23 Jan
2021

Sorry my mistake…This is a ATEM Mini Pro which is still one better than the original one I bought. It has not been registered with Black Magic.
A friend of mine is selling this brand new ATEM Mini Pro for £410 to include postage. It’s selling at £594 new from various retailers. This is indeed a bargain.
It was bought for an event just before the March lockdown 2020 and has never been used.
Interested in buying it email me at hdwarrior@me.com and I will put you in touch with the seller.
Introducing low cost, multi camera, live production with advanced broadcast features.
This model includes all the features found in ATEM Mini, plus more! You get recording direct to USB flash disks in H.264 plus direct streaming via the Ethernet to YouTube Live and more. There’s also a multiview with 4 cameras, media, preview and program plus status of recording, streaming and audio.
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/uk/products/atemmini
For all your video production needs in Scotland, get in touch with Small Video Productions
13 Jan
2021
Sony Airpeak Drone announced
Categories: Miscellaneous No Comments

Very interesting that Sony have chosen to enter this field and I will assume this is an expensive option. Not for the faint hearted, this is a truly professional drone that will require a pilots licence to use.
The DJI Inspire retails just over £3000 so I don’t think you will get much change from the Sony drone when it becomes commercially available.
The drone market has been massively dominated by DJI in recent years. Now it seems that Japanese camera giant Sony wants to enter this market and secure market share for itself. Back in November 2020, Sony teased the new drone project with a mysterious Youtube video. Today, during the virtual CES2021 show, Sony finally officially announced the drone and revealed more details about it. Let’s take a look at the Sony Airpeak.
For further reading why not go to Cine D at https://www.cined.com/sony-airpeak-drone-unveiled-carries-sony-alpha-cameras/
For all your video production needs in Scotland, get in touch with Small Video Productions
16 Dec
2020

Well my opinion on this is well done Tom, someone who has the clout to make people sit up and listen.
It all depends which camp you reside, if you are older like me and Tom we have certain ideas and protocols that younger crew members do not adhere too.
Its a simple fact of this pandemic if it does not affect the younger population they are less likely to adhere to the same strict rules as the older population.
I have a good friend who recently gave up a good job in a big BBC drama due to that very reason. Very few people were adhering to the rules and was causing him too much stress.

There is no doubt about it filming on set can be daunting as I know from my days at Edradour in 2015. I can’t imaging doing this with 2m social distancing let alone toilet facilities.
To put things in perspective I have crohn’s disease which is treated with immunosuppressants and puts me at high risk.
Sadly until we are all vaccinated COVID-19 will haunt all filming and work ethics. Personally I am not taking on any paid work till I have been vaccinated and have done so since March 2020.
I have not hugged or kissed my grandchildren since February except at a social distance outside and this really hurts but as a family we have chosen to keep it this way and will do till my wife and I are vaccinated. A Christmas blowout is not on the cards except we will have my mother for Christmas dinner as she is in our immediate bubble.
For all your video production needs in Scotland, get in touch with Small Video Productions
07 Dec
2020

A great insight into filming one of the most prestigious TV series now showing on Netflix called the Crown (Series 3) based on the Royal Family.
For all your video production needs in Scotland, get in touch with Small Video Productions
17 Nov
2020
Sony FX6 is £5994
Categories: Miscellaneous 3 Comments

