Peer Reviewer: Mark Schappe, sales consultant, Audio Visual of Madison (AVM), Madison, WI. AVM is a full-service AV provider that offers AV rental, sales, installation, and service, and specializes in commercial, educational, industrial, legal, medical, and religious applications.
My Pick:
Listen Technologies LT-82 stationary IR transmitter, $679.99 MSRP
What I Like About It:
The Listen Technologies LT-82 stationary IR transmitter system was surprisingly easy to install, and is very flexible, allowing line and mic level inputs. It even has phantom power, which supports the use of a PZM or condenser microphone.
The system's controls are well designed and easy to operate for both the installer and the end-user.
I Would Change:
Unfortunately, the LT-82 stationary IR transmitter doesn't have the capability to connect to a control system using RS232. Using a control system would alleviate the need for a manual kill switch mounted on the PZM mic, and could provide remote volume control.
Where I Used It:
Robert Kastenmeier Federal Courthouse, Madison, WI.
My Results:
The system I installed in the Robert Kastenmeier Federal Courthouse, in Madison, WI, was originally designed so the defendant could hear the sidebar conversations between the judge and their counsel without approaching the bench.
There are some obvious security issues that come up when using a RF transmitter in a courtroom setting, so we immediately turned to the Listen LT-82 IR transmitter. I was initially skeptical about using an infrared solution because of sound quality and line of sight issues, but sales personnel from Listen Technologies were kind enough to meet with me, and together we came up with a system that met the customer's budget restraints as well as their technical and security needs.