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[Wednesday at NAB]
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Support Equipment Is Abundant for Cameras
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by Craig Johnston,
~ April 16, 2008
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TV TECHNOLOGY
To hold the camera, carry it smoothly, move it, boost it and ship it, makers of camera support equipment usually bring more new inventions to the NAB Show than any other equipment category. This year is no different.
CRANES AND DOLLIES
The Myth Telescoping Camera Crane is being introduced in the Band Pro booth. It is designed to be lighter in weight and more compact than conventional camera cranes for portability. It features seven separate control systems for operator convenience and versatility. Operators can choose between two types of controls for the Myth’s remote-operated pan-and-tilt head: one for panning and tilting only, or one that enables panning, tilting and rolling. The Myth crane sports a maximum reach of 39 feet, 4 inches.
P+S Technik GmbH is premiering an even smaller version of its Skater Mini camera dolly, the Skater Junior. The Junior offers similar functionality as the Skater Mini at a lower cost. It has one adjustable wheel to allow quick setup of shots with basic curved or linear moves. It can mount a small flat base tripod head for pan-and-tilt functionality.
The company is also unveiling a new product line of rigs for stereoscopic photography, called 3D Rigs. They are designed to combine fine adjustment viewing angles, high quality design and manufacturing with flexible and lightweight solutions for use with all major film and video cameras. Manual and motorized versions are available.
Panther GmbH, displaying in the AbelCine Tech booth, has brought its Twister Dolly to the exhibition floor. It features three selectable steering modes: Front, Rear and Round-A-Round, and comes with tire and track wheels to allow use on track or the ground without a wheel change. The dolly has been upgraded with new level platforms with an enlarged workspace for the cameraman.
The company is also showing its Husky Dolly, designed to carry jib-arms and lightweight cranes with a full length of over 36 feet, and sports a payload of 551 lbs.
PROMPTERS
AVD-1prompter is presenting its iPrompter12, designed to work with either Mac or Windows computers. The custom-built 12-inch LCD monitor accepts BNC and S-Video, as well as VGA from Mac or PCs. It incorporates the company’s standard low-iron hi-definition glass beam-splitter mirror for the least effect on the camera’s imaging. Image mirroring is done in the monitor, and the prompter assembly weighs 10 lbs.
The company is also showcasing its iPrompter10, an entry level Mac and Windows teleprompter. The custom-built 10.4-inch LCD prompter accepts composite video and VGA directly from a Mac or Windows computer, and does the image mirroring in the monitor.
The company is also exhibiting its 15-inch and 17-inch camera-mounted prompter systems.
ProPrompter is introducing ProPrompter HD, designed for high-definition cameras. It sports a wider hood to accommodate the 16:9 aspect ratio HD cameras, but still weighs 2.5 pounds, as does its predecessor ProPrompter products the ProPrompter and ProPrompter II. All ProPrompters come complete with full-featured software for Windows and Mac, and custom Storm cases.
QTV is showcasing its comprehensive range of prompters designed for all levels of users. The company’s Starter Series prompters are engineered for the AV professional and emerging, non-traditional, broadcast markets, including smaller stations as well as corporate, religious and educational broadcasters. Its Master and Professional series are designed for higher-end users, and feature the MSP08, a small, bright portable prompter to the MSP20, designed for top-of-the range studio applications.
QTV is also demonstrating its IP-based networked prompting system, QMaster.
Telikou China is showing its teleprompter line, including the TB-8 portable prompter, with a 9.5-by-7 inch reflector, designed for shoulder-mounted and tripod based cameras.
For tripod and pedestal-mounted cameras, the company is also displaying 4:3 and 16:9 versions of its 15-inch and 17-inch diagonally-measured reflector teleprompters. Each model comes with an LCD monitor and appropriate mounting hardware.
Vinten is demonstrating its Vision iScript, featuring a tripod head built specifically for supporting the Autoscript GoPrompt 12 teleprompter system. Lightweight and portable, Vision iScript fits in a custom-built, rolling case. This smart fluid head and teleprompter combination is designed to work with the AC or battery-powered GoPrompt 12 system from Autoscript, and can be combined with a Vision Ped Plus pedestal or Pozi-loc tripod. The system employs a 900 MHz wireless scroll control, so the only cable necessary is the power cord that powers the prompters from AC or batteries.
