Zaxcom ZFR200 User manual

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Table of Contents
OVERVIEW........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
SYSTEM FEATURES ........................................................................................................................................................................3
KNOWING YOUR ZFR200 / 300 ............................................................................................................................................4
MAIN SCREEN......................................................................................................................................................................6
MAIN MENU........................................................................................................................................................................7
Navigating the Main Menu.................................................................................................................................................7
Exiting the Main Menu........................................................................................................................................................7
Gain .....................................................................................................................................................................................7
High Pass Filter....................................................................................................................................................................7
Limiter .................................................................................................................................................................................7
Timecode Frame-rate ..........................................................................................................................................................8
Timecode Jam Mode ...........................................................................................................................................................8
Timecode Source .................................................................................................................................................................8
Format Recording Card .......................................................................................................................................................9
Time Left / Used ..................................................................................................................................................................9
Lock Page ..........................................................................................................................................................................10
EXTENDED MENU .............................................................................................................................................................. 11
Navigating the Extended Menu ........................................................................................................................................11
Exiting the Extended Menu ...............................................................................................................................................11
High Pass Filter..................................................................................................................................................................11
Limiter ...............................................................................................................................................................................11
Recording Format..............................................................................................................................................................11
IFB Voting Enable – this menu will not appear if the IFB settings allow the ZFR to go into transmit mode. ....................12
IFB Receive to Transmit time.............................................................................................................................................12
ZaxNet IFB Receive Frequency...........................................................................................................................................13
ZaxNet IFB Transmit frequency .........................................................................................................................................13
IFB Receive Pulse – this menu will only appear if IFB is set to go into transmit mode......................................................14
Power-Up Mode ................................................................................................................................................................14
Format Recording Card .....................................................................................................................................................14
Time Code Jam Mode........................................................................................................................................................15
Time Code Source..............................................................................................................................................................15
Group ID ............................................................................................................................................................................15
Unit ID ...............................................................................................................................................................................15
Expander page ..................................................................................................................................................................16
Dynamics page..................................................................................................................................................................17
Battery Type ......................................................................................................................................................................18
Recording Mode page .......................................................................................................................................................18
IFB Remote Control - this menu will not appear if the IFB settings allow the ZFR to go into transmit mode. ..................18
IFB Jam Threshold .............................................................................................................................................................18
Low Battery Stop ...............................................................................................................................................................19
Record On Bootup .............................................................................................................................................................19
Name.................................................................................................................................................................................19
Encryption Menu...............................................................................................................................................................20
Encryption Code page .......................................................................................................................................................20
MEDIA ............................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Media Capacity .................................................................................................................................................................21
Recording Format..............................................................................................................................................................21
OPERATIONS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 22

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Jamming TC with a Cable ..................................................................................................................................................22
Continuously Jamming TC from ZaxNet ............................................................................................................................22
Transmitting TC and Audio from the ZFR ..........................................................................................................................22
Remote Control Recording Mode......................................................................................................................................22
Manual Recording Mode...................................................................................................................................................22
Playing Back and Segment Navigation .............................................................................................................................23
Stereo Operations .............................................................................................................................................................23
INPUTTING AUDIO............................................................................................................................................................. 24
WIRING DIAGRAMS........................................................................................................................................................... 24
Two Wire microphone configuration ................................................................................................................................24
Three Wire microphone configuration ..............................................................................................................................24
Stereo microphone configuration .....................................................................................................................................25
Balanced Line Level and timecode input ...........................................................................................................................25
Stereo Line Level................................................................................................................................................................25
FIRMWARE ........................................................................................................................................................................ 26
Upgrading ZFR Firmware ..................................................................................................................................................26
ZFR SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................................................................................................................... 27
ZAXCOM WARRANTY POLICY AND LIMITATIONS............................................................................................................... 28

