Zaxcom RX-8 Receiver User Manual

Front Panel

1. UHF Antenna Connectors (2): SMA connectors.

2. Receiver Select keys (8): Rx keys press to select a receiver. When a receiver is active, a bracket will appear around the display for that receiver.

3. Receiver Status Indicators (8):
Green - Receiver is receiving a valid signal.
Red - Receiver is not getting a valid signal.

4. OLED Displays (4)

5. INC Key: Up key used to increase the parameters of a menu item.

6. Dec Key: Down key used to decrease the parameters of a menu item. Press and hold the DEC key to access the extended menu.

7. Menu Key: Press to advance to the next menu item.

Side Panels

1. Dante I/O – RJ45: Supports Power Over Ethernet.

2. DC Power Input - Hirose 4 Pin: Operates from 8 to 18 DC volts. POE power is sufficient if Dante is connected.

3. Time code out - BNC: Outputs timecode when sent on Dante analog audio 4 in.

4. USB: For factory use only. WARNING: DO NOT PLUG ANYTHING INTO THE USB CONNECTOR - YOU CAN POTENTIALLY DAMAGE THE RX-8.

5. Audio In / Out - DB25: Analog and AES audio out. Audio can be inputted to be sent via Dante.

6. RS422: For connection to a Camera Link or IFB300 for remote transmitter control.

7. RF Outputs - SMA: RF out is post the 35MHz filter.

8. Power Switch: Controls the 12-volt input. Overridden by POE power.

The two MRX receivers slide into the side of the RX-8. Receiver A goes into the bottom slot, and Receiver B goes into the top slot.

MRX software must be 2.12 to run in the RX-8. MRX software cannot be updated in the RX-8.

The back of the RX-8 has a 12 Volt DC output. The RX-8 will output power only when receiving Power Over Ethernet. Power must be less than 1 amp.

Home Screen

Audio level: Indicates incoming audio level. Vertical bars to the right indicate -20dBFS and -10dBFS marks.

Transmitter's battery level: Displays transmitter battery level. Battery type must be set in the transmitter's extended menu. The battery symbol blinks before shutdown.

Transmitter's record status:
• S (STOP): Transmitter is stopped.
• R (REC): Transmitter is recording.
• P (PLAY): Transmitter is playing back.

RF signal strength: Staircase pattern indicates signal strength, with higher steps meaning stronger signals.

Receiving antenna:
→ Indicates signal received by antenna 1 (left antenna connector).
→ Indicates signal received by antenna 2 (right antenna connector).

Main Menu

Navigating the Main Menu:
• Press a RECEIVER key to select an active receiver.
• Press the MENU key to enter the main menu.
• Press the MENU key to advance to the next menu item.

Exiting the Main Menu: Press and hold the MENU key for 1.5 seconds.

Frequency Adjust:
Sets receive frequencies to match transmitter frequencies.
• Press the desired RECEIVER key.
• Use INC and DEC keys to adjust frequency.
• In dual mode, press the RECEIVER key to toggle between A and B receivers.
• Frequencies must be within the 35MHz range of the front-end filter. “TOO BIG” or “TOO SMALL” will flash if out of range.

Center Frequency Adjust:
Sets the center frequency of the 35MHz front-end filter. The operating range is ±17.5MHz from the center frequency. MRX receivers must operate within this window. This menu is only available in the A receiver.

Frequency Scan:
Initiates an RF scan. After scanning, a graphical display of RF presence is shown, and the RX-8 suggests clear frequencies.
• Press INC key to accept a frequency.
• Press DEC key to select another frequency.
• The RX-8 can scan 30 MHz at a time. Scanning is only available from the A receiver.

Scanning on the RX-8:
• Turn off transmitter(s).
• Press INC key to initiate a scan.
• The scanning range is set in the scan bandwidth menu (e.g., 30MHz scans ±15MHz from center frequency).
• During scan, the frequency being examined is displayed, along with a graphic map of RF strength.
• Press MENU key to abort the scan.

Selecting a frequency:
After scan completion, a suggested frequency is shown with a blinking vertical line.
• Press RX1/2 RECEIVER key to select the receiver (1-8). Single mode on odd numbers.
• Press INC key to accept.
• Press DEC key to select another frequency.
Scan results are available until power cycling the RX-8.

Set Bandwidth:
Sets the spectrum scanned below and above the center frequency (e.g., 30MHz scans ±15MHz). Adjustable from 4 to 30MHz.

Transmitter Gain:
(Appears when transmitter remote is enabled.)
• Press INC key to increase gain remotely.
• Press DEC key to decrease gain remotely.
• “+++” indicates increase, “- - - -” indicates decrease. Gain value is shown.
• In dual mode, press RX key to select receiver.

Unit Code:
(Appears when transmitter remote is enabled.)
Sets the unit code to match the transmitter. Press RX key to toggle between receivers. Group code is set on the ZaxNet device.

