Archive of the Camera Accessories Category

New 3D BULLET RIG shown with Panasonic HPX250 and Canon XF305 cameras, is the most affordable, modular 3D beam-splitter available today. It features adustable IO (3.5″), convergence (0-2 deg), XYZ axis, camera elevation and mirror angle (44 to 46 deg) for perfect image alignment in every situation. Fits easily on Steadicam, in handheld mode (shoulder mount incl), with EasyRig, on a jib and any tripod. Weighs just 15 lbs. and is 15″ wide. Accomodates Red Epic, Scarlet, Sony EX3, F3, Canon XF305, XF105, 5D, Si-2K, & many other professional cameras. For more information visit www.3DFilmFactory.com

From Reliable Products to Customer Support, Anton/Bauer Wraps Up 20th Consecutive Season with the Show

SHELTON, CT, JANUARY 24, 2012—Since their first day of production back in 2001, crew members of the hit reality television series The Amazing Race have counted on Anton/Bauer® products to power them through even the toughest geographic and weather conditions. more

HARRISBURG, PA, JANUARY 20, 2012—When Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s local ABC-TV affiliate, WHTM, made the transition to HD last year, the station also upgraded its existing teleprompting gear used in the studio. To help ensure its on-air talent could deliver more than six hours of local news clearly each day, it selected teleprompters from Autoscript, the world’s leading teleprompting company and a Vitec Group brand. more

LOS ANGELES—Brandon Heaslip has joined Codex Digital as Application Specialist, North America. Heaslip, who brings a deep background as a post production engineer, will provide support to film and television productions and post production service providers using Codex technology.

Heaslip joins Codex from Oasis Imagery, a Hollywood post production facility, where he served as Director of Engineering. He also served for five years as an On Location Services Supervisor for Technicolor Creative Services.

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HALF MOON BAY, CA (January 18, 2012) – GoPro, the world’s leading activity image capture company, today announced the release of a new version of its professional family of 2D and 3D production software – GoPro CineForm Studio Premium and GoPro CineForm Studio Professional. The company recently released a new version of its free software, GoPro CineForm Studio, which adds powerful new features appealing to consumers and professionals alike.

“This announcement represents a significant milestone in GoPro’s efforts to provide a complete camera-to-software solution for 2D and 3D productions for its entire customer base,” said David Newman, GoPro’s Senior Director of Software Engineering. “The updated GoPro CineForm Studio software line has huge implications, not only for consumers and enthusiasts, but for professional cinematographers and filmmakers who are increasingly embracing new camera technologies to help them tell their stories in ever more exciting and unique ways. The new software maintains an intuitive user interface for basic tasks but also provides sophisticated Active Metadata-driven capabilities that slipstream into the most advanced production pipelines in the industry.”

What’s New in the GoPro CineForm Studio Product Line

GoPro CineForm Studio
Available for both Mac and Windows platforms, GoPro CineForm Studio enables users of every skill level to adjust aspect ratios and instantly correct distortions or ‘image stretching’ that typically occurs when resizing images. And for high impact, dramatic time lapse sequences, GoPro CineForm Studio now enables users to add keyframes anywhere in the video, and add effects such as pan and zoom to introduce movement and drama to time lapse sequences.

Other new features include:
- Automatic recognition for 3D videos for YouTube uploads
- Auto-update of HD HERO2® camera firmware
- Support for popular .mov and .mp4 video formats to bring in content from other camera systems

GoPro CineForm Premium and GoPro CineForm Professional
For professional cinematographers, filmmakers and videographers, GoPro has also strengthened its family of professional applications; GoPro CineForm Premium and GoPro CineForm Professional. GoPro CineForm Studio Premium captures the most popular features of both CineForm’s Neo HD and Neo 3D into a singular, new solution ideal for 2D and 3D broadcast and feature film production. GoPro CineForm Studio Professional extends even more powerful stereo 3D post-production capabilities to 3D broadcasters and 3D feature filmmakers, and is optimized for multi-camera stereo rigs, such as SI, PHANTOM, RED, and ARRI ALEXA. Additional features at-a-glance include:

