Entertainment Technology News

Polecam will introduce a powerful addition to its range of transportable video production equipment at IBC2009 in September. The new Polecam Universal RCP MkIII remote control panel allows comprehensive and intuitive control of up to five different camera types from a single unit. The control format used is a highly robust audio sine-wave data signal which can run at 1,200, 2,400 or 4,800 baud. This allows the RCP to be linked via balanced audio cable to the RX Box receiver which can be located up to and beyond 1,500 metres away, depending on baud rate and cable quality. The RX Box provides both 12 V DC and control data to the camera. It incorporates a camera channel select switch, all other functions including baud rate selection and camera type being automatic. Other facilities provided by the RX Box include dual tally drive outputs and remote activation of devices such as lens blowers and windscreen wipers.

The Universal RCP MkIII is compatible with Polecam-approved ultra-compact HD and SD cameras from manufacturers such as Camera Corps, Hitachi, Iconix, Panasonic, Sony and Toshiba. Pan, tilt and iris motor drive outputs are also provided. Parameters such as colour balance, master pedestal, gain and detail can be remotely adjusted provided these features are supported within the camera itself. A single pan, tilt and iris drive connector (six-pin LEMO) is provided for integration with a Polecam system and can also be configured to complement various OEM pan/tilt heads and lenses.

Each camera-selection pushbutton on the RCP, when activated, displays the most recently selected menu for its camera. Frequently-used menus for a particular camera type are thus instantly available. Other controls include dedicated white-balance and black-balance buttons, colour-bars selector, black level controls for the red and blue channels plus master black level and iris/exposure. Data output parameters can be adjusted via DIP switches and a data level control.

"For the Polecam user, the Universal RCP MkIII is essential to multi-camera studio and OB work," explains Polecam Sales and Marketing Manager Mel Noonan. "It can be mounted alongside the existing camera RCPs, enabling colour matching and other adjustments by the engineers. It can also be used to allow pan and tilt of a pre-positioned Polecam rig, behind a football goal for example, to be remotely controlled from an OB vehicle. The panel is very easy to operate, extremely versatile and highly compact: just 110 mm long, 105 mm wide and 60 mm deep. For the multi-camera user, it provides economical control of multiple different cameras from a single panel."

Polecam was established in 1998 by extreme sports cameraman/director Steffan Hewitt. While directing a series of commercials in Hawaii, he needed to obtain close wide-angle front sequences of a windsurfer in action, shot from a tracking boat or jet ski. Steffan improvised a rig comprising a miniature camera on a carbon-fibre windsurfing mast. Returning to Britain, he developed a lightweight go-anywhere rig with a remote joystick controlling a high-precision pan and tilt head. Polecam is now supplied in HD and SD versions with a range of additional options including underwater and 3D pan/tilt heads. Polecam Ltd is active globally from its base near Bedford, England.

Accompanying 300 DPI CMYK JPEG image shows the Polecam Universal RCP MkIII.

See Polecam on stand 10.C49, IBC2009, RAI Centre, Amsterdam, September 11-15

About Polecam: Go to www.polecam.com.