STABILIZERS
Anton/Bauer is introducing its new Stasis Flex small camera stabilizer, designed to redirect the geometry of a handheld camera by redistributing its weight into the operator’s torso and over the shoulder. The Stasis Flex enables a cameraman to shoot in virtually any position, taking the weight off the operator’s hand, relieving fatigue and stabilizing shooting.
Stasis Flex can be used as a standalone unit, with Anton/Bauer’s ElipZ power system, or with the industry standard Gold Mount battery system
Chrosziel is introducing its new DV Balancer, a shoulder-pod support for small camcorders weighing up to 9 lbs. DV Balancer allows the camera operator to support the camcorder without the use of hands, with the weight of the camera absorbed by the shoulder pad and the abdomen support, leaving the hands free for controlling the camera. It can be integrated with existing Chrosziel DV Lightweight Support systems, and with an optional camera adapter can attach to most other cameras.
Sachtler will premier its artemis ACT 2 C Upgrade, featuring a first carbon fiber spring arm and ACT 2 Vest, designed for camera stabilizing systems including the artemis EFP, EFP Pro SDI HD, Cine, and Cine HD. The company worked with race car industry experts to develop the carbon fiber upgrade for the artemis ACT 2 Spring Arm because of carbon fiber’s response to vibration, so that the faster the operator runs, the steadier the arm becomes. The ACT 2 C Upgrade handles payloads from 24 to 57 lbs.
The ACT 2 Vest is constructed of breathable nylon Cordura and features six moveable and washable pads.
Steadicam, being shown in the Tiffen booth, is introducing a new version of the Steadicam Pilot, designed for cameras weighing 2-10 lbs. The Pilot includes a lightweight Iso-elastic arm and low profile vest, lightweight sled with CarbonLite expandable post, color 3.5-inch LCD monitor (upgradeable to a 5.8-inch 16:9 color monitor), low mass gimbal providing the ability to capture the fluid movements. The Pilot is shipped with two IDX E-7S batteries and a special version of the IDX’s VL Dual 60 Watt charger.
Steadicam is also unveiling a new Merlin Arm and Vest new features and capabilities to hand held stabilizers. It is configurable to fit all sizes of operators, and is lightweight, with a 28-inch vertical lifting range, while providing the performance and flexibility of other arms in the Steadicam line.
ROBOTICS
Canon Broadcast is exhibiting its Canon BU-40H remote control robotic pan and tilt HD camera system. It features a Canon HD zoom lens with 20x optical zoom ratio. It also provides genlock input for video system synchronization. Outputs include HD-SDI and SD-SDI with embedded audio or SD composite NTSC.
Frezzi Energy Systems is unveiling its HD Total Control Ethernet Pan/Tilt Systems, featuring advanced firmware and software for remote camera action control via Internet linking. The company’s Pilot control system is replaced by the F-NXP-PLV Ethernet, and its pan and tilt heads with its F-PTE-300 Ethernet.
Hitachi Kokusai is showing upgraded versions of a number of its Eagle Pan Tilt Systems robotic products with new motors and technology to provide more stable, faster robotic operation.
The Eagle PT-220HD pan-tilt head has been upgraded to the PT-250HD, with a payload of 50 lbs. There is also an upgrade of the PT-300HD, an outdoor pan/tilt head. The new PT-350HD also has a payload of 50 lbs. They can be controlled with the company’s PT-C, PT-C55, or PT-TSC2 controllers, and can store up to 64 different preset combinations of pan/tilt position and lens settings in the robotic head itself.
Hitachi is also showing a redesigned Pedevator, a camera pedestal, which can be robotically operated in the Z or vertical axis, with a height range of from 33.7 inches to 50.7 inches. An 18-inch extension column is available to change the range to 51.7 inches to 68.7 inches. The elevation speed is variable from zero to full, based on proportional digital joystick input from the Eagle pan/tilt camera controllers. And up to 32 different height positions can be memorized by the Pedevator’s onboard memory. It has a payload of 100 lbs.
Innovision is presenting its Mini Shuttle Camera Tracking System, designed to transport a lightweight remote-controlled camera along a dual-rail bendable track. The track can be mounted to the studio wall or ceiling, in straight or curved profiles. The fully-programmable Baby Shuttle utilizes Innovision’s precise and repeatable motion control technology, and is capable of six axes of movement, including pan, tilt, focus, zoom, shuttle and vertical movement. The system’s manual control lets the camera fly above, through and along side the action at speeds of up to 5 feet per second.
