The N.A.B. Big Hype – of course… Drones.. but don’t call them that ok..

The type of product this year that has that garnered the most excitement by far was multi-rotor aerial systems (everyone is trying hard not to use the word ‘Drone’ as it has a negative connotation) this year was the first year of the Aerial and Drone Pavilion. Basically it was an area of concentration for these products and a dedicated demonstration fly zone.

As mentioned before there have been valuable offshoots from this industry already.

Here are a few of the interesting products that I encountered.

Hand held camera mounts for GoPros and iPhones based off the drone gimbal systems.

Swift Cam $360

SwiftCam Iphone

SwiftCam GoPro

DSLR Cam’s Mantis $340

The Mantis by DSLRPros

The higher end Movi and Ronin utilize these technologies too. Although they are ‘back breakers’ and need some type of harness rig.. but then there is always the IRONMAN..

I am Iron Man

Connex’s new HD 60fps FPV line of site transmitter and receiver is a much cheaper solution than Teradek’s price point.

• $1600 US
• 3300’ range w/ zero latency
• Mini HDMI input
• Multi-cast 4 channels
• 5 GHZ w/ Gimbal control over S.Bus

Amimon’s Connex

Many of the consumer multi-rotor operators outfit with their gimbal systmes with GoPros.   With a C-mount flat lens adapter from Peau Productions it can eliminate the fisheye which is very noticeable while panning and tilting http://www.peauproductions.com/gopro_lenses.html

C-mount Lens from Peau

3DRobotics and DJI are battling it out in the $1000 price range – The release of 3DR’s new quad multi-rotor aerial system was a big hit here are some of there cool new features with their ‘Solo’ Quad copter. It is definitely a smaller ‘consumer’ drone like the DJI phantom and capable of great shots with the Gopro4 (4k).

• Autonomous flight and the ability to set key frames for flight to allow the operator to just concentrate on controlling the gimbal system.
• A virtual reality training simulator to help to learn how to fly and control the Gimbal (valuable for beginners)
• Increased fly time of up to 20 minutes
• An underbelly compartment that is modular that allows different features to be added – parachute – distance sensors
• OTB $999 US FPV version – Gimbal $399

Solo’s flight simulator

Solo’s open source options

Davinci 12 Release

I had an opportunity to sit in on some of Blackmagic workshops.

Their UI is reminiscent of the old Final Cut interface that we all knew and loved.

They offer a wonderful complete suite of editing, color and effects and now with Protools export options.

It is very click and drag friendly and offers visual interface key framing.

The new multiple camera option is very slick and quick and it can syncs with different cameras with audio waveform identification or time code. It was a breeze to use.

Multiple camera option

New features:

• Export to ProTools
• Real-time audio level adjustments
• Built in scope
• Ability in Color to compound nodes to allow a cleaner node work space

Software/Hardware Switching Studio

Initially I was impressed that Teradek has implemented an IPad switching software that allows inputs from there multiple devices (bolt, bond etc).

Teradek IPad switcher

However, LiveStream has really picked things up with their affordable encoders ($295-wired input- $495 Remote HDMI input over IP) With these encoders you can add HDMI cameras as input sources on their slim form factor portal switchers.

HDMI or over IP

Anyone can also download their live steaming Iphone App for free and stream live to their system. We could have an army of Journalism students with their own Iphones streaming from anywhere back to the studio.

IPhone App options

With their Studio HD51 portable switcher (5 HDMI/HSDI inputs) it really provides a cost effective portable solution for a flight pack too. For $2000 a year they offer unlimited streaming with no ads, live embedding on any website, live embedding on facebook, and provide analytics. This could be a great solution for a Sheridan TV 24/7 stream and others content creators at the college could switch into the feed.

The Studio Surface Core

Sony’s camera solutions

Sony PXW-FS7

$10,500

Standard Lens – 28 to 135mm Zoom

FS7 w/ shoulder mount

Sony’s FS7 looks to be a nice package and may be a across program solution that could shoot documentaries, 1^st and second year films, and for use for general production (SPH).

• Full sensor
• XAVC HD, RAW
• Use of Canon EF lens (with adapter)
• 4k 60FPS or 1080 @ 180 FPS

With a Canon adapter ($500) any EF Canon lens can be mounted.

The Odyssey 7q RAW recorder and OLED Monitor is more affordable that Sony’s and allows 4K recording.  BandH price, survey says.. $1695.00

A Sony adapter (XDCA-FS7) is needed to output RAW as well that sits in front of the their own recorder $1,999

PXW x180

XAVC HD (similar to NX5) 1/3 sensor

PXW – X180

PXW x70

This is an attention grabber. Small camera that resembles the NX70. It has our required ND filter. With an addition firmware upgrade (500$) it can shoot 4k. It too has a full sensor and BandH is selling these for $1999.00 !!!!

The tiny X70

Thanks for your interest.

Please standby for more N.A.B updates and a video feature.