Zaxcom ZFR100 User manual

Zaxcom Miniature Digital Recorder
User‟s Manual
ZFR100 ZFR800
Firmware Version: 6.10
Updated: 2009-08-11 - 13:12
230 West Parkway, Unit 9, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 USA
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Email: inf[email protected] Website: www.zaxcom.com
Maintained by: Ray M. Owen, Production Sound Mixer

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Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 –TOPICS THAT APPLY TO BOTH UNITS.................................................................................. 7
WHAT‟S INCLUDED WITH THE ZFR100............................................................................................................................................................ 7
Options........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
WHAT‟S INCLUDED WITH THE ZFR800............................................................................................................................................................ 7
Options........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
USER MANUAL CONVENTIONS........................................................................................................................................................................... 8
SYSTEM FEATURES ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
MENU SYSTEM ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
MEDIA..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
BATTERY INSTALLATION...................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
BATTERY LIFE......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
EXTERNAL POWER................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
COMMON SETTINGS FOR ASSOCIATED IFB TRANSMITTER AND RECEIVERS...............................................................................................10
CHAPTER 2 –DIGITAL WIRELESS SYSTEM TRANSMITTERS ..................................................................... 11
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ZFR100 BODYPACK RECORDER.....................................................................................................................11
Compatible Lavs.................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
RF Resistant Lavs ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................11
Non-RF Resistant Lavs.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
General..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Device Interface .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
IFB Antenna........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13
RECORD key.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................13
PLAY key............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
STOP key ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13
INC key ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
DEC key .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
ON/OFF Switch –Internal/External Power Switch ................................................................................................................................................ 13
ZFR100 Configuration Menus.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ZFR800 HANDHELD RECORDER ....................................................................................................................15
Device Interface .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Media Slot ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................16
Record Key......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Unit Power Switch ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
ZFR800 Configuration Menus.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
COMMON RECORDER STANDARD MENU.......................................................................................................................................................17
Normal Startup Sequence (without any card inserted) ........................................................................................................................................... 17
Normal Startup Sequence (with a formatted card inserted) ................................................................................................................................. 18
Transport Control page ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
Audio Gain page ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Highpass Filter page............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 19
Limiter page ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Timecode Frame-rate page............................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Timecode Jam Mode page ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 20
Timecode Source page ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Earpiece Source page ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Media Erase & Format page............................................................................................................................................................................................ 20
To Format a Card: ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
To Recreate the Wrapper Files (will not destroy existing audio takes):.......................................................................................................... 21
Lock page................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21
Unlocking the recorder .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 21
COMMON RECORDER EXTENDED MENU........................................................................................................................................................22
Extended Startup Sequence (without any card inserted)........................................................................................................................................ 22
Extended Startup Sequence (with a formatted card inserted).............................................................................................................................. 22
Entering the Extended Menu ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Exiting the Extended Menu............................................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Highpass Filter page............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 23
Limiter page ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 23

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Record Format page............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 23
IFB Format page ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
IFB Enable page.................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
IFB Voting Enable page....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
IFB Frequency page.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Power-up Mode page.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Unlocking the recorder .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
Media Erase & Format page............................................................................................................................................................................................ 25
To Format a card:............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
To Recreate the wrapper files (will not destroy existing audio takes): ............................................................................................................ 25
Timecode Jam Mode page ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 26
Timecode Source page ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Timecode Output Enable page ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 26
Remote Control Group ID page....................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Remote Control Unit ID page........................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Expander page ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Dynamics page...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
ADC Location page .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 28
Battery Type page................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 29
Recording Mode page......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Track Name page................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 29
COMMON RECORDER INDEPENDENT OPERATIONS......................................................................................................................................29
Display a Detailed Startup Sequence ............................................................................................................................................................................ 30
Detailed Startup Sequence (without any card inserted)........................................................................................................................................ 30
Detailed Startup Sequence (with a formatted card inserted) .............................................................................................................................. 30
CHAPTER 3 –RECORDING AUDIO USING THE MINIATURE DIGITAL RECORDER .............................. 31
RECORDING FORMAT.........................................................................................................................................................................................31
RECORDING MODE ............................................................................................................................................................................................31
MEDIA CAPACITY................................................................................................................................................................................................31
DUAL COLOR LED.............................................................................................................................................................................................32
RECORDING OPERATION ..................................................................................................................................................................................32
Formatting the MiniSD Card ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 32
Current Timecode and Frame-rate Display ................................................................................................................................................................. 32
Jamming Timecode into the Recorder ........................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Manually Jamming TC with a Cable ............................................................................................................................................................................. 33
Continuously Jamming TC using the IFB100............................................................................................................................................................. 33
Automatically Starting and Stopping the Recording using Timecode from the IFB100 ................................................................................33
CHAPTER 4 –ZFR100 ADAPTERS ..................................................................................................................... 34
STA100 STEREO ADAPTER................................................................................................................................................................................34
Installation............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Adjusting the Input Level.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Powering the STAxxx........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 35
Using an External Power Source..................................................................................................................................................................................35
Using the STAxxx to Power the Recorder...............................................................................................................................................................35
The Audio/Timecode Output Connection ..................................................................................................................................................................... 35
Timecode Input................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 35
Operation of the STAxxx .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 35
Host Unit functions.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 35
STA150 STEREO ADAPTER................................................................................................................................................................................36
EA100 EARPIECE ADAPTER ...............................................................................................................................................................................36
TCA100 TIMECODE ADAPTER .........................................................................................................................................................................37
CHAPTER 5 –IFB100 IFB TRANSMITTER ........................................................................................................ 38
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR IFB TRANSMITTER..............................................................................................................................................38
SETTING UP THE IFB100....................................................................................................................................................................................39
Power Requirements............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 39
Audio Input ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 39
Adjusting the Input Audio Level................................................................................................................................................................................... 39

