Geekazine Jeffrey Powers

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Get the SmallRig Universal Quick Release Cage









At NAB 2024, SmallRig showed off some great new items for the video creator. From Batteries, to Tripods, and of course, their rigs for cameras. This included the SmallRig Universal Quick Release Cage.















At the center of the cage is a Magsafe connection and a clip to keep the phone stabilized. The unit can slide over to fit not only bigger phones, but also gear inside the cage.







The cage can be modified for the vertical video shooter. with the extra shoes, you can put on lights, microphones, and more.







SmallRig Universal Quick Release uses 1/4 inch – 20 screws. You’ll be able to attach the supported handles and other additions without issue.







Best part is the phone doesn’t have to be dedicated to the cage. You can pop it out easy, change it out for another phone (with or without a case), or even put another device in (maybe an Android phone, or anything that matches dimensions).







The Universal Quick Release phone cage starts at $45. Get the cage here.

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Atomos Ninja Phone







Since the switch to USB-C in the iPhone 15, we’ve seen some awesome improvements in camera phone video. For example, Atomos has created the Ninja Phone, a device that can capture your HDMI video for confidence, correction, and recording.









Pre-Order Atomos Ninja Phone









What is the Atomos Ninja Phone















The power of the Atomos Ninja system right on the phone, using the retina display of the iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max. The device has a video co-processor inside that will push video from your camera to the phone







Since it’s an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, the camera will have a HDR OLED screen, 1600nit peak highlight brightness, 460ppi resolution, and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio.







10-bit ProRes Recording















Even if your camera doesn’t do ProRes, the Ninja Phone will record in 10-bit ProRes – just like any Ninja device does. This gives you four times the range of colors and shades, and reduces color banding. You can then post process and color correct without color issues.







Histogram, Zebra, other filters







The Ninja Phone will be able to identify hotspots, color profiles, and more through the settings.







Record or Stream for Remote Management







You can use the phone to record a backup. I like the idea that I can record from camera and from phone, then take the phone with me to review. If I see a scene that really didn’t get shot right, the crew can come back to it the next day.







With the Stream via 5G or Wifi, you can have it up to social platforms within minutes. Better yet, you can have people reviewing the video remotely so they can identify any problems.







This could keep numbers reduced on stage and everyone working. If I had a delayed flight, or had to take a meeting off-set, I can continue to review footage being shot so the production continues forward.







Cables that Lock







The case fits over the iPhone, locking the USB-C in place. The external HDMI and USB-C have locking cable ports to ensure connection at all times.







The case also comes with a battery shoe, to give the case power for longer remote shoots.







Turn a Camera Horizontal







The Ninja Phone also will work vertically for Reels, Shorts, and live Vertical events. Simply turn the camera 90 degrees, and continue to shoot.







Price and availability







The Atomos Ninja Phone is $399 and available now in Pre-order.







Check out the Atomos Ninja Phone site for more information.

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At NAB 2024, I saw a few companies focusing on control decks. Densitron is a company that focuses on different style touchscreens and button panels for video production and more. I got to check out the ProDeck and ProDeck Vision with some pretty interesting options.







ProDeck and ProDeck Vision















The ProDeck is a 40 button deck, whereas the ProDeck Vision is without the buttons. With the software, you can set up your ProDeck for what your production needs.







ProDeck is a Stand-Alone Controller















Inside the ProDeck is a Printed Circuit Board that can run Linux or Windows 11. Software inside will configure the buttons you need.







The deck has 1GB POE+ Ethernet, and a USB-A port to plug in a keyboard and mouse to program your ProDeck.







QT GUI







Qt GUI gives programmers system integration, event handling, OpenGL and OpenGL ES integration, and more to create whatever you need for your ProDeck. The deck can do more than just load buttons.







And I’m not talking about playing a game of “Whack-A-Mole”.







Pricing and Availability







The Densitron ProDeck is a sub-$1000 devices, and can be customized to your need. Check out Densitron for more information.

