How long can it run for?

Used in 12 bit colour, 4096 x 2304 resolution, our 64GB cameras can store approximately 4800 frames. At 1000fps, this fills in 4.8 seconds.

What's a 'CineMag'?

CineMags are unique to the Phantoms: they are blocks of memory which clips into the camera body. If shooting at less than 180fps in 4K mode (4096x2304 pixels) one can save footage directly into a CineMag (by-passing the camera's internal memory) so one can shoot very long takes. In HD mode (1920x1080) the frame rate limit is 763fps. CineMags are hot-swappable too. Above 180fps, one shoots in the usual way into the camera memory, copying the footage across to CineMag in a matter of seconds. So no download time on set! Of course, one still needs to copy footage from the CineMag later, but without interrupting the shoot. The data is downloaded using a CineStation as cine raw files or played out in 4:4:4 10 bit video. In addition, one can review shots stored in the CineMag, so instead of using a separate composite video playback system & operator, one can review earlier takes without the additional cost of video playback. Possibly even better, one can choose the best of the takes for saving later, rather than time-consumingly saving all takes. You know it makes sense. To give you a handle on CineMag capacity, a 2TB CineMag will store approximately 116 minutes of 25fps footage, so think of it as being a two hour tape.

However, there is a downside (isn't there always?) to achieving such rapid data transfer into the CineMag: the data is compressed from 12-bit down to 10-bit. When downloaded later using a CineStation, the data is decoded as 12 bit files, but the data only contains 10-bit information. So, if you have time and want best quality, don't use CineMags.

An important note about lenses!

The Flex4K sensor is designed to be used at 4K with standard 35mm cine lenses. If one uses the camera in HD mode by using only the centre of the sensor, the lens in effect becomes much longer and actually becomes Super-16mm format. However, if one shoots in 4K and then samples the data down to HD when saving the shot, the lens length is not affected.

What's a Remote Control Unit (RCU)?

Another unique idea for Phantom cameras is the handheld camera control (RCU), wirelessly communicating via bluetooth. It has a built-in video monitor and essentially replaces the usual laptop control and its tethering gigabit ethernet cable. Although it allows easier deployment of the camera, particularly on location, it does mean CineMags must be used - there is no laptop or gigabit ethernet cable down which to save the data. Also, a BNC cable is needed to feed the built-in monitor (if needed). To go fully wireless, Pirate uses an in-house HD-SDI wireless transmitter kit

What's an HD-SDI Transmitter Receiver System for?

This allows the transmission of a live or playback camera picture without wires, so usually used when the camera is running on batteries mounted on a rig, quad bike or steadycam, for example. We have the "WEVI CAM-WAVE CW-5HD" microwave link for rental, made by IDX.

What's the 'HD-SDI data capture facility'?

We have built a powerful computer system capable of capturing the Phantom's HD-SDI 4:2:2 monitor output as 10 bit uncompressed Quicktime data files. These are supplied on external hard disk, in the same way as the cine or tiff files. The data quality is the same or better than recording to a Sony SR55100 deck. The advantage of this approach is that one does not need to download a shot (it is simply recorded whilst watching the playback) and much time is saved in post. However, the downside is that one is not getting best quality data - the camera can provide 12 and 14 bit data.