Wave

24 threads in the archive

Based on 83 threads · 22 cited

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The Wave is a tool that earns its keep on rough outdoor shoots, and the sources name no single winner against the Volt, which suits studio work and lighter, shorter rigs 1 2 3. Set it up right: get the camera's center of gravity onto the Wave's exact center of rotation, then tilt the camera slightly to see which way it is off and fix it with risers or by moving weight 14. Against the MK-V Level, you trade a bit more fiddling and height for more range of movement, and the Wave works beyond Steadicam® 9 10.

The questions 7

Should I buy the Wave or the Volt?5 threads · latest 2026

In short

The sources name no single winner 1 2. The Volt suits studio work and lighter, shorter rigs, while the Wave 1 suits rough outdoor shoots 2 3.

How the pros do it

Pick the Volt if you want a lighter rig, since it has a shorter sled and weighs 1-2 kg less than the Wave 1 2.
Know that Volt gimbals let shorter, lighter sleds fly neutral, while Wave gimbals add topstage height and weight 3.
Pick the Wave 1 if you shoot rough outdoor or windy jobs, because it is purely mechanical, levels faster and is often paired with a Betz KS4 gyro 2.
Check your sled first, because the Volt cannot go on an XCS gimbal 4. It has been mounted on Calicocam, Rever, PRO and MK-V sleds 3. Moving to an XCS Ultimate 3 HD with 1.75-inch post plus Volt approached USD 20,000 2.
Count your camera weight, because heavy 35mm cameras suit the Wave poorly due to inertia 4. Builds with zoom, motors, wireless and battery approached or exceeded the Wave 1 weight limit 2.
Budget setup time. The Wave needs the camera center of gravity exactly at its pivot 2, plus a longer sled or extra counterweight at the battery end 5. The Volt needs power-on and calibration before every use, and the most common error is forgetting that 3.

Opinions differ here

Operators split on reliability: multiple operators reported that Volt electronics fail more readily than the all-mechanical Wave 2, while another reported three years of Volt use with no maintenance and named the encoder cable as the most frequent failure 3. They also split on wind: the Wave 1 is called robust in wind and outdoors 2, yet a Volt 2 is reported to give significant stability gains in wind over a standard PRO gimbal 3.

What changed

Earlier (2018), the M1VOLT was described as physically larger and more cumbersome around the gimbal than the WAVE 1 1, today (2026) Volt gimbals are described as letting shorter, lighter rigs fly neutral 3.

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Can I mount a Wave on my existing sled or post?5 threads · latest 2025

In short

A Betz Wave fits a Tiffen Archer 2 with a smaller dovetail plate 6, and a specialist shop can modify a Wave to sit directly on a PRO-Post 7.

How the pros do it

On a compact sled like the Tiffen Archer 2, use a smaller dovetail plate, the same setup as on a Tiffen Clipper 6. Keep the camera light, since one operator flew an ARRI Alexa LF this way 6.
Expect a longer sled with the Wave on top 6.
For a lower profile, have a specialist shop disassemble the Wave, route the cable channels and fit a custom connector panel for direct Post mounting 7. This saves overall height 7.
Without a top stage you lose lateral and longitudinal adjustment 7. One operator fixed that with an XCS X/Y-plate on the Wave and a height-adjustable battery plate at the sled base 7.
On a Steadicam® PRO sled, one operator used fixed bayonet connectors and hardwired connections for the Wave 8. That cut about 2.5 inches between the camera plate and the center rod top 8.
Pre-set gross lateral balance with the side-adjustable XCS camera plate 8. Trim with a side-threaded battery plate and the sliding rear section of the GEN-3 battery holder 8. Fore-aft balance is slower without a threaded drive on the battery rod 8.

Caution

Direct Post mounting voids the Wave's warranty 7. One operator kept the Donkey Box external, not in the sled base, to avoid damaging original components 8.

Opinions differ here

Operators fly the Wave on a compact Archer 2 with a light camera 6. Others switched to a Tiffen Volt on compact sleds because the Wave makes the sled longer 6.