Zaxcom ZFR 200 / 300 Manual___________________ _________________Overview
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Overview
The Zaxcom ZFR (Zaxcom Flash Recorder) is the same size as Zaxcom wireless transmitter and can accept
standard lavaliere microphones. A stereo ZFR can accept two lavaliere microphones, two unbalanced
The ZFR can be used as an easy way to record ISO tracks on multiple talent with no fears of being out of
range or having to deal with RF issues.
On power up the ZRF will jam time code via the ZaxNet 2.4Ghz signal and will then start transmitting QC
audio with time code within 10 seconds. ZaxNet transmission from the ZFR allows audio to be
monitored for quality control. The ZaxNet signal is used for quality control and can be used as a
timecode master to wirelessly jam other recording body pack recorders or recording wireless
transmitters. The Body packs can optionally re-jam time code every few minutes to maintain sub-frame
accurate time code lock. At the end of your shoot you gather each SD memory card from the ZFR and
deliver them to post.
Post production can then easily drop each ISO track into their non-linear edit system and have a clean
timecoded audio track to work with.
Recording systems can be as simple as a single ZFR recorder and a single ERX2TCD receiver to wirelessly
monitor the audio and time code from the recorder. Any number of ZFR recorders and wireless
transmitters can be utilized to form an unlimited virtual multi-track recording system. The advantage of
this system is that for production sound it eliminates the limitations of wireless microphones. No longer
will FM wireless audio quality, coverage area, RF interference, and the limitations of multiple channels
of wireless used together limit the ability of a sound mixer to achieve audio quality usually found only in
a studio setting.
System Features
•The ZFR 200 or 300 can be ordered as either Stereo or Mono
•Fault tolerant broadcast quality recording
•Audio recording at 24 bits/48 kHz
•Up to 96 hours of audio directly on a 16 GB removable card
•Supports both record/stop and continuous loop recording
•Backlit graphic liquid crystal display
•Adjustable high pass filter
•Selectable peak limiter
•Lightweight rugged design
•Integrated TC reader/generator accurate to 1 frame in 6 hours
•Efficient keypad for one-handed operation
•Integrated & encrypted IFB channel in recorder
•Integrated ZaxNet Audio and Time Code Reception and Transmission
ZFR200
Weight 3.1 oz (88 grams) without battery
Dimensions (H x W x D) 2.38” x 2.38” x 0.69” (60 mm x 60 mm x 17 mm)
Internal Power (Battery) up to 8 hours (one AA Lithium or NiMH)
ZFR 300
Weight 3.0 oz (85 grams) without battery
Dimensions (H x W x D) 3.0” x 2.4” x 0.65” (76 mm x 61 mm x 16.5 mm)
Internal Power (Battery) up to 12 hours (two AA Lithium or NiMH)

Zaxcom ZFR 200 / 300 Manual___________________ _________________Overview
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Knowing your ZFR200 / 300
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ZFR 200 ZFR 300
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Zaxcom ZFR 200 / 300 Manual___________________ _________________Overview
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1. Power Switch
2. Card Slot
This slot holds the micro SD card. To insert a card, with the ZFR screen facing you, turn the
card so the finger contacts are facing you and down toward the slot. Insert the card into
the slot and press it down until you here a slight click. To remove it, press it in until you
hear the same click again.
3. Microphone / Input Connector
4. LCD Display
5. Card Key
6. INC / Record Key
•Increases the parameters of the menu items
•Press it with the Card key will put the ZFR into record
•Press it when the ZFR is stopped will play back
•Press it while playing back will fast forward
7. DEC / Stop Key
•Decreases the parameters of the menu items
•Press it with the Card key will stop recording
•Press it while stopped will cause the ZFR to jump back one segment
•Press it while playing back will stop play back
•Holding it while playing back will take you to the start of that segment
8. Menu / Play Key
•Press it will access the Menu
•Press it again will take you to additional Menu items
•Pressing it while powering up will take you into the Extended Menu
•Press it with the Card Key will Playback a segment
9. Battery Compartment

Zaxcom ZFR 200 / 300 Manual___________________ _______ Main Menu
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Main Screen
Transport Status - Displays the current mode of the unit
•STOP – Recording / Playback is stopped
•LREC – ZFR is recording and LOOP RECORD mode is enabled
•REC – ZFR is recording and NON-LOOP RECORD mode is enabled
•WAIT – May appear just before going into record, or if the card is ejected while recording.
Time Code - based on the current mode
•While in STOP mode – displays the location where playback will start.
•While in PLAY mode – displays the current location as the segment plays back.
•While in RECORD mode – displays the Time Code coming from the generator.
Segment Number
In record mode shows the current record segment.
In Playback mode shows the segment being played back.
Currently the maximum number of recording segments that can be on any one card is 254.
STOP 01:02:30:00
003 1 1
1 1
Transport Status
Segment Number
Time Code
Audio Level Meter Markings (-20, -10, 0 dBFS)
They correspond to the graphics on the case
.

