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Technical - this tech spec applies to both G-PIXX and G-PIXL

  • Adding the reg to G-Pixx
  • Adding the reg to G-Pixx
  • G-Pixx in action
  • Controls of G-Pixx
  • G-Pixx sunset
  • G-Pixx sunset
  • G-Pixx sunset

The Helicopters

Each of our 2 flying machines was custom-built to our specification by the Robinson Helicopter Company in California. Using the world’s most popular and reliable light helicopter, the 4-seat R44, as the basis, RHC are the only helicopter manufacturer to offer a purpose-built tv version.

The advantages for you are immense – you get to use a machine which has had its highly technical filming systems designed to work specifically with that helicopter. This means no vibration on-shot – even at the end of the zoom, greater reliability and a helicopter that is always ready to deploy.

The TV System

On the nose of the helicopter – that’s right in the middle, not on the side – is a 5-axis gyro-stabilised Cineflex camera ball. This holds the optical block of the camera and the Canon lens in a cradle fully protected from vibration, movement, wind shock and the weather. The difference between the HD & SD helicopters isn’t apparent from the outside – they look identical.

However, be assured that the HD 1080 machine is pure HD from front to back. The Cineflex ball, the camera, lens, cabling and operating equipment are all factory-built HD components.

In both helicopters, the operating process is similar with the camera CCU inside feeding its signal direct in SDI or HDSDI to a record medium.

Control and Monitoring

The camera is controlled like a hot-head. It’s a specialised task using the laptop controller and XYZ joystick – and there is a full camera menu available as well as zoom, focus, aperture, shutter, filters, colour balance etc. It’s a true lowlight ENG camera with great sensitivity.

Full video monitoring is available at each of the 3 seats, together with comfortable headsets that run off our digital sound system. You get clear, easy comms with the crew and our dedicated 2-way radio system connects with the ground. We provide handheld radios for ground staff FOC.

Live

Both helicopters permanently carry live-capable microwave transmitters and long distance transmission antennae. Unique in the UK, we can get live output sent 70 miles direct with no midpoint.

Record Media

In SD we offer DVCAM or digiBeta tape, in addition to the tapelessHD media below which can also be used for SD.

In HD our primary record media are tapeless - Panasonic P2HD or Nanoflash. 

P2HD files are transferred to our RAID system at base and we then send you a loaned portable HDD with those files. For security, we keep the files on RAID until you have ingested your material to your NLE.

Nanoflash records direct to Compact Flash cards. Again, we download to RAID and a portable HDD, and loan this unit to you FOC for 7 days.

It is also possible to transfer files from P2HD & Compact Flash to your own HDD or laptop.

All this work is done in-house.

If you prefer tape for HD, we can offer HDCAM.

Post-production

In-house Final Cut Pro.

Stills

In-house Canon EOS 7D at 18mps.