Mo-Sys, the world leader in precision camera tracking solutions for virtual studios and augmented reality, launched a new generation of gyro-stabilised remote head, the G30. Its radical new design, with a compact, 45-degree frame, allows it to support virtually any broadcast or digital cinematography camera rig for precise movement and stabilisation.

“In our conversations with the production community, we know that there is a real need for excellent stabilisation and precision camera positioning without the expense and limitations of device-specific and proprietary mounts,” said Michael Geissler, CEO of Mo-Sys. “Whether it is on a vehicle, a remote mount or a crane, producers, and directors want to be unrestricted creatively, with a device that is quick to set up and balance, and will accept whatever camera and accessories they need.”

The G30’s 45˚ frame geometry provides easy access to all the camera connections and accessories, making it simple to install any type of camera quickly and securely. The short, stiff frame provides rigidity for rigs of up to 30kg, and high torque direct drive motors deliver crisp, precise camera movement alongside excellent stabilisation. Open hubs for the three drive motors mean cable routing is clear and tidy and avoids the need for sliprings and camera-specific cables.

The unique frame design eliminates a serious limitation with some existing gyro head designs: the issue of gimbal lock, where pan axis movement – including stabilisation – is impossible when the camera is pointing directly down. The G30 has impressive pan and tilt movement ranges, along with ±45˚ roll, suitable for most creative productions. Axis encoders are built into each motor assembly for direct input into virtual production systems.

Launch customer for the G30 is Thoroughbred Racing Productions, based in Melbourne, Australia. It provides comprehensive coverage of more than 525 race meetings a year, including a camera car tracking each race. That car has used an earlier Mo-Sys stabilization gimbal, and TRP has now used the G30 for several months.

“We took the G30 out of the box, put it on our mount and turned it on,” said Charles Cole, technical operations manager at TRP. “The stabilisation of our picture is significantly better than anything we had seen before – the results have been very, very good.”

Cole pointed to the excellent stabilization of shots from a fast-moving car, including the effective reduction of low-frequency disturbances due to potholes on the course-side track. He also praised the simplicity of set-up, particularly as different courses require different zoom settings and therefore different rates of panning to track the action smoothly.

The controlling software of the G30 includes the ability to fine-tune the balance of the camera quickly and largely automatically, significantly reducing the set-up time. The rigid frame design and semi-automated balance system ensure that any camera rig up to 30kg can be installed without counterweights and be ready for use very quickly. Users can store presets for frequently used camera combinations to speed set-up even more.