Camera Corps tracks accelerating demand for robotic minicam systems

Camera Corps (a Vitec Group company) reports increasing worldwide recognition of the creative potential offered by modern miniature remotely controlled camera systems. Exhibiting at the National Association of Broadcasters annual trade show in Las Vegas, 8-11 April, the company demonstrated a complete range of compact robotic cameras including the latest additions to the Q-Ball family.

Q-Ball gives producers the freedom to go far beyond traditional studio and shoulder-cam shots. Developed for Camera Corps own coverage of major sports and stage events, it eliminates all the traditional restrictions on camera locations and camera numbers. Weatherproof, robust and to easy to use, Q-Ball delivers fully stable and controllable video from any height. It can also be discreetly mounted on a stage set within view of other cameras. The output can be matched with that from very high budget 1920 x 1080 studio cameras.

Currently exclusive to Camera Corps rental service, the new RF Q-Ball captures and transmits high definition video plus four audio channels as a wireless HD-SDI feed up to a mile from the control unit. Full control of pan, tilt, zoom and focus can be performed via an integral reverse wireless channel. The whole package is designed to allow rapid installation, eliminating the need for intermediate cables. It can be operated under battery power for up to eight hours.

Camera Corps also demonstrated the compatibility of its Q-Ball product family with the recently-introduced Vinten Radamec CP4 robotic camera controller. The CP4 can be configured for use with up to four heads and will store up to 40 preset shots. An optional upgrade extends the CP4s control capability to eight heads and 200 pre-set shots. Camera control is via a three-axis manual joystick plus a focus wheel a zoom rocker switch. Relevant control parameters are accessible via a touchscreen graphic user interface.

Camera Corps Q-Ball, Q-Ball Pre-Set and RF Q-Ball are ultra-compact remotely-controlled cameras with integral 10-times zoom optical lens and smooth-accelerating pan/tilt motors. Housed in a robust 120 millimetre (4.5 inch) diameter aluminium sphere, each camera head has a 2 megapixel CMOS sensor and is capable of operating in daylight or infra-red illumination. Each camera delivers 1080i/720p high definition or 625/525 standard definition at 50 or 59.94 hertz refresh rates. The entire system is waterproofed for use in all weather. Antennas can optionally be coupled via extension cables.

Up to 96 Q-Ball and/or MiniZoom cameras can be remotely controlled from a single Camera Corps RCP or Joystick panel.

About Camera Corps

A Vitec Group company, Camera Corps specialises in providing high-volume support services for reality television programmes as well as very large-scale sports and stage events. Based on the site of the former Brooklands motor-racing circuit near Londons Heathrow airport, Camera Corps has achieved a pre-eminent reputation for its ability to acquire exciting and unusual television content from exceptionally challenging environments.

The Camera Corps equipment fleet encompasses HotShots, remote underwater systems, cranes, platforms and dollies, cameras and lenses, remote control panels and booms. Equipment of Camera Corps own design includes Pop-Up Ice-Cam. Baseball Base Cam, Archery Cam, Underwater Remote Cam, Slalom Pole Cam, Helmet Cam, Body Cam plus the Q-Ball, Q-Ball Preset and RF Q-Ball family of all-weather ultra-compact remote pan/tilt/zoom/focus cameras. For further information, see www.cameracorps.co.uk

Accompanying image shows (from left) the Camera Corp Q-Ball, Q-Ball Pre-Set and (currently exclusive to Camera Corps rental service) the new RF Q-Ball.

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