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Timecode................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 39
IFB100 Configuration Menus ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 39
IFB100 STANDARD MENU.................................................................................................................................................................................40
Pacifier page........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 40
Remotely Starting and Stopping the Transmitter Recorder.................................................................................................................................40
Remote Audio Gain Change page................................................................................................................................................................................... 40
Remote Unit ID page.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 40
Remote Audio Frequency Change page ........................................................................................................................................................................ 41
Remote Power Setting Change page.............................................................................................................................................................................. 41
Timecode Frame-rate page............................................................................................................................................................................................... 41
IFB Frequency page.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 42
Selecting the frequency................................................................................................................................................................................................... 42
IFB Input Mix page .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 42
Lock page................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 42
Unlocking the transmitter..............................................................................................................................................................................................42
IFB100 EXTENDED MENU .................................................................................................................................................................................42
Entering the Extended Menu ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 43
Exiting the Extended Menu............................................................................................................................................................................................... 43
Highpass Filter page............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 43
Limiter page ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 43
IFB Format page ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 43
IFB Frequency page.............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 43
Power-up Mode page.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 44
Unlocking the IFB100 ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 44
Timecode Jam Mode page ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 44
Timecode Source page ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 44
Timecode Output Enable page ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 44
Remote Control Group ID page....................................................................................................................................................................................... 44
Remote Control Unit ID page........................................................................................................................................................................................... 45
IFB Transmitter Power page ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 45
TV Channel Minimum page.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 45
TV Channel Maximum page............................................................................................................................................................................................. 45
IFB100 INDEPENDENT OPERATIONS ...............................................................................................................................................................46
Display a Detailed Startup Sequence ............................................................................................................................................................................ 46
Detailed Startup Sequence (without any card inserted)........................................................................................................................................ 46
Detailed Startup Sequence (with a formatted card inserted) .............................................................................................................................. 46
OPERATING FREQUENCIES.................................................................................................................................................................................47
Audio......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 47
Remote Control, Timecode and IFB Feed ..................................................................................................................................................................... 47
CHAPTER 6 –ZAXCONVERT UTILITY ............................................................................................................ 48
ABOUT ZAXCONVERT.......................................................................................................................................................................................48
USING ZAXCONVERT ........................................................................................................................................................................................48
OUTPUT FILE TYPE..............................................................................................................................................................................................48
TIMECODE............................................................................................................................................................................................................49
SAMPLE-RATE CONVERSION .............................................................................................................................................................................49
MAXIMUM FILE SIZE ............................................................................................................................................................................................49
OUTPUT FILE NAME ...........................................................................................................................................................................................49
TRACK ENABLE....................................................................................................................................................................................................49
CHAPTER 7 –EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................... 50
ZFR100 SPECIFICATIONS...................................................................................................................................................................................50
ZFR800 SPECIFICATIONS...................................................................................................................................................................................51
IFB100 SPECIFICATIONS.....................................................................................................................................................................................52
CHAPTER 8 –WIRING DIAGRAMS ................................................................................................................... 53
ZFR100 CABLES ..................................................................................................................................................................................................53
STAXXX AND IFB100 CABLES .........................................................................................................................................................................54