GoPro CineForm Studio Premium:
- New and improved user interface
- Non-destructive Color correction
- Non-destructive Reframing/Image manipulation
- Non-destructive 3D correction
- Support for a wide range of consumer and professional 2D and 3D (single body) video cameras
- Support for HD and beyond

GoPro CineForm Studio Professional:
- New and improved user interface
- Non-destructive Color correction
- Non-destructive Reframing/Image manipulation
- Advanced Non-destructive 3D correction
- Support for a wide range of consumer and professional 2D and 3D (all types) video cameras
- Support for HD and beyond
- Independent eye control for professional 3D camera rigs

Pricing and Availability
GoPro CineForm Studio is available immediately as a free download here.

GoPro CineForm Studio Premium is priced at $299, and GoPro CineForm Studio Professional is priced at $999 and are available for download here: http://www.cineform.com.

About GoPro
Based in Half Moon Bay, California, GoPro makes the world’s most versatile cameras, enabling people to capture and share their lives’ most exciting moments in professional quality HD video and photos. GoPro’s HD HERO line of wearable and gear mountable cameras are used collectively by more consumers, professional athletes, and video production professionals than any other camera in the world. GoPro’s products are sold in over 60 countries via specialty sports retailers, Sport Chalet, Best Buy and at GoPro.com.

GoPro Media Contact:

Rick Loughery, GoPro Kevin Bourke, BourkePR
(415) 738-2480 x722 or pr(at)gopro(dot)com (508) 259-6018 or kbourke@bourkepr.com

GOPRO®, HERO®, and CineForm® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Woodman Labs, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other company, product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their rightful owners.

Cinedeck LLC (www.cinedeck.com), pioneering developer of mobile capture systems for motion picture and broadcast production, today announced changes and additions to its personnel, as the company enters a new growth and expansion phase, which includes the launch of the new Cinedeck RX rack-mountable, hard-disc recorder, monitor and playback system.

Cinedeck co-founder CTO Charles Dautremont has taken the role of acting CEO, with Robert Stacy, Cinedeck LLC’s longtime collaborator and supporter at Asia Media Products (AMP), promoted to Vice President. Jane Sung, is promoted within the company to Director of Operations. Alan Hoff, Cinedeck’s former CEO, will remain as a company board member.

Robert Stacy is the CEO and co-founder of AMP, a global sales and marketing organization catering to small and medium-sized manufacturers focused on digital media. He has 20 years of successful experience in sales, marketing and product development in the digital media marketplace. Prior to AMP, he was Director of Sales and Marketing at Intergraph Computer Systems, and Director of Product Management at Avid. He has an intimate knowledge of Cinedeck technologies, sales operations and customers, having served as Director of Sales for the company for two years, and will oversee Cinedeck sales and business development operations in his new role. He remains CEO of AMP.

Jane Sung has been with Cinedeck for over two years, overseeing finance and operational coordination. Her knowledge and experience in logistics, manufacturing and operations will be important as Cinedeck’s product lines continue to grow.

“We have an exciting and busy year ahead of us, starting with the official launch of Cinedeck RX, the latest addition to the Cinedeck product family, plus an array of other software and hardware enhancements in the pipeline,” said Dautremont. “Robert has a great track record in adding value, creating sales and marketing channels for post-production and broadcast manufacturers, and his expertise will prove invaluable to Cinedeck as we expand our product lines globally. Jane’s operational expertise will be necessary as we continue to grow and ship more products.”

Dautremont added, “Alan Hoff’s valuable contribution helped Cinedeck to grow, and to maintain its global reputation for innovation and excellence. Although he will be missed, Alan will remain as a board member for Cinedeck, and we look forward to his input as we move forwards.”

Adding to the Cinedeck family, Cinedeck today launched Cinedeck RX, a new, rack-mountable, hard-disc recorder, monitor and playback system, that delivers tapeless workflow to studios, post-production facilities and broadcasters covering the wide range of cinema production, sporting, music, theatrical and entertainment events in both 2D and 3D stereoscopic formats.

