NAB 2026: Zaxcom [LIVE REUPLOAD]

Product(s) reviewed at NAB 2026 (Zaxcom)

1) DCIRX (demoed as a bridge to iPhone/broadcast camera)

What it is / key features

• A receiver/bridge that connects to an iPhone (shown using an iPhone mount demo).
• Takes audio from:
  • A local 48V phantom microphone connected on/with the iPhone setup
  • A wireless microphone feeding into the DCIRX
  • A mono or stereo link combined with a mic plugged directly into the DCIRX
• Outputs 4 audio tracks to the phone, while locally recording in the DCIRX.
• No ZaxNet (explicitly stated: “There is no ZaxNet in there”; it’s not a two-way comms receiver).
• Supports 48V phantom mics and provides 5V bias for lavaliers.
• Can run off external power (e.g., 12V), while internal batteries act as a backup/auto switch.
• Claimed strengths:
  • Cannot be overloaded
  • Immune to interference
  • Walk-tested demo with no dropouts while walking the hall (described as coverage spanning “several football fields” worth of walking)

User experience notes

• Demonstrated “USB audio” as a key path to get audio into the rig.
• Lemo connection praised; use case: quickly revert to hardwired backup if wireless dropouts occur (described as “only one on the market” for quick switching).

Battery life

• With a lithium-ion phantom-power mic: ~6 hours
• Recommended nickel-metal hydride: ~5 hours
• Works with external power; batteries act as backup.

Price / availability

• $1,595
• Shipping: within ~2 weeks (speaker said “start shipping, I believe, within 2 weeks”).

Pros

• Strong RF/interference claims (no overload, immune to interference, no dropouts in demo)
• Flexible audio routing (48V + wireless + mic link; 4 tracks to phone + local recording)
• External power support + automatic battery backup switching
• Strong connector concept for fast hardwired fallback

Cons / limitations

• No ZaxNet / no two-way comms (it’s a “bridge/receiver,” not a full ZaxNet interactive system)

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2) ZRC (Zaxcom Remote Control for wireless transmitters)

What it is / key features

• A handheld remote with:
  • Large full-color screen with “very real time” control feel
  • Standalone operation: no phone required, no secondary software
  • Rubberized/grippy case for drops; lightweight
  • Runs on AA batteries (speaker says full day on NiMH)
• Remote controls wireless microphone features by entering the transmitter’s ID code:
  • Set audio level
  • Set whether it’s transmitting
  • Change modulation types
• Built-in timecode reader/generator, and can act as timecode master for Zaxcom transmitters.
• Sports/event use case: one person can walk around and adjust transmitters during production.

Multi-unit / frequency notes

• Stated: it is not a Zaxnet audio device, so you can use multiple remotes simultaneously.
• Claim: if you have 10 remotes for 10 transmitters, they can all operate on the same frequency because the remotes only transmit commands when needed.

Connectivity / ports

• Timecode uses a Lemo 3 connection (for compatibility with timecode used on regular Zaxcom transmitters).

Availability

• Expected purchase availability: ~4–6 weeks
• Production is underway; software is done.
• Price not mentioned in the clip.

Pros

• Field-friendly dedicated remote (screen + buttons; not touchscreen due to environment)
• Real-time control without extra devices/software
• Timecode master capability built in
• Supports many transmitters via multiple remotes simultaneously

Cons / limitations

• No ZaxNet audio functionality (by design)—command control rather than a ZaxNet receiver

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3) QRX400 (flagship ENG multi-channel receiver / big announcement)

What it is / key features

• Multi-channel receiver using Zaxcom’s narrow band direct conversion technology.
• Presented as the “best ENG receiver ever built” (speaker’s claim) in:
  • Transmission RF quality
  • Resistance to interference

Architecture

• Four independent narrow-band direct conversion receivers inside one unit:
  • Four DCIRXs inside
• Works with a ~200 kHz narrow band per channel concept; speaker emphasized:
  • You can’t overload it
  • No IF cross-talk
  • Reduced issues vs older 25 MHz digitizing approaches (“strong weakens and desensitizes” problem described)

RF front-end claim

• Very high IP3 (~+40), stated as “pretty unheard of” for an ENG receiver.
• Demo claim: place a walkie-talkie within a foot or two without wiping out performance.

System approach

• Designed to avoid wider-channel strategies (e.g., WiMAX-like approaches):
  • Speaker claims it outperforms WiMAX
  • Enables point-to-point without locking into 5 MHz channel constraints

Production-friendly features

• Built-in multi-channel audio recorder
  • Likely records 6 channels: 4 received tracks + linear timecode track + automixer track
• Automixer to create an automix track from the four received tracks
• USB output (can act as an interface for recording via computer)
• Audio outputs described as at least 8 outputs total
  • Example mentioned: 4 analog outputs on two TA5s
  • AES 1–4 on one TA5
• Sunlight readable full-color display (also readable in darkness)
• Real-time spectrum analyzer (zoomable; shows channel signal within ~100 kHz window)
• Supports multiple modulations including ZHD-98 (speaker calls it a favorite; 100 kHz wide)
• Filter characteristics:
  • 35 MHz wide front-end filter, continuously tunable
  • Claims steep slope; can tune near 470 while resisting interference from 460-ish walkie-talkies
  • Avoids “saw filter dilemma” (not locked to pre-decided passbands)

ZaxNet integration

• QRX400 has ZaxNet transmitter capability (speaker highlights this as “huge”):
  • Lets users with other devices still get full value, since QRX400 can remotely control transmitters (e.g., gain control of preamps).

