International equipment suppliers catering to the fast-paced and dynamic reporting media sector are addressing unique needs pertaining to the industry, such as on-location power, lighting, camera support and communication.
Battery power
IDX System, a manufacturer of Lithium-ion battery systems has produced Duo 95 and Duo 150 battery packs which have the capacity to power a camera as well as run or charge other devices.
Zachary Shannon, Field Engineer and Technical Servicer for IDX in California commented: “What we’ve implemented on these new batteries is two D-taps. They can be used for powering on-board accessories, such as lights, or any recorders, or anything that requires 12 volts. We’ve also added a USB power output that can charge tablets, smart phones, remote controllers, anything that requires USB power.’
In terms of safety, Graham Sharp, General Manager of Anton/Bauer, a manufacturer of film and video camera broadcast batteries, said their Lithium-ion battery packs were the best on the market, making use of circuitry which constantly measures temperature and current draw.
“The minute we see anything strange going on, like a rise in temperature or overcurrent situation, we basically open a switch and shut the battery down,’ added Sharp.
BHV Broadcast, a distributer of broadcast video equipment for production and post-production has developed a product called Video Ghost, which is designed to prevent damage from incorrect connections by sending a 48-volt supply over an existing video cable.
Lighting innovations
Companies such as Zylight, K5600, Litepanel and Kino Flo Lighting Systems are designing a variety of products that addresses camera crew needs relating to packing and transporting equipment, adjusting colour illumination and managing daylight.
Joe Arnao, President of Los Angeles-based lighting solutions company Zylight commented on their F8 LED Fresnel fixture, “It’s bright like an HMI, but better suited for run-and-gun news ENG applications. You just snap on a battery and go.’
California lighting manufacture, K5600, launched a 200-watt tungsten balance metal halide discharge bulbs for its Joker fixtures, allowing lighting operators to quickly change and get double- usage out of a single fixture.
In 2014, K5600 is creating lamps for all of its fixtures enabling crew to change the colour temperature on existing Jokers without having to gel them.
Scott Stueckle, Sales and Public Relations Manager for Kino Flo Lighting Systems in California commented that their fluorescents and LEDs were based on spectral sensitivity curves of all major camera manufacturers.
“Now that you have a variety of HD cameras, the rise of the DSLRs and those types of things, each camera has tended to have, by manufacturer, its own spectral sensitivity curve. We’ve added into our line of our LED Celebs, and tubes for all of the fluorescent fixtures we made over the past 40 years or so,’ said Stueckle.
Support equipment
Because news cinematographers often have to carry equipment and a number of tripods while in the field, Vinten Camera Support Equipment and Systems have developed an innovative product, blueBridge, which enables the shooter to use both small and large cameras on a single support.
Tobias Keuthen, Global Brand Manager for Sachtler and Petrol Bags recognised the need for smaller and lighter tripods to support lightweight cameras. “The ACE L fluid head works the same way as our larger products; it’s got the DNA of Sachtler, a smooth camera movement. It’s also the lightest tripod in this range,’ said Keuthen.
Communication technology
Accelerated Media Technologies (AMT), a broadcast truck maker, has developed an all IP liveshot vehicle with a Dejero Ka-band system which is both cellular and satellite capable, the Nissan MV 200.
Tom Jennings, President of AMT, said: “The shooter can literally push one button and have the unit completely connected to its bandwidth, via satellite or via cellular. It’s got satellite backbone components so that if the cellular bandwidth drops off, the satellite bandwidth has the load and will maintain its bandwidth no matter what happens.’