Founded by cinematographers, and headquartered in the heart of New York City, USA, Cinedeck manufactures innovative, touchscreen recording systems for use with all popular digital cinematography cameras. Along with on-set monitoring, playback and quality control capabilities, these recorders also unify camera-to-post workflows by offering the industry’s most comprehensive range of edit-ready output formats. Cinedeck EX, the industry’s first camera-mountable device, has proven essential to the workflow on hundreds of TV and cinema productions, and has won TV Technology’s “2010 STAR Award”, the “2010 Vidy Award,” and DV Magazine’s “Award of Excellence”. Continuing this pioneering spirit, Cinedeck LLC is also addressing the challenges of the mobile and outdoor broadcaster with Cinedeck RX, its new, rack-mounted, multi-format recorder, monitor and playback system. Cinedeck RX was awarded the prestigious “2011 Pick Hit Award at IBC 2011” from Broadcast Engineering Magazine. For more information, visit www.cinedeck.com.

New rack-mountable Cinedeck RX delivers multi-camera capture and post-production innovations for cinema and TV entertainment, sports, news and events

Cinedeck LLC (www.cinedeck.com), pioneering developer of mobile capture systems for motion picture and broadcast production, has shipped Cinedeck RX, the latest addition to the Cinedeck product family. Cinedeck RX is a new, rack-mountable, solid-state recording, monitoring and playback system, that delivers tapeless workflow to studios, post-production facilities and broadcasters covering the wide range of cinema production, sporting, music, theatrical and entertainment events in both 2D and 3D stereoscopic formats.

One of the first customers to install Cinedeck RX is outside broadcast service company All Mobile Video (www.allmobilevideo.com), New York, which is integrating multiple Cindeck RX systems into its fleet of OB vehicles and in-house post-production facility.

“We work with a diverse client base – across multi-camera televised sports, music, entertainment events, plus cinema and corporate production – and Cinedeck RX is the best-suited system to handle their different capture and post requirements in one box,” said Eric Duke, President of All Mobile Video. “Most importantly, because Cinedeck RX saves time and money on ingest into post, we can now offer our clients more competitive all-in pricing. Regarding future workflow, we see Cinedeck RX as a major step in removing tape-based acquisition completely from the workflow.”

Cinedeck RX is the next generation of the platform pioneered by Cinedeck EX, the company’s award-winning, portable, multi-format, HD-SDI recording system. In addition to cinema, studio and post-production applications, Cinedeck RX also meets the demands of broadcasters, whether they are in a facility or mobile. It offers unsurpassed native capture and codec choice, flexible connectivity and editorial workflow options, a small physical footprint, plus ground-breaking versatility on 2D/3D stereo and multi-camera shoots. Cinedeck RX uses the same intuitive touchscreen interface as the Cinedeck EX, reducing training time and speeding deployment in the field.

Record: Cinedeck RX captures from all leading production formats, recording on to cost-effective SSD storage media, and can be used for single input, dual-input two camera, or 3D stereo shoots. Cindeck is the first to offer simultaneous native support for Avid and Apple standards – supporting Avid DNxHD (wrapped as MXF OP-Atom or QuickTime), JFIF for proxies, and all Apple ProRes codec formats, including 4444, CineForm and uncompressed 444 (10-bit) or 422 (8- or 10-bit). Its unique “Double Dual-Stream” feature delivers the flexibility to capture two feeds at a time with the same codec, or to capture one feed with two different compression formats – such as Avid DNxHD and Apple ProRes together, or Hi-Res master and Low-Res proxy together – while simultaneously creating back-up copies of each.

Monitor: Cinedeck RX monitors video in realtime via a high-resolution, 7″ touchscreen display. It provides users with a comprehensive array of image analysis tools – including edge enhancement for focus assist, clipping, waveform, vectorscope and histogram. Users can also monitor audio via the headphone jack, and toggle between audio inputs – while simultaneously viewing the on-screen, pro-audio standard, recording level display.

Playback: Cinedeck RX enables users to review shots instantly in realtime, and in any order, via the built-in display, or external HD-SDI or HDMI monitors – allowing them to instantly QC and know they have captured the shots they want.

