Zaxcom Rx-8 User manual

User Manual

Published January 2022

Firmware Version MRX-212

RX-8

The MRX must be running software version 2.12 for the RX-8 to work

RX-8 RECEIVER.................................................................................................................................. 3

FRONT ......................................................................................................................................................................3

SIDE PANELS .............................................................................................................................................................. 4

HOME SCREEN.................................................................................................................................. 5

MAIN MENU..................................................................................................................................... 6

NAVIGATING THE MAIN MENU .....................................................................................................................................6

EXITING THE MAIN MENU............................................................................................................................................6

FREQUENCY ADJUST....................................................................................................................................................6

Adjusting the receive frequency of the RX-8. .................................................................................................... 6

CENTER FREQUENCY ADJUST ........................................................................................................................................6

FREQUENCY SCAN.......................................................................................................................................................6

Scanning on the RX-8 ......................................................................................................................................... 7

Selecting a frequency......................................................................................................................................... 7

SET BANDWIDTH........................................................................................................................................................ 7

TRANSMITTER GAIN .................................................................................................................................................... 8

UNIT CODE ................................................................................................................................................................ 8

TEST TONE OUTPUT .................................................................................................................................................... 8

EXTENDED MENU ............................................................................................................................. 9

NAVIGATING THE EXTENDED MENU...............................................................................................................................9

EXITING THE EXTENDED MENU .....................................................................................................................................9

MODULATION SELECT..................................................................................................................................................9

SINGLE /DUAL MODE SELECT.......................................................................................................................................9

OUTPUT ROUTER......................................................................................................................................................10

DANTE MODULE ON /OFF ........................................................................................................................................11

DB25 IN-OUT MODE................................................................................................................................................11

DB25 OUTPUTS .......................................................................................................................................................11

ALLOW TRANSMITTER REMOTE SCREENS......................................................................................................................12

RS422 MODE..........................................................................................................................................................12

LED ON /OFF .........................................................................................................................................................12

ENCRYPTION CODE SET..............................................................................................................................................12

Adjusting the encryption code.........................................................................................................................12

PIN CONFIGURATION...................................................................................................................... 13

DB25 .....................................................................................................................................................................13

POWER CONNECTOR DC POWER IN /DC OUT (HIROSE-4 CONNECTOR) ...........................................................................13

SETUP CONFIGURATION ................................................................................................................. 14

ANTENNA CUTTING CHART ............................................................................................................. 15

PRODUCT SUPPORT ........................................................................................................................ 16

SPECIFICATIONS.............................................................................................................................. 17

ZAXCOM WARRANTY POLICY AND LIMITATIONS............................................................................. 19

Zaxcom RX-8 Front Panel

RX-8 Receiver

Front

1. UHF Antenna Connectors (2) - SMA connectors.

2. Receiver Select keys (8) - Rx keys press to select a receiver. When a receiver is active a bracket will

appear around the display for that receiver.

3. Receiver Status Indicators (8)

Green - Receiver is receiving a valid signal.

Red - Receiver is not getting a valid signal.

4. OLED Displays (4)

5. INC Key - Up key used to increase the parameters of a menu item.

6. Dec Key - Down key used to decrease the parameters of a menu item.

Press and hold the DEC key to access the extended menu.

7. Menu Key - Press to advance to the next menu item.

1 2 3 4 5 / 6 7

Zaxcom RX-8 Side Panels

Side Panels

1. Dante I/O – RJ45 - The Dante connector allows for with Power Over Ethernet support.

2. DC Power Input - Hirose 4 Pin - The operating voltage of the RX-8 is 8 to 18 DC volts. When connected to

Dante and receiving POE it is not necessary to externally power the RX-8.

3. Time code out - BNC - the RX8 will output timecode when time code is sent on Dante analog audio 4 in.

4. USB -For factory use only WARNING: DO NOT PLUG ANYTHNG INTO THE USB CONNECTOR - YOU CAN

POTENTIALLY DAMAGE THE RX-8.