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Mevo has had a very interesting life – Started in 2016 with the Mevo Plus, then bought by Livestream Studio. When Livestream was bought by Vimeo, the creators bought Mevo back and came out with the Mevo Start.







Logitech purchased Mevo in 2021, where it continued to be a simple alternative for mobile live streaming. So when Mevo Core came out this year, it looks to be a great upgrade in the line of mobile multi-camera streaming.









Get the Mevo Core









What is the Mevo Core















This is a Micro Four Thirds camera that has all the features of the Mevo Start. That includes streaming out to YouTube, Facebook, and more, along with connection via NDI|HX to switching software such as OBS and vMix.







It’s About the Interchangeable Lens







The big feature of Mevo is that Micro four thirds lens mount. This allows streamers to change the lens for what they need.







And with multiple lens options, you can setup your camera to match the look you desire. If you have other lenses (such as Canon EF-EOS mount lenses), there are adapters to convert your camera to use them.







4K and Multicam Ready















The Mevo app is a camera switcher with extra features. The free app will control cameras, while a paid app version will add funtionality such as adding a webcam.







Price and Availability







The Mevo Core is available now with an MSRP at $999.00. Get the Mevo Core Here.

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It was great catching up with Matthew at PTZOptics/HuddleCamHD at NAB, and the best part was a cool new technology to learn about. Hive Studio is PTZOptic’s offering that will turn you into a remote camera operator.







Hive Studio















This system allows you to remote control a series of cameras from off-site. You can use almost any camera, but with an upcoming Firmware update from the PTZOptics Move series (and forward), you will be able to control the camera without having a computer in-between.







This is not a Switcher







The idea is for the PTZ camera operator to assess and correct PTZ camera shots. The system will allow for simple switching and recording of cameras, but you will still need a hardware or software switcher (Tricaster, ATEM, vMix, OBS) to switch out for graphics, picture-in-picture, and more.







Choose Your Input















Hive Studio will support NDI, RTMP, SRT connections. Whatever you need to connect up . With cloud control, Hive Studio has been able to work with locations world-wide with sub-300ms latency.







AI Control







An operator will be able to use AI assistant for auto tracking and framing. They can turn off to re-adjust, or simply manually control the feed.







Pricing and Availability







Hive Studio is starting their Beta at this time. You can sign up at PTZOptics.com/hive







There will be 3 levels for pricing, a Free tier, starter tier, and pro tier. B&H has pre-orders on Licenses here.







New from PTZOptics







The Move line of cameras will now have NDI|HX3 licensing included. If you have an existing Move camera and purchased a license, they are running a buy-back promotion.







New from HuddleCamHD







I just got done doing a review for the SimplTrack3 camera. This uses zoning to automate your movements, then lock onto specific areas so you can see what’s happening (like a whiteboard).

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I met up with Joe De Max at NAB 2024 to talk Central Control. He showed me two great new things that will improve remote workstation control from X-Keys and Central Control Link.







X-Keys Bundle















This is a multi-button unit running Central Control from inside the device. The end result makes this a stand-alone unit. Once you program the keys, you can simply take the board with you – no computer necessary.







The main device he had at the booth was a standard panel switch with buttons and a T-bar. Since X-Keys are customizable, you can create it however you need to with buttons, jog wheels, and more.







The Bundle is running an Orange Pi inside for control. You can pair it up with your ATEM Mini, vMix, Hyperdeck, and many other devices. Once paired, the keyboard will control the device via the LAN.







For more information, check out XKeys.com







Also check out some of the other X-Keys products.







Central Control Link







Joe also announced Link – a way to pair your controller via NDI within the software. What this means is you can have a switching console – from X-Keys, to Stream Deck, to another controller – on one side of the room, and through NDI, you can set up to control the devices across the room.







If you set up a portal, you could even remote control a device from another location.







Link is new, and will be out around May. For more information, check out CentralControl.io







This video will help you understand CentralControl and what it can do.