Today we are taking a look at the advanced Hollyland Solidcom C1 Pro – a professional-level full duplex communication system for professional teams working in the field who require a solid, simple, and effective way of staying connected.
Hollyland
Hollyland has been innovating wireless audio and video systems for a few years now. We’ve already reviewed a few of their video transmission products, and today we’re looking at the Solidcom C1 Pro 4-piece duplex communication set.
Concept
This set allows for 4 users to send and receive audio hands-free on a stable wireless connection from up to 350 m in line of sight over interference-free wideband channels with echo suppression.
Using the new Hollyland Solidcom C1 Pro
Innovations
Hollylands C1 Pro is a second iteration of this communication system that is also compatible with the previous headsets but features some important innovations. The main difference between the two versions (the non-pro and the new pro version) is the smart noise cancellation that uses a secondary mic to differentiate between the voice and the environmental noises to isolate the voice.
There is also an improved wind noise filter and stable encrypted connection for up to 8 headsets. [a communication hub is also available separately to connect up to 16 headsets.]
In the box
Hollyland ships the kit in a semi-hard carrying case that includes 4 headsets in individual pouches, 8 batteries and a charger [with DC power supply], and replacement ear muffs.
Hollyland Solidcom C1 Pro 4 unit kit and accessories
Design and build
The headsets are pretty light, thanks to their plastic casing, but they feel very sturdy with the metallic headband and holders.
Each headset is clearly marked and numbered. The holder side houses the battery and features a replaceable cushion held in place with velcro.
The ear side comes with two options of earmuffs. The microphone boom acts as a mute toggle when pointed upwards and features a light indicator to show connection and a low battery warning. The Environmental Noise Cancellation toggle is on the mic itself. When turned on, the indicator light changes to blue.
There are 5 control buttons on the headset. The plus and minus buttons control volume. The big button in the middle allows to mute the mic and functions as a walkie-talkie button when long-pressed. After several tries, you can find it pretty quickly, but Hollyland would have given it a distinctive texture to make it even easier.
The other two buttons switch from group A to group B, but this feature is only available with Hollyland’s communication hub.
The Hollyland Solidcom C1 Pro buttons on the side (you can see the small noise cancellation mic on the left)
Features
Each headset is powered by a very light 700MAh battery, and Hollyland includes two batteries per headset in the kit. The C1 Pro is engineered to mediate power consumption, so the battery can last up to 10 hours on the receiver set. [6 hours on the transmitter]
The charger features a secure DC jack and accommodates all 8 batteries. Charging takes just 2.5 hours, so two batteries are more than enough for a full production day.
The headsets come paired, so to start using them, just turn each unit on. The indicator light will flash until the units connect. There’s actually a voice prompt in the receiver units when a connection is established, as well as to notify of a low battery.
Tests
We’ve used the C1 Pro system in the field (including in commercial production for a recent Canon camera in the desert – BTS coming soon), and the connection was seamless and very stable. Even when driving and in a location with walls and no line of sight, the units never lost connection.
We conducted a distance test by driving away in the car. Even with the car windows closed the signal and the units losing line of sight, the audio was clear up to around 300 meters.
In our video, you can see a demo of the ENC. To activate it, there is a toggle on the microphone. In our test, the camera continued to record the screen, while a Hollyland Mars 4K transmitted video to the screen, and the C1 Pro audio is recorded into the camera. standing on the roof of our building with air conditioner noise all around the audio sounded very clear as you can see (ad hear) in the video above.
The audio with ENC turned on is definitely much clearer. This is at least 10 meters away, with walls and metal doors in between and one floor higher – pretty impressive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hollyland’s innovations have really come together in this system with great battery life and a solid connection stable even without a line of sight. The noise cancellation is pretty amazing and makes this kit a must-have for production teams.
Pricing
As for pricing, Solidcom C1 Pro 4 headset kit sells for $1,300, and goes up to $2,600 for the 8 headset kit (the 2 headset kit sells for $650).
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