5. Audio In / Out - DB25 Analog and AES audio out. Audio can be inputted to be sent via Dante.

6. RS422 - For connection to a Camera Link or IFB300 for remote transmitter control.

7. RF Outputs - SMA - The RF out is post the 35MHz filter.

8. Power Switch - Control of the 12-volt input - if power is received via POE the power switch will be overridden.

The two MRX receivers slide into the side of the RX-8. The A receiver goes to in the bottom slot away from the front

panel and the B receiver goes in the top by the front panel. The arrows on the MRX will need to point to the bottom

of the RX-8. Please note if only using 1 receiver it must go in the A slot.

MRX software must be 2.12 to run in the RX-8 / MRX software can not be updated in the RX-8

The back of the RX-8 has a 12 Volt DC output. The RX-8 will output power only when receiving Power Over Ethernet.

Power must be less than 1 amp.

Zaxcom RX-8 Home Screen

Home Screen

Audio level

Indicates the incoming audio level for each receiver, the meter extends from the left to the right. The two

vertical bars to the right are the -20dBFS and -10dBFS mark.

Transmitter’s battery level

The battery diagram displays the transmitter’s battery level. The battery type being used in the transmitter needs

to be set in the transmitters extended menu. The battery symbol will start to blink just before transmitter shuts

down.

Transmitter’s record status

•S (STOP) The transmitter is stopped.

•R (REC) The transmitter is recording.

•P (PLAY) The transmitter is playing back.

RF signal strength

This shows the radio signal strength of the corresponding transmitter. The RF signal is depicted as a staircase

pattern with the lowest step (low signal strength) on the left and building up as it progresses to the right (higher

signal strength). When more stairs are showing the stronger the signal is.

Receiving antenna

Indicates the signal is being received by antenna 1 (left antenna connector)

Indicates the signal is being received by antenna 2 (right antenna connector)

Zaxcom RX-8 Main Menu

Main Menu

Navigating the Main Menu

•Press a RECEIVER key - a bracket will appear around the active receiver.

•To enter the main menu - press and the MENU key.

•To advance to the next menu press the MENU key.

Exiting the Main Menu

•To exit the main menu at any time, press and hold the MENU key for 1.5 seconds.

Frequency Adjust

The frequency select menu is where the receive frequencies are set. These frequencies need to match the

frequencies that are set on the corresponding transmitters.

Adjusting the receive frequency of the RX-8.

•Press the desired RECEIVER key - a bracket will appear around the active receiver.

•Press the INC key and DEC key to adjust the frequency.

•In dual receive mode pressing the RECEIVER key will toggle between the A and B receiver.

The > will indicate the receiver frequency that is being adjusted.

•Please note that all frequencies need to be within the 35MHz range of the front-end filter. If the frequency is out

of range “TOO BIG” or “TOO SMALL” will flash on the screen to warn that the difference is wider than the filter

range and the frequency will need to be adjusted.

Center Frequency Adjust

This where the center frequency of the front-end filter is set. The front-end filter is 35MHz wide so frequencies

17.5MHz above and 17.5MHz below the center frequency will be the operating range of the RX-8. MRX receivers

will need to operate within the set 35MHz window. If the frequencies aren’t within this window the RF

performance will suffer. This menu is only available in the A receiver.

Frequency Scan

An RF scan is initiated from this menu. After the scan is complete a graphical display of the RF that is present will

be shown and the RX-8 will suggest clear frequencies. The frequency can be accepted by pressing the INC key.

Pressing the DEC key will skip the first chosen frequency and the RX-8 will suggest another frequency. Please note

the RX-8 can scan 30 MHz at a time.

Scanning is only available from the A receiver.

