Teradek RT MDR.S Lens Control Receiver and Serv Micro Video Transmitter Explained

Teradek RT MDR.S lens control receiver

According to Teradek, the RT MDR.S is a compact three-axis lens control receiver w/ Bluetooth, which offers premium lens control at a reasonable price. It is 30% smaller than its predecessor, the RT MDR.X but it still comes with the same OLED display and the same menu structure.

Teradek MDR.S along with a Serv 4K (not the new Micro variant). image credit: Teradek

The RT MDR.S offers 3 channels for lens control (focus, iris, zoom) and the possibility to daisy-chain up to 3 motors. In fact, you need to daisy-chain the motors because the device provides only one motor connector. The camera control port allows the user to start and stop recording from an RThand unit.

Since it uses the same internals as the bigger MDR.X unit, it supports MOTR.X and MK3.1 motors, CTRL.1, and CTRL.3. However, it does not support rangefinders such as the TOF.1.

the new Teradek MDR.S unit. Image credit: Teradek

The Teradek RT MDR.S receiver sells for $699, and it is available now.

Teradek Serv Micro

We reported on the upcoming Teradek Serv Micro a while back, but at Cine Gear 2022 Colin showed us the new device in action. It won’t be available until later this year, and the price hasn’t been set yet either, but the new Serv Micro seems to be appealing to many customers who don’t need all the features of the larger Serv units (SDI, 4K) but still want a reliable video transmission solution for streaming the live video feed to multiple tablets and phones on set (or elsewhere).

Teradek Serv Micro. Image credit: Teradek

For I/O you’ll get HDMI in as well as an HDMI loop-through output, an Ethernet port, and a power input. The unit sports a built-in Sony L-series battery plate as well.

In terms of functionality, the Serv Micro is missing a few features; you don’t get SDI connections, for example, and streamed video is limited to HD resolutions (up to 1080p30, 4:2:0 8-bit AVC).

image credit: Teradek

Other than that, it works just like the existing Teradek Serv 4K: it streams incoming video to up to 10 local devices, which need to run the Teradek VUER app to access the stream. External clients can also access the stream via the Teradek Core Cloud.

What do you think about Teradek’s new products? Would you fancy one of these new products for upcoming projects? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!