dslr video

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Here's a video interview at the Aputure booth during the NAB 2014 show introducing the NEW 60GHZ Aputure Array Trans Wireless Video System. The product release was delayed and only recently has it become available.

Fast forward almost 10 months from the interview, the Array Trans kit is now available (found here) but we've learned a few things about what this kit is able to do and what it can't do. Transmitting over 60GHZ with 16 antennas in both the TX and RX, the unit is fast and clean, BUT it requires a direct line of sight without any obstacles (does not transmit 360 degrees Omnidirectional). The range is also limited to under 80 meters.

So it appears that the Array Trans is going to be targeted for specialized setups in which the camera remains static. Such examples they share is a camera mounted behind a basketball hoop sending a feed back to a live switcher, or in a concert setting where the multi-camera setups remain static. Of course if you have to pan and tilt your camera, just make sure you have the TX mounted off the camera (i.e. on a stand) so that you don't change it's direction. So long as the TX and RX have a direct line of sight without any obstruction, the uncompressed 10 bit 4:2:2 feed should be extremely fast and good enough to record or broadcast from.

The Array Trans does transmit both video and audio if you have to record sound. And while there are some limitations, the price is more affordable than similar systems that can transmit at this quality and range. Available now on both eBay and Amazon (links below).

aputure array trans kit
find-price-button Aputure Array Trans 60GHZ Wireless Video Audio over HDMI - Amazon

aputure array trans wireless video hdmi hd
find-price-button Aputure Array Trans 60GHZ Wireless Video Audio over HDMI - via eBay

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The DJI OSMO is a nice 4K Video Camera + Gimbal system, but has the worst audio ever. In fact it's pretty much non-existent. But with a microphone attached to the 3.5mm input you can get much better results. I've played around with a few setups, but probably one of the best microphones to use with this tiny setup would be RODE's new VideoMicro On-Camera Hypercardioid Microphone.

rode videomicro microphone
find-price-button Rode VideoMicro On-Camera Hypercardioid Microphone

In order to mount this with the OSMO they recommend the Straight Arm accessory along with the Universal Mount. This setup will let you use the SmartPhone Mount simultaneously (as seen below). Interestingly enough as pure convenience you can now purchase the Rode VideoMicro on the DJI Website for just $59 dollars.

dji-osmo-straight-extension-armRode-videomicro-audio-dji-osmo
find-price-button DJI OSMO Universal Mount & Straight Arm Extension

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AXRTEC is one of the latest line of LED lighting offered by Dracast, and right now the new 1040BV Bi-Color Panel is available at a nice 45% OFF SALE through B&H for the next 24 hours. The product video below gives you a little more information about the new AXRTEC AXR-A-1040BV LED Panels.

At just 13 x 8 inches and just 2" thick, the AXRTEC AXR-A-1040BV panel is small but packs a lot of desired features. V-Mount plate for hours of run time (no small sony NPF batteries), DMX controls, Bi-Color temp adjustable, Yoke mount, and wireless controls.

Deal started at 9pm (1/26/17) and the 45% OFF SALE runs for the next 24 hours (or while supplies last). You can find the new Dracast AXRTEC LED Light Panels on sale (here).

axrtec dracast led light panel
Read More Button AXRTEC 1040BV Bi-Color LED Light by Dracast

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fostex ar501 mic preamp xlr 48vfostex AR501 Mic Preamp DSLR Audio XLR Phantom

I know a lot of people have switched to smaller camera bodies like the Sony A7 series or Panasonic GH4. But what those cameras lack is a simple XLR audio input with Phantom Power to support high quality mics. If you're looking to add this feature to your camera without a big price tag or bulky accessory the Fostex AR501 Mic Preamplifier is currently on sale - cheapest price you'll find anywhere. Normally listed for over $349 dollars, you can now get it for Just $79 (very limited supply and only for a limited time at this price).

It's not quite as full featured as other preamps (no headphone out, etc) but at this price it should do the job quite well adding the much needed XLR and 48V Phantom Power to your tiny camera setup. That's seriously even cheaper than trying to use a Zoom H1 as a preamp (which I know many people do). My stance is buy it now at this steal of a price. Try it, return it if you're not happy, or sell it for a possible profit.

fostex ar501 preamp
Learn-More-sm Fostex AR501 XLR Phantom Power Mic Preamplifier

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

Camera Mountable
48V Phantom Power
XLR Input & Output
Attenuable 3.5mm Output
Selectable Input Gain Level
Selectable High-Pass Filter
Aluminum Chassis
Powered by 1x AA Battery

[UPDATE] Looks like many of use missed this deal, and not so much of a deal, but discounted to $150 over at Amazon (found here).

