It is becoming more and more frequent find robotic camera support systems in studios of news, sports or journalistic programs in which presenters and interviewers are seated or have limited movements. Robotic systems deliver programs with a more consistent and attractive look and offer great benefits in financial terms, because they allow important savings in the use of high turnover studies. It's possible even integrate the latest robotic systems in the existing installations to extend the useful life of your production systems.
The basic factors to choose the most suitable robotic system are the application (study, legislative chambers) and physical characteristics of existing camera lines. Below we expose the aspects that should be taken into account when choosing the best solution, along with the most important elements of the Robotic camera support systems:
- Breadheads/tilt: the
Head load capacity should be sufficient to
assemble all the necessary equipment. Typical configurations
for studio use include cameras, lenses,
viewfinders, prompters, manual zoom controls and
spotlight, mounting plates and, occasionally, monitors
additional for presenters.
In some studies it is desirable to allow the operation manual cameras, especially if with certain frequency programs that do not result will be produced suitable for robotic operation. In these cases manual operation of the head of camera mount, including hydraulic attenuation for fluid movements and brakes with stops. The changes manual to remote operation must not cause movements unwanted breadhead/tilt.
Finally, if the robotic system is to be used in a virtual study, immediately or in the future, must count from the beginning with the high encoders resolution required to report camera position exactly. - Lens control: in Ideal conditions, the robotic system should directly control zoom and focus servo mechanisms provided by the lens manufacturer. However when extremely fluid movements are required and accurate and ENG-type lenses are being used, or mechanical part of the lenses has a long time of use, it may be necessary to install special mechanisms of zoom and focus control provided by the manufacturer of the robotic system.
- Height: robotic control of the height of the camera increases the chances of framing by providing better visual coverage to directors and operators. If height adjustments are required at Air it is necessary to add a servo control of height to existing chamber pedestals, which usually installed at the base of the pedestal without need to modify it. It is important to check that the Height adjustment servo mechanism does not interfere with the steering ring operation.
- Robotic pedestals: if it is you need to use multiple sets in the same studio and reposition the cameras quickly during the Program, it is essential to have robotic pedestals. However, it is important to take into account whether the cost additional and the complexity of these equipment justifies the benefits that can be obtained.
The key points to evaluate if it is necessary to acquire robotic pedestals are the Following:
- Navigation. To be able to offer the repeatability of movements that is required, the robot needs a very precise navigation system. Positioning in an X/Y coordinate frame results important, but the decisive factor is the measurement precise orientation angle of the robot base: the slightest inaccuracy can result in an error important X/Y location, even on the move of three meters or less, which would prevent the plans previously stored can be reproduced in a way Correct.
- Safety. The robot should equip with sensors capable of detecting obstacles such as set elements, floor monitors, accessories lighting and especially the production staff. This sensor system should automatically interrupt the movement of the robot before a collision.
- Manual operation. The possibility to revert to manual operation offers greater effectiveness, enabling the robot to operate on the same way as a conventional study pedestal. At a minimum it should be feasible to reposition the robot manually when there is no power supply, thus allowing a limited operation in cases of emergency and minimizing disturbances caused by a failure to power the system.
Control systems
A robotic system must allow control of multiple cameras
from a single point. Most existing models control
eight cameras and the latest systems, especially the
based on ethernet connections, they have an even greater capacity.
All systems provide programming and adjusting the frame using joysticks or controls similar, as well as multiple storage and playback Plans. Touchscreen control systems are the most user-friendly, especially when using images captured by each camera to identify positions Stored. Operators can benefit significantly the possibility of choosing between different interface display modes, allowing them to choose the most suitable work system for the program or its style of work.
The careful selection of a Architecture and a control system has the greatest importance: a single weak point in the system can put in check the control of all cameras in a studio. Therefore, the system must be fault-resistant or include a method of separate backup, able to control the cameras in case of a main system failure.
It is also important to take in counts whether a particular robotic system is compatible with equipment from other manufacturers and can be controlled or controlled for them.
Shotoku gives them special importance to these conditions during the development of their products, enabling users to integrate new equipment in their studies and manage to increase the useful life of the equipment Existing. That's why all the company's control panels can control third-party pan/tilt heads, and all our pan/tilt heads can be easily integrated with other control panels.
Finally, it is advisable to choose equipment from a manufacturer that is prepared, both to adapt a system to the equipment that the user needs to operate, such as to design the configuration and operation of a system that really meets the requirements of your programs and your operation.
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