KitPlus | Articles

Sony PXW-FS5 Review

by Alister Chapman Issue 106 - October 2015 I was lucky enough to get some hands on time with a prototype FS5 in Amsterdam at IBC. In case you havent heard about it, the PXW-FS5 is a compact interchangeable lens, super 35mm camcorder from Sony that can record in HD or UHD 4K. It shares many of the features of the already incredibly popular PXW-FS7...

Submitted by Alister Champman

Published 01 November 2015

An alternative power solution

Issue 106 - October 2015 OVERVIEWChuck Walior, Aldis Systems VP & Chief Engineer, attends NAB each year in search of creative, forward-looking solutions to wrap around and support the custom systems he designs for each integration project. He wasnt really looking for an alternative power source when he was introduced to Video Ghost at NAB 2015, but...

Submitted by KitPlus

Published 01 November 2015

The future is smaller, more powerful batteries

by Steve Emmett Issue 106 - October 2015 High-quality cameras are getting smaller and lighter all the time, making them suitable for new applications. Nearly every production we see today includes shots acquired by drone and gimbal mounted cameras. The batteries required to power these cameras have to meet new criteria. They must be able to withsta...

Submitted by Steve Emmett

Published 01 November 2015

TVFutures: Student pitch

by Jonathan Quinn Issue 105 - September 2015 Its that time of the year again to welcome the next selection of students who will are willing to share their experiences and adventures to our readership. However, as KitPlus continues to evolve, so does our approach to features and articles, and we tackle TVFutures with a slightly different slant this...

Submitted by Jonathan Quinn

Published 01 October 2015

4k storm chasing

by Alister Chapman Issue 103 - July 2015 15 years ago I got my first big Broadcast Commission. It was to produce a 1 hour special on Tornado Chasing vacations. Yes, people pay to go on storm chasing holidays. In 1999 this was a new thing, today its a booming business. Ive always been fascinated by natural extremes and filming tornadoes seemed like...

Submitted by Alister Champman

Published 01 August 2015

Finding the Oracle of audio capture

by Simon Tillyer Issue 101 - May 2015 With over 300 hours of YouTube video uploaded every 60 seconds it\'s not hard to understand why any manufacturer would be looking closely at the new generation of emerging filmmakers whether they be in the consumer (creating content for "fun") or prosumer (creating content for a fee) markets. You might however...

Submitted by Simon Tillyer

Published 01 June 2015

A wide spectrum of choice

by Andy Clements Issue 101 - May 2015 Without microphones, in-ear monitors (IEMs), intercom and distribution systems based on wireless technology, many of today\'s large-scale television studios, outside broadcast and film productions would be very difficult, if not impossible, to stage. Wireless solutions provide convenience and, in the main, grea...

Submitted by Andy Clements

Published 01 June 2015

REDucation - Real world RED camera training

by Ben Sherriff Issue 101 - May 2015 Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March saw the REDucation training workshop arrive in London at the Met Film School in Ealing Studios West London. I\'ve used a Red One but have yet to work on a shoot where I can get my hands dirty with the newer cameras they manufacture (Epic-X, Scarlet, Dragon and now Weapon). Whe...

Submitted by Ben Sherriff

Published 01 June 2015

Ask the experts: Batteries

by Kieran Foster Issue 98 - February 2015 1. What steps has the battery industry taken to make their products more environmentally friendly? Is there any more that can be done? In our industry, the best way to tackle any environmental issues is to focus on the efficiency of the battery. Maximum product life is part of the design philosophy of Anton...

Submitted by Kieran Foster

Published 01 March 2015

Walking into manufacturing with a Dedleg

by Paul Zanders Issue 98 - February 2015 I\'ve been a freelance recordist since 1999. I\'ve been lucky enough to be busy, working with many crews on some major shows like The Apprentice, Masterchef, X Factor, Top Gear, and many documentaries and corporate videos. I\'ve worked with some great cameramen and some fantastic sound recordists. I enjoy wh...

Submitted by Paul Zanders

Published 01 March 2015

Sealife - Shooting 4k

by Kieron Seth Issue 98 - February 2015 Since the days of Jacques Cousteau and his Undersea World, marine habitats have fascinated television audiences. From 1972 to 1975 the French explorer and filmmaker brought his excitement and passion for sea life to our screens and have inspired documentary makers since. The films lay bare the lengths the cre...

Submitted by Kieron Seth#

Published 01 March 2015

IDX E-HL9 Battery review

Author: Jon BoastManufacturer: IDXModel: E-HL9 BatteryShort Description: 88Wh Li-ion V-Mount High Load Battery with PowerLink & Digi-View. Why was it needed and what did it replace: I'd had my IDX E-10 batteries for a long time and so I needed to re-invest in new batteries to power my cameras, monitor and glidecam. What other systems did you consid...

Submitted by Bob Pank#

Published 01 January 2015

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by Alister Chapman Issue 96 - December 2014 First and foremost you need weather protection. Both for you and your equipment. If you are cold and uncomfortable you are not going to be happy and your work may suffer. So item number 1 on my list is a good quality thermal base layer. This should be made of a high quality wicking fabric that draws moist...

Submitted by Alister Champman

Published 01 January 2015

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Issue 94 - October 2014Must have or just a dream? Either way these 6 stood out this month Just released is the HERO 4 in two varieties. The Silver has a useful touch screen and 4k at 15fps and the Black shoots 4k at up to 30 fps, has no touch screen but does have upgraded audio amongst other benefits. The new LISHUAI C200S on camera LED light provi...

Submitted by KitPlus

Published 01 November 2014

Sony PXW-FS7

by Alister Chapman Issue 94 - October 2014 At IBC Sony launched a new camera. In fact Sony launched several new cameras. This is nothing new, every year Sony launch cameras. But this year Sony really created quite a stir with one camera in particular, the Sony PXW-FS7. So what is it about the FS7 that is so special? Looking at the specs alone this...

Submitted by Alister Champman

Published 01 November 2014