Have you ever looked up in the sky, seen a drone flying past, and wondered what it was up to? Soon with Remote ID, there will be a simple way to find out.  So What is Remote ID? It should come as no surprise that as drone technology continues to become more powerful and more popular, governments and industries would want to have a more detailed picture of what is moving in the airspace around them. DJI has previously developed AeroScope, an infrastructure solution that scans for controller-to-drone connections. Aeroscope is important, but requires custom hardware and is generally intended for prisons, airports, and the like. So ASTM, a global forum that helps develop standards, stepped in to help broaden the toolkit. They worked with companies and governments for the past 18 months, and the new standard is in. The answer is “Drone-to-Phone” communication. DJI demonstrated it at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Drone Enable conference. Mavic Mini – Image credit: cinema5D How does it work? Remote ID runs off of Wi-Fi Aware, a protocol that allows devices to exchange limited information over wifi, without having to first form a secure two-way connection. Your phone can discover an object and request simple information from it directly. This can be used to send documents to printers, play mobile games together, or now identify drones like the DJI Mavic Mini or Mavic 2 Pro. Before you start to worry, drone owners, there is no new hardware. This utilizes the same wifi connection your drone already uses to communicate with its controller. There’s no need for towers, no need for cell signal or GPS, no hardware upgrades, and so no major imposition on you. While there is a myriad of communication technologies today that could have been put into play, ASTM decided to keep it real simple. That’s a bonus for operators, but also for developing countries and remote areas with limited infrastructure. The drone does all the talking, without the help of anyone or anything else, up to about 1km. It’s too early to know whether this will have a meaningful impact on battery life or flight time. When? There is no download link at the end of this article because the firmware updates don’t exist yet. Neither does an app that can detect and report on nearby drones. DJI successfully demonstrated that the technology works, but they are holding back on public release “pending further direction from aviation regulators and final publication of the ASTM International standard.” But the FAA in America has made it very clear that this is a need, and has encouraged development and adoption as it finalizes its rules over the next year or so. So keep your eyes peeled – this update is coming sooner rather than later. What do you think of this update? Let us know in the comments underneath the article.

Sometimes good things happen in a wink, much too fast for normal cameras. Well, the Vision Research Phantom v2640 isn’t such an ordinary camera: it shoots 11,750 fps in FullHD. No further questions, Your Honour. With 11,750 fps at Full HD and 6,600 fps at its native 2048×1952 resolution, the all-new Vision Research Phantom v2640 camera is claiming the throne of high resolution, high-speed capturing. The Phantom v2640 11,750 four-megapixel frames per second. That’s a lot of data to crunch! Because your average CFast card just wouldn’t be able to keep up, the Phantom v2640 requires its own proprietary solution which comes with a trade-off: the ultra-fast internal 288GB RAM storage can only hold a relatively short sequence due to the massive amount of data coming in. FullHD 12Bit video @ 11,750 fps will eat up these 288GB in just 7,9 seconds. After that, you’ll need to download the data to a downstream computer using a 10 Gbit ethernet connection on the back of the camera, a process that takes about 9 minutes. Check out the video below for a quick demonstration of the Phantom: The camera can achieve even faster frame rates by reducing the resultion. 14.740 fps at 1.024 x 976, 19.690 fps at 1.792 x 720 and even 28.760 fps at 640×480. A strange 1.792 x 8 resolution is also available, which one can only guess is for scientific use. With it, you can record a whooping 303.460 fps. You can also connect an external 1TB or 2TB CineMag IV to the Phantom v2640. These extra Terabytes enable longer shooting times but decrease the possible frame rates significantly, as they can only handle only 1 gigapixel per second, while the internal RAM crunches 26 Gp/s straight from the custom 4-megapixel CMOS sensor! It’s a bit like a magic triangle, actually. Speed (fps), resolution and recording time. You can’t tick all the boxes, so making sacrifices is a must: Reduce the resolution and get more frames per second. Using external 1TB or 2TB CineMags get you more recording time but you will lose speed (fps). Big time. Maxing out the resolution will decrease both,  speed and recording time. You have to choose what’s the perfect compromise for your given shot. Further Specifications The Phanotm v2640 can be operated in two modes: color or monochrome. In color mode the camera is rated at 3,200 ISO, while the monochrome mode transforms into a 16,000 ISO beast. Again, this mode may prove more suitable for scientific work. The camera sports an electronic global shutter with a claimed dynamic range of 64 dB. The Phantom v2640 comes with a Nikon lens mount. An optional Canon EF mount, C-mount or PL-mount is also available. The unit itself weighs 17 lbs, 8 oz. (8.1 Kg) and comes with an 120V/240V 280W external power supply. No word on pricing or availability, yet. Maybe the missing quotation isn’t so bad, because the Phantom v2640 will be expensive, there’s no doubt about it! Links: data sheet (PDF) | product website What do you think of this high-speed monster? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Vision Research has recently introduced a new Phantom VEO 4K-PL, which like its older brother Phantom Flex 4K, can shoot up to 1000fps at full 4K DCI resolution, but in a smaller and more compact body. What is the Phantom VEO line? They say that when you touch a Phantom camera you go straight to heaven. At least that’s how I feel. Vision Research is a company that started out with high-speed cameras for military testing and analysing car-crash impacts, only to later turn its eye to the film industry with its revolutionary tech. In 2014, Vision Research introduced the mind-blowing Phantom Flex 4K camera, capable of 1000 frames-per-second at full 4K DCI resolution, in what many would consider the best quality 4K RAW compared to RED and even ARRI. Last year, Vision Research introduced the VEO line, a more compact version of their film industry cameras that continue the trend set by the ARRI Mini and RED – that smaller is better. Less weight and a more compact design mean more possibilities, such as the use of stabilisation platforms and even UAV. In comparison, the Phantom Flex 4K body weighs an incredible 5kg without ANYTHING on it. Add a lens, follow focus, rods, viewfinder, batteries, monitor and you can easily accumulate a weight that not many gimbals can handle. Phantom VEO4K-PL VEO4K‐PL is available with either 36 GB or 72 GB of RAM, and includes SDI and HDMI video outputs, as well as a PL mount and OLPF with the black housing. Otherwise, there are two performance levels. The 590S and L models go 500 fps at 4K, with the 4K-PL going all the way up to 1000 fps. Previous VEO models were inferior in terms of image quality compared to their bigger cousins. However, the frame rate and overall image specs on the PL model is currently the same as the Flex4K‐GS.  Supported Video formats and Anamorphic De-Squeeze 720P, 1080i, 1080p and 1080psf formats are all available up to 60 Hz. There is no 4K video from the camera body. The VEO4K also does NOT support dual‐HDSDI. All video outputs are identical. Currently, anamorphic de-squeeze is not supported, but will be available at certain resolutions in future firmware updates. Limitations compared to Phantom Flex 4K The big difference is CineMag support – a medium much faster than CFast. As with other VEO-S models, CFast has the limitation of having to write to RAM first and then transfer to flash. There is no Run/Stop mode, and neither is there ANY video playback from CFast, as this only works from the RAM. There is currently also NO support for ProRes. Other differences are the 4K video outputs, slightly lower RAM and integrated power outputs for camera accessories. Tip before you spend your money: 10Gb Ethernet The VEO currently does NOT have 10GB Ethernet. The CineRaw files are saved onto CFast cards, which only have a download rate of 90MB/s. Every DIT that has worked with CineRAW files knows that this is what will kill production workflow. With datarates well exceeding 800mb/s, you will fill up 64GB with a 5 second shot at 1000fps.  Vision Research do give you the option to include 10GB Ethernet called “VRI‐VEO‐10G‐OPT” to your camera order. They will be offering a promotion that includes the 10G option for free for orders received up to December 15th 2017, after which the price will go up to $3000. Even with the promotion, be sure to add the line item to the quote at 0$ to ensure it is installed in the factory. Technical Specs 35mm 9.4-megapixel sensor Global shutter, switchable to rolling shutter for increased dynamic range 4K-990 models capture up to 938 fps at 4096 x 2304; 1000 fps at 4096 x 2160; 1975 fps at 2048 x 1080 10Gb Ethernet option for optimized workflow Size: 5 x 5.5 x 6” (12.7 x 14 x 15.2 cm); 6.0 lbs (2.8 kg) HDMI and 3G-SDI video outputs VEO4K-S and PL models include CFast, on-camera controls and secondary battery input for portability Pricing and Shipment The price is currently situated around the $60,000-and-above mark. Shipments are expected to begin 4‐6 weeks from today, however some shipments will be possible before the end of September. What do you think of the new Phantom VEO4K camera? Do you believe its smaller compact size can be used in more shooting environments? Please let us know in the comments below.