Frequency range

• 470 to 698 MHz

Price / availability

• Retail price: $3,800
• Expected release: 8–12 weeks (speaker said “sometime around July”)
• Prototype/production status: “in production right now.”

Pros

• Extremely strong RF/interference resistance claims:
  • No dropouts in hall walk tests
  • Cannot be overloaded
  • High IP3 (~+40)
  • Four narrow-band receivers with minimal cross-talk/interference artifacts
• Versatile audio platform:
  • Built-in recorder + automixer
  • USB interface option
  • Multiple audio output types (analog + AES)
• Field usability:
  • Full-color, sunlight/low-light readable UI
  • Real-time spectrum analyzer
• Value:
  • Speaker claims it’s less than half the price of other companies’ two-channel receivers
  • Also positioned against eight-channel receivers priced 2x more

Cons / limitations

• No explicit cons stated in the clip; implied it’s an advanced, feature-dense ENG receiver rather than a low-cost simple link.

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Comparisons made in the video

• Versus 25 MHz digitizing receivers
  • QRX400 avoids “desensitizing” when strong signals are nearby by using narrow-band direct conversion per channel.
• Versus WiMAX-style systems
  • QRX400 is claimed to outperform WiMAX, enabling point-to-point without large channel blocks.
• Versus competitors’ receiver pricing/channel counts
  • QRX400 ($3,800) is claimed to be cheaper than other two-channel receivers and better value than eight-channel options that cost more.
• Versus ZaxNet use cases
  • DCIRX has no ZaxNet (different from Zaxcom’s full two-way ecosystem).
  • QRX400 includes a ZaxNet transmitter, enabling remote control of transmitters.

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Unique points mentioned (consolidated)

1. DCIRX: iPhone-based audio bridge with local 48V mic input and wireless mic input; sends 4 tracks to phone while recording locally.
2. DCIRX: supports 48V phantom and 5V bias for lavs.
3. DCIRX: accepts external power (12V); internal battery is automatic backup.
4. DCIRX: cannot be overloaded and is immune to interference; hall walk test showed no dropouts.
5. DCIRX: “USB audio” highlighted; Lemo connection for fast hardwired backup switching.
6. DCIRX: No ZaxNet / no two-way communications receiver.
7. DCIRX: battery life estimates ~6 hours (lithium-ion) or ~5 hours (NiMH).
8. DCIRX: pricing/availability $1,595, shipping within ~2 weeks.
9. ZRC: full-color handheld remote with real-time control; controls transmitter ID, levels, transmit on/off, modulation types.
10. ZRC: built-in timecode reader/generator; can be timecode master.
11. ZRC: field-safe without touchscreen reliance; standalone (no phone).
12. ZRC: AA batteries, full-day run time on NiMH.
13. ZRC: not ZaxNet audio; multiple remotes can operate together on the same frequency.
14. ZRC availability: 4–6 weeks.
15. QRX400: four-channel ENG receiver using narrow-band direct conversion; claimed “best ENG receiver” RF quality and interference resistance.
16. QRX400: anti-overload design; “can’t overload” and no IF cross-talk; four narrow channels each with ~200 kHz concept.
17. QRX400: high front-end IP3 +40; handles walkie-talkies nearby without wiping out performance.
18. QRX400: includes built-in recorder/automixer; likely records 6 channels (4 RX + linear TC + automixer).
19. QRX400: supports USB recording; outputs include analog and AES (at least 8 outputs total mentioned).
20. QRX400: sunlight-readable full-color screen; readable in darkness.
21. QRX400: real-time spectrum analyzer; supports narrow ZHD-98 (100 kHz) modulations.
22. QRX400: frequency range 470–698 MHz; continuously tunable 35 MHz front-end filter.
23. QRX400: includes ZaxNet transmitter for remote control (gain of preamps remotely).
24. QRX400 price/availability: $3,800, release 8–12 weeks (~July).
25. QRX400 connectivity: RS422 port for GUI bridge/remote control (USB control also mentioned as possible).
26. Misc Q&A: QRX400 front-end filter behavior described as 35 MHz wide; VRX programming is not its job (VRX uses GUI bridge).

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Speakers / roles (views grouped at the end)

• Glenn Sanders (Zaxcom): main technical/product claims, demos, feature explanations for DCIRX, ZRC, QRX400, RF/interference assertions, ZaxNet integration, and availability/pricing.
• Peter (behind the camera / interviewer/presenter): use-case emphasis (USB audio + Lemo hardwired backup idea), questions/clarifications on overload/dropouts and context.
• Interviewer/host (“Gotham Sound’s coverage”): guided walkthrough; asked about timecode, GUI bridge connectivity, battery life estimates, price/release timing, and clarifications.

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Concise verdict / recommendation

• Best fit for RF-robust ENG crews (especially interference-heavy environments): QRX400 — positioned as the flagship receiver with strong anti-overload/interference claims, sunlight-readable UI, built-in recording/automixer, and cited value at $3,800 for 4 channels.
• Best fit for iPhone/broadcast-camera audio bridging (without two-way comms): DCIRX — $1,595, focused on robust linking + 48V mic support + local recording, and explicitly no ZaxNet.
• Best fit for field teams needing transmitter control/timecode without extra software: ZRC — standalone handheld remote with multi-transmitter control and built-in timecode master capability.

Overall, the video frames these as practical, RF-focused workflow upgrades, with QRX400 positioned as the “do-it-all” flagship receiver for serious ENG use.