NAB 2014 Varavon continued to display the Wirecam (cable cam) designed to remotely fly cameras across a suspended wire at speeds of over 18mph. They have been showing this product for at least a year still improving on the design. Further camera stabilization and movement can be performed by adding a gimbal stabilizing camera mount.
Varavon Wirecam [Cable Cam] Video Camera System with Gimbal Platform
For me one of the more exciting products coming out of Varavon this year is the new 'Birdy Gimbal Stabilizer'. They promise to deliver this 3 Axis active camera stabilizer ready to run for approximately $2K.
Sure we've literally seen dozens of new gimbals this past year, but Varavon has refined their build by adding 'fine tuning knobs' to their platform for amazingly simple and accurate balancing of your camera. I can't tell you how much value this feature adds when working with these types of tools.
Over on the Birdy Cam product page they are also showing off an optional Wireless HD Video Transmitter and how the handles are specifically sized to fit many Stabilizer Support vests to help carry the weight for longer periods. Additional photos and videos about the Varavon Birdy Cam Gimbal Stabilizer can be found at the website (click here).
Varavon Birdy Cam 3 Axis Active Video Camera Gimbal Stabilizer
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Emm
Post author@Adrian - They have some footage following the link.
Adrian
@Mike - A nice looking gimbal will not make your footage look better...just saying. 🙂
Are there any test videos of this out there?
Mike
Doesn't anyone think it's odd that they have cables and wires hanging out of the cable rig? All the money and time in the world and you can't make it look a bit nicer? just saying
Emm
Post author@pixcanfly - The overall Varavon build is better than the CAME 7000, especially with the fine tuning platform. It also comes with a stand and mounts to a Steadicam-like vest.
Having said that, the Varavon is a little more than twice the price of the CAME 7000 but is still using the same software - Alexmos. So performance wise in the end if you really need to save $1K, you can probably build one yourself. It can be a bit frustrating, it will take time, patience, and tweaking, but eventually you'll have a nice stabilized gimbal system. Over the last few months, people are already getting amazing footage from their builds.
Emm
Post author@Shaun - Weight and build was excellent, and for the price I think this is going to eliminate the CAME 5000 / Nebula 5000 Gimbal and even any Defy Gimbals for for DSLR sized cameras. Especially the way Varavon has designed it with the fine tuning knobs and design to fit a Steadicam-like Vest. They won't be able to match the build quality and price.
The more expensive Gimbal companies are probably going to have to focus on professionals who shoot with more expensive and larger cameras as it may not be worth their time to dabble with small margins. The one thing that expensive companies have is proprietary software, and custom made motors, as the less expensive gimbals are all using off-the-shelf motors (not a bad thing at all).
On this Varavon it looks like you can fit a C100 height wise, but because these gimbal systems are based on balance, it's more of a test on how low the platform goes and how far back you can adjust that camera. I guess what i'm saying is just because the camera can squeeze in, doesn't mean it can be properly balanced. We would have to wait and see if it's at all possible.
Shaun
Hey Emm,
how was the weight and build of this gimbal, especially in comparison to the Came, Movi and Defy?
On a separate note, do you think the height is enough to fly a C100?
pixcanfly
Hey Emm,
pricing aside, can you advise which is a better buy, this Birdy cam or the Came 7000 you've reviewed. What are the main difference between this system beside one having to assemble the Came 7000 by yourself.
Do we need software to create profile for this birdie cam too, like what you did for the Came 7000?
thanks
Emm
Post author@Scott - They list the Gimbal at around $1950. Let's hope when it's released it's sticks to that price.
Scott
*jawdrop*
Well played, Varavon. Well played. Can't wait to see the price on that gimbal. They really stepped their game up.