Vision Research has just introduced its newest flagship model, the Phantom VEO 4K PL, as well as the Phantom VEO 590S and VEO590L. How do these newly-introduced cameras compare to other models? Will the camera break my bank? We have the answers for you below. What is the Phantom VEO line? They say that when you touch a Phantom camera you go straight to heaven. At least that’s how I feel. Vision Research is a company that started out with high-speed cameras for military testing and analysing car-crash impacts, only to later turn its eye to the film industry with its revolutionary tech. In 2014, Vision Research introduced the mind-blowing Phantom Flex 4K camera, capable of 1000 frames-per-second at full 4K DCI resolution, in what many would consider the best quality 4K RAW compared to RED and even ARRI. Last year, Vision Research introduced the VEO line, a more compact version of their film industry cameras that continue the trend set by the ARRI Mini and RED – that smaller is better. Less weight and a more compact design mean more possibilities, such as the use of stabilisation platforms and even UAV. In comparison, the Phantom Flex 4K body weighs an incredible 5kg without ANYTHING on it. Add a lens, follow focus, rods, viewfinder, batteries, monitor and you can easily accumulate a weight that not many gimbals can handle. Phantom VEO4K-PL and Phantom VEO590S and L VEO4K‐PL is available with either 36 GB or 72 GB of RAM, and includes SDI and HDMI video outputs, as well as a PL mount and OLPF with the black housing. Otherwise, there are two performance levels. The 590S and L models go 500 fps at 4K, with the 4K-PL going all the way up to 1000 fps. Previous VEO models were inferior in terms of image quality compared to their bigger cousins. However, the frame rate and overall image specs on the 590 and PL models are currently the same as the Flex4K‐GS.  There is no remarkable physical difference between the two models. The back of the cameras are identical, however the front housing of the VEO 4K-PL is slightly longer and uses a larger V‐ series lens mount in order to accommodate the 4K sensor. The Canon mount is the same as that on the Flex4K, with the addition of a small plug adapter. A new C‐mount was designed to accommodate this camera as the VEO4K is not compatible with our other C‐mounts. Supported Video formats and Anamorphic De-Squeeze 720P, 1080i, 1080p and 1080psf formats are all available up to 60 Hz. There is no 4K video from the camera body. The VEO4K also does NOT support dual‐HDSDI. All video outputs are identical. Currently, anamorphic de-squeeze is not supported, but will be available at certain resolutions in future firmware updates. Limitations compared to Phantom Flex 4K The big difference is CineMag support – a medium much faster than CFast. As with other VEO-S models, CFast has the limitation of having to write to RAM first and then transfer to flash. There is no Run/Stop mode, and neither is there ANY video playback from CFast, as this only works from the RAM. There is currently also NO support for ProRes. Other differences are the 4K video outputs, slightly lower RAM and integrated power outputs for camera accessories. Tip before you spend your money: 10Gb Ethernet The VEO currently does NOT have 10GB Ethernet. The CineRaw files are saved onto CFast cards, which only have a download rate of 90MB/s. Every DIT that has worked with CineRAW files knows that this is what will kill production workflow. With datarates well exceeding 800mb/s, you will fill up 64GB with a 5 second shot at 1000fps.  Vision Research do give you the option to include 10GB Ethernet called “VRI‐VEO‐10G‐OPT” to your camera order. They will be offering a promotion that includes the 10G option for free for orders received up to December 15th 2017, after which the price will go up to $3000. Even with the promotion, be sure to add the line item to the quote at 0$ to ensure it is installed in the factory. Technical Specs 35mm 9.4-megapixel sensor Global shutter, switchable to rolling shutter for increased dynamic range 4K-990 models capture up to 938 fps at 4096 x 2304; 1000 fps at 4096 x 2160; 1975 fps at 2048 x 1080 10Gb Ethernet option for optimized workflow Size: 5 x 5.5 x 6” (12.7 x 14 x 15.2 cm); 6.0 lbs (2.8 kg) HDMI and 3G-SDI video outputs VEO4K-S and PL models include CFast, on-camera controls and secondary battery input for portability Pricing and Shipment The price is currently situated around the $60,000-and-above mark. Shipments are expected to begin 4‐6 weeks from today, however some shipments will be possible before the end of September. What do you think of the new Phantom VEO4K camera? Do you believe its smaller compact size can be used in more shooting environments? Please let us know in the comments below.

