GTC sponsor Bradley Engineering introduces 4K sensor for remote Camball

GTC sponsors Bradley Engineering are back from a busy IBC at which they demonstrated new 4K technology for their remote controlled Camballs.

Bradley Engineering, designers of specialist and remote controlled cameras, have been working jointly with AltaSens Inc. to create a design for a new 4K camera module for the next generation of remote cameras. The design is based upon Bradley’s Camball camera head with its pan–tilt mechanism, and uses AltaSens’s 4K CMOS image sensor. 

Earlier this year, AltaSens announced a sensor that delivers industry-standard 4K cinemaframes in 12 bit or 10 bit resolution at up to 72 frames per second. The prototype has a AltaSens AL41410C sensor which has a Super-35 size image sensor with 5.2 µm pitch pixels.technology. 

Bradley’s Camball is a pan/tilt/zoom camera with 99 pre-set positions that can be memorised and recalled. It has a lightweight, weatherproof carbon-fibre housing and all the camera functions and movements can be controlled remotely, including pan, tilt, zoom, iris, focus, plus infrared mode and colour balancing elements. All this is done using Bradley’s remote control panel RCP3.

David Bradley says: “AltaSens makes the highest quality image sensors on the market today. We undertook this research project to explore how we will work with 4K technologies in our future products and to demonstrate what it will be like to use a 4K camera.”

Darren Paulson, VP of Business Development and Compliance for AltaSens explains: “Bradley Engineering is well known for designing ruggedized leading-edge cameras for remote sensing. They are hence the ideal company to advise us regarding key design aspects and to subsequently deliver a superb integrated solution for 4K cinema or UHD broadcast, or even for sports broadcast where slow-motion playback is required. In addition, the sensor’s extensive programmability enables extremely fast frame rates in many optical formats, creating additional uses for this technology in scientific, military and consumer markets.” 

The miniaturized 4K camera module integrated in the remote-controlled Camball head was on view at IBC, along with the 4K sensor at the module’s visual cortex. 

About AltaSens Inc.

AltaSens Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of JVC KENWOOD Corporation, was founded in 2004 and has emerged as a pioneer of High Definition and Wide Dynamic Range CMOS imaging technology. AltaSens’ products can be found at the heart of many high-end cameras built for a variety of applications, see www.altasens.com

About Bradley Engineering

Former BBC cameraman David Bradley has a long history of designing and manufacturing remote cameras. Since the company started the cameras have improved continually, with new developments based on customer requests. Today the company offers a selection of digital mini camera heads with ultra-smooth movement and remote control. They are designed to be easy to rig and operate the way that camera operators like to work. See more about Bradley Engineering: www.bradeng.com