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The Amimon Connex Wireless HD Video Transmitter was designed for Professional Drone use, but with a modified kit from Camera Motion Research you can use it to transmit the HD Video from your HDMI over 3,300 feet (or 1,000 meters). The video transmits in full Uncompressed 1080p up to 60fps with what they say is zero latency.

The Amimon Connex kit from CMR has been modified for ease of use with your video cameras by attaching a custom battery pack frame to both the transmitter and receiver, includes modified power cables, and also adding 1/4-20 threaded mounts for mounting to a hotshoe or rig (among other small accessories added to the kit).

Even though this particular Connex kit has been modified, you can always remove the battery mount if you want to use it for your Professional Drone. For those who aren't familiar, Amimon chipsets are licensed to other big brand wireless video transmitters (i.e.Teradek), so they are proven to be reliable and robust. The value in the Connex kit specifically is that it does lack SDI inputs and does not transmit Audio. This system is for HDMI use only (but you can always add an SDI to HDMI converter).

amimon connex review cheesycam wireless hd video transmitter hdmi
Learn-More-sm Amimon Connex Wireless 1080 HD Video Kit

So if your project relies heavily on transmitting video across long distances in full 1080hd up to 60fps, the modified Amimon Connex from Camera Motion Research is a great option for professionals. There are some additional accessories for this kit such as D-tap power cables and you can find more information at https://CaMotionLLC.com (here)

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Here's another Yuneec Aerial interview from CES 2016 about their new Tornado H920 Drone. Besides being fairly weather proof to fly under light rainy conditions, the Tornado can be used to fly the Panasonic GH4, BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera, or a brand new CG04 Camera designed by Yuneec. Yuneec worked with Panasonic to develop the CG04, and for the most part is basically a redesigned Panasonic GH4 with integration so that all functions can be changed remotely by the operator while in the air.

The CG04 comes with a 3x optical zoom lens which you can control from the ST24 transmitter. Start stop video, change camera settings, switch modes, and even touch screen to focus. When not used for flying, the CG04 camera system and gimbal will work on the Yuneec Handheld Gimbal System as well. Check out the video below from Yuneec showcasing some additional information Yuneec CG04 Camera System.

"The dream of an adjustable, all-function, remote-controlled, 4/3 inch sensor, aerial capturing system is now a reality. The Yuneec CGO4 incorporates a true Panasonic® GH4 camera with a 3x optical zoom lens and an integrated 5.8GHz video downlink module, housed in purpose designed casing. It can be installed on both the Tornado H920 multi-copter and the ProAction ground system. All the regular Panasonic® GH4 camera settings can be freely and remotely adjusted from the ST24 transmitter, that transforms and reshapes the boundaries of aerial imaging creation. Through the user friendly control app interface in the ST24, the CGO4 becomes an incredible tool to realize the highest levels of aerial photographic and videographic imagery." - via Yuneec Youtube

yuneec tornado droneyuneec tornado handheld gimbal gh4 bmpcc
Learn-More-sm Yuneec Tornado H920 Drone

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There is a plethora of hand held gimbals for Smart Phones today, but just in case you were looking at the Zhiyun Z1-Smooth-C, I just happened to have one sent over and here's a video overview and test using the iPhone 6s.

The Zhiyun Z1-Smooth-C gimbal is easy to calibrate through a computer system, or without a PC. The trick is to remember the sequence of positions you need to flip through, and finding a level surface to do this. But once you're calibrated it should be fine.

I can't confirm this, but by looking at the build and how it feels, I don't believe this has any encoders. This is something all gimbals are starting to introduce, and possibly because this uses it's own software it may not be supported yet.