Panasonic is premiering its AW-HE100 multiformat HD/SD camera that features an integrated pan/tilt-zoom mechanism. The all-in-one unit combines image quality, super smooth pan/tilt/zoom operation, and flexible system configuration. It is designed for applications ranging from high-resolution distance learning and videoconferencing to broadcast and event staging. The integrated pan/tilt/zoom features True-Servo pan/tilt head with a range of 350 degrees of pan and 250 degrees of tilt. The robotics deliver a maximum pan/tilt speed of 60 degrees a second, and operates in virtual silence.
The AW-HE100 is designed to be integrated with a wide range of professional RS-422 control systems including Panasonic’s pan/tilt controllers such as the AW-RP555, AW-RP655, and AW-RP400 with the AW-IF400, which provides control from remote distances of up to 3,280 feet.
Panther GmbH, displaying in the AbelCine Tech booth, is showcasing its Trixy remote head, a lightweight and low-cost digital robotic head configured for use on camera cranes and jib-arms. It can maneuver on up to three axes, with slip rings that enable camera control during its entire range of movement. It features precision motors and backlash-free gears, and is designed for the mounting of film and video cameras weighing up to 33 lbs. Lens control is designed for most common lens brands used in video and film lenses, providing zoom, focus and iris controls.
Shotoku Broadcast Systems is marking the U.S. introduction of its TRP-100 robotically controlled pedestal. Designed for news, sports, and talk-format programs, it provides fast and smooth movements while maintaining accuracy and repeatability. It is controlled by Shotoku’s TR-8T Control System, providing X, Y, and height camera movement in conjunction with conventional pan and tilt motion. It features an advanced navigation system that can be calibrated within seconds using a simple target-tile placed anywhere on the studio floor.
Telecast Fiber Systems is presenting its HD/POV Robotic Camera Links, providing fiber optic video/audio/data transceiver modules for robotic cameras working in either analog or HD/SDI. The system provides return video for monitor return or genlock/tri-level sync, and audio channels in both directions. HD/POV transceivers are available as standalone throw-down modules or as a 2-slot wide rackmount module for Telecast’s Viper II frame.
Telemetrics is premiering its BT-X3/Z3-VS Belt Driven Track System, a heavy duty, remotely controlled camera positioning system that offers both vertical and horizontal positioning to pan and tilt camera movement. Customers can order their own rack lengths, and the system is supplied with wall, ceiling or floor mounting brackets, floor leveling feet, cable track and pan/tilt mount, including the Motor Drive Panels and Motors.
The company is also displaying its ECM-BT Extendable Camera Mount to add vertical positioning to ceiling- or wall-mounted pan/tilt camera systems. It is designed for studio sets that require immediate camera positioning with quick retraction for unobstructed camera angles.
Telemetrics is also showing its TG-TRO-2 TeleGlide Camera Trolley System, which includes an isolated motor to ensure quiet operation and a fully articulated dual trolley for optimal load stabilization and smoothness.
And the company is also displaying its PS-RM-48 V Power Supply, designed to deliver 250 W/500 W of power to operate multiple 48 V camera robotics devices in order to effectively reduce the number of power supplies required for complex camera robotics configurations.
Vinten Radamec is launching its VRC Fusion Control System, engineered for compatibility with the full line of current as-well-as many discontinued Radamec and Autocam products. The control system’s network architecture offers multi-user, multifacility control of robotic pedestals, heads and elevation units, and provides full touchscreen control for up to 16 cameras, with or without x-y pedestals from a single panel.
The company is also demonstrating its Fusion FH100 Robotic and Manual Head and its Fusion FP145 Pedestal. The Fusion FH100 Robotic and Manual Head is designed for use as a standalone system or integrated with the Fusion FP145 pedestal. The head can handle payloads up to 125 lbs., and can be used in either manual or robotic mode. It uses Vinten’s LF drag system to provide normal drag performance for manual operators. The head contains its own power supply unit.
The Fusion FP145 Pedestal is designed for payloads up to 176 lbs., and is engineered to support Vinten Radamec Fusion robotic heads and modern cameras, lenses and prompters. The pedestal can be used either fully robotic or fully manual.
