How to choose the best simultaneous interpretation or hearing assistance equipment for your needs

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Quick guide to simultaneous interpretation equipment

FM or Infrared?

FM	IR
Use FM systems for ease of operation, flexibility, and transportability. FM systems can transmit through solid objects FM systems operate indoors or outdoors. FM systems are user-friendly and can be installed easily by almost anyone. FM transmitters can be positioned anywhere and hidden from view. FM systems can suffer from radio interference.	Use IR systems for confidentiality and sound reliability. IR systems cannot transmit through solid objects IR systems operate indoors only IR is complex to install and requires precise positioning. IR emitters/radiators must be within a direct line of sight of the receivers and can be unsightly. IR systems are immune to radio interference.

FM Wideband or Narrowband?

WIDEBAND	NARROWBAND
Use wideband for economical, reliable transmission in most environments Wideband channels have less noise Wideband channels have better frequency response Wideband receivers cost less.	Use narrowband in high radio traffic environments or when you need up to 40 simultaneous channels Narrowband channels have more noise Narrowband channels have poorer frequency response Narrowband receivers cost more

72 MHz or 216 MHz?

72 MHz	216 MHz
72 MHz has a transmission range of up to 1,500 feet 72 MHz has exceptional sound quality 2 MHz is compatible with existing FM assistive listening equipment 72 MHz can operate in up to 8 simultaneous channels.	216 MHz has a transmission range of up to 3,000 feet 216 MHz has good sound quality 216 MHz avoids interference from existing FM listening equipment 216 MHz can operate in up to 3 simultaneous channels

Below is a side-by-side comparison of features and functionality of our most popular RF and IR systems.

Feature	Listen Radiofrequency	Williams Sound Radiofrequency	Williams Sound Infrared	Bosch Integrus Infrared
Frequency Response +/- 3 db	50 Hz-15 KHz	22 Hz-16 KHz	30 Hz-16 KHz	20 Hz-20 kHz
Frequency Bands	72 MHz 216 MHz	72 MHz	2.3-3.8 MHz	2-8 MHz
Signal to Noise Ratio	80 dB	74 dB	> 60 dB	> 80 dB
Number of channels	56	6	4	32
Nominal range	72 MHz: 1,500 ft. (457 m) 216 MHz: 3,000 ft. (914 m)	72 MHz: 1000 ft. (304 m)	18,000 ft2 (1,700 m2) per emitter (2-channel mode) 28,000 ft2 (2,600 m2) per emitter (1-channel mode)	1000 m2 per medium-power emitter (4-channel mode) 2000 m2 per high-power emitter (4-channel mode)
Transmits through walls?	yes	yes	no	no
Works well outdoors?	yes	yes	no	no
Performance affected by light fixtures, camera flashes, shadowed areas or sunlight?	no	no	yes	yes
Susceptible to RF interference?	yes	yes	no	no
Transmission security?	no	no	yes	yes
Stereo Transmitters / Receivers?	no	no	yes	yes
Multiple channels simultaneously?	yes	yes	yes	yes
Portable systems?	yes	yes	no	yes

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