ALEXA M Cameras Outfit Omnicam 7K x 2K Panorama
Posted on May 28, 2012 by Alex Fice
The Omnicom with six Arri M Cameras to capture footage in ultra-high resolution.
The Omnicam, a new panoramic camera system developed by the FascinatE Consortium (Format-Agnostic SCript-based INterAcTive Experience), uses six ARRI ALEXA M cameras to capture footage in ultra-high resolution. Over the weekend May 26th and 27th, the Omnicam was used at Arena Hall Berlin to record a dance performance of the Carmen Suite by the Berlin Philharmonic. This prototype system allows users to interactively view and navigate the video panorama of the live event – no matter what display device they are using. Meanwhile, synced audio automatically adjusts to match the selected view.
For Johannes Steurer, Principal Engineer at ARRI, this was an opportunity to explore a novel approach to visual language and technology. “The project is about immersive viewing conditions. As a visitor to a live performance of more than 200 dancers you can see the full panorama and at the same time focus on any individual dancer at will. We bring this experience forward to electronic imaging in public and home viewing environments. The full 7k by 2k video panorama and novel approaches of user interaction make it possible.”
Earlier configurations of the Omnicam used smaller HD cameras due to sizing concerns. However, image quality including attributes like noise level and colour reproduction was problematic. A high dynamic range camera with a better image quality was required. At that time the ALEXA was just coming to the market, but it was considered too large and too heavy. Says Steurer : “The ALEXA M was born out of this project. We decided to separate the sensor head from the body and connect both components by optical fibre cables. That way we reduce the size and weight of the camera head and we can still offer the same well-known image quality.”
The array of six ALEXA M cameras is rigged with mirrors for the panoramic camera and 24mm Ultra Prime lenses for each head to create a total 180-degree viewing angle. Weighing well under 7 pounds (3 kg), the M’s compact front end with multiple mounting points and versatile maneuverability made it ideal for the Omnicam. The option of having distance between the head and body allows full control without interference of the performance. In this case the distance between the Omnicam and the video control room is 100m, easily spanned by the optical fibre connection.
