PANAVISION Video Assist Systems

Since lightweight, simple-to-operate, video assist systems were first introduced PANAVISION has been at the forefront of video assist development, always advancing the state of the art and only using off-the-shelf equipment when it is advantageous to do so.

The current models include:

•  PANAVISION Color Video Assist with Frameline and Character Generator. A state-of-the-art CCD system which offers flicker free “locked to the frame rate,” video images at both 24 and 30 fps filming speeds. For European and other international operations a 24/25 fps PAL version is available. The Character generator will add footage, frame rate and (if fitted) PANATAPE datajto the video display. This camera fits on a wedge plate which fits under the top magazine attachment plate, from which it takes its power supply.

•  PANAVISION Super CCD B&W Video Assist. Gives bright, high resolution, B&W images without lag and with reduced flicker.

•  PANAVID Compact CCD Bridge. A small CCD Video Assist which fits across the front of the camera that can easily be installed in the field.

•  Super CCD Finder. A lightweight unit which replaces the optical finder unit for Steadicam and remote camera operations.

•  Fibre optic CCD system. A super lightweight system which uses a coherent fibre optic bundle to collect the image from a 35mm size frame and reduce it down to the size of a CCD chip.

•  Eyepiece video. Another CCD configuration which allows a small camera to replace the optical viewfinder tube of any regular PANAFLEX and PANASTAR camera.

•  CCD Witness camera. A small video camera which can be attached or placed anywhere where visual information is required. Typical uses are to look at the lens scales of remote camera set-ups or to place alongside a focus position to check if an artist is at the expected mark, etc.

•  The PANAVISION/LIGHTSTORM VID-Stick. A portable CCD viewfinder system which transmits images from a PANAFINDER type accessory.

•  Frame Line Generator. A stand-alone system that displays format markings, variable intensity outside mask, camera speed and film footage. For use with color and B&W video assist systems that do not have this facility inbuilt. An advantage of this system is that it is possible to have A and B format lines and to display one or the other or both at the same time.

•  As with the Frame Line Generator above, this is a stand-alone unit which superimposes footage, frame rate and PANATAPE image data on a video display.

1. Combined PANAVISION CCD color video assist with character and frameline generator, 2. Super CCD B&W video assist, 3. Eyepiece CCD video assist system, 4. Lightweight video assist for Steadicam use, 5. The coherent fibre optic bundle, the CCD microchip and the tiny circuit board of the lightweight video assist.