2008Operating forum
Using Steadicam in studio television news broadcasts
18 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Steadicam serves a useful purpose in field news coverage where crews must move quickly between locations, such as covering emergencies or breaking news situations.
- In controlled studio environments with multiple fixed cameras, tripods and wheeled camera rigs are more practical and efficient than Steadicam.
- Virtual tracking technology using reflective markers on Steadicam rigs can integrate camera position data with virtual graphics and jib systems.
- Virtual Steadicam tracking systems may produce floating or unstable graphics during broadcast, and the technology works more effectively when paired with jib systems rather than handheld Steadicam operation.
- Operator movement and antenna placement relative to the camera lens can affect the accuracy of virtual tracking systems.
- Reflective marker obstruction from the operator's body or movement outside the tracking cameras' field of view can degrade virtual tracking performance.
Depends on
- The virtual Steadicam technology discussed was still being refined as of 2008 and may not have been fully perfected.
- Accuracy issues with virtual tracking systems may result from both technical factors and operator technique.
- The effectiveness of virtual Steadicam depends on adequate camera placement and unobstructed line of sight to tracking markers.
- One broadcaster's experience with virtual technology may not represent all implementations.