After being announced at last year’s NAB, Zaxcom has finally released the DCiRX, a compact digital wireless receiver built for professional audio workflows in film, broadcast, and live production. It combines wireless reception, internal recording, microphone preamp functionality, and USB audio interfacing in a single unit, supporting flexible setups for both field and studio use.
Operating within the UHF spectrum from 470 to 698 MHz, the DCiRX uses a narrow-band direct conversion receiver design. It supports one wireless transmission from compatible Zaxcom transmitters while also allowing a direct microphone input. This enables simultaneous capture of wireless audio and a lavalier or external microphone source.
A built-in recorder captures up to four tracks, including three ISO tracks and one mix track, with support for 32-bit float or 24-bit fixed WAV formats. Timecode can be generated internally or received via wireless transmission, with SMPTE output available for synchronization across devices.
For connectivity, the DCiRX includes TA-5 balanced outputs with adjustable mic to line level up to +12 dBu, along with a USB-C interface delivering four channels of audio to computers, mobile devices, or USB cameras. A 3.5 mm headphone output allows for monitoring, and the 3-pin LEMO input supports both 5V bias and 48V phantom power microphones.
The USB-C connection also allows the unit to function as a multi-channel audio interface, making it suitable for direct recording into a DAW. Audio performance specifications include a dynamic range up to 144 dB via USB output and 116 dB on analog outputs, with low distortion and a frequency response of 20 Hz to 16 kHz. The receiver supports Zaxcom’s digital modulation system and encrypted audio transmission.
Power is supplied via three AA batteries or USB-C input, with lithium-ion batteries providing up to 7 hours of operation. The compact design supports use on cameras, in sound bags, or mobile rigs, with dual SMA antenna inputs for antenna switching diversity.
More from this year's NAB
At this year’s NAB show, Zaxcom also announced two additional products: the QRX400 and the ZRC remote control system.
The QRX400 is designed to receive four channels of audio from four separate transmitters and includes built-in recording, operating across the same 470 to 698 MHz tuning range.
The ZRC is a ZaxNet 2.4 GHz remote control system that handles remote control and timecode transmission without audio, with a LEMO connection for timecode input. More details on these products are expected as they become available.