DJI has announced a few updates to some of the drones in its prosumer tier, including the DJI Mavic Pro Platinum. DJI has made a number of small announcements at the IFA 2017 consumer electronics exhibition in Berlin, all of which revolve around lower three tiers in their line-up of drones. DJI Mavic Pro Platinum Perhaps the most significant of these announcements the new premium version of their popular entry-level compact drone. The DJI Mavic Pro Platinum features a couple of nice improvements over the standard Mavic Pro, the first of which is an 11% boost in battery life, bringing up to 30 mins. This premium version of the Mavic also features new speed controllers which, in addition to the new 8331 propellers, contribute to up to 60% noise power reduction of up to 4db. This noise reduction will work across all of the Mavic’s flight modes, and the new propellers will also be compatible with the regular version of the Mavic Pro. This new version features a platinum-coloured shell, and will go for $1,099, or $100 over the standard Mavic Pro. Pre-ordering is available from the links below. DJI Spark’s Sphere Mode and DJI Phantom Pro Obsidian The tiny DJI Spark also got a new feature. The new Sphere Mode is a variation of the Photo Panoramic mode that allows users to take a fisheye panoramic image. This new function, which adds to the various improvements that the Spark received recently, requires updating the DJI GO 4 app as well as the drone’s firmware itself. DJI Phantom 4 Pro Obsidian Finally, the Phantom 4 Pro drone gets a sleek new paint job. The DJI Phantom 4 Pro Obsidian comes in a matte-grey magnesium finish that is electroplated and anti-fingerprint, and requires a higher standard of manufacturing technique according to the manufacturer. The Obsidian edition offers no technical improvements over the regular model, but if looks are important to you, then you now have another option. Looking to buy a Mavic Pro? Do the new features of the Platinum version justify the slight price bump? Let us know your opinion in the comments!

This may be old news, but you’ve got to admit that the drone sweater is a timeless gem. Some people color or paint their drones. And if you are looking to give your drone that personal touch too, why not go for a sweater by San Francisco-based artist Danielle Baskin? IBC, one of the largest technology and media shows, is only 3 weeks away. Understandably, the camera news world has fallen quiet as many companies are holding back with their announcements of new filmmaking gear. We expect a lot of announcements – also by drone manufacturers, by the way – and we will give you full coverage, right here on cinema5D. To kill some time in the meantime, I took a stroll around the web and came across the drone sweater that many of you might not yet be familiar with. “Is this legitimate?”, you might ask. When reached for comment, Danielle Baskin, the artist behind the drone sweater, told The Verge: “It started as a joke / art piece, but actually drone-owners in cold climates have told me that their drones have problems with their battery life during the winter. I was thinking that I should add pockets to the sweaters that can hold portable heaters or make the sweater electric so it keeps the drone at a warmer temperature, and actually this would be useful, if not just for novelty.” She also pointed out that some people are afraid of drones and a sweater might make a drone look less “cold” to them in the other sense of the word. Drone Sweater on what looks like a DJI Phantom 2 This may be a joke and make no sense to anyone who understand physics, given that a drone sweater will not keep their batteries warm at all. Regardless, this might actually be the perfect birthday present for that drone geek friend of yours. Granted, at $189 it is not a particularly affordable piece of unnecessary drone gear. But for some, it might just give them joy every time they fly. You can get a drone sweater at dronesweaters.com via The Verge  

