Wireless Microphones Buying Guide

Wireless Microphone Buying Guide

A wireless microphone is all about convenience and a great sound quality at the same time. As the name implies, a wireless or cordless microphone is a device that has no cables altogether. It is a higher version of a typical wired microphone apart from the fact that this model is cordless and bit bigger than the conventional microphone as it houses a battery pack and he transmitter. With some of the great technological features, the wireless microphone is nearly getting perfect in all the aspects like interference, range, battery life, and sound quality. That is why, in today’s scenario, the wireless microphone is extremely popular and comes handy for any onstage performance.

The wireless microphone is very much beneficial for the professionals as it gives them freedom to use the stage at will without the tangling of cables anymore. Such freedom is required for any music concert, presentation, karaoke, competitions, and many other such events, which calls for absolute flexibility without compromising on the sound quality. That is where the wireless microphone comes as an apposite solution. As come the advantages, so are the disadvantages of using a wireless microphone. For instance, a wireless microphone can help you to get rid of the cabling problems of a typical wired microphone, generally caused by constant moving and stressing the cables but at the same time, many of the models offer a limited range that makes them useable within a range of 100 meters. Another typical problem still faced with some low-end wireless microphones is of the interference with other radio equipment or other microphones. The answer to this issue can be found in the new models well equipped with many frequency-synthesized switch-selectable channels. Another typical problem faced with the wireless microphone is of the operations time as it works on the battery.

That is why we have some suggestions that will help you to choose the right kind of wireless microphone from the available lot of products. Here is a buying guide for wireless microphones.

Step#1

Make a list of features you want in the wireless microphone. This can include range, operation time, no. of channels, and other important aspects.

Step#2

Once you have defined your requirement, you are now ready to search for the right model from the available range of wireless microphones.

Step#3

Identify if a body pack microphone or a standard handheld microphone fits the bill. They offer the same features but can be used differently. In the body-pack microphone the body-pack is a small box, generally the size of a cigarette packet, houses the transmitter and the battery pack. The body-pack transmitter easily clips to the user’s belt or can be worn on the body. Whereas a handheld wireless microphone is more like the conventional microphone with the basic difference being that in place of the cable this is bit bigger to house the transmitter and the battery pack.

Step#4

Once you have decided on that, it is time to look at the prices of the short listed microphones. Compare the products well and then make your choice.

Step#5

Before you finalize a wireless microphone make sure to take a trial if you are shopping physically. If shopping online, make sure to read the reviews carefully.

Just What is Wireless Convergence….and Can You Really Benefit?

The term “Wireless Convergence” seems to be all the rage … at least with the TechnoGeek crowd.  But just what is this strange animal … and will it ever really be the “great hope” for the common Joe?

 

Wireless convergence, from a customer point of view, means that:

 

“I have a device (handheld, portable,.. mobile) with no wires. This device is able to connect to the best wireless network available (WiFi, Wimax, GPRS, 3G, HSDPA). I can consumpt any product (music, video, messaging) that I’ve purchased, but the service is delivered adapted to the performance of my device (CPU, memory, storage) and the performance of the network: so it’s seamless”.

 

So that implies:

 

- Advanced devices. The question then becomes: Which player in the market is the natural provider for this device? Is it a mobile handset vendor, or a consumer electronic vendor or a computer/PDA vendor? Apple, HTC, Nokia, Samsung, Philips, everybody has a different point of view.

 

The goal of Wireless Convergence is to enable a single wireless device to interact seamlessly over multiple wireless networks. Clearly, this means that it is able to send the same bits over multiple kinds of wireless networks.

 

This is a fairly utopian dream if the complete wireless communication spectrum is considered as well as all kinds of wireless networks. There are so many technical issues that this can probably never be done.

 

Interestingly, there are many multi-radio devices available today commercially. However, they do not fall under this category, since the radios are used for different goals. Thus, the better way to look at it is to consider the similar but competing technologies and look for a method of convergence.

 

In reality there is no such thing as Wireless convergence.

 

Transmission media define the material that is used to enable the connectivity of the service …. and this can be wired or wireless.

 

There are services and applications that are portable across the devices that operate on these wired and wireless network …. which when employed with device adaptation can claim to offer a NGN but really all that we provide is terminal / device adaptation.

 

And there is the convergence of the industry specific applications offering terminal / device adaptation.

 

When people talk about wireless convergence they often mean the things mentioned above. They also often mean some form of multi-mode RF device that switches between the RF layers of the device in some intelligent sense, but this is not wireless convergence.

 

No, wireless convergence does not exist. It was dreamt up as a term in many boardrooms to describe many distinct phenomena, but usually it is better to describe each phenomena (and its distinct manifestation) rather than to encapsulate them under a convergence theme.

 

To really understand wireless convergence, it makes sense to look at what has happened to wireline services.

