KitPlus | Articles

Do Not Be Cheap With Your Data

by Kieron Seth Issue 94 - October 2014 Everyone used to leave a Betacam or DVCPro tape on the shelf for years. It would probably work fine a decade later (as long as the VTR still worked). Now production companies are stacked high with external hard drives full of archived video projects and media files. It\'s a recipe for catastrophe - apparently...

Submitted by Kieron Seth#

Published 01 November 2014

It is in the Can Bag

by Dan Rose Issue 94 - October 2014 As a freelance cameraman/director, like every one else, I\'m always looking for that money shot! And some times it\'s a ground shot or a maybe a moving shot from a vehicle window. The lower shots can be hard to keep stable using your hands, and I don\'t really want to put my cameras on a wet or stony surface, wel...

Submitted by Dan Rose

Published 01 November 2014

Flying a Drone part 1

by Jon Pratchett Issue 93 - September 2014 Drones! The word imparts a sense of fear into the hearts of many. You immediately think of US spy planes, covert missions to attack forces deep in enemy territory. Yet it’s also the word that many now use to describe those little flying multi rotor things with GoPro’s on that seem to be popping up everywhe...

Submitted by John Pratchett

Published 01 October 2014

Making the invisible visible

by Charlie Watts Issue 92 - August 2014 September 2014 will see a brand new communication and televisual experience unleashed for University of Portsmouth students within the newly opened Eldon Building. Catherine Harper, Professor and Dean of the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) Faculty, and Gary Bown, Principal lecturer, have both made it t...

Submitted by Charlie Watts

Published 01 September 2014

KVM extenders and matrix switches in broadcast

by Enno Littmann Issue 92 - August 2014 How successful has exhibiting at IBC been in the past?IBC 2014 marks the fifth successive year that IHSE has exhibited at the exhibition. Each year since 2009 we have moved to a more prominent position, increased the size of the stand and generated greater levels of interest amongst visitors. Many of whom hav...

Submitted by Enno Littmann

Published 01 September 2014

Where no satellite truck has gone before

by Bogdan Frusina Issue 87 - March 2014 For several weeks last year, the world was focused on Rome. Broadcasters from around the world converged on the city to cover the events surrounding the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the selection of his successor. Existing cellular towers were overwhelmed with traffic on the key celebration days, when...

Submitted by Bogdan Frusina

Published 01 April 2014

How to work without batteries

by Julian Hiorns Issue 86 - February 2014 Camera and monitor batteries - what\'s not to like? They\'re portable, rechargeable and easy to use. Well, actually, there are some drawbacks. Batteries can be heavy, expensive to replace and difficult and costly to travel with, as airline passengers know all too well. This last issue has become particularl...

Submitted by Julian Hiorns

Published 01 March 2014

New Blueshape products

Issue 82 - October 2013 Cache Media, exclusive distributor for the UK and Ireland for Blueshape Battery Systems, has announced the arrival in stock of two new product ranges:The new GRANITE battery series is designed to endure even the most extreme conditions, features a super rugged construction, giving the batteries remarkable resistance to impac...

Submitted by KitPlus

Published 01 November 2013

Taking the heat out of lighting

by Kevin CookIssue 82 - October 2013 Weve seen a gradual move away from tungsten video lighting for a number of years now and for all sorts of reasons. Firstly theres the ecological issue about using tungsten lights. Burning a metal filament within a gaseous-free glass chamber is not the most efficient way to generate a light source. Most of the en...

Submitted by Kevin Cook

Published 01 November 2013

Could you be powerless on arrival?

by Steve EmmettIssue 82 - October 2013 PAG is now hearing more frequently of incidents where air transport rules for Lithium-Ion batteries are being enforced more rigorously by airlines. Camera crews are often unsure of the regulations and can face problems if they break these rules. We were recently informed of a cameraman, travelling from Denmark...

Submitted by Steve Emmett

Published 01 November 2013

Revealing the real-lives behind 999 responses

by Jonathan BoltonIssue 82 - October 2013 Jonathan Bolton, head of PROCAMS Manchester operation discusses the challenges of capturing real time footage when following emergency services on call. Factual programming has seen a revolution. Viewers want more from factual programmes: they no longer want traditional, staid documentaries, but want to se...

Submitted by Jonathan Bolton

Published 01 November 2013

Wireless cameras at live events

by Scott WalkerIssue 81 - September 2013 While wireless cameras have been used in high end broadcast for years, prices have dropped and there are now a variety of products on the market to suit lower cost broadcasts, and the technology is creeping into events with live outdoor screens and lower budgets, where it adds a creative angle to the show. I...

Submitted by Scott Walker

Published 01 October 2013

Education: Live TV approaches to learning without a safe...

by Jennie RawlingIssue 81 - September 2013 Live broadcasting is the core business of the University of Portsmouth course, BSc (Hons) Television and Broadcasting, and they are now entering into their fifth successive year of weekly television output. Course leader and senior lecturer Charlie Watts is delighted with the developments so far, but there...

Submitted by Jennie Rawling

Published 01 October 2013

EditShare hits the back of the net for french football gi...

by James RichingsIssue 80 - August 2013 Three times winners of Ligue 1, Frances highest football division, LOSC Lille is one of the premier professional sporting clubs in the country and have a sizeable following drawn from across Northern France. Live home games are broadcast for national TV and the club creates content for its own in-house televi...

Submitted by James Richings

Published 01 September 2013

A bag for life? PELI Elite Laptop Backpack reviewed

by Simon TillyerIssue 80 - August 2013 Were a big user of PELI cases here at tv-bay. We use them for what they were designed for... and then some with attempted drownings, drops, drags and dynamite tests!So when I was offered the chance to try out the new PELI Elite Laptop Backpack I jumped at the chance. My Workstation Specialists PC is loaded wit...

Submitted by Simon Tillyer

Published 01 September 2013