Just another example of how iPhones and iPads have changed things and worked themselves into mainstream production. Here is a custom rig for an iPad to do podcasting/livestreaming called The Padcaster, where their motto is "Turn your iPad into a moblile production studio." Shipping now, and costs about $150. Does not included the lens seen here, just a lens mount adapter so you screw in lenses if you so wish.
Pretty cool.
A new product from the people at IndiSystem - the Vortex. Think of it as a love child between a slider and a jib, except you don't go up and down. The photo doesn't quite demonstrate what it can do, and until I played with it I wasn't sure about it. But once you start twirling that sucker around, you become sold on it. There are different sizes, and pricing range from $399 to $999. Made in Iowa.
By complete accident, the first thing I saw at NAB, so it will be the last thing I blog about. This unit gives you a 360 degree view, utilizing 6 lenses, shooting at 15 fps. Image quality is web quality, it is aimed to produce 360 degree video for web sites. The example they had running in the booth was of a race car. So they planted the camera inside this race car, and you can use the mouse to go all around while the car is driving. Or, if you're on an iPad, instead of using your finger, you literally turn around in a circle and its like you were there turning around. Really cool actually.
The camera attaches to this little yellow box, which does the stitching of the various cameras to create one file. The Surround Video solution will set you back a measly 35,000 euros, and then a monthly fee to host the images, so it's not for the faint of heart. But for certain people, I can see this being useful.
WTF??!!??