 

Early wireline was strictly voice, with some service enhancements (caller ID, voicemail, etc.) The internet changed that and soon we began looking to our wireline connections to do more. Early wireline providers such as AOL and Compuserve, provided full application and content to the users. Users were charged per minute usage rates for these services. As wireline services evolved, the ISP changed from content and application providers to simply internet connection providers. The model of running an application on the machine to access the internet (e.g. AOL’s software) fell away and just about everything on the device (pc) began to use the connection. The old wireline services such as phone use is now falling away for VoIP services completing the transition to wireline becoming just a connection point and nothing more.

 

Wireless evolution is following this parallel, no longer are wireless providers a service provider, but instead they are network providers. Wireless used to be a per minute service, but many offer monthly unlimited plans now. The service platform is falling away as devices trend towards the smart-phone style platforms. No longer do we need MMode, HomeDecks, and other launching platforms that mimic AOL of the 90′s.

 

In my opinion, the convergence will be complete when you purchase a wireless device only for the connection, and you are allowed to chose your own voice (and other service) providers ala cart. While cross technology devices (gsm/wifi/wimax) are a part of the evolution, I don’t think they’re required for convergence. And contrary to what some may say, UMA (unlicensed mobile access) is an excellent example of the handoff between network topologies that exists today.

 

Also in my opinion, the biggest roadblock to convergence is not the technology, it’s the corporations involved. It’s too difficult to let go of the service model as it’s usually where the margins are the highest for the provider. But that is the price of combining technology evolution with making money. Someone has to pay for all of our new toys.

 

Convergence is, at the end of the day, a user accessing any content on any device on any network at any location. With next gen service delivery platforms that sit at the intersection of networks, applications, OSS/BSS systems, and subscribers, we are getting closer. There is extensive work being done, outside of IMS (another long stroy) that is working to standardize the services environment for platform/network interoperability. Of course, this assumes that subscriber data is transparent across networks and platforms, and is accessible by 3rd party app providers who are in partnership with the service providers. OTT/UGC is another issue altogether, not tied into convergence but tied into the business model.

 

Convergence will get here, just not in the time, shape, form, or way that is 100% of how we think it will get here.

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Best Practices in Building a Wireless Enterprise

The Yankee Group 2006 Transatlantic Wireless Business Survey reveals that more than 40 percent of today’s workforce is considered mobile. Increased workforce mobility is attributed to a number of factors, including new tools and technologies in telephony and wireless communications that enable a more remote workforce. The greater demand for work-life balance is also encouraging telecommuting and home-based workers while globalization is necessitating a more flexible workforce that can adapt to changing multi-geographical demands.

The growing mobile workforce is prompting many companies to change the way they build and support IT. Many are redesigning enterprise applications, services and productivity tools to fit the needs of a mobile workforce.

According to Gareth Bellis, Network Services Director for Lanworks Australia, “a wireless infrastructure improves staff performance and efficiency by empowering key users with the ability to move around effortlessly within the enterprise.”

He says that as businesses expand and move, wireless technology enables rapid deployment of temporary locations, such as shop front, construction site or new office. “It also prepares an enterprise for emerging technologies including paperless transactions with digital signatures. This is particularly helpful among customer facing staff (retail, professional services),” adds Bellis.

Another emerging technology is Voice over WiFi (convergence of MobileLanVoIP), which enables staff to seamlessly, and effortlessly transition from mobile telephony to their desk phones.

Challenges

Enterprises must overcome several challenges before making the leap towards the wireless environment. Chief among this is security. Adoption of new standards, such as IEEE 802.11i, also known as WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) offers the most promising protocol in terms of ensuring stability and security of wireless environment.

Billis notes that WPA2 using certificates (encryption level determined by the level of security required) is the only type of wireless security that is not hackable right now. “Logical or physical limitations can also be implemented on the access points and physical network devices they are attaching to in order to increase security levels, for example which protocols to allow to traverse your wireless and physical network. Combining wireless security as well as applying security restrictions across network layers is the most effective way of achieving a completely secure wireless network,” he explains.

Most enterprises have legacy devices that do not support the security standards required by enterprise. Apprehension exists over ineffective security and protection of corporate data particularly among publicly listed companies that must meet certain security and legislative standards. In some conservative enterprises there maybe apprehensions over the use of new security standards such as WPA2, the simple fact is that these standards are often the most secure.

Security is subject to Moore’s Law. We keep building faster and cheaper computers that can then crack previously uncrackable security standards. Therefore security must be reviewed and upgraded as a part of an enterprises IT strategy, or ITIL framework.

Implementing the right security framework, standards, and infrastructure can lead to initial slower deployment timelines and may require additional investment. However it is critical to get it right the first time.

Today’s wireless technologies have a bandwidth limitation significantly more acute than wireline counterpart. An increase in the number of users will result in connection speed degradation, particularly with applications that are not geared to support web connections. When coupled with higher security requirements, the result can be even slower transfer between access points in an organization.

Best practices

It is important for an organization to set up policy as to who can access the network wirelessly and when. Once these policies are in place, stick by them.

Consider performing a capacity planning exercise at the onset to determine the type of bandwidth the organization can sustain.

A site audit or survey prior to installing wireless access points is critical to ensure that the organization provides the connectivity where it is needed. Building materials, environment conditions and interference from other wireless devices and networks influence the design and location of access points. Perform regular audit and penetration testing to ensure the connection remains stable and consistent over the life of the infrastructure.

