Peer Review-HME DX200
The HME DX200 is intuitive and easy to operate. The belt packs feature synthesized voice prompts that notify the user of volume level, power on/off status, and other operational information.
Peer Reviewer: Dave Talamas, owner, Talamas Broadcast Equipment, Boston. Talamas Broadcast Equipment is a professional broadcast products sales and rental supplier that serves the television, corporate, and educational markets, specializing in wireless microphones and wireless communication.
My Pick: HM Electronics (HME) DX200 digital wireless intercom system, $3,351 (base station); $739 (belt pack with pouch and two lithium batteries) MSRP.
What I Like About It: The HME DX200 is intuitive and easy to operate. The headsets, which are light-weight and comfortable, feature cabling that’s reinforced at the connector to prevent premature breakage. The belt packs are small, light weight (7.4 ounces with a battery pack), and quite rugged. They feature synthesized voice prompts that notify the user of volume level, power on/off status, and other operational information. The belt packs operate all day with a small lithium battery pack. They include a rubber cover with a belt clip that provides mechanical protection. Up to 12 belt packs can be used with a single base station on a priority basis, which is a very handy feature. We regularly use six belt packs on jobs without having to use a second base station.
Frequency coordination is simplified because the system’s 2,400 to 2,483.5 MHz range is away from virtually all wireless frequencies that may be used in the same venue. The DX200 is also a license-free and an encrypted digital system.
I Would Change: Offering the system with a custom fly-away case would be convenient. I’d also like remote antenna systems with the appropriate cabling, which would increase the system’s range with improved antenna location.
Where I Used It: I used the DX200 in the Boston Symphony Hall for the Boston Pops Winter/Christmas Show.
My Results: We rented the DX200 system for a television production of “Christmas Pops” co-produced by WBZ-TV and the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the Boston Symphony Hall. The project called for providing wireless intercom capabilities for six production employees at Symphony Hall. The DX200 wireless system was interfaced to an RTS hard-wired intercom system in the TV production truck. When the unit was interfaced with the existing RTS system, which resulted in long cable runs, delay in the audio became an issue. This was easily corrected by adjusting the null potentiometer on the rear-panel of the DX200’s base station until the delay was eliminated.
Our clients were very pleased with the operation of the system. It was easy to set up for first time users, and didn’t get any panic calls. We’ve had requests from users to include DX200 system in their next project — a sure sign of client acceptance. We’ve had no breakage with the units, and expect a very low rate of breakage in the rough world of rentals.
MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS
Base Station
Frequency Range: 2,400 to 2,483.5 MHz
Frequency Response: 200 Hz to 3.5 kHz
Security: 64-bit encryption
Power Requirements: 100 to 240 VAC, 50-60 Hz or 12 to 14 VDC
Size: 19 x 1.7 x 17.1 inches (1 RU)
Weight: 9.2 pounds
Auxiliary Input: XLR-3F/ 1/4-inch phone combo jack, 600 W balanced, level adjustable
Auxiliary Output: XLR-3M, 600 W balanced, level adjustable
Headset Connector: Mini-DIN
External Speaker: 1 W into 8 W
Mic Input: Electret
Headset Output: 250 mW into 32 W
Front Panel Controls: Power switch with indicator
Belt Pack
Frequency Range: 2,400 to 2,483.5 MHz
Antenna Type: Internal, dual diversity
Frequency Response: 200 Hz to 3.5 kHz
Battery Requirements: One lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Life Latched (Hands-Free): Up to 14 hours
PTT: Up to 20 hours
Size: 3.4 x 2.6 x 1.5 inches
Weight: 7.4 ounces with battery and carrying pouch
Headset Connector: Mini DIN
Mic Input: Electret
Headset Output: 160 mW @ into 32 W, capable of driving 16 to 32 W
Controls: Volume on/off, up/down, talk intercom, talk ISO
Indicators: Power/transmit/low battery LED and voice prompts
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