Dont ask me why there was a secret on this camcorders price. Very few of us are working because of this pandemic so there is not a lot of spare cash going around.
Today we finally got the official price of the new Full Frame Sony FX6 at a reasonable price of £5994 incl. vat.
Sony FX6 ILME-FX6 – Full-Frame Cinema Line Camera. The Sony FX6 provides cinematic expression to professional filmmakers and freelancers of tomorrow. With a light and modular body, it seamlessly adapts to your style of shooting without compromising on video quality. It records outstanding 4K full frame quality at up to 120p with minimal rolling shutter, excellent low light capabilities (up to 409,800 ISO) and a wide dynamic range thanks to its 10.2 MP Exmor R CMOS sensor and new Bionz XR processor. It allows for more shooting expressions with the inclusion of S-LOG3 and S-CINETONE picture profiles defining a new era of Cinema line cameras from Sony. The Sony FX6 also provides more freedom for shooting videos with a fast and accurate Autofocus technology including Real-time Eye Autofocus, Real-time touch tracking and customisable autofocus tracking sensitivity. It also includes a unique Variable ND filter to maintain a cinematic look and changing lighting environments for more creative expressions.
The FX6 takes both SDXC cards and CF Express Type A cards Alister Chapman advises users to only use Sony cards…
Alister Chapman : Use the cards Sony recommends. You are playing with fire trying to get away with other cards. The big risks are A : Losing footage and B: Ending up with no media as the capacity has gone to zero.
Tech Specs…
- 4K 10.2 megapixel full-frame back-illuminated CMOS Exmor R™ sensor , 15+ stop dynamic range, ISO expandable to 409,600 for low light conditions
- 627 points phase-detection AF, Real-time Eye AF
- 4K (QFHD) high-frame-rate 120fps recording
- XAVC-I 4:2:2 10-bit class 300 internal recording, DCI 4K/QFHD 16bit RAW output with 12G-SDI
- BIONZ XR™ image processing engine optimised for mobile movie shooting style
- S-Log3/S-Gamut3, S-Gamut3.Cine for post production flexibility
- Built-in electronic Variable ND Filter controlled from 1/4ND to 1/128ND linearly, or set to auto
- Magnesium body and frame for high durability with light weight
- The Sony Cinematic Look: Full-frame 4K recording at up to 120p with S-CINETONE picture profile
- Outstanding 4K Expression: 4K 120p, 10-bit 4:2:2 recording, up to 15+ stops dynamic range, Variable ND filter, LUTs input
- Fast, Precise and Customisable Autofocus System: Fast Hybrid AutoFocus , Real-time Eye AF, Touch tracking Autofocus, Customisable Autofocus sensitivy,
- Designed for Professional Workflow: 890g compact and light weight modular body gives you outstanding mobility, reliability and expandability
- High Connectivity: 16bit RAW output, 12G SDI, HDMI, USB-C, WiFi, LANC, 2x XLR, Mi-Shoe, E mount
Our good friends over at Cine D have done a great 1st review of The Sony FX6
A wee look at Philip Blooms take on the new Sony FX6
For all your video production needs in Scotland, get in touch with Small Video Productions
07 Nov
2020

You might imagine this is a particularly inept cameraman, only to find out that – in fact – the camera is operated by artificial intelligence, programmed to track the ball automatically. The reason it keeps making mistakes? It keeps picking up the bald linesman on the touchline instead.
Fans of Scottish football team Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC experienced a new hilarious technological glitch during a match last weekend, but in all honesty, you’d be hard-pressed to say it didn’t improve the viewing experience dramatically.
The club announced a few weeks ago it was moving from using human camera operators to cameras controlled by AI. The club proudly announced at the time the new “Pixellot system uses cameras with in-built, AI, ball-tracking technology” and would be used to capture HD footage of all home matches at Caledonian Stadium, which would be broadcast directly to season-ticket holders’ homes.
For all your video production needs in Scotland, get in touch with Small Video Productions
04 Nov
2020
Panasonic BGH1…Why ?
Categories: Miscellaneous 1 Comment

I did think this was a complete waste of time when I first saw this camera, especially with no LCD or VF.
After watching the video produced by ExtraShot it has some interesting features.
I have to put my cards on the table and tell you that I deliberately sold my GH5S to upgrade to a Panasonic X2000 because the DSLR or mirrorless cameras are not made with fast moving sport in mind.
For all your video production needs in Scotland, get in touch with Small Video Productions
13 Oct
2020
NEW…The Panasonic BGH1 £1900
Categories: Miscellaneous 1 Comment

Panasonic has announced a new Micro Four Thirds video camera, the Lumix DC-BGH1. This box-style camera is built around a 10.2MP Live MOS sensor. Based on specs, the BGH1 might appear to be essentially a Panasonic GH5S minus the screen and controls, and to some degree, it is.
The aluminum and magnesium alloy body is relatively small, at 93mm per side and 78mm deep (3.66 x 3.07 inches). Notably, the camera lacks both a viewfinder and a screen but includes eleven 1/4″-20 sockets for mounting accessories or a tripod. An integrated fan and internal heat dispersion system allow for unlimited record times, and a hot shoe mount on top of the camera can be used to mount a microphone or Panasonic’s DMW-XLR1 XLR adapter.
Camera controls include a dial with a four-way controller on top, several dedicated function buttons and three custom function buttons.
The BGH1 also has very different ports than your typical Micro Four Thirds camera. For example, there’s an ethernet port that can utilize Power over Ethernet+ to power the camera over ethernet in addition to transmitting video signal and camera control.

