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MillimeterShoot Review — VidPro EBRA-121R
Sep 1, 2005 12:00 PM, By Tom Patrick McAuliffe
Pan/tilt tripod head with IR remote moves with the action.
The only thing lower than my current bank balance was the client's budget. There was no way we could afford a full crew — they could barely afford me. The client's sister was to be our on-camera talent, but on shoot day there were some problems: The talent didn't know she had to be on camera reading a teleprompter and, worse yet, she was too shy to read aloud very well. This was shaping up to be a project sure to drain both my patience and my wallet. While I'd done on-camera work in the past, including a few national TV commercials, I was also slated to be behind the camera. I couldn't be in two places at once — or could I?
The VidPro EBRA-121R is a pan/tilt head that works best with smaller DV and HDV cameras. Operators can remotely control a camera’s pan and tilt, start, stop, zoom, and display features.
New technologies have brought forth solutions to such problems: Cost-effective pan/tilt/zoom devices can move a camera for you. The new VidPro EBRA-121R Automatic Pan Tilt Head for tripods is a wonderful representative of this type of product, and, unlike most of the equipment you carry on location, it does not cost an arm and a leg. And though it doesn't cost a fortune, you still can get some innovative results from it.
The EBRA-121R is a very simple affair that allows you to pan a camera 60 degrees left or right and tilt it up or down by 15 degrees in each direction. It can be powered via standard batteries or the included AC power supply. For control, the VidPro includes a handheld wireless infrared (IR) remote with about a 30ft. range. Also included is an external IR remote sensor on a short 25ft. cord, which is placed on or near the talent — in other words, near the camera. You can add optional extension cables to get the run up to about 200ft., which can help increase the distance from talent to camera.
The VidPro tripod head is very quiet when operating, so it's perfect for shooting in churches, corporate meeting rooms, classrooms, etc. — anywhere silence is best. It is also perfect for animating shots for documenting things like educational lectures, government meetings, or legal depositions — wherever you need to place a camera but don't want to position a real, live videographer. Once set up with the VidPro, the talent can move left or right and the camera follows. Need to display a graphic or chart via overhead projector or demo a product down on a table? No problem: Just use the remote to tilt up or down. You can also have it pan continuously, which has applications I've yet to fathom.
Setting up the VidPro is quick and painless. Just take the head and secure it to a good standard tripod, then attach the camera and the power supply. In my test runs, I used Sony VX1000, VX2000, Betacam SP, and TR81 Hi8 cameras, as well as a Panasonic DV camera. The remote can also control Canon cameras. Using the EBRA-121R's small remote, I could not only pan and tilt, but also control the cameras' start, stop, photo, date, time and counter, zoom, and display features. The remote's buttons are well labeled and color-coded to help avoid confusion between the controls. A useful feature is the front position indicator, which allows you see where a camera is at a glance. If you're off-center, there's an arrow pointing left or right; if you are straight on, a red dot lights up.
Unfortunately, the head's speed is not variable, and the remote is not infallible. Sometimes the remote would not accept the command and you'd need to try again; other times, it would be too sensitive and perform unintended operations. I also had some trouble using the IR remote outdoors, even in low sunlight. Using infrared as a control protocol is fine, but I'd like to see LANC and/or hardwire support for more reliability and flexibility. The IR signal is strong, though: I was able to keep the remote in my pocket and walk back and forth across a stage and have the camera follow me. But in all cases the pans, tilts, and zooms were smooth — and that's what's most important.
With some practice, the EBRA-121R is a tool any shooter can use, but in general it feels a bit consumerish. For example, it comes with only a single sheet of paper as a “User Guide” — which, quite frankly, raised more questions than it answered. The VidPro is really limited to smaller video cameras under 5lbs. because with larger cameras, like a traditional Betacam SP, the head's motor just can't take it. For example, my very light TR81 Hi8 camera seemed to have a smoother ride than the heavier VX2000. (While it should be common sense, it's also important to remember never to force the head into position by hand, or you can strip the gears of the motor.) Additionally, the VidPro tripod head consumes loads of power. I used two sets of five AA batteries within about four hours of use, so investing in a good NiCad rechargeable battery system will pay for itself.
Automation definitely can be a good thing. Because of its price and its ability to get the job done, the EBRA-121R fills a distinct niche and is definitely worth considering. The VidPro EBRA-121R is inexpensive, easy to use, and great for smaller DV and HDV cameras. With some practice, you can get effective results from setting up a camera with the VidPro and having it follow you in a shot, unattended. In certain circumstances, it may save you the money you'd spend on putting someone behind the camera. That's not to say it's perfect in all situations or that there aren't other products out there with more features for a little more money, but this product is a great weapon to have for those solo missions. Camera operators short of help and needing an extra set of hands would do well to investigate the VidPro Automatic Pan/Tilt Tripod Head. Look at it this way: You'll never need to argue with your cameraman about a shot again.
BOTTOM LINE
Company: VidPro
Jamaica, N.Y., (800) 221-2718
www.vidprousa.com
Product: EBRA-121R Automatic Pan Tilt Head
Assets: Inexpensive and easy to use.
Caveats: No zoom or LANC automation capabilities. Limited to smaller videocameras.
Demographic: Solo camera operators who need an extra set of hands.
Price: $129.99
Contributing writer Tom Patrick McAuliffe is a journalist, entertainer, and video creator in Hawaii. He's also the editor of Broadcast Engineering's Audio Technology Update e-newsletter.
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