Sennheiser has announced that WiCOS, a wireless conference system that automatically avoids interference, will soon be available.
  
WiCOS, short for Wireless Conference System, features automatic dynamic frequency management with two frequency ranges
(2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), for wireless transmission, and automatically switches the range if it detects interference on its wireless frequencies. This means that WiCOS can be operated much more reliably than conventional wireless conference systems.
 
“A conference system has to operate with absolute reliability,” explained Jens Werner, Product Manager for Conference and Information Systems at Sennheiser. “For that reason, in addition to the usual 2.4 GHz range, which is often subject to interference from Bluetooth transmitters and WLANs, WiCOS uses the range from 5.1 to 5.8 GHz for its transmission. If the system detects another transmitter, it automatically, and inaudibly, switches frequency.”
 
WiCOS can operate continuously for at least 20 hours and can integrate up to 16 translation channels, making it an attractive solution for advanced conferencing applications. The system can also be used without a PC and its removable microphones ensure easy transportation and flexible installation. Particularly secure 128-bit encryption, which can be programmed by the user, provides security against tapping.
 
“The audio quality of the conference system is outstanding,” added Werner. “Conventional systems often suffer from relatively poor speech intelligibility when only a few delegate units are being used, with the result that people eventually give up and revert to using a general public address system. In the WiCOS system on the other hand, the loudspeakers of the delegate units provide absolutely clear sound even when only a few units are being used.”
 
The WiCOS system includes an Access Point, which controls the communication between the delegate units and the chairman’s unit. In wireless conference applications, the battery-powered conference units are wirelessly connected with the Access Point. The volume can be adjusted at the chairman’s unit, making the system immediately ready for use. For even more convenient system operation, the Access Point has an integrated web server that allows the conference manager to configure and supervise the system conveniently using a browser.
 
For interpreting applications, or to integrate existing equipment, WiCOS can easily be combined with Sennheiser’s wired SDC 8200 conference and interpretation system.
 
“WiCOS,” continued Werner, “provides rental companies and conference centres with a highly reliable, easy to operate and flexible conference system that offers the full benefits of Sennheiser’s comprehensive expertise in RF wireless technology.”
 
WiCOS will be available from April 2009.
   
For more information about Sennheiser please visit http://www.sennheiser.co.uk/ or call:
 
Matthew Sweetapple, Sennheiser Pro PR
T: 07956 137 541
E-mail: matthew@sweetapple.co.uk
 
Photo: The new Sennheiser WiCOS, a wireless conference system that automatically avoids interference.