3ality, Meduza Come Together for 1080p 3D at NAB

The Meduza TITAN, the first fully controllable, lightweight, 3D precision single HD camera with two 1080p CMOS sensors will feature a 3ality Technica integrated control system when it makes its debut next week at NAB.

Chris Cary, CEO of the Irvine based Meduza Systems Ltd, developer of the TITAN, says the system’s debut as a concept last NAB was to show the industry what it was capable of.

“We didn’t keep it under wraps, but brought it out for everyone to see,” he explains. “The feedback we received encouraged us to add more upgradable functionality and to focus on the TITAN first and the MK 1 for later in 2012, Now, just one year later, we are excited to be working with 3ality Technica to extend the control capability of the system and will be at NAB to deliver a 3D camera that is truly capable of moving 3D television production forward.”

The perfected integrated control system from 3ality Technica provides a plug-and-play interface that is built directly into the TITAN and will control motorized focus, iris, convergence and IA, either with the 3ality Technica hand controller (THC) connected to the camera body, via wireless transmission, or via Bluetooth from an iPad or an iPhone, using 3Ality Technica’s GUI.

With two 1080p CMOS sensors, TITAN is capable of both 1080p and 2k resolution as well as a full range of frame rates, from 24 fps to 60 fps in 10 bit. The company says it also has fast, fully motorized inter-axial and convergence, both essential to professional quality S3D film making. Convergence is accurate to 1/1000 of a degree and the inter-axial to 1 micron. At just under 5 kilos (11 lbs.), the robust and compact TITAN body is crafted from solid pieces of aluminum for lightness, water resistance and durability. The 3ality control capability will allow the TITAN to work as a complete stand alone or fit seamlessly into existing 3ality Technica systems, providing effortless portability.

At NAB, Meduza will also feature the Delta 4K S3D Meduza Lenses, the first built for purpose, matched pair, 3D lenses. The lens set has been designed and built to deliver super high precision, not only in the glass, but also in the motorized focus and iris controls. The lenses of the series are not only uniquely optically matched and sold in pairs, but each lens has been constructed to fit into a compact 38mm wide mechanical barrel to allow for very close inter-axial positioning for the Meduza cameras. The lens form factor has been upgraded by Meduza’s Chief Mechanical Engineer Al Mayer to marry with his TITAN camera system design and be more flexible in integrating with other systems.

The Meduza Camera System internally incorporates the motor drive unit of the 3ality Technica THC (Technica Hand Controller) for IA, Convergence, Focus, and Iris control. The internal system can be controlled either hard-wired or wireless using the THC hand controllers or an iPad app readily available. The THC includes an onboard battery mount for Sony’s Info-Lithium rechargeable, as well as a Mico-SD card slot for easy firmware uploads, and convenient capture of the user’s specific parameters.

TITAN is priced at $55,000 US and can be ordered with either C mount or the new Meduza mount for the Meduza matched pair prime lens series (Delta 4KS3D). Pre-order customers can expect delivery of the TITAN in July/August.