The e-Crane is designed with rigidity at its core, to deliver reliable, accurate tracking for Virtual Production in studio environments.
With the absolute encoding technology, the e-Crane always knows its location. It remembers its position, even when it is switched off and back on again. There is no need for re-calibration and constant re-homing. In addition to pan and tilt axis of head and crane, the e-Crane can be used in conjunction with StarTracker for free movement of the crane around in the studio.
An intuitive console and joystick is clamped to the rear of the crane, which makes it easy to control for a single operator. The head controlling joystick can either be of displacement or micro force type. Zoom and focus of Servo ENG lenses can also be controlled from the rear of the crane.. The e-Crane interfaces to most major virtual set software, including Mo-Sys VP Pro, Vizrt, Brainstorm, Orad, Ross, Wasp and MoStudio.
The e-Crane comes with an L20 remote head, for quiet, zero backlash operation - supporting payloads up to 20kg.
Working with virtual studios has different requirements when it comes to cranes. Rigidity is vital because any elasticity in the arm is enough to create a visible difference between the movement of the real and the virtual world, creating a “floating” effect. Its sturdy build makes the e-Crane the best solution on the market for close-up augmented graphics, seen in applications such as touch analysis tables in sports broadcasting.
| Payload | 20kg (44 lbs) |
| Weight | 40kg (88lbs) excluding counter weights |
| Length | 2.5m (8.6 ft) |
| Column Height | 0.5m-2m (1.6 ft-6.4 ft) |
| Maximum System Ethernet Length | 100m (328 ft) (operating distance) |
| VR Encoder Resolution | > 2 million counts per revolution |
| Power | 15-30V (24V nom) 6A (nom) 20A peak |
| Mains With PSU | 110V-240V |
| Head Pan/Tilt Speed | 360°/sec |
| Crane Tilt Range | 45 degrees (depending on mounting restriction) |
| Crane Pan Range | ±720° (limited by cable twist) |
| Max operating distance with optical fibre bridge | 20km (no upper limit with repeaters) |
| Pan/Tilt Control Options | Double-joystick for jib and head |
| Lens Control | Compatible with servo ENG lenses |
The Mo-Sys bus cable with Lemo interface combines power and data in one cable for a tidy solution on set. Simply put the devices in a daisy chain, power up on one end and terminate the other.
The world’s best-selling 'absolute' camera tracking solution for broadcast, cinematic and Virtual Production
The e-Crane's L20 remote head supports payloads of up to 20kg while remaining quiet and free of backlash. Combined with its 40kg crane weight (excluding counterweights) and 2.5m length, it's built as a stable broadcast camera system for demanding studio and broadcast robotics setups.
The remote head, mounted on the e-crane, can be operated remotely. However, the crane arm is not motorised, and must therefore be operated locally.
The e-Crane's head delivers pan/tilt speeds of up to 360° per second, with a crane pan range of ±720° (limited by cable twist) and a tilt range of 45 degrees depending on mounting. This combination of speed and range supports the dynamic movement expected of a modern camera crane in live production.
Any elasticity in a crane arm creates a visible "floating" effect between real and virtual elements, which is why rigidity is central to the e-Crane's build as a broadcast robotic crane system. Its sturdy construction makes it well suited to close-up augmented graphics, such as touch analysis tables in sports broadcasting.
The e-Crane interfaces with most major virtual set platforms, including Mo-Sys VP Pro, Vizrt, Brainstorm, Orad, Ross, Wasp, and MoStudio. This makes it a versatile virtual production camera movement system for studios running mixed production pipelines.
The e-Crane is designed for intuitive single-operator control via a console and joystick clamped to the rear of the crane. The joystick can be displacement or micro-force type, and zoom/focus on Servo ENG lenses can also be controlled from the same position.
Yes - beyond pan and tilt of the crane arm, the e-Crane can be paired with a StarTracker for free movement around the studio floor. This makes it a flexible virtual production crane system for productions that need the camera to travel, not just pivot.
As a virtual production tracking crane, the e-Crane uses absolute encoding technology so it always knows its exact location, even after being switched off and on again. This removes the need for re-calibration or re-homing, with a VR encoder resolution of over 2 million counts per revolution.
The e-Crane is an encoded camera crane system designed specifically for virtual production in studio environments, built with rigidity at its core for reliable, accurate tracking. It comes fitted with an L20 remote head supporting payloads up to 20kg for quiet, zero-backlash operation.
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