CH A > 567.4

CH B 570.0

CENTER FREQ:

550.0 MHZ

PRESS TO SCAN

540.0 TO 570.0

Zaxcom RX-8 Main Menu

Scanning on the RX-8

•Turn off the transmitter(s).

•Press the INC key to initiate a scan.

Please note the scanning range will be set in the scan bandwidth

menu. So, for example if the scan bandwidth is set to 30MHz the RX-8 will scan 15MHz below and 15MHz

above the center frequency.

•While the RX-8 is scanning, the frequency being examined is displayed on the bottom half of the screen and

a graphic map of the RF that is found will be displayed with a vertical line extending up from the baseline.

The length of the line indicates the level or strength of the found RF at that frequency.

•Pressing the MENU key while scanning will abort the scan.

Selecting a frequency

When the scan is complete a suggested frequency will be shown, and a

vertical blinking line will be drawn on the display.

At that point:

•Press the RX1/2 RECEIVER key to select the desired receiver 1 thru 8.

Please note if single mode on the odd number receiver will be active.

•Press the INC key to accept the frequency.

•Press the DEC key to select another frequency.

The scan results are available as long as there is valid scan data, so this screen can be revisited, and different

frequencies can be chosen. Please note power cycling the RX-8 will clear the scan data.

Set Bandwidth

The scan bandwidth sets how much spectrum the RX-8 will scan below and above the center frequency. So, for

example if the scan bandwidth is set to 30MHz the RX-8 will scan 15MHz below and 15Mhz above the center

frequency. The scan bandwidth can be adjusted from 4 to 30MHz.

SCANNING 568.9

TAKE 618.2 RXA

SCAN BW: 30 MHZ

530.0 TO 560.0

Zaxcom RX-8 Main Menu

Transmitter Gain

This menu will only appear when allow transmitter remote is turned on in the extended menu.

•Pressing the INC key will remotely increase the gain of the transmitter being received.

•Pressing the DEC key will remotely decrease the gain of the transmitter being received

•When the gain is being adjusted “+++” will appear when the gain is being increased and

“- - - -“ will appear when the gain is being decreased. The gain value of the transmitter will be shown.

•If the receiver is in dual mode press the RX key to select the desired receiver.

Unit Code

This menu will only appear when allow transmitter remote is turned on in the extended menu.

This is where the unit code is set. The unit code needs to match the unit code of the transmitter that the MRX

is receiving. Pressing the RX key will toggle between receivers.

Please note the group code is set on the ZaxNet sending device either a camera link or IFB.

Test Tone Output

From the tone menu a 1K test tone can be enabled. This is used to set levels and check routing.

Pressing the INC and DEC key will cycle through the different tone settings.

•OFF - No tone is being outputted.

•-20dBFS -Tone is simultaneously sent to all 4 outputs at -20dBFS.

•+0dBFS -Simultaneously sends tone to all 4 channels at 0dBFS (full scale).

TX A18

GAIN

RXA > UNIT : 1

RXB UNIT : 2

TONE:

OFF

Zaxcom RX-8 Extended Menu

Extended Menu

Navigating the Extended Menu

•Press the RECEIVER key for the desired receiver please note the receiver must be in the home screen.

•Press and hold the DEC key for 1.5 seconds to enter the extended menu.

•When in the extended menu, press the MENU key to advance to the next menu.

Exiting the Extended Menu

•To exit the extended menu - press and hold the MENU key then press the INC key.

Modulation Select

Modulation is simply the way a transmitter “modulates”, or sends, its signal to the RX8. This setting needs to

match the modulation mode that the corresponding transmitter is set to - if the two setting do not match the

RX8 will not be able to receive and decode the signal from the transmitter. Please note If the modulation is

changed the RX-8 will need to be rebooted. Mono / XR / stereo, or ZHD96 can be selected.

Single / Dual Mode Select

•SINGLE - Configures two of the four MRX receivers to operate as a single receiver. In single mode the MRX can

receive audio from one transmitter. This mode offers true diversity and will give better transmission reliability.

