One of the most popular products to surface at NAB this year wasn’t a camera, lens, or even a light. It was an iPad/Camera interface that will help you take your production workflow to a whole new level. We present to you the Manfrotto Digital Director, winner of the coveted “Innovative Product of the Year” award from Videomaker Magazine.
What is it?
The Digital Director is, at the most basic level, an iPad Air holder that has a powerful mini processor inside. Here are the specifics from Manfrotto:
A dedicated CPU (micro-processor ARM® Cortex®-A8) that together with its dedicated App, provides an interface between iPad and camera, which enables the iPad to understand and control the camera protocols.
– all the key shooting parameters can be controlled starting from different camera protocols
– the video streaming between devices is smooth, consistent and presenting extremely low latency at the same time
– the download of the high quality images into the iPad is very fast
What Does the App Do?
• Remote control of camera parameters
All the DSLR’s key parameters can be monitored and dynamically modified (Exposure, ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture, Manual Focus, WB, Image Quality, Focus/Camera/Drive Modes).
• Remote shooting via ipad retina display
Effective real time “Live View” monitoring through a certified cable connection. This ensures a stable connection between devices. Dynamic histogram and audio level display allows greater control when shooting.
• Interactive focus & focus peaking
Interactive Focus can be used to select the focus point anyway on the screen together with the digital zoom that magnifies the selected focus point. The on screen focus peaking indicator ensure crisp accurate focus.
• Download the images onto the iPad
Check all the details of the image shot by viewing the downloaded high resolution file. All the details of the image, such as focus and exposure can be checked using standard iPad gestures.
• Intuitive image adjustment
Make final adjustment to the image within the same app such as exposure, contrast, light, crop, rotate, check histogram and EXIF information and save the image.
• Simple management of the shoot
Everything under control: from image ratings to “Job” organizing (albums, shoot profiles and connection profiles).
• Content distribution
Multiple ways to share the images: – Direct to FTP
– By E-mail
– On social networks (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) by simply moving the selected images in the iPad camera roll.
While the initial offerings seem like it’s been designed for photography, the possibilities seem almost endless for video, thanks to the fact that Manfrotto is under the same group that includes Teradek, Paralinx, SmallHD, Litepanels, and more. The benefits from this group of awesome companies are sure to be realized sooner than later.
Don’t Worry!
We already checked with Manfrotto. The Digital Director will be compatible with future devices from Apple. The holder will eventually have interchangeable trays for new iPads when they become available.
What do you get in the box?
Here is the run down of what you’re getting:
- Digital Director
- Power Supply
- 4 x International Adapters
- 3.3′ USB Cable
Make sure to check out the Digital Director at Filmtools on June 24th during our Digital Director Day event! Representatives from Manfrotto will be on hand to answer any questions about the product and to go through the features and benefits of this innovative product! Click the picture below to register!
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