“Cinedeck RX builds on the magic of our hugely-popular Cinedeck EX, and delivers an array of new advantages to broadcast and post facility workflows, especially those transitioning to tapeless environments,” said Cinedeck CEO Charles Dautremont. “It’s a small, discrete unit, that’s easy to operate and is equally at home near-set, at a post house, or inside an OB truck. Cinedeck RX gives producers far greater choice in terms of production and post-production formats, while simplifying and accelerating production and post-production workflows. Features such as the unique Double Dual-Stream capability that simultaneously provides redundant finish and proxy files, deliver new gateways to post, plus huge time and cost savings for the entire project.”

Key advantages of Cinedeck RX for mobile OB and facility broadcast operations:

Compact Mobility: delivered as a 10lb, compact, 4RU half-rack package, Cinedeck RX is designed for the mobile production environment, where space is at a premium, and cooling, power-draw and weight are of utmost importance. Its rugged aluminum case is built for the rigors of the road, with the “Double Dual-Stream” mode doubling the productivity in the same half-rack footprint.

Massively Compatible and Fast: with Cinedeck RX, footage is immediately ready for editing in Apple Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, Sony Vegas and GV Edius. Time-consuming and costly ingest and transcoding have been eliminated, as Cinedeck RX captures files in the native format chosen by the user.

Versatility for any format – SD, HD, Dual Link, 3G and 3D stereo: Cinedeck RX is network-accessible, and supports realtime up/down/cross conversion, enabling the painless transition to new production formats. For 3D stereo it captures via HDMI or HD-SDI, and offers the widest variety of codecs for stereoscopic recording in one device, with footage immediately available for editorial and VFX post production.

Connectivity: Cinedeck RX can be deployed in any production environment, offering a wide choice of video, audio, and IT connections – including dual HD-SDI inputs and outputs, HDMI input and output including stereo 3D support, and multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports.

Security: redundant file creation on separate local or remote discs and redundant hot swappable power supplies protect material during capture.

Pricing and Availability: Cinedeck RX is available now for purchase via resellers worldwide starting at $14,995 USD. To find a reseller, please visit www.cinedeck.com.

Founded by cinematographers, and headquartered in the heart of New York City, USA, Cinedeck manufactures innovative, touchscreen recording systems for use with all popular digital cinematography cameras. Along with on-set monitoring, playback and quality control capabilities, these recorders also unify camera-to-post workflows by offering the industry’s most comprehensive range of edit-ready output formats. Cinedeck EX, the industry’s first camera-mountable device, has proven essential to the workflow on hundreds of TV and cinema productions, and has won TV Technology’s “2010 STAR Award”, the “2010 Vidy Award,” and DV Magazine’s “Award of Excellence”. Continuing this pioneering spirit, Cinedeck LLC is also addressing the challenges of the mobile and outdoor broadcaster with Cinedeck RX, its new, rack-mounted, multi-format recorder, monitor and playback system. Cinedeck RX was awarded the prestigious “2011 Pick Hit Award at IBC 2011” from Broadcast Engineering Magazine. For more information, visit www.cinedeck.com.

50 feature films shot with the ALEXA/CODEX/ARRIRAW workflow.

London, England – Codex Digital, the leading developer of digital media recorders and media management systems for film and television production, today announced that Codex Onboard Recorders have been used on approximately 50 feature films in 2011.

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GREENWICH, CT, JANUARY 5, 2012—For Matthew Cherry, owner and director of Matthew Cherry Studios, Anton/Bauer® and its DIONIC® 90 batteries have been a trusted part of his production crew for the last 10 years, whether he’s creating independent films or corporate videos. The DIONIC 90 from Anton/Bauer, a brand of The Vitec Group, and a leading global provider of premier batteries, chargers, lighting and other mobile power systems for the professional broadcast, video and film industries, allows Cherry to focus on his creative work without worrying about his power needs.

As a photographer and cinematographer, Cherry has worked in independent films and corporate video, as well as commercial photography—creating a mix of video and film and still photography—for more than 20 years. While much of his work is focused on fine arts, Cherry also produces commercial projects, including a recent promotional video for Anton/Bauer.