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CHAPTER 9 –FIRMWARE INFORMATION...................................................................................................... 55
FIRMWARE............................................................................................................................................................................................................55
Advantages to Upgrading the Firmware ....................................................................................................................................................................... 55
Upgrading the Firmware in Each Unit........................................................................................................................................................................... 55
SIGNIFICANT CHANGE REMINDERS ..................................................................................................................................................................56
Using High Capacity SD Cards (2009-03-03) TX Version 5.98+ .................................................................................................................. 56
New IFB High Quality Mode (2009-01-29) TX Version 5.92T+ IFB Version 5.92+ ............................................................................... 56
New Recorder LCD module (2008-12-04) RX x80+ ......................................................................................................................................... 56
New IFB Audio Codec (2008-05-21) TX & IFB Version 5.50a+ .................................................................................................................... 56
KNOW FIRMWARE PROBLEMS...........................................................................................................................................................................56
Recorders................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 56
IFB.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 56
TRX /ZFR /IFB FIRMWARE HISTORY.............................................................................................................................................................57
CHAPTER 10 –MENU SHEETS........................................................................................................................... 62
MENU SHEET FOR ZFR100................................................................................................................................................................................62
MENU SHEET FOR ZFR800................................................................................................................................................................................66
MENU SHEET FOR IFB100..................................................................................................................................................................................69
CHAPTER 11 –ZAXCOM WARRANTY POLICY AND LIMITATIONS......................................................... 71
Table of Figures
Figure 1-1 ZFR100 Front View........................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 2-1 ZFR100 Top and Front Views ......................................................................................................................................................11
Figure 2-2 ZFR800 Side, Mic Capsule, Body Threaded End, Body Antenna End & Barrel Views ...................................................15
Figure 4-1 STA100 Front & Back Views.........................................................................................................................................................34
Figure 4-2 STA100 attached to ZFR100 ........................................................................................................................................................35
Figure 4-3 STA150 & STA150 attached to ZFR100...................................................................................................................................36
Figure 4-4 EA100 alone & EA100 attached to ZFR100..............................................................................................................................36
Figure 4-5 TCA100 attached to ZFR100 & TCA100 .................................................................................................................................37
Figure 5-1 IFB100 Front & Side Views............................................................................................................................................................38
Figure 6-1 ZaxConvert Windows & Mac Main screens............................................................................................................................. 48
Figure 6-2 Choose Output File Type screen ................................................................................................................................................ 48
Figure 6-3 Timecode Options screen.............................................................................................................................................................49
Figure 6-4 Output Sample Rate Conversion screen ...................................................................................................................................49
Figure 6-5 Maximum Output File Size screen...............................................................................................................................................49
Figure 8-1 Two-wire microphone configuration (with internal bias) .....................................................................................................53
Figure 8-2 Three-wire microphone configuration (with internal bias)................................................................................................... 53
Figure 8-3 Balanced Line to ZFRxxx...............................................................................................................................................................53
Figure 8-4 Standard XLR-3F to TA-5F Line-level input cable................................................................................................................... 54
Figure 8-5 LEMO-5M to 1/8” male timecode input cable .........................................................................................................................54
Table of Tables
Table 1-1 Approved vs. Unapproved Media ................................................................................................................................................... 9
Table 1-2 Compatible IFB Settings ..................................................................................................................................................................10
Table 2-1 Compatible RF Resistant Lavalier Microphones .......................................................................................................................11
Table 2-2 Compatible Non-RF Resistant Lavalier Microphones .............................................................................................................12
Table 2-3 Power Switch Positions ...................................................................................................................................................................13
Table 2-4 ZFR100 Standard & Extended Menus..........................................................................................................................................14
Table 2-5 ZFR800 Standard & Extended Menus..........................................................................................................................................16
Table 2-6 Format Error Codes ........................................................................................................................................................................21
Table 2-7 Format Error Codes ........................................................................................................................................................................25
Table 3-1 Available Recording Time ............................................................................................................................................................... 31

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Table 3-2 Recorder LED Indications............................................................................................................................................................... 32
Table 5-1 IFB100 Standard & Extended Menus............................................................................................................................................ 39
Table 5-2 Audio Frequency Block Information ............................................................................................................................................47

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Chapter 1 –Topics that apply to both units
What’s Included with the ZFR100
1 –media slot dust plug
1 –belt clip
1 –blue Zaxcom storage/carrying case
user manual on CD-ROM
Options
TCR100 –Receive timecode and remote control signals from the optional IFB100
TRX10 –Receive audio portion of IFB100 transmission (requires EA100 or STAxxx for monitoring IFB
audio)
TCA100 –Timecode adapter
STA100 –Stereo adapter
STA150 –Stereo adapter
EA100 –Earpiece adapter
IFB100 –Timecode/Remote Control Transmitter
What’s Included with the ZFR800
1 –blue Zaxcom storage/carrying case
user manual on CD-ROM
Options
Shure microphone capsule(s)

