The original Hollyland MARS 300 Dual HDMI Wireless Video Transmitter and Receiver System made the word “accessible” more meaningful. Priced at $449 at launch, the MARS 300 allows users to transmit video footage up to 1080p60 with no wires required. The transmitter provides a single HDMI input plus an HDMI loop-out for viewing on an on-board monitor and the receiver provides two HDMI outputs. Features include line-of-sight transmission up to 300′, a built-in L-series battery plate on each unit, and durable metal housings.
Easy on price and easy to carry the transmitter and receiver each measure a petite 4 x 2.4″ and are constructed with durable metal housings and a 1/4″-20 mounting thread. Both accept a wide 6-16 VDC input range and can be powered using an L-series type battery or the single included DC adapter. The Mars 300 set comes with five antennas (including one spare), a cold shoe, and a 1/4″-20 adapter.
Hollyland Technology has been very active in the filmmaking industry in recent years, and the company has not stopped at the MARS 300, which appears to be the first prosumer wireless transmitter in the market. The MARS 400S series and MARS X prosumer wireless transmitters, MARS T1000 prosumer wireless intercom system, along with their professional gear release of COSMO M7 monitor and SYSCOM 42 1800ft wireless video and audio transmission system. Now, the company introduces the MARS 300 Pro.
In terms of video and audio wireless transmission, Hollyland Technology claims that the MARS 300 Pro “has a hassle-free wireless video and audio transmission range over 300ft with a clean line of sight (LOS) and with 0.08s lowest achievable ultra-low latency. It has eight frequency channel options that can be switched to avoid interference and to ensure a stable wireless transmission just like other transmitters in their MARS product line.”
The MARS 300 Pro repeats the formula present in the MARS 300: there are two HDMI outputs on the receiver while the transmitter comes with an HDMI input and an HDMI loopout that is essential for people who like to build cinematic rigs with mirrorless or other small-budget cameras and need an on-camera external monitor.
The company says that one of the most stand-out features is the mobile App real-time monitoring. Thanks to it, “when the receiver is connected to an external monitor on a regular setup, two more mobile devices can be connected to the transmitter via their HollyView monitoring App that people can find in Google Play and iOS App Store. The transmitter can also be used alone, which would allow the system to connect up to three mobile devices monitoring.”
The App itself, Hollyland Technology told ProVideo Coalition, supports pro monitor features, such as waveform, focus peaking, zebra, zoom, 3D LUTs, screen recording, and screenshots that people can make simple notes and share them with others, etc. The Android version of the app was updated June 2020.
A 3-in-1 thumbwheel switch menu is added to MARS 300 Pro together with a side OLED screen with easy access to the device’s power status, channel scan result, video input, channel number, etc., so, says Hollyland, “people don’t have to worry about having their screen blocked when they mount their systems horizontally on the camera.”
The downside of having a built-in fan is the fan noise. Again, Hollyland found a solution: the ability to adjust the fan speed in order to have the fan noise under control. Regular speed to keep the fan running at its own pace, or low speed for quiet mode when one sets a microphone next to the transmitter.
MARS 300 Pro also comes with channel scan on both the receiver and the App, so people can easily identify the best channel to use on a shooting location ahead of time, or anytime. The firmware for both devices can be easily updated. In terms of powering options the MARS 300 Pro, the devices support 5-12V wide voltage power supply, including various L-series batteries, different power banks, and Type-C charging.
Two versions, standard and enhanced
MARS 300 Pro comes in two different versions, standard and enhanced. Built-in antennas are introduced to MARS 300 PRO for easy setup, efficient shooting, and different shooting applications. Both versions come with receivers with built-in antennas. The transmitter is also with built-in antennas for the standard version, while external antennas are used on the transmitter for the enhanced version. The only difference between these two versions is the antennas, namely, the ability to avoid interference for complex Wi-Fi environments.
Prices for the new solution from Hollyland are what consumers expect by now: the MARS 300 Pro will retail for $449 for the Standard Version, $469 for the Enhanced Version, and $199 for the single transmitter version (TX from the Standard Version). The product is shipping July 25th, but availability will vary in different areas. Check on Hollyland Technology’s website the list of distributors around the world for more information.