Test Tone Output:
Enables a 1K test tone for level setting and routing checks.
• Press INC and DEC keys to cycle through settings: OFF, -20dBFS, +0dBFS.

Extended Menu

Navigating the Extended Menu:
• Press the RECEIVER key for the desired receiver (must be in home screen).
• Press and hold DEC key for 1.5 seconds to enter.
• Press MENU key to advance to the next menu item.

Exiting the Extended Menu: Press and hold MENU key, then press INC key.

Modulation Select:
Sets how the transmitter signal is modulated. Must match the transmitter's modulation mode. Reboot required if changed. Options: Mono / XR / stereo, or ZHD96.

Single / Dual Mode Select:
• SINGLE: Configures two MRX receivers as one. Receives audio from one transmitter. Offers true diversity and better reliability. Only one frequency per receiver pair.
• DUAL: Configures two MRX receivers as two independent receivers. Receives audio from two transmitters. Two separate frequencies tuned for each receiver pair.

Output Router:
Sets routing to the DB25 connector. Controls both A and B sides. Reboot required after changing modes.
• Mode 0 AES MONO: Each side receives from two mono transmitters. AES audio output.
• Mode 1 AES STEREO-MONO: Side A receives from one stereo transmitter, Side B from two mono. AES audio output.
• Mode 2 AES STEREO: Each side receives from one stereo transmitter. AES audio output.
• Mode 3 ANALOG MONO: Each side receives from two mono transmitters. Analog audio output.
• Mode 4 ANALOG STEREO: Each side receives from one stereo transmitter. Analog audio output.
• Mode 5 ANALOG STEREO-MONO: Side A receives from one stereo transmitter, Side B from two mono. Analog audio output.
• Mode 6 ANALOG AES, MONO: Each side receives from a single mono transmitter. Digital and analog audio output simultaneously.

Dante Module On / Off:
(Accessible in A receiver for units with Dante.) Toggles power to the Dante module. Receivers must be in AES mode if Dante is on.

DB25 In-Out Mode:
• RX 1-4 Outputs: Audio outputs from A receiver (analog or AES 1-4) on DB25.
• 8 AES Input to Dante: 8 audio channels (4 AES pairs) can be inputted to RX-8 and sent via Dante as AES 9-16.

DB25 Outputs:
• RX 5-8 Outputs: Audio outputs from B receiver (analog 5-8) on DB25.
• 4 Analog Dante Out: 4 channels of analog audio received via Dante can be outputted on DB25. Timecode can be sent from TC out BNC if timecode is sent on audio channel 4 via Dante.

Allow Transmitter Remote Screens:
Enables two additional menus for transmitter remote control (gain adjustment and unit code). Unit code must match transmitter. Transmitter frequency changes automatically with RX-8 frequency when remote control is on.

RS422 Mode:
• Camera Link: For connection to Camera Link or IFB via RS422 port.
• USB (GUI): For future GUI Bridge support.

LED On / Off: Toggles receiver status LEDs.

Encryption Code Set:
Sets encryption code to match associated transmitters. If codes don't match, only white noise is heard. Non-encrypted operations: set all six numbers to 0.
Encryption can be set independently for each receiver side.
Adjusting the encryption code:
1. Press RECEIVER key to advance to the desired character.
2. Press INC or DEC key to change the character.
3. Press MENU key to exit.

Pin Configuration

DB25: A detailed pinout diagram shows AES OUT, DANTE MODE, and ANALOG OUT connections for receivers RX1 through RX8, with corresponding Tascam connector assignments.

Power Connector DC Power In / DC Out (Hirose-4 Connector):
Pin 1: Ground (-)
Pin 2: Not Connected
Pin 3: Not Connected
Pin 4: DC (+)

Setup Configuration

Diagrams illustrate various setup configurations, including:

• RX8 with Dante, no PoE, connected to a recorder with AES interface (8 channels from RX8).
• RX8 with Dante and PoE, connected to a recorder with Dante interface (8 channels from RX8 and PoE).
• RX8 with Dante and PoE, connected to a recorder with Dante interface (16 channels to RX8 and PoE).
• RX8 with Dante and PoE, connected to a recorder with Dante interface (8 AES channels from RX8, with IFB TX and PoE).
• RX8 or any AES source, no Dante option, connected to a recorder with Dante interface.
• RX8 with Dante and PoE, connected to a recorder with Dante interface (12V from PoE, Analog audio to IFB).

Antenna Cutting Chart

Provides SMA/SSMA antenna cutting lengths for various blocks and Zaxcom products, including TRX-2.5, QRX200, and URX models.