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How does the Wave compare to the MK-V Level on a Steadicam® rig?4 threads · latest 2026

In short

The Level is lighter and keeps the camera lower, and it needs less fiddling to set up 9 10. The Wave gives you more range of movement and works beyond Steadicam® 9 10.

How the pros do it

Weight and height: the Level saves about 1.5 lbs and about 1.5 inches of camera height against the Wave, and more when the Wave is balanced with spacer plates 9. The Level needs no spacer plates to raise the camera 9.
Geometry: the Level's rotation nodal point sits at about 3-3.25 inches, against about 4.5 inches on the Wave 9. The Level's profile is flat, about 0.5 inch 3.
Range: the Level gives about 5-6 degrees of correction 9. The Wave gives more and also works on a tripod or a boat with long rails 9.
Setup: balance the sled normally, then power on, and drop time does not change 9. On both units, put the centre of gravity as close as you can to the nodal point, or the horizon oscillates during leveling 9. The Level needs no calibration 3.
Low mode: the Level performs the same in Low as in High 3. Power it off and on when you invert the rig 9. One report has the Wave showing visible vibrations in Low mode above about 27 mm while running 3.
Cost: the manufacturer says the Level costs more than double the price of the Wave 9. Decide first whether the job needs range of movement or a low camera 10.

Opinions differ here

Some operators report visible Wave vibrations in Low mode at focal lengths above about 27 mm while running 3. The same thread notes that this may be balance or tuning error, since many feature films use Wave Low mode without reported issues 3. On the Level itself, some operators hold off buying because of past experiences with MK-V products, while others praise the company's team and presentation 11.

What changed

Earlier, in 2024, trade show visitors put the Level's pivot about 1 inch lower than the Wave's 11, today, in 2025, hands-on use puts the saving at about 1.5 inches of camera height 9.

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Does the Wave really keep my horizon level on a moving shot?4 threads · latest 2022

In short

One operator found it held the horizon while running around actors, with about 5 to 10 degrees of correction 12. Another saw it lose the horizon after pan whips on a Sony Venice and take 10-20 seconds to realign 13.

How the pros do it

Roll the rig sideways with the Wave powered off 13. If the camera drifts downward, the sled is bottom-heavy on the roll axis and the balance is wrong 13.
Low motor power plus too much camera weight at the bottom gives slow realignment 13. Re-raising the camera position may be necessary, even though it feels backwards 13.
Dynamically balance the sled to cut tilting during sharp pans 13.
Give the unit a warm-up after power-on 13. After about 1.5 minutes of stationary rest all LEDs blink and it appears to recalibrate, and performance improves afterwards 13.
Plan for the extra height, because the Wave raises the camera about 2.75 inches 12. In low mode it can hit your knee, so use an F-bracket 12.
If the problem persists, test a second Wave unit, other cables and different power supplies, and increase motor power 13.

Opinions differ here

Operators split on the Wave's width 12. One participant found it bothersome, while others reported no issues and said it does not substantially interfere with the vest or other gear 12.

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How do I balance my camera with a Wave on the sled?4 threads · latest 2021

In short

Get the camera's center of gravity onto the Wave's exact center of rotation 14. Tilt the camera slightly in the Wave to see which way it is off, then fix it with risers or by moving weight 14.

How the pros do it

Aim for a center of gravity that lines up with the exact center of rotation 14.
Rotate the camera slightly while it sits in the Wave, and if it returns to level, it is bottom-heavy and you move weight upward 14.
If it falls further off level instead, it is top-heavy and you move weight downward 14.
Shift weight with riser plates under the camera, repositioned accessories, counterweights on articulated arms, or commercial adjustable risers 14.
Most operators pair an XCS-LT side adjustment plate with colored distance and riser plates from an accessory manufacturer to set the center of gravity 15.
Once it is balanced, you should not need to change your drop time, because the camera should behave the same as without the Wave 14.

