34 TVBEurope Camera and Lighting Focus
Compact cameras crave a slice of the action
David Fox goes smaller, faster and higher to find out what’s new in compact cameras for sports, drama, documentary or news use
MANUFACTURERS OF recorders launching cameras is a growing trend. Following Blackmagic Design’s lead, this year, AJA Video Systems and Codex have entered the camera market. While AJA’s Cion is a large, shoulder-mounted camcorder, the new Codex Action Cam is an ultra-compact, all-in-one, digital cinema camera and recording package for 2D or S3D production.
The Action Cam camera head will cost about $10,000, while various bundles (camera head, recorder/camera control unit/ dock/capture drives) will start at about $28,000 when the cameras start shipping over the summer. The camera has been designed for use as an action, witness or PoV camera system, particularly as a companion for larger cameras.
“It is a simple, no-nonsense, out-of-the-box camera and recording system,” said Marc Dando, Codex managing
director. “In one compact package, the tiny camera shoots exceptional images and, unlike other small cameras, has a rock-solid workflow behind it — allowing cinematographers to shoot with confidence in new and ever more creative ways.” Besides the small camera head, the system will include a Codex Camera Control Recorder offering full remote control of the camera, plus the proven Codex workflow, including Raw capture at up to 60fps. It is claimed to resolve “the common issues of syncing associated with small format camera solutions. Multiple camera heads can be in sync with other main unit cameras like the ARRI Alexa.” Shutter sync, Genlock
and LTC allow the Action Cams to be easily synchronised with other cameras.
Other features include: wide dynamic range; 14-bit image processing; a 12-bit Raw output; and debayering. It is also claimed
The Codex Camera Control Recorder offers full remote control of two Codex Action Cams
The new Atomos Ninja Star recorder is suited to UAV use, as seen with the DJI Phantom
to perform “exceptionally well in normal and extreme lighting conditions”. The camera uses a 2⁄3-inch CCD sensor that boasts low signal-to-noise ratio, temperature stability, no visible fixed-pattern- noise, and none of the rolling shutter effects common on many CMOS sensor cameras. The camera takes C-mount lenses, but there are also EF, PL and B4-mount adaptors, for a wide choice of lenses.
The Camera Control Recorder can be used to operate the camera head and adjust white balance, exposure and frame rates. Delivery formats, via Codex media stations or Codex Vault workflows, include Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD, uncompressed and H.264. For stereo 3D applications two camera heads can be connected to the Camera Control Recorder, and the signals will undergo identical processing, to deliver completely
synchronous S3D output with identical image properties, such as white balance and contrast.
Compact reaches Xtreme speeds
Grass Valley has extended its range of LDX Compact series cameras with two new high- speed models, the LDX Compact XtremeSpeed (LDX Compact XS) 6x ultra slow-motion and the LDX Compact HiSpeed (LDX Compact HS) 3x super slow-motion camera systems. “All of the typical video interfaces are available directly from the camera head, which offers an HDMI interface for connecting any HD display with an HDMI or DVI interface for camera viewfinder or monitoring,” said Klaus Weber, director of camera technology, Grass Valley. They have been designed to compliment the larger LDX Series cameras that are popular for live OB and studio production, but are small
enough to mount on compact remote heads, on rail systems, as Spidercams or gyroscopic stabilising systems. “The LDX Compact
camera system is used in many applications around the world, including on robotic heads for in-studio news production, used together with wireless transmission equipment on Steadicam systems and fixed mounted camera positions for in-studio and on-location. Our customer applications include virtual studios, news studios and live sports,” he added. The high-speed models are particularly interesting, especially the LDX Compact XS, which delivers 6x ultra slow-motion in 1080i and 720p, and 3x in 1080p, as well as a standard 1x output for live video. “It delivers instant time- to-air with no internal camera storage requirement, and is the first ultra slow-motion camera to integrate into live workflows
www.tvbeurope.com June 2014
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