When in single mode only one frequency can be tuned for each receiver pair.

•DUAL - Configures two of the four MRX receivers to operate as two independent receivers. In dual mode the

MRX can receive audio from two transmitters. In dual mode there are two separate frequencies that are tuned

for each receiver pair.

RX MODE:

SINGLE

RX FORMAT:

MONO XR OR STEREO

Zaxcom RX-8 Extended Menu

Output Router

This menu is where the routing to the DB25 connector takes place. This menu is only in the A side of the receiver

but will control both the A and B sides of the receiver. Please note that after changing modes it is necessary to

reboot the RX-8.

•Mode 0 AES MONO - Each receiver side (A, B) will receive signal from two mono transmitters. AES audio will

be outputted for each side. When possible, Mode 0 should be used.

•Mode 1 AES STEREO-MONO - The (A)receiver side will receive signal from 1 stereo transmitter and the (B)

receiver side will receive signal from two mono transmitters.

AES audio will be outputted for each side.

•Mode 2 AES STEREO - Each receiver side (A, B) will receive signal from one stereo transmitter.

AES audio will be outputted on each side.

•Mode 3 ANALOG MONO - Each receiver side (A, B) will receive signal from two mono transmitters.

Analog audio will be outputted on each side.

•Mode 4 ANALOG STEREO - Each receiver side (A, B) will receive signal from one stereo transmitter.

Analog audio will be outputted for each side.

•Mode 5 ANALOG STEREO-MONO - The (A) receiver side will receive 1 stereo transmitter and the (B) receiver

side will receive two mono transmitters.

Analog audio will be outputted on each side.

•Mode 6 ANALOG AES, MONO – Each receiver (A, B) side will receive signal from a single mono

transmitter. The audio will be outputted as both a digital and an analog signal simultaneously.

ROUTER MODE: 0

AES MONO-MONO

Zaxcom RX-8 Extended Menu

Dante Module On / Off

This menu toggles power to the Dante module. Please note if the Dante module is on the receivers must be in

AES mode. This menu is only accessible in the A receiver for units that have Dante.

DB25 In-Out Mode

•RX 1-4 Outputs - The audio outputs from the A receiver (analog or AES outputs 1 thru 4) are on the DB25

connector.

•8 AES Input to Dante - When the RX-8 is remoted 8 audio channels - via 4 AES pairs -can be inputted to the RX-

8 and sent via Dante as AES 9 thru 16.

DB25 Outputs

•RX 5-8 Outputs - The audio outputs from the B receiver (analog outputs 5 thru 8) are on the DB25

connector.

•4 Analog Dante Out - When the RX-8 is remoted, 4 channels of analog audio received via Dante can be

outputted on the DB25. Time code can be optionally sent from the TC out BNC provided time code is sent

on audio channel 4 Via Dante.

DANTE MODULE:OFF

DB25 IN-OUT MODE:

RX 1-4 OUTPUTS

DB25 OUTPUTS:

RX 5-8 OUTPUTS

Zaxcom RX-8 Extended Menu

Allow Transmitter Remote Screens

When turned on two additional transmitter remote control menus will appear in the main menu. The first

menu gives the ability to remotely change the transmitters gain when the RX-8 is connected to a Camera

Link or IFB transmitter. The second menu is where the unit code for the receiver can be adjusted. The unit

code on the receiver must match the unit code on the transmitter that it is controlling.

Please note that this menu needs to be individually turned on for each side of the of the 414 receiver.

When transmitter remote control is turned on the frequency of the transmitter will automatically be

changed when the receive frequency on the RX-8 is adjusted.

RS422 Mode

•Camera Link - Used when the RX-8 is connected to a Camera Link or IFB via the RS422 port.

•USB (GUI) - For future GUI Bridge support.

LED On / Off

This menu toggles On / Off the receiver status LED’s.