Opinions differ here

Most operators prefer the XCS-LT side plate with riser plates over the Betz Wave Rider for balancing the Wave 15. Some operators say the Wave Rider balances the Wave correctly on smaller builds, though its high dead weight is the main drawback 15.

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Is the IDX Cam-Wave reliable for live multicam work?5 threads · latest 2010

In short

For non-broadcast live events, mostly yes, especially indoors, where the CW-5HD held stable video over 100 meters with minimal delay 16. It is unsuitable for broadcast television work, and interference can still bite you 16.

How the pros do it

Work indoors if you can, because the signal is more reliable indoors than outdoors due to reflections 16.
Put the receiver as close to the action as possible and mount it high for a clear line of sight 16.
Genlock the signal when it feeds a production switcher 16. A modern switcher with an internal frame synchronizer holds the delay to about one frame 16.
If the picture rolls on the monitor, check the firmware, since early units had trouble with 24psf 17. Call IDX with the serial number to find out if you need an update, and current production shipped with the fix 17.
Green lines on the display can mean RF contamination from other transmitters or receivers nearby 16. If HD acts up, try SD mode, though that was not confirmed as better 16.
On a Steadicam® with dual battery plates, mount the transmitter on the plate that powers the rig when a single battery sits on it in 24V mode 18. Verify polarity with a meter 18.

Caution

Putting a transmitter on the wrong battery plate in 24V mode puts a floating 12V ground on the video signal paths, which can damage the camera, transmitter or rig 18. A Cam Wave unit designed for 12V is damaged by 24V 20.

Opinions differ here

The 2008 spec claimed uncompressed HD-SDI transmission with under 1 millisecond latency 19. Some participants questioned whether uncompressed transmission was technically accurate given bandwidth limitations 19.

What changed

Earlier, in 2008, the spec sheet promised uncompressed HD-SDI under 1 millisecond latency up to 150 feet line-of-sight 19, while today, per 2010 reports, typical range is about 20 to 30 meters and can stretch past 100 meters indoors 16.

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How do I keep my rig short and light with a Wave?3 threads · latest 2024

In short

Strip the Dbox and top stage on a modified Wave and your camera sits about 2 inches lower with less weight 21. Moving the X/Y fine-adjustment stage to the bottom of the sled also cuts the length the Wave adds 22.

How the pros do it

Build on a PRO Lite sled upgraded to HD with an MK-V gimbal and a 2-inch post 21.
Remove the Dbox and top stage when you modify the Wave 21. The camera then sits roughly 2 inches lower and the whole rig weighs less 21.
Mount the power outlets, BNC connectors and a backlit bubble level on the sled itself 21. That keeps the sled compact and close to your body 21.
Move the X/Y fine-adjustment stage to the bottom of the sled, like the XCS design, or rebuild the sled that way 22. One experienced operator says this is less demanding than people assume 22.
Balance with an XCS side-to-side plate inside the modified Wave, or with monitor-mounted side-to-side adjustment 21. Side-to-side alone as a coarse control can cost you the fine corrections of a full X/Y system 21.
If you want to drop the Wave, the MK-V Level is sold as a thinner, lighter alternative at about 1 kg 22. Its pivot sits about 1 inch lower than the Wave's 11.

Opinions differ here

Operators split on the MK-V Level 11. Some praise the company's team and trade show presentation 11. Others hesitate because of earlier bad experiences with MK-V products and want field reports first 11. Several participants also asked for independent operator feedback and footage, since the manufacturer's low-mode testing with large cinema cameras is not yet verified 22.

What changed

Earlier, in 2020, the answer was to strip the Dbox and top stage from the Wave and balance with side-to-side plates 21, today, in 2024, operators also talk about moving the X/Y stage to the bottom of the sled or swapping to the lighter MK-V Level 22 11.

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Sources 22

All 22 sources

What operators found

Still argued about

Often in the same threads

Volt15, Artemis2, Top Stage8, Low Mode6, Dovetail Plate3

All threads

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