For all your video production needs in Scotland, get in touch with Small Video Productions
13 Oct
2020
NEW…Sachter aktiv tripod
Categories: Miscellaneous 1 Comment

Sachtler‘s unique SpeedLevel™ and SpeedSwap™ technologies deliver the fastest way to place and position your camera; adjust the level in an instant without ever taking your eye off the action; get closer to the ground than ever before for extreme low angle shots or swap between a tripod, slider, jib or even hand held without missing a beat. Capture the widest range of shots in the shortest time with aktiv.

Prices start at system aktiv6 flowtech75 MS $2,650 USD which includes the flowtech 75 tripod.
Here is a video produced by Carl from ProAV
For all your video production needs in Scotland, get in touch with Small Video Productions
24 Sep
2020
NEW EOS Canon C70…£4,799
Categories: Miscellaneous 1 Comment

Just announced the new Canon C7. The EOS C70 is a new generation RF Mount Cinema EOS System camera featuring Canon’s 4K Super 35mm DGO sensor. With 4K 120P Slow Motion, High Dynamic Range and Dual Pixel CMOS AF in a compact body, it takes the RF System into a brand new era.

The EOS C70 features a Super35 sensor using Canon’s next-generation Dual Gain Output (DGO) technology. The DGO sensor reads each pixel at two different gain levels, with one prioritizing saturation and highlight protection and the other suppressing noise in the shadows.
When combined, Canon claims the camera can deliver 16+ stops of dynamic range at up to DCI 4K/60p or 2K/120p (using a Super16 crop). It can also capture 4K/120p and 2K/180p without extended dynamic range. Recording choices include both All-I and intra-frame options using Canon’s XF-AVC or MP4 (H.265) codecs.
А роwеrful 4К Ѕuреr 35mm DGО Ѕеnѕоr
Ніgh Dуnаmіс Rаngе wіth 16+ ѕtорѕ
Іntеllіgеnt DІGІС DV 7 Рrосеѕѕоr
Ѕuреr-hіgh frаmе rаtе rесоrdіng uр tо 4К 120fрѕ
Саnоn’ѕ fіrѕt RF mоunt сіnеmа ЕОЅ саmеrа
А Duаl ЅD саrd ѕуѕtеm fоr ѕіmultаnеоuѕ rесоrdіng
Аlѕо саtеrѕ tо rесоrdіng іn multірlе fоrmаtѕ
Аn іmрrоvеd Duаl-Ріхеl СМОЅ АF
іТR АF Х (Іntеllіgеnt trасkіng & rесоgnіtіоn)
Рrоfеѕѕіоnаl аnd vеrѕаtіlе І/О tеrmіnаlѕ
4К ХF-АVС (4:2:2 10-bіt) rесоrdіng uр tо 410Мbрѕ
Ѕuрроrtѕ АLL-І аnd Lоng GОР fоrmаtѕ
4К МР4 (4:2:2 10-bіt) rесоrdіng uр tо 225Мbрѕ
Ѕuрроrtѕ Lоng GОР fоrmаt аnd НЕVС
Рrе-Rес./Ѕіmultаnеоuѕ Rес./Rеlау Rес./Міхеd Соdес Rесоrdіng
НDR rесоrdіng ѕuрроrt іn bоth ЅМРТЕ ЅТ 2084 аnd ІТU-R ВТ.2100 (РQ/НLG)
Іntuіtіvе Тоuсhѕсrееn Ореrаtіоn
Ѕіtѕ іn bеtwееn Саnоn’ѕ С100 МК ІІ аnd С300 саmеrаѕ
Соmраtіblе wіth ѕераrаtеlу ѕоld ЕF-ЕОЅ R 0.71х mоunt аdарtеr
For all your video production needs in Scotland, get in touch with Small Video Productions