Q3, the new robotic camera from Camera Corps, heir to the popular Q-Balls

The new Q3 features double the zoom power, a high-spec camera and a significantly expanded feature set.

Camera Corps will debut a breakthrough in its robotic camera technology at NAB 2014. Developed from the popular Q-Ball, the new Q3 features double the zoom power, a high-spec camera and a significantly expanded feature set. It supports multiple serial data formats, including IP, and Camera Corps' own advanced audio-based system.

“The Q3 takes remote camera control to a whole new level,” said Camera Corps founder and CEO Laurie Frost. It will offer producers greater flexibility and the freedom to source high-quality live video from an unlimited number of cameras located anywhere inside or outside the studios. Each Q3 head incorporates a high-precision pan, tilt, zoom and focus mechanism in a compact unit that can be mounted at any height, indoors or outdoors, and is operated by remote control from anywhere. More than one hundred Q3s can be operated from a single panel and with a single joystick.”

For his part, technical director, Jim Daniels, highlights that “the Q3 retains the spherical shape that made the Q-Ball an easy-to-conceal camera. We've replaced the old 10x zoom with a 20x lens and added a new high-sensitivity imager that provides high-quality video with control that matches much higher-cost systems. The camera can be upgraded, ensuring its future-proof response. The motor system has been improved, allowing remote operators to precisely accelerate and decelerate the robotic heads, making it easier to follow presenters, artists or reality show participants.”

Q3 can perform an unlimited number of 360-degree lateral rotations. Pan and tilt speed are adjustable from 360-degree ultra-slow motion in 90 minutes to 90 seconds. All pan/tilt/zoom/focus parameters can be stored in the internal memory for quick recall. Motion control sequences up to 25 seconds long can be stored in this way.

Q3 supports all high definition and video formats, including 1080 or 720 progressive or interlaced at 60, 50, 30, 25 or 24 frames per second. In addition, it allows you to work with a minimum illumination of 0.5 lux (color mode) or 0.02 lux (monochrome). The camera also incorporates gamma correction, white balance, 16-stop edge enhancement and a second shutter at 1/10,000 seconds. Finally, note that Camera Corps offers a genlock input with user-adjustable synchronization.

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