“Early on, I used batteries that were provided by camera manufacturers,” says Cherry. “However, a few good friends of mine who traveled the globe doing news production for major networks all said to me that you can have a lot of problems with many types of batteries—temperature, environmental issues and moisture. Making an investment with Anton/Bauer batteries, however, I haven’t had to deal with those issues.”
The DIONIC 90 was designed by Anton/Bauer to deliver consistently reliable performance even in the most challenging shooting environments on Earth. It offers a RealTime® display that continually updates the operator on how much run-time remains and on the state of the current charge. Weighing only 1.7 pounds, the DIONIC 90 can be transported without restriction under the IATA and DOT safety regulations (http://www.antonbauer.com/Support/TransportationInformation). The 91 WH battery can handle a maximum load of six amps, and offers runtimes ranging from six hours at 15 watts to 1.75 hours at 50 watts.

“The DIONIC 90 powers the camera all day,” says Cherry, who typically uses cameras such as the Canon L2 and Panasonic AG-HVX100 up through the VariCam. “I no longer have to think about batteries because I can look at the RealTime display to see the battery status and know exactly how much power is remaining.”

According to Cherry, working with Anton/Bauer for the last 10 years has helped eliminate the need for someone to manage recharging batteries during productions. “I typically bring three batteries per camera with me on a shoot, however I usually only need one,” he says. “I no longer have to plan a take around battery life. Whether you’re doing news or a narrative, how much is a lost shot worth if your battery dies?”

When it comes down to it, Cherry believes that if you have to think about your batteries, it’s a problem. “The very reason I rely on Anton/Bauer batteries is because I don’t have to think about them. If I do have a question, the global support team is readily available and able to help diagnose a problem.”

About Anton/Bauer
Anton/Bauer is recognized as the world’s innovator and a premier provider of batteries, chargers, lighting and other key mobile power systems for the professional broadcast, video and film industries. Based in the United States in Shelton, CT with offices in Europe and Asia, Anton/Bauer was established in 1970 and has expanded its product offerings to include many signature lines such as its leading Gold Mount® system, InterActive® chargers and Logic Series® batteries such as the HyTRON® 50, 100 and 140, and DIONIC® 90, 160, HC and HCX. Their products are compatible with virtually every camera brand on the market today. Other Anton/Bauer high performance products include the Ultralight®, ElipZ®, ElightZ®, CINE VCLX and CINE VCLX/2. Their superior-quality products have become an industry standard. For more information on Anton/Bauer, visit www.antonbauer.com.

A Snapshot of The Vitec Group
Vitec is an international Group principally serving customers in the broadcast, photographic and military, aerospace and government (MAG) markets. Listed on the London Stock Exchange with 2010 revenue of £309 million, Vitec is based on strong, well known, premium brands on which its customers worldwide rely. Vitec is organized in three divisions: Imaging & Staging, Videocom and Services. Imaging & Staging designs, manufactures and distributes equipment and accessories for photography, video and events. Videocom designs and distributes systems and products used in broadcasting and live entertainment, film and video production and MAG. Services provides equipment rental, workflow design and technical support for camera, video, audio, fiber optic and wireless technology used by TV production teams and film crews. More information can be found at www.vitecgroup.com.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, DECEMBER 28, 2011 — Starting January 1, 2012, an estimated 456 drivers of specially designed off-road motorcycles, cars and trucks will race from the Atlantic coastal resort town of Mar del Plata, Argentina to Peru’s capital, Lima, located on the Pacific coast of South America, as part of the 2012 Dakar Rally off-road automobile race. Drivers from around the world will traverse some of the world’s most unforgiving environments, and along for the ride will be Léon Jansen who, with his crew at the Dutch Dakar Press Team, will photograph the race from start to finish. Anton/Bauer, a brand of The Vitec Group, and a premier global provider of batteries, chargers, lighting and other mobile power systems for the professional broadcast, video and film industries, will also be on hand, as Jansen and his crew will rely on the company’s DIONIC® HCX, DIONIC® HC, Solar Panel, and various more