The Zhiyun Smooth is a pretty straight forward system to get up and running, and it's nice that it does fold completely flat for travel. It can support smartphones with screens as large as 7" inches, which includes the iPhone 6 Plus. You can find the product available (here).

zhiyun-tech smooth gimbal smartphone iphone
find-price-button Zhiyun Smooth-C 3 Axis Smart Phone Gimbal

And just in case you're interested in the Moondog Labs Anamorpic Lens for iPhones, you can find below.

moondog labs anamorphic lens adapte iphone 6 s
find-price-button Moondog Labs 1.33x Anamorphic Lens Adapter for iPhone

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Here's an interview from CES 2016 with Raymond from Yuneec giving us a look at the new Typhoon H4. A drone I think could be a major challenger to DJI's Inspire1 Quadcopter with X3 Camera. Especially if you're not an experienced pilot. Besides having 6 rotors that can keep the craft flying in case of a motor failure, this drone is implementing Intel's Real Sense technology to avoid collisions.

Here's a look at a demo put on by Yuneec showing Intel's Real Sense technology at work.

The new Yuneec H4 Hexacopter is said to retail at $1799 (not available yet) which is far cheaper than DJI's entry level Inspire1 craft (found here). Yuneec also offers a handheld Gimbal system that you can mount the Drone camera to (similar to the OSMO). With a high quality 4K camera that can rotate a full 360 degrees, many autonomous features (follow me, orbit, gps points), redundant rotors, and the ability to avoid obstacles preventing crashes certainly add more value to the product as well. I'll certainly be keeping an eye on this model. For more information about the Typhoon H visit Yuneec's website (here).

yuneec Typhoon H 4k drone
Learn-More-sm Yuneec Typhoon H4 4K Drone with Intel Real Sense

The Yuneec Typhoon H is also available at B&H (here).

yuneec typhoon h copterYuneec Typhoon H4 4K Drone with Collision Avoidance

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Almost 2 years ago, Juicedlink (maker of high quality low noise audio preamps) announced a prototype at NAB2014 show for a body mount portable audio recorder. The Little DARling (DAR = Distributed Audio Recorder) is an alternative audio capture device that can be used instead of your traditional wireless TX/RX setup.


[Prototype DARling recorder shown at NAB2014]

There are many benefits to working with a portable audio recorder mounted directly on your subject(s). No wireless interference or drop outs, and also no issues with distance. Recording directly into a portable recorder can often sound better than audio being transmitted wirelessly.

While many of us have been using the Zoom H1 recorder for this type of workflow, the Zoom H1 has a weird form factor to place in the pocket. The lav mic is not locking (potential for disconnects), and the the connection for lav mic and headphones come off each side.

dar123 little darling audio recorder juicedlink
Juicedlink DAR123 Portable Audio Recorder

The new Juicedlink Little DARling is designed in a smaller more comfortable form factor, uses locking connections for the LAV mic, and both headphone and lav mic connections come off the top. Better than the Zoom H1, the DARling can also record a second attenuated (lower volume) backup track in case of peaking. The base model DARling (without wireless controls) starts at just $199.


[JuicedLink Little DARling Release Video]

To aid in your post audio sync workflow, the Juicedlink Little DARling has an optional DX124RX01 version that adds a wireless tone slate and wireless stop / start recording. Remember, this is not a wireless audio transmitter and receiver. The idea here with the wireless options on the DARling is to be able to initiate start and stop recording on several DARlings placed on several subjects and to initiate a Tone Slate as a reference point to line up your audio recordings in post.

Little Darling Front Features
Juicedlink DAR124RX01 Portable Audio Recorder with Wireless Control

Example: A while ago I helped shoot a few pro golfers chasing them around a course. Wireless Audio directly into multiple camera angles eases the post production workflow, but as they spread out or drove off in a separate Golf Cart, we certainly ran into several issues with wireless drop outs and interference. I could have certainly benefited from a tool like the Little DARling to ensure we captured clean audio on that project while still having several forms of redundancy and a tone slate to help sync in post.

While a Zoom H1 can be a good portable recorder at half the price, the base model Juicedlink DAR123 for just $199 is enclosed in an aluminum casing, offers up locking TRS Lav mic connections, is designed with a more comfortable body pack form factor (or pocketable), and positions the headphone out and audio input off the top (not the sides), and even offers up an attenuated (lower volume) backup Audio Track recording.

I can see so many huge benefits to having these devices. The new Juicedlink Little DARling body pack portable audio recorders are certainly on the top of my audio tool list for 2016, and after two years i'm excited to see they are finally available for purchase at the Juicedlink website (here).

juicedlink little darling dar audio recorder wirless backup
Learn-More-sm Little DARling Distributed Audio Recorder