In Broadcast - May 2015 - 44

44

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 5 - Issue 5 | May 2015

InGear

Shotoku NAB 2015 Round Up
James Eddershaw, Sales Director at Shotoku Broadcast Systems, gives
an update on the latest news from NAB 2015...

T

he NAB show in Las Vegas is based in the company's Japanese head
always a major feature of the year office.
for Shotoku Broadcast systems. 2015
NAB 2015 was a big show for
was no exception and perhaps this company products also. Alongside the
year it was even more important, for a full range of well-established Manual,
number reasons.
Robotic and Virtual Studio camera
The company used their NAB booth supports, the exhibition provided
to host a champagne reception the official launch platform for the
celebrating their 70th year in business. company's new lightweight pedestal
The event to recognise this significant system, the TP500.
landmark was well attended by
With
a
55kg
customers, industry partners,
payload,
removable
members of the press and
and collapsible dolly
friends of the company.
system and a light weight two stage
Managing Director Tony
column, the TP500 targets
Hanada also used it
traditional studio markets, OB
as an opportunity to
and independent production
announce the appointment of
houses looking for solid performance,
Ken Takahashi to position of
flexibility and affordability without
Director of Sales - Broadcast.
compromising quality. A key feature
Ken has been with Shotoku
of the TP500 is the lower column
for
many
years
which replaces traditional
in the role of
pneumatic
elevation
International
by a gas spring.
Sales
Manager
The benefit here is
and this promotion
two-fold. First,
Shotoku's new TP500
sees him also take the reins
lightweight pedestal with it provides a
SSX300 manual head smooth
of the domestic sales division
and

controlled elevation function, while
simultaneously removing the danger
of suddenly releasing a pressurised
column, for example when de-rigging
or packing the unit for transit.
Shotoku also had on display for
the first time, two new Virtual Studio
products, the heavy-weight SG900VR
Pan and Tilt Head and the TP200VR XY
tracking pedestal system.
The SG900VR addresses the growing
number of enquiries for large payload
heads to include encoder technology,
for use with box cameras and lenses,
for example for creating augmented
reality productions at outdoor sporting
events. With a 90kg payload and
a Perfect Balance counterbalance
system, the SG900VR can effortlessly
handle even the most demanding
payload. Because it is based on the
company's SG900 manual head
camera operators can seamlessly
transition from manual to an encoded
head with minimal operator training.
Shotoku's TP200VR realises the
company's ambition to encode their
lightest traditional studio pedestal.

Shotoku's
latest Virtual
Studio pedestal
TP200VR with
SX300VR head

With 80kg carrying payload the
pedestal is a very capable unit in a
wide range of applications. The TP200
has already proved to be one of the
most popular pedestals in Shotoku's
range. Adding Shotoku's world-leading
precision encoder tracking solution, it
provides a compelling combination of
performance and flexibility for anyone
considering high-quality VR or AR
systems in almost any configuration
with small to medium sized camera
systems. The TP200VR joins the heavyduty TP-80VR pedestal and TK-59,
-35 and -53/L VR tracking cranes to
complete the entire range.

OConnor Introduces O-Rig
15mm Rod Support System
O

Connor, a Vitec Group brand and
premier provider of fluid heads,
tripods and camera accessories for film
and television production, unveiled its
new O-Rig 15mm Rod Support System
at NAB 2015. The versatile, hand-held
support rig is perfectly suited to the
a la carte configurations of today's
accessorised digital cinematography.
The O-Rig is designed to work with any
camera/lens combination in 15mm LWS
(Light Weight Support) configuration,
including the latest offerings from
Sony, Canon, Nikon, ARRI, AJA, JVC,
Panasonic, Vision Research and RED.
OConnor showcased the newest
addition to its award-winning line-up of
camera supports and accessories at the
NAB exhibit in Las Vegas last month.
OConnor's O-Rig is camera and lens
agnostic, providing cinematographers
maximum
flexibility.
Its
new,
proprietary
universal
baseplate
enables quick and easy camera and
lens changes. A height adaptor offers

cover for all camera bodies, providing
rotation of wide-angle filters, and
increasing the lens coverage of
OConnor's O-Focus follow focus unit.
Uniquely crafted to deliver superior
ergonomic performance, the O-Rig
also allows users to effortlessly move
from shoulder mount to tripod and
back again.
"Whether our users need to bolt
an increasing amount of equipment
to their camera or they're looking
to maximise their rig for as many
configurations as possible, the O-Rig
can support them," said Steven Turner,
Product Manager for OConnor. "All of
OConnor's products are engineered
to meet the demands of today's
challenging camera work, and now,
more than ever, flexibility is key. We
believe cinematographers, operators,
and rental facilities will be pleased
to have such a robust and durable
solution from a trusted brand."
The O-Rig system is housed in

a robust Storm Case,
fitted with custom-cut,
high-density foam. Each
kit includes: an
a w a r d winning
O-Grips
handgrip
system;
an infinitely
adjustable offset
adaptor,
which allows users to easily reposition
camera viewfinders and provides
comfort adjustments for shoulder
pads; and a shoulder pad with handstitched leather construction and
aluminium detailing, giving versatile
positioning of rods through pad for
optimising counterweight, camera
balancing, and body ergonomics.
Individual elements within the O-Rig
kit will also be available, and are
compatible with other 15mm LWS
accessories.
While the new O-Rig system delivers

OConnor's new O-Rig
15mm Rod Support System

robust quality and ease of use, it was
also designed with an eye towards
the future. "The O-Rig is the definition
of future proofing," added Turner.
"As camera technology continues to
evolve rapidly, cinematographers and
operators cannot be locked in. They
need adaptable solutions that allow
them to change and grow, and the
O-Rig delivers that versatility without
comprising performance."
The O-Rig 15mm Rod Support System
will be available worldwide in May.
Customised shoulder rig packages,
designed to support specific cameras,
can be assembled upon request.
http://www.shotoku.co.uk/products/manual/pedestals/tp200-pedestal http://www.shotoku.co.uk/home http://www.ocon.com/products/lens-camera-accessories/o-rig/
In Broadcast - May 2015

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