Most organizations will have wired networks in place. A wireless infrastructure is meant to be an extension of this network, not its replacement. It is therefore important to guarantee that the wireless network is integrated into the existing infrastructure management systems.

In wireless networking a service set identifier (SSID) is a code attached to all packets on a wireless network to identify each packet as part of that network. All wireless devices attempting to communicate with each other must share the same SSID. As a rule, don’t broadcast your SSID. Use MAC filtering as well as encryption for access control.

Reduce the distance the access point transmitter will reach to reduce coverage outside of the office or store location. This is difficult to do and can only be achieved by trial and error. Combine access point restrictions as well as protocol control on the wired network to restrict access to information on the local network based on requirements.

A business case for 3 Australia to go wireless

When mobile operator 3 Australia wanted to migrate its customers from 2G to 3G, it realized that beyond the preparation of a glitzy marketing campaign, it also needed to make sure its 43 retail outlets and 45 dealers would be able to cope with the onslaught of new business. But rather than opening additional store fronts it decided to consider using technology to cope with the new business potential.

Wireless technology was quickly seen as meeting that need. But with a window of less than six weeks to go from concept to deployment, the company turned to outside help. The business of designing and implementing a new solution went to Lanworks, a Sydney-based integration shop.

According to David Bickett, 3′s General Manager of Consumer Sales and Micro-Business Lanworks had to come up with a solution that met specific sales, marketing and compliance requirements, and be responsive to changing customer dynamics.

Lanworks worked within the physical constraints of existing stores and accommodated 3′s shift to retail kiosks. Tablet PCs equipped with 3′s NetConnect Card for high-speed wireless broadband access were selected to create a wireless transaction capability for staff.

“There were a number of complexities in this project, not least of which were scale and time constraints. Lanworks needed to address and manage multiple business issues including security, protecting the integrity of the existing wired retail network; and development of digital signatures to enable the paperless contract solution,” explained Aaron Dormer, Managing Director for Lanworks. “The end solution involved over 200 individual pieces of hardware and integration between multiple enterprise applications and data points.”

The solution rolled out debunks the notion that retail sales need to take place behind a counter. The innovation opportunity for 3 in terms of workforce management, cue busting at peak periods, use of floor space, roaming sales professionals and obviously, ability to service business customers off site and of course, customer service over a coffee at a cafe instead of after a half hour cue at a counter.

3 understand that technology is not just about cost, but it is an investment. The return on that investment will be measured in customer satisfaction.

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The Period of Wireless Internet

Wireless internet connections have many advantages. If you are a businessman and run your own business then WiFi is the best solution to access internet and manage your business when you are away from your desk. Even if you are a common user, wireless connection is a good opportunity to chat to relatives, friends, being able to read your mail letters when you are on your holiday and just surf some interesting sites. Positive and practical sides of wireless networks are mobility, rapidness, security and attainability to distant places.

Over the last years broadband width for Wireless networks has considerably increased. This growth rises due to up-to- date technologies and modern devices like mobile phones, laptops, personal digital assistants, iphones, iPods etc. Network by wireless has become faster and more reasonably priced thanks to progress in the bandwidth arena. Now it can transfer data up to two megabytes per second, as usually in the past it was just one megabyte. Furthermore, wireless broadband connection is more secure than a satellite one due to the fact that the signal does not travel in the process of transfer, but goes straight to the recipient. Also, you are pleased with the wireless connection’s speed while downloading web pages. It is rather easy to check your mail letters as well as send them. Interactive functions. Regarding applications like games, audio-video programs, chats, multimember chats, video-conference calls, local networking or wide area network are rather painless to navigate. On the whole, your computer usage becomes more and more efficient.

Wireless connection for rural users means internet access, high rate and comfort as no need to set up additional wires or lines. By the way, you can install such a wireless internet connection so that you can access it within a one-hundred foot radius. Thus, you can move your laptop freely about the house or have a nice cup of tea in your arbor enjoying internet surfing. Now it is no need to sacrifice internet connection if you want to move to another room. Wireless networks means work well for a businessman. He/she can contact any person anytime and anywhere. This is a big advantage. Almost all new PCs have already installed wireless chipsets that allows you to connect internet automatically. It saves you time and does not involve devices or cables. Also any Bluetooth works simply with the wireless connection. To make our life easier, wireless technology enabled us with a wide range of new and advanced wireless gadgets like wireless microphones, wireless headsets, wireless stereo speakers, computer peripherals, televisions.

The leading UK Telecom company can provide you with a piece of advice on wireless broadband internet connectivity. Certainly, we can say that our generation steps a new era. This era is called Wireless Connection. Wireless connection spreads rapidly and we become a wireless society. Technologies for wireless are improving constantly. These described above advantages of wireless connection make our life less stressful. Moreover, it is very valuable and helpful in both professional sphere and personal life. Apply network by wireless and enjoy your life!

The video shows to how crack WEP- or WPA-secured networks. It also shows how to prevent people from cracking your wireless network(s). … (more)
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