American Cinematographer - September 2010 - 100

ple high-profile film and commercial projects for us here at Halon.” To ensure compatibility with a variety of production pipelines, the Insight VCS has been engineered for interoperability with any existing optical motion-capture system — including OptiTrack, Vicon and Motion Analysis — that can track marker-based rigid bodies and stream data to MotionBuilder or Maya. Different versions of both the hardware rig and software plug-in are available to fit a variety of existing pipelines and production requirements. The hardware component is available in the VCS:Pro or VCS:Mini configuration. The VCS:Pro model includes a 1280x768 HD LCD display for real-time feedback, mappable buttons and joysticks for extensive camera control, and a robust Redrock Micro shouldermount kit; markers and posts are also included for a variety of configurations. The VCS:Mini provides low cost, lightweight and highly flexible access to the virtual camera pipeline; the kit includes an anodized aluminum mount pre-installed on a wireless Xbox 360 game pad as well as markers and posts. Comprehensive, customizable plug-ins are available for camera work in MotionBuilder and Maya for control over scripts, button mapping, scaling and camera properties; universal versions of each plug-in are also available for use with non-OptiTrack motion capture systems. “Our goal has always been to offer Tracker Trolley from Porta-Jib Porta-Jib has introduced the Tracker by Losmandy, an any-environment track/trolley system configurable to any length in 3' increments. The portable Tracker supports cameras and fluid heads with a total combined weight of less than 80 pounds and is ideal for shooting anywhere from a studio to mountainous terrain. The rails of the Tracker system are spaced further apart than on Porta-Jib’s Explorer Trolley, and the larger Tracker trolley uses interchangeable inserts to accommodate three standard fluidhead bases: 100mm, 150mm and Mitchell. The Tracker system is larger, stronger and less prone to tipping when
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full-featured motion-capture systems at a price that production companies of every size can afford,” says Jim Richardson, cofounder of NaturalPoint (OptiTrack’s parent company) and lead engineer for the OptiTrack motion-capture line. “With the Insight VCS, we’re expanding this vision to include the bleeding-edge virtual camera technology that Cameron made famous with Avatar … at an exceptionally low price. OptiTrack now delivers high-performance body, face and virtual camera mo-cap for less than anyone else in the world.” Pricing for the Insight VCS camera rig ranges from $199 to $5,000. Software plug-ins to MotionBuilder and Maya for OptiTrack systems cost $1,000. Universal plug-ins for other motion-capture systems sell for $2,000. For additional information, visit www.optitrack.com. JVC Expands Vérité Line JVC Professional Products has added the 9" DT-V9L3D to its line of Vérité professional LCD monitors. Featuring a built-in waveform monitor with over-level function, advanced audio-level meter and time-code support, the compact monitor is ideal for carrying a bigger camera system. 16 unique wheels with grooved centers lock the trolley securely on the dovetailed rails. With integrated bubble levels on the end stop clamps, the Tracker is designed to be safe, smooth and quiet. For more information, including pricing for the Tracker system’s component pieces, visit www.porta-jib.com.

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American Cinematographer - September 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Cinematographer - September 2010