Point-of-View Camera Enables Veteran Wildlife Filmmaker to Acquire High Definition Footage of the Insect World
(Santa Barbara, California--March 18, 2008) Iconix Video, a leading developer of advanced high-definition camera systems and maker of the world's smallest professional quality HD video camera, announced today the use of the Iconix HD-RH1F camera on the CBBC (the children's programming arm of the BBC network) series "Smalltalk Diaries," scheduled to air this month in the UK beginning on March 17, 2008.
"Smalltalk Diaries" is the latest project from wildlife cameraman and producer Martin Dohrn, who has been filming natural history for over 20 years for National Geographic Television, the Discovery Channel, the BBC Natural History Unit and others. The 10-episode series from Dohrn's production company, Ammonite Ltd., is an exploration of the insect world via the fictional "translation lens," which allows the creatures to communicate directly with viewers, and presents a unique twist on the genre.
Dohrn is the creator of several motion-control rigs, including the "Antcam" used on the BBC's "In Search of Killer Ants," and the "Frankencam" used for famed natural historian David Attenborough's "Life in the Undergrowth." His latest rig was developed specifically for use with the Iconix HD-RH1F camera system in order to capture increasingly tiny and complex wildlife, and is the inspiration behind the "Smalltalk Diaries" "translation lens."
"Being able to have very, very small lenses fit onto a very, very small camera helps to create a look and a feel that we hope no one has ever seen before," Dohrn observes. "We've captured some very extraordinary images with the Iconix that wouldn't have been possible with an ordinary camera, in particular the endoscope work. There's no other way to do that kind of image. There isn't another camera that can do what we are doing."
Dohrn notes that as the migration to high definition television continues, wildlife filmmaking is being redefined. "Because our subjects are so small, we had to develop a motion control device for the Toshiba T-48 we had been using. Making this series in HD, we wanted an HD camera that was comparable in size, and the Iconix fit our needs perfectly."
Featuring a camera head about the size of a golf ball, and weighing a mere two ounces, the remote head system of the Iconix HD-RH1F can keep pace with larger HD video cameras, yet is versatile enough to offer 35 different format and frame rate combinations. According to Dohrn, the Iconix perfectly complements the Panasonic VariCam also used by the production. "Because of the small chip size, the Iconix gives us an advantage with the absolute light levels needed to film light sensitive animals. Basically, we need two stops less light than we would with the VariCam. It's a huge advantage to us."
A first for a camera this size, the HD-RH1F system can capture and output video in both NTSC and PAL formats in all HD resolutions, including 720p, 1080i, 1080sF and 1080p while supporting frame rates of 24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 frames-per-second (fps). Outputs include HD-SDI (SMPTE 292M) as two single-link 4:2:2, or dual-link 4:4:4 RGB/YCbCr; DVI-I; and analog outputs, with genlocking capability to tri-level sync. Remote control protocols are available over RS-232 or 9-pin DSUB connectors. Power requirements are 30W at 12VDC.
The HD-RH1F incorporates an expansive array of features found only on top-of-the-line HD ENG and EFP camera systems while utilizing an innovative signal processing architecture. This POV camera system, which includes a very robust separate camera head and processing controller unit, is the smallest high performance HD camera in the industry. The lightweight HD-RH1F remote camera system is comprised of a 1.32" x 1.50" x 1.92" POV camera head weighing 2.5 oz.; a 3.5 lb. universal HDTV controller unit measuring 8.4" x 1.8" x 12"; power supply, and 3, 6 and 10 meter cables.
About Ammonite Ltd.
Ammonite has been making extraordinary natural history films since its creation in 1994, producing award-winning documentaries for the BBC Natural History Unit, Survival Anglia Ltd., Granada Wild, National Geographic Television and the Discovery Channel. For more information, visit
http://www.ammonite.co.uk.
About Iconix Video, Inc.
Iconix Video, Inc. develops high performance, high functionality and small form factor POV (point-of-view) HD cameras for use in broadcast, film, military, security and scientific markets. The HD-RH1F remote head camera system is the only 3 CCD camera of its size, weight, versatility, and performance that rivals ENG, EFP and HD studio level cameras at a fraction of the cost. Iconix Video was founded in 2003, and is based in Santa Barbara, Calif. For more information, visit
http://www.iconixvideo.com.
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