Vinten Radamec is also showcasing its Fusion FBH175 Bolt-on Height Drive, designed to provide robotic height control of most lightweight Vinten and Sachtler pedestals such as the Osprey Elite and the Pro Ped, without compromising on the manual function of the pedestal.
TRIPODS & FLUID HEADS
Panther GmbH, displaying in the AbelCine Tech booth, is showcasing its Fluid Head X15, featuring a continuous balance system and a tilt range not restricted by the balance system, able to achieve a tilt angle of ±90 degrees with any payload. Drag can even be changed while panning or tilting the camera, and the head incorporates metal levers, camera Quick Lock, illuminated bubble level and a mount for HD viewfinder extensions.
Sachtler is introducing SOOM, a multifunctional camera support system for Mini DV to HDV camcorders. SOOM can configure into four distinct support tools, in one compact, easy-to-carry system, and without the use of tools. In the SOOM TriPod mode, the system’s 75mm bowl can be mated to a Sachtler FSB or other fluid head and features single-stage legs providing a vertical height range from 27 inches to 56 inches and an integrated TriSpread mid-level spreader. For more height, TriPod becomes HiPod, telescoping vertically to a variable lens height of over 8 feet. In Monopod configuration, with the SOOM Tube removed from the tripod it features a height range of 34 inches to 62 inches. And for going low, the TriSpread mid-level spreader removes from the standard tripod to become a single-stage baby tripod with a height range of 8-19 inches.
Shotoku is unveiling the TG-27 lightweight Robotic Pan and Tilt Head, which sports a payload of 37.5 lbs. The unit targets remote camera applications where small unobtrusive cameras are required, and may be mounted upright or inverted. Customized support brackets are available to facilities that wish to maintain the visual integrity of sensitive locations. The pan-and-tilt head is VR capable and compatible with all Shotoku control systems.
The company is also presenting an extension to its Virtual Studio camera support range with the addition of the SH120VR lightweight head and TP-90VR fully-featured studio pedestal. The TP90, aimed at mid-range payloads for camera, lens and prompter configurations of up to 132 lbs., provides manual performance that has not been compromised by the addition of the VR sensing systems.
Shotoku is also extending its manual pedestal and tripod line with the launch of the SH range of lightweight DV and ENG camera support products. Constructed with high rigidity aluminum, the 1-, 2-, and 3-stage tripods support payloads from zero to 55 lbs. They are designed for use with the company’s new lineup of fluid pan-and-tilt heads, and can be rigged and de-rigged easily for fast-moving shoots. As a tripod/head combination, it weighs 6 lbs.
Vinten is present its Vector 750 Pan and Tilt Head, which combines the functionality and durability of the Vector 700 Standard and ‘H’ versions. The Vector 750 offers proven features including smooth pan and tilt movements with infinite adjustability for both the balance and drag systems. The new Vector 750 features a center of gravity range from three to almost 10 inches. The 750 sports a maximum payload of 165.3 lbs., which allows for use of camera accessories such as teleprompter, talent monitor and light fixtures. The new 750 is designed with a spring- and cam-free counterbalance mechanism that eliminates the need for time-consuming cam changes when altering camera configuration.
The company is also showing its Vector 950 Active fluid head, with special encoders built in to allow precise movement and positioning information to be output. It is displayed with a Canon DigiSuper lens. The 950 Active can be paired with both the Canon 100AF and DigiSuper 86AF long-field zoom lenses.
BAGS
CineBags is introducing a new HD Backpack designed for medium size DV and HDV camcorders such as the Sony PMW-EX1, Panasonic HVX200, DVX-100, HVR-Z1U, and similar sized cameras as well as laptop computers. With shoots ranging from feature films, documentaries or snowboard videos, the backpack’s padded protection and customizable inner compartments provide safe gear storage. External storage pouches keep frequently used items within quick reach. The HD Backpack has a laptop compartment, see-through compartments, a large, padded shoulder harness, and is waterproof.
Petrol is debuting the Camlap Trolley Bag for professional camcorders. This roll-away camera bag features three separate padded chambers for maximum storage and equipment protection, with a front main section providing room for a Sony HVR-AU1, Canon XH G1, Panasonic AG-HSC1, or similar size camcorder. A cushioned rear pocket can hold and cradle a laptop computer with up to a 17-inch screen. The bag’s lower compartment is equipped with four removable dividers for stashing accessories.
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