Holophone Surround Sound Solutions Annouced at NAB

Press Release

May 10, 2006    Source: Studio Daily

At NAB, Holophone introduced the H3-D Microphone, a portable and economical 5.1 multi-channel professional surround sound microphone, and the H4 SuperMINI Microphone, a discrete 5.1-channel camera-mountable surround microphone.

Combined with an integrated multi-channel pre-amplifier, monitor, and encoder, the cutting-edge SuperMINI is based on patented Holophone Surround Audio capture technology, popularized by the company’s highly successful H2-PRO Surround Microphone. The ground-breaking SuperMINI — custom-designed for broadcast, ENG (electronic news gathering) and professional video applications — was introduced at the NAB

H4 SuperMINI

“The SuperMINI adds instant, professional quality three-dimensional 5.1-channel surround sound to any video camera,” says Jonathan Godfrey, CEO of Holophone. “This microphone is portable, lightweight, and super easy to use. It enables surround sound capture from multiple points and perspectives within a venue. With the continuing growth of HDTV and 5.1 channel home theatre, broadcasters need to provide a more robust and sonically three-dimensional product to viewers. The SuperMINI is the right product at the right time for meeting today’s challenges.”

At $2,495, the SuperMINI eliminates the need for costly and complex surround mixing and editing. Offering six microphone elements with a bandwidth of 20Hz-20KHz, a matrix encoded stereo analog output, and six line-level analog outputs that are available at one per channel from three stereo 3.5mm female jacks, the innovative SuperMINI delivers surround sound for today’s stereo and discrete multi-channel infrastructure.

Holophone’s SuperMINI includes an audio zoom button, which increases the forward bias of the pick-up pattern. In addition, the microphone has a virtual surround headphone output with gain control on the 3.5mm stereo jack for live instantaneous monitoring of the surround field, an auxiliary center channel microphone input (XLR) for attaching an external shotgun microphone, and an intuitive tri-colored LED Holophone monitor that indicates sound level and direction.

HD-3 Microphone

Based on the company’s successful and patented H2-PRO, Holophone’s H3-D is a portable and economical 5.1 multi-channel professional surround sound microphone. An ideal solution for broadcast, recording, and studio applications, the H3-D hits the sweet spot in cost and performance for growing technology markets such as project studios, education, and houses of worship.

“Our goal is to make surround sound capture and recording accessible to new and emerging markets in places where it has been traditionally too expensive or complicated,” says Michael Godfrey, president and founder of Holophone. “With the HDTV and 5.1 channel home theatre revolution, broadcasters are faced with the challenges of providing surround content to a growing number of viewers in many diverse markets. Our products are designed to take cost and complexity out of the equation and provide a sonic three-dimensional feeling of being there.”

Holophone’s H3-D instantly eliminates the need for difficult, expensive, and time consuming multiple-microphone surround set-ups. Custom-designed to support 5.1 surround-sound recording devices, the H3-D provides leading-edge 3-D surround audio, while shattering the price to performance barrier — the H3-D retails for $1,695.

Additionally, the H3-D provides an intelligent array of features, such as a six-channel discrete microphone manufactured to automatically deliver 5.1 channels with no external mixing or signal manipulation needed. It has a multi-directional pickup pattern with 20Hz-20KHz frequency response on five perimeter channels and a discrete LFE microphone located inside. The microphone is phantom powered with an LED indicator. Attached to the H3-D is a 15 ft. (5m) Monster® cable that terminates in a 6-pin Neutrik® XLR connector. A Windscreen and Pistol Grip are optional accessories.