Rave HD™ Linux-based DDR/VTR

This month has seen several recent announcements from the guys (and girls) at SpecSoft, LLC. SpecSoft's RaveHD™ solution has been in the works, and in some case, on the market, for several years. It first saw its on-set beta testing back in 2004 on Phil Tippett's Starship Troopers 2. Since then, RaveHD™ has seen several revisions and feature changes. It has also graced the video villages of some elite HD (4:4:4), visual effects heavy feature film projects like Sin City, Stepford Wifes, Constantine, Sharkboy and Lavagirl, 40 Year Old Virgin, and The Black Dahlia.

SpecSoft, LLC will also be at the CML party at NAB 2007. They will be showing off their RaveHD 2.5. See the SpecSoft website for details.

O'Connor CineHD Tripod(s).

After being announced towards the end of 2006, O'Connor has released its new heavy duty tripod legs. These are traditional cine-style, heavy duty three-section designs, but incorporate several, noticable improvements.

The specs include Max Height of 69", Min Height of 33", Payload capacity of 309 lbs. Both Mitchell mount and 150mm bowl mount available.

These legs give a pair of Ronford Baker heavy duty stick a run for their money. O'Connor has made several improvements like lockable upper leg joints, built-in tie down clips, ovalized leg tubes, etc. The modern day heavy duty tripod.

By the way, this tripods are now available from RentCam™'s rental inventory. Check out O'connor's website for more technical information.

O'Connor 120EX.

After being announced towards the end of 2006, O'Connor has released its new heavy duty fluid head. The 120EX has a tremendous weight capacity of over 200lbs @ 8in. (203mm) with a tilt range of +09˚ / -90˚.

The head used O'Connors new EX™ Technology to achieve a whole new realm of counterbalance. True and accurate balance is achieved through the sinusoidal EX-counterbalance technology. The EX-drag technology is ultra-smooth and stepless - just what OConnor is famous for.

The 120EX also incorporates a new geared, adjustable camera platform that moves heavy camera payloads easily, a new collapsible countertbalance crank knob, a digital counterbalance readout, and redesigned ARRI and Panavision dovetail plates.

By the way, this head is now available from RentCam™'s rental inventory. Check out O'connor's website for more technical information.

Panasonic AK-HC3500.

Panasonic has announced a new addition to its line of premium quality high-definition camera systems, the AK-HC3500 2/3” 2.2-megapixel 3-CCD camera designed for studio and electronic field production usage.

Several noticable improvements in image quality, and related signal processing (ie. low veritcal smear, spacial offset processing, greater gamma control, etc).

Also, the camera has new (for Panasonic) lower profile, overall height, and center of gravity.

With dual HD-SDI output, this could fit a similar niche as Sony's recently popular HDC-1500, but without 4:4:4 capability. Perfect for direct to disk application. RentCam expects this to be a great compliment to existing Panasonic HD products. Come Q2 2007, we will see where things stand.

Labels: News Update. Camera.

CML Camera Test Results from Shepperton.

Geoff Boyle has recently started compiling the results of CML's camera tests, on the Cinematography Mailing List website. The tests included today's current lineup of HD /2K/4K digital cinema cameras (ie. ARRI D20, Thompson Grass Valley Viper®, Dalsa Origin®, Sony F950 CineAlta®, Panasonic VariCam®), as well as a few specific film stocks shot on ARRICAMS. The results of these test are being uploaded on the CML website, as they become available.

One of the more substantive results of the tests, has been what has come from a grey card, exposure latitude test. This has helped to find the exact ASA rating of each camera, and see how the various camera options manage highlight and shadow clipping. They even cover the mythical Viper / CC30M filter response. The results are eye-opening to say the least.

Thanks to Geoff Boyle, Steve Shaw, Axis Films, TFS Paris and everyone else involved in CML's recent camera comparison tests. It is rare to find this level effort, enthusiasm, and diligence in attempting to outline the various camera capabilites. Thanks again.

Labels: Digital, News Update

New ARRI LFF-1

ARRI has announced a new, revised version of the LFF-1 lightweight follow focus. This is the 21st Century version of the earlier LFD-1, which improved upon the classic SR, single-sided follow focus.

According the ARRI's previous NAB announcements, this unit was developed with design input from Jim Elias, original designer of the beloved WillyTech follow focus system.

This newest version of LFF-1 has a studio style focus knob, which matches the size of standard ARRI studio follow focus knobs. The LFF-1 is also compatible with standard studio follow focus marking disc, gears, and accessories, while retaining the original LFF-1's anti-backlash couplings.

More details are available from ARRI's website. This new follow focus unit is a perfect compliment for the new 416+, 235, and just about any other handheld camera configuration.