Encryption Code Set

The encryption menu is where the encryption is turned on and the code is set. The encryption code needs to

match the encryption code of the associated transmitters. If an encryption code is set on the transmitter the

transmitted audio will be encrypted and can only be listened to if the MRX has the same matching encryption

code entered. When the codes do not match, all that will be heard is white noise.

These two sets of numbers are formed into a single six-digit encryption code which provides a total of

16,777,216 possible combinations. For non-encrypted operations all six numbers should be set to 0.

Encryption can be set independently for each receiver side.

Adjusting the encryption code

1. Press the RECEIVER key to advance to the desired character.

2. To change the designated character, press the INC or DEC key.

3. Press the MENU key to exit.

LEDS:

ID1: 000 ID0: 000

ALLOW TX REMOTE:

SCREENS ON

RS422 MODE:

CAMERA LINK

Zaxcom RX-8 Pin Configuration

Pin Configuration

DB25

Power Connector DC Power In / DC Out (Hirose-4 Connector)

Pin 1 – Ground ( - )

Pin 2 – Not Connected

Pin 3 – Not Connected

Pin 4 – DC ( + )

Zaxcom RX-8 Setup Configurations

Setup Configuration

Zaxcom RX-8 Antenna Cutting Chart

Antenna Cutting Chart

Zaxcom RX-8 Support

Product Support

Download the latest Firmware from: http://zaxcom.com/support/updates/

Download the latest User Manuals from: http://zaxcom.com/support/updates/

Submit Technical Questions at: http://www.zaxcom.com/submit-a-technical-question

Submit information for Repair Services at: http://www.zaxcom.com/support/repairs

Join the Zaxcom User Forum at: http://www.zaxcom.com/forum/forum.php

Join the Zaxcom Face Book User Group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/682199065139938/

Zaxcom RX-8 Support

Specifications

DB25 MRX I/O

Analog Audio Output: 8 Channels Balanced 0dB @ -20 dBFS

Digital Audio Output: 8 Channels (32 kHz Sample Rate)

Audio Connector: DB25 (wired to Tascam standard)

Receiver Interface

Receiver Slots: 2 (MRX Compatible)

RF Input Connectors: 2 x SMA

RF Output Connectors: 2 x SMA

RF Impedance: 50 ohm

RF Sensitivity: -110 dB

RX Decode Level: 6 dB signal to noise in XR Modulation

RF Filter Bandwidth: 35 MHz

RX-8 Tuning Range: 512 - 698 MHz

RF Diversity Single Mode: True

RF Diversity Dual Mode: Antenna

Antenna Power: N/A

MRX414 Module

Receivers Per Module: 4

Receiver Modulation: Zaxcom Proprietary Digital

MRX414-L Tuning Range: 512 - 614 MHz

MRX414-M Tuning Range: 536 - 652 MHz

MRX414-H Tuning Range: 596 - 698 MHz

Power Consumption: 300 ma @ 12 VDC

Size: 5" x 3" x .8" (L x W x H)

Weight: 7oz

MRX214 Module

Receivers Per Module: 2

Receiver Modulation: Zaxcom Proprietary Digital

MRX214-L Tuning Range: 512 - 614 MHz

MRX214-M Tuning Range: 536 - 652 MHz

MRX214-H Tuning Range: 596 - 698 MHz

Power Consumption: 160 mA @ 13 VDC

Size: 5" x 3" x .8" (L x W x H)

Weight: 7oz

Zaxcom RX-8 Support

Dante

4-Channel Balanced Analog Out: to DB25 from Dante

8-CHannel AES: from DB25 into Dante

8-Channel: from MRX to Dante

Timecode Direct Out: Hard-wired to output 4 and BNC

Dante Connector: RJ45

Power over Ethernet: 30w

Power conversion from Dante: 12 VDC @ 1 amp max

Misc

Power: 9 VDC to 18 VDC

Power Connector: Hirose HR10A-7P-4P

Power Consumption: 800 mA

Power Consumption w/Dante: 950 mA

Dante Power Switching: PoE priority w/automatic switching

Display: 4 x Graphic OLED Displays

RS422: 1 x USB

USB Connector: future use

Size: 8.5" x 8.0" x 1.0" (L x W X H)

Weight: 2 lb. 7 oz. w/2 x MRX

Zaxcom Warranty Policy and Limitations

Zaxcom Inc. values your business and always attempts to provide you with the very best service.