Product Support

Register your product with Zaxcom: http://zaxcom.com/support/product-registration/

Download the latest Firmware: http://zaxcom.com/support/updates/

Download the latest User Manuals: http://zaxcom.com/support/updates/

Submit Technical Questions: http://www.zaxcom.com/submit-a-technical-question

Submit information for Repair Services: http://www.zaxcom.com/support/repairs

Join the Zaxcom User Forum: http://www.zaxcom.com/forum/forum.php

Join the Zaxcom Face Book User Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/682199065139938/

Specifications

DB25 MRX I/O:
Analog Audio Output: 8 Channels Balanced 0dB @ -20 dBFS
Digital Audio Output: 8 Channels (32 kHz Sample Rate)
Audio Connector: DB25 (wired to Tascam standard)

Receiver Interface:
Receiver Slots: 2 (MRX Compatible)
RF Input Connectors: 2 x SMA
RF Output Connectors: 2 x SMA
RF Impedance: 50 ohm
RF Sensitivity: -110 dB
RX Decode Level: 6 dB signal to noise in XR Modulation
RF Filter Bandwidth: 35 MHz
RX-8 Tuning Range: 512 - 698 MHz
RF Diversity Single Mode: True
RF Diversity Dual Mode: Antenna
Antenna Power: N/A

MRX414 Module:
Receivers Per Module: 4
Receiver Modulation: Zaxcom Proprietary Digital
MRX414-L Tuning Range: 512 - 614 MHz
MRX414-M Tuning Range: 536 - 652 MHz
MRX414-H Tuning Range: 596 - 698 MHz
Power Consumption: 300 mA @ 12 VDC
Size: 5" x 3" x 8" (L x W x H)
Weight: 7oz

MRX214 Module:
Receivers Per Module: 2
Receiver Modulation: Zaxcom Proprietary Digital
MRX214-L Tuning Range: 512 - 614 MHz
MRX214-M Tuning Range: 536 - 652 MHz
MRX214-H Tuning Range: 596 - 698 MHz
Power Consumption: 160 mA @ 13 VDC
Size: 5" x 3" x 8" (L x W x H)
Weight: 7oz

Dante

4-Channel Balanced Analog Out: to DB25 from Dante
8-Channel AES: from DB25 into Dante
8-Channel: from MRX to Dante
Timecode Direct Out: Hard-wired to output 4 and BNC
Dante Connector: RJ45
Power over Ethernet: 30w
Power conversion from Dante: 12 VDC @ 1 amp max

Misc:
Power: 9 VDC to 18 VDC
Power Connector: Hirose HR10A-7P-4P
Power Consumption: 800 mA
Power Consumption w/Dante: 950 mA
Dante Power Switching: PoE priority w/automatic switching
Display: 4 x Graphic OLED Displays
RS422: 1 x USB
USB Connector: future use
Size: 8.5" x 8.0" x 1.0" (L x W X H)
Weight: 2 lb. 7 oz. w/2 x MRX

Zaxcom Warranty Policy and Limitations

Zaxcom Inc. provides service and support. Limited warranty is provided if the Product was purchased from an authorized distributor or reseller.

Warranty Policy:
Standard Warranty Period: One (1) year from date of delivery.
Zaxcom disclaims all other warranties, express or implied.

Troubleshooting & Repair Services:
Contact the dealer first. For repair service, fill out the form at http://www.zaxcom.com/repairs. Pack securely and insure the package. Zaxcom returns repaired items via two-day delivery within the US.

Warranty Limitations:
Product will be free from defects in material and workmanship and conform to Zaxcom's specifications.

Limitation of Remedies:
Exclusive remedy is repair or replacement of the defective Product. Zaxcom may elect which remedy to provide. Warranty applies to repaired/replaced Product for the balance of the original warranty period or thirty days from shipment, whichever is longer.

Limitation of Damages:
Zaxcom's entire liability shall not exceed the purchase price of the defective Product.

No Consequential or Other Damages:
Zaxcom has no liability for general, consequential, incidental or special damages.

Your Use of the Product:
Zaxcom is not liable for returned products that are stolen, have defects not present, cannot be fixed due to damage, or are attributable to misuse, improper installation, alteration, accident, or mishandling.

Additional Limitations on Warranty:
Warranty does not cover Product received improperly packaged, altered, or physically abused.

Declaration of Conformity

ZAXCOM, INC.
230 West Parkway, Unit 9
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
December 15, 2020

Certifies that the following products conform to essential requirements of EMC Directive 2004/108/EC and R&TTE Directive 99/5/EC:

QRX200, QRX235, QRX212, MRX214, MRX414, RX-4, RX-8, RX-12, RX-12R, RX200, URX100, and URX50 wireless microphone receivers.

Conforms to: EN 300 422-2 v1.3.1, EN 301 489-9 v1.4.1, EN 60950: 2006/A1:2011, EN 50566: 2013.

Authorized representative in Europe: Mr. Roger Patel, Director of Everything Audio, Elstree Film Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Herts WD61JG, England.

Glenn Sanders
President
Zaxcom, Inc.

FCC Notice:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. The equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly approved by Zaxcom, Inc. could void the user's authority to operate it.