Zaxcom ZFR 200 / 300 Manual___________________ _______ Main Menu
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Main Menu
Navigating the Main Menu
•Press the MENU Button to enter the menu.
•To advance to the next menu press the MENU Button again.
Exiting the Main Menu
•To exit the menu at any time press and hold the MENU button for 1.5 seconds
Gain
GAIN 20dB
This menu adjusts the microphone gain.
Using the INC key will increase the gain and the DEC key will reduce the gain.
High Pass Filter
This menu allows you to adjust the frequency for the high pass filter.
•The adjustment range is 30 to 220Hz in10Hz increments
Limiter
This menu enables/disables and adjusts the limiter. The limiter is pre analog to digital converter.
•Range: -2dB to -30dB in 1dB increments.
When the input signal is too high the audio can clip and results in distortion and popping. The limiter
can be used to prevent clipping.
The limiter effectively prevents the audio signal from becoming any larger than the limiter setting.
Setting when the limiter will kick in.
GAIN 20dB
HIGH PASS: OFF
LIMITER: OFF
LIMITER: -10dB
FROM FULL SCALE

Zaxcom ZFR 200 / 300 Manual___________________ _______ Main Menu
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Timecode Frame-rate
This menu sets the Timecode frame-rate that will be recorded.
The ZFR will lock to and record all standard Timecode frame rates.
•23.98, 24, 25, 29.97DF, 29.97DF, 30 DF, 30 NDF
Timecode Jam Mode
This menu sets how the ZFR jams Timecode.
MANUAL (OFF) –This setting is not used in the ZFR
AUTO-JAM – Continuously jams timecode.
AUTO-LOAD – The ZFR will start and stop the recording, when the ZFR receives record run Timecode
it will go into record and when the Timecode stops the ZFR will stop recording.
Timecode Source
This menu sets where the ZFR will receive its Timecode from.
•IFB (RF) – Receives Timecode wirelessly via ZaxNet
•AUDIO INPUT – Receives Timecode from a source connected to the Audio Input (microphone
connector)
TIMECODE 23.98
GEN 01:02:34:01
TC JAM MODE:
AUTO-JAM
TC SOURCE:
IFB (RF)

Zaxcom ZFR 200 / 300 Manual___________________ _______ Main Menu
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Format Recording Card
This page will allow you to erase and format the micro SD card.
NOTE: This page will only appear if a card was inserted prior to booting up the ZFR. Also if the card
is removed this page will not appear.
To Format a Card:
1. Before formatting the card, you may want to name the ZFR. Naming the card makes it easier to
differentiate files from different recorders for example you name the card with the talents name.
2. With the power ‘OFF’, insert the memory card into the media slot with the label to the back of the
unit. Press it all the way in till it “clicks”.
3. Power up the ZFR
4. Press the MENU key 7 times until the screen displays “PRESS UP KEY 5X TO ERASE CARD”.
5. Press the INC key 5 times.
6. You will see “FORMATTING FAT 32”
7. The ZFR will displays “SUCCESS” or “FORMAT FAILED ERROR”
8. If “SUCCESS” appears you can power cycle the ZFR and you are good to go.
Time Left / Used
This page displays the remaining time left on the card and the time already recorded on the card.
NOTE: If you see a “FORMAT FAILED ERROR” try re-formatting the card and if it fails again do not
use that card in the ZFR.
NOTE: Even though many cards are sold preformatted, you must reformat it in the ZFR prior to
recording. Only cards formatted in the unit will work properly.
PRESS UP KEY 5X
TO ERASE CARD
TIME LEFT 20H
TIME USED 4H