
Digital |
Digital |
| Battery Life (Alkaline/ Rechargeable) in Hours |
30/15 |
32/6 |
32/6 |
60/30 |
20/14 |
40/20 |
30/NA |
| Programmability |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| List Price |
$189.00 |
$127.00 |
$155.00 |
$97.00 |
$232.00 |
$150.00 |
$99.00 | |
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Listen |
Williams |
Phonic Ear |
Telex |
Starlin/ Gentner |
Drake |
Comtek |
| Audio Specifications (end-to-end): |
| Frequency Response |
50-15KHz |
100-10KHz |
100-10KHz |
80-8KHz |
100-10KHz |
100-10KHz |
50-15KHz |
100-10KHz |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
80dB |
55dB |
65dB |
55dB |
58dB |
55dB |
60dB |
65dB |
| Distortion |
<2% |
NA |
NA |
<2% |
<2% |
<2% |
NA |
NA | |
|
Listen |
Williams |
Phonic Ear |
Telex |
Starlin/ Gentner |
Drake |
Comtek |
| Batteries and Chargers: |
| Battery Size and Quality |
2 x AA |
1 x 9V |
1 x 9V |
2 x AA |
2 x AA |
2 x AA |
2 x AA |
1 x 9V |
| Types of Rechargeable Batteries |
NiMH |
NiMH |
NiMH |
NiCAD |
NiCAD |
NiCAD |
NA |
NiCAD |
| Battery Compartment Can Be Locked |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Drop-in Charging |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
NA |
No |
| Charging Case Sizes |
4, 8, 16 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
2, 4 |
10 |
NA |
10 | |
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Listen |
Williams |
Phonic Ear |
Telex |
Starlin/ Gentner |
Drake |
Comtek |
| Other: |
| Warranty |
Lifetime |
5 Years |
5 Years |
3 Years |
1 Year |
1 Year |
1 Year |
1 Year |
| 90 Day Performance Guarantee |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| ISO-9002 |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Sells Direct to End Users |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Sells Only Through Distributors |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
* NA = information is not available or not applicable |
| In addition, when selecting equipment, the two basic conference interpretation configurations must be kept in mind: Plenary (or General) Sessions and Workshops or Breakout Sessions: |
| Equipment Configurations: |
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| General or Plenary Sessions |
| This is the most widely used for conventions, speeches, presentations, and any other lecture-type event. Its minimum requirements are an interpretation team, an interpreter's control unit, and 1 tabletop transmitter per target language, as well as 1 receiver and headphone, or headset per participant. The better systems also include an interpretation booth and multi-channel receivers. |
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| Breakout Sessions or Workshops |
| Simultaneous interpretation at breakout sessions requires the same interpretation team per room and uses the same participant receivers and headphones as in the main convention floor, but may require different interpreter's equipment.
Sometimes, smaller 1-person booths are used to accommodate the reduced room sizes or, depending on various factors, simultaneous interpreting without a booth may be appropriate.
For meetings with numerous parallel sessions and workshops, the cost can be contained by providing additional interpreters only for those sessions that attract large numbers of participants. |
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