Beyerdynamic SIR 800, Operating Instructions Manual

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SIR Infrared System SIR 800
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3. Short description
SIR is a system for the wireless transmission of sound using infrared light. By far the most important
application is in simultaneous interpretation installations, where it is combined with interpreter consoles
from beyerdynamic.
3.1 System function
The SIR system consists of several components:
The central component is the compact SIR 800 transmitter. The inputs are signals from several audio
channels (for instance, several different language channels with simultaneous interpretation). It converts
them into the appropriate FM signals for wireless transmission.
Infrared radiators transmit the information carried by the audio channels in the form of frequency-
modulated infrared light.
Within the radiator's area, receivers are used to pick up the information transmitted in the form of infrared
light signals. These receivers feature small dimensions. Headphones are plugged in to listen to their
audio output. Receivers can be moved at will anywhere within the area that is fully illuminated by the
radiators. They can be switched to receive up to 32 channels.
Whenever the SIR system is used as a simultaneous interpretation installation it is operating in
combination with one or several interpreter consoles (e.g. SIS 1202, SID 202, MCS-D 202). The various
languages are fed into the appropriate outgoing channels. The interpreter consoles also include a
number of functions that are essential to ensure the uninterrupted transmission of simultaneous
translation.
These consoles are installed inside sound-proofed interpreter booths.
Interpreters sit inside these booths and use headphones to listen to the original sound, which is normally
called the floor channel. At the same time they speak their translation into an outgoing channel.
Wherever we have a combination of a Microphone system and interpreter consoles it is SIR’s job to
transmit several audio channels wireless to the auditorium.
3.2 Use
In combination with a microphone management system (such as MCS-D), the system can provide the
best communication facilities for organized events that need several languages.
Each and every participant (a term often used is "delegate") can use the microphone system to speak,
and what he or she says will be translated simultaneously so that other delegates will be able to listen to
it in one of the languages. This technique permits direct communication in several languages even at
very large scale events.
It is a simple matter to set up the SIR system in such a way that it is protected against eavesdropping
from outside. Since all information is transmitted in the form of light waves, it is possible to use opaque
material as necessary to limit the area to which it is to be transmitted. Dark curtains drawn across
windows, for instance, are enough to shield a room reliably from the outside world.
Although the SIR system is most commonly used in combination with an interpretation system and
microphone-management system, it is also possible to use it for other purposes.
During organized events, for instance, it is possible to use infrared light to transmit information to indi-
vidual participants wearing receivers without disturbing anyone else present.
Another example might be museums applications. There it is possible to provide information on
individual exhibits by means of infrared light radiated only to a limited area in front of the particular
exhibit. Visitors listen to the information with receivers and headphones.
These particular operating instructions deal with the combination of SIR systems and interpreter
consoles of the SIS and MCS-D systems. Regarding the operation of these systems, please refer to the
appropriate manuals.