No limited warranty is provided by Zaxcom unless your RX-8 (“Product”) was purchased from an authorized distributer or authorized reseller. Distributers may

sell Product to resellers who then sell Product to end users. Please see below for warranty information or obtaining service. No warranty service is provided

unless the Product is returned to Zaxcom Inc. or a Zaxcom dealer in the region where the Product was first shipped by Zaxcom.

Warranty Policy

The Product carries a Standard Warranty Period of one (1) year.

NOTE: The warranty period commences from the date of delivery from the Zaxcom dealer or reseller to the end user.

There are no warranties which extend beyond the face of the Zaxcom limited warranty. Zaxcom disclaims all other warranties, express or implied, regarding the

Product, including any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. In the United States, some laws do not allow

the exclusion of the implied warranties.

Troubleshooting & Repair Services

No Product should be returned to Zaxcom without first going through some basic troubleshooting steps with the dealer you purchased your gear from.

To return a product for repair service, go to the Zaxcom Repair Services page http://www.zaxcom.com/repairs and fill in your information; there is no need to

call the factory for an RMA. Then send your item(s) securely packed (in the original packaging or a suitable substitute) to the address that was returned on the

Repair Services page. Insure the package, as we cannot be held responsible for what the shipper does.

Zaxcom will return the warranty repaired item(s) via two-day delivery within the United States at their discretion. If overnight service is required, a FedEx or UPS

account number must be provided to Zaxcom to cover the shipping charges.

*Please note a great resource to troubleshoot your gear is the Zaxcom Forum: http://www.zaxcom.com/forum.

Warranty Limitations

Zaxcom’s limited warranty provides that, subject to the following limitations, each Product will be free from defects in material and workmanship and will

conform to Zaxcom’s specification for the particular Product.

Limitation of Remedies

Your exclusive remedy for any defective Product is limited to the repair or replacement of the defective Product.

Zaxcom may elect which remedy or combination of remedies to provide in its sole discretion. Zaxcom shall have a reasonable time after determining that a

defective Product exists to repair or replace a defective Product. Zaxcom’s replacement Product under its limited warranty will be manufactured from new and

serviceable used parts. Zaxcom’s warranty applies to repaired or replaced Product for the balance of the applicable period of the original warranty or thirty days

from the date of shipment of a repaired or replaced Product, whichever is longer.

Limitation of Damages

Zaxcom’s entire liability for any defective Product shall, in no event, exceed the purchase price for the defective Product. This limitation applies even if Zaxcom

cannot or does not repair or replace any defective Product and your exclusive remedy fails of its essential purpose.

No Consequential or Other Damages

Zaxcom has no liability for general, consequential, incidental or special damages. These include loss of recorded data, the cost of recovery of lost data, lost profits

and the cost of the installation or removal of any Product, the installation of replacement Product, and any inspection, testing or redesign caused by any defect or

by the repair or replacement of Product arising from a defect in any Product.

In the United States, some states do not allow exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the limitations above may not apply to you. This

warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.

Your Use of the Product

Zaxcom will have no liability for any Product returned if Zaxcom determines that:

•The Product was stolen.

•The asserted defect:

•Is not present,

•Cannot reasonably be fixed because of damage occurring when the Product is in the possession of someone other than Zaxcom, or

•Is attributable to misuse, improper installation, alteration, including removing or obliterating labels and opening or removing external covers (unless