EDIT: DJI Spark drone was launched. Read all about it here: LINK On May 24th, DJI will hold a VIP event in New York releasing a new mini drone. With a brand-new promotional video out and about, it is for certain that we will see something along the lines of a DJI Mavic “mini-me”. DJI have been keeping the pressure on in the drone market. After a tumultuous start, GoPro are back on sale with GoPro Karma, so the market for “put your drone in a backpack and off you go” is becoming more populated with a huge audience on the other end. With the recent release of the DJI Phantom 4 Advanced at NAB just a few weeks ago, they obviously had a top secret plan up their sleeves to woe us all. Have a look at their promotional video below and gaze in awe how a drone can fly easily through canyons and through a library. As the saying goes “size doesn’t matter”, and the new mini drone – called “DJI Spark” according to several rumor sites – will surely live up to that. Based on what we have learned, this drone will be the mini-me counterpart to DJI Mavic. One of the titles that come up in their promotional video stood out of all of them. The word “Size” transforms into “Seize” and continues into “seize the moment”. “S(e)ize the moment” – May 24th Promotional Video Based on the video DJI have released, the new mini drone seems to fit in a small backpack or purse. It therefore must be an incredibly small drone that can fly through caves, canyons, poles and even indoors through a stack of books in a library. Screenshot of DJI Spark promotional video, showcasing its size when flying through a stack of books in a library Having seen the library shot, I would suspect it to still be fuelled with incredible features that we all know and have come to appreciate from DJI drone products. Coupled with DJI Goggles, this drone will surely create a new field of possibilities for DJI lovers. The DJI event will take place on May 24th 2017. cinema5D has been invited and will keep you up-to-date as we learn more about the new release. Stay tuned. DJI Firmware Update Alert In other news, it seems that unfortunately DJI is forcing a firmware upgrade on their users. DJI will soon introduce a new application activation process for international customers. This new step, to take effect at the end of next week, ensures you will use the correct set of geospatial information and flight functions for your aircraft, as determined by your geographical location and user profile. If this activation process is not performed, the aircraft will not have access to the correct geospatial information and flight functions for that region, and its operations will be restricted if you update the upcoming firmware: Live camera streaming will be disabled, and flight will be limited to a 50-meter (164-foot) radius up to 30 meters (98 feet) high.

At NAB we took a closer look at the new Sound Devices MixPre-3 and MixPre-6 audio recorders that double as a usb-interface and bring pro audio to DSLR shooters. The MixPre Series in fact is Sound Devices’ first foray into the DSLR market. Small camera manufacturers tend to treat audio as a bit of an afterthought, but the MixPre promises to solve that with 8 tracks, WAV Poly format recording, high-quality preamps and a maximum sampling rate of 192kHz (MixPre-6). All the details and a full spec comparison below. Sound Devices MixPre Audio Recorders We originally reported on this announcement just before NAB, but thought we would visit the folks over at the Sound Devices booth to take a closer look at their new MixPre Series. Sound Devices MixPre-6 Audio Recorder Designed with small cameras such as the Panasonic GH5 or Sony a7S II in mind, both the Sound Devices MixPre-3 and Sound Devices MixPre-6 have Class-A mic preamps created by Sound Devices engineers. You can also feed timecode using the 3.5mm Aux/Mic in port, making it useful for professional productions where multiple cameras are in play. Here is the intro video to the Sound Devices MixPre series: The Sound Devices MixPre-6 is the larger of the two and features 6 inputs/8 tracks that can record to SD, SDHC or SDXC cards in WAV Poly. The base model (MixPre-3) has 3 inputs/5 tracks and a maximum sampling rate of 96kHZ, versus 192kHz for the larger model. You can power the Sound Devices MixPre series audio recorders a variety of ways: directly from a wall, AAs, via USB, or via a Sony L-Series lithium ion battery. Both models can accept a sled for either 4 or 8 AAs (not included), giving you numerous options when it comes to powering the devices. Below is a full comparison chat from Sound Devices that lays out all of the features in the Sound Devices MixPre-6 and Sound Devices MixPre-3: What do you think? Will the MixPre Series find its way into your kit for your next DSLR production? Let us know below!