GEAR MINI TESTS
HOLLYLAND SOLIDCOM C1 £948/$999 hollyland-tech.com
SPECIFICATIONS Number of headsets: Four Wireless technology: Digital DECT 6, 1.9GHz Range: 350m/1000ft Wireless modulation: Analog GFSK
Go to any film set or live event and you’ll see lots of people running around with headsets on, as it’s an essential method of communication. These are often linked to base stations that need power and may be complex to instal. However useful this would be for a small production crew, pro set- ups can be complicated and expensive. Most make do with text messages on mobile phones, which is not ideal. Or you might have bought some inexpensive headsets online and quickly found they are not suitable. Hollyland makes lots of wireless kit for pro filmmakers, specialising in audio and video transmitters for small productions that are affordable and easy to use. The company has now branched out into the wireless intercom market with this Solidcom C1 headset system. We tried a four-person version, but you can buy kits with different numbers of headsets. The largest ones come with a base station hub, unlike the four-man units we tried. It’s a full-duplex wireless intercom headset system, adopting advanced DECT 6.0 technology that operates in the 1.9GHz frequency band, providing a reliable transmission range up to 350m/1000ft radius with line of sight. That seems about right, but with interference or use indoors that drops significantly. It’s still very good, though. Just don’t expect it to broadcast through half a dozen solid brick walls and still have massive range. We chose the four-headset kit, since it offers a highly portable, hands-free way to communicate. The headsets come in a padded case; one is marked as the master and the others set one, two and three. The master has to be on for the system to work. The rest pair instantly, with an audible warning to let you know you are linked up, as well as an LED lighting up on the mic arm. The headset has a single speaker, so your other ear can keep track of what’s going on in your location, and can be worn on either ear. There are
Duplex mode: Echo cancellation RF sensitivity: Approx -90dBm Earpiece: On-ear foam or over-ear cushion, single Sound field: Mono Frequency response: 150Hz-7kHz Maximum sound pressure: 115dB Mic: Unidirectional cardioid electret condenser Battery: 700mAh lithium Runtime: Ten hours
“The four-headset kit offers a highly portable, hands-free way to communicate”
Recharge time: 2.5 hours Weight of one headset: 168g/0.37lb
PACKAGE DEAL The four headsets come in a case (top) with eight batteries (above)
on-ear and over-ear pads, with the latter less comfortable, but providing better sound. Headsets are adjustable and weigh just 168g/0.37lb – good for extended wear. Controls are up and down for volume, and a button to pair extra headsets when needed. To talk, the mic is swivelled down in front of your mouth. If everyone has their mics down, anyone can speak at any time. To mute your mic, swivel the arm up. It’s as simple as that, which is a pleasant change from complex, app- controlled systems for everything. The kit comes with eight lithium batteries in a charger sled that can all
be charged with one mains input. Each lasts around ten hours, so it’s nice to have a spare for a long shoot. Sound quality is good enough to hear what everyone is saying, even at a motorcycle race we attended. It was also great at a studio location shoot. The Hollyland Solidcom C1 is an ideal solution for small crews, who need a simple and inexpensive way to keep in contact on shoots. PRO MOVIEMAKER RATING: 8/10 Perfect intercom system for mid-size crews on a tight budget Pros: All-in-one solution Cons: Up to six headsets only
EASE OF USE Simple controls are perfect for kit like this. Turn on the master and the others will pair up
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PRO MOVIEMAKER
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