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User Manual Conventions
Throughout this manual, the following conventions are used:
STAxxx –refers to the STA100 and STA150.
Cycle the power –refers to turning power to the unit „OFF‟, waiting a few seconds and then turning the power
„ON‟.
{p.##} –refers to the page number on which the item can be found.
MiniSD card –refers to any approved card in Table 1-1 {p.9}.
System Features
Fault tolerant broadcast quality recording
96 hours of audio directly on a 16 GB removable MiniSD card
Audio recording at 24 bits/48 kHz
Supports both record/stop and continuous loop recording
Backlit graphic liquid crystal display
Frequency selectable highpass 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 timecode reception (ZFR100 only)
RF remote control of recorders (ZFR100 only):
oAudio gain (Raise/Lower)
oRecording (Start/Stop)
Battery runtime:
oZFR100 –up to twenty hours on two AA Lithium batteries
oZFR800 –up to ten hours on one CR123 battery
oIFB100 –no internal batteries, always runs on external power
Size and weight: (H x W x D –while looking at the screen)
oZFR100 –3.31”x 2.3” x 0.65” –84 mm x 58 mm x 17 mm –4.0 oz –113g
oZFR800:
Body –6.12” x 1.5” –155 mm x 38 mm –8.2 oz –232g
Capsule (ex.) –3.0” x 3.0” –76 mm x 76 mm –4.9 oz –139g
oIFB100 –3.44” x 3.88” x 0.9” –87 mm x 99 mm x 23 mm –6.0 oz –170g
Menu System
The user interface for each unit consists of a Liquid Crystal Display with 3 keys, as follows:
MENU –Menu page/function select: press once to move to the next menu page.
INC (up arrow) –Increment the current parameter selected by the MENU key.
DEC (down arrow) –Decrement the current parameter selected by the MENU key.
Each menu has several pages allowing you to change configuration settings. All of these settings are stored in Flash
ROM immediately after making the change.
Figure 1-1 ZFR100 Front View

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Media
Some of the units read from and/or record to a MiniSD card, which is inserted into the media slot. All of the
transmitters use a MiniSD card to update the unit‟s firmware. To be safe, you must use approved media:
Media
Manufacturer’s ID
Approved?
SanDisk & Transcend 4GB SDHC MiniSD
YES
ALL Dane-Elec
NO
SanDisk 2GB MiniSD (retail packaging)
SDSDM-2048-A10M
YES
SanDisk 2GB MiniSD (bulk packaging)
SDSDM-2048, Bulk
YES
ALL SanDisk MicroSD (with MiniSD adapter)
YES
ALL SanDisk Ultra
NO
ALL SanDisk Ultra II
NO
Transcend 2GB (x80) MiniSD
TS2GSDM80
YES
ALL Transcend (x45)
NO
Transcend 4GB MiniSD
TS4GSDM80
YES
Any brand that prints the info on a sticker applied to the chip
NO
Table 1-1 Approved vs. Unapproved Media
IMPORTANT: To use any 4GB card, V5.53 or greater is required
If unapproved media is used, it can become jammed in the MiniSD socket and damage it.
CAUTION: Damage resulting from using unapproved media is not covered by the warranty.
Do not use SanDisk Ultra II cards. Formatting one of them may make it unusable.
Battery Installation
Each unit may require one or two batteries.
CAUTION: Always observe the correct battery polarity. The negative contact on the battery is always
connected to the spring contact.
Never use any battery that is missing insulation on its body. If you do, it can cause a short circuit in the
battery compartment, causing damage to the unit.
Battery Life
IMPORTANT: If operating using internal batteries, it is recommended that you use only Lithium or
rechargeable NiMH. Any other battery chemistry including Alkaline and Ultra batteries have a substantially
reduced runtime compared to Lithium or NiMH cells. This is true for all Zaxcom units.
External Power
Some of the units can be powered from an external power source. The external power connection is a 2.5 mm
(0.1”) barrel connector. The center pin is positive. The connector for the STA100 and IFB100 is the 760K.

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Common Settings for Associated IFB Transmitter and Receivers
The following settings must agree, to allow associated IFB transmitters and receivers to work together,
(this assumes that the same or compatible versions have been installed in all units):
IFB Receiver side
IFB Transmitter side
Extended Menu
IFB Format page {p.24}
IFB Enable page {p.24}
Remote Control Group ID page {p.26}
Remote Control Unit ID page {p.27}
IFB Frequency page {p.24}
Extended Menu
IFB Format page {p.43}
Remote Control Group ID page {p.44}
Standard Menu
Remote Unit ID page {p.40}
IFB Frequency page {p.42}
Table 1-2 Compatible IFB Settings