Connectors survive reality television

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team May 7, 2002

Polecam, a revolutionary, portable camera and microphone system on a 6m pole, required a reliable connector system.

Polecam, a revolutionary, portable camera and microphone system on a 6m pole, designed to go where cameramen and cranes cannot, is the brainchild of former cameraman, Steffan Hewitt, who knows from experience just how difficult it can be to get close enough to film the best action shots.

Polecam's latest assignment for the high-profile reality programme, Survivor, produced by Planet 24, presented the ultimate challenge for Polecam which uses Lemo B connectors to ensure quick and easy and most importantly, reliable connection and disconnection, in even the most demanding of locations.

"We required a connector that was completely reliable and that could be easily connected and disconnected time and time again without loss of efficiency", explains Steffan Hewitt.

"The connectors for the numerous interconnections running between the camera, monitor and CCU must remain fully secure when connected without the risk of accidental unmating, whilst at the same time be capable of quick-release during de-rigging".

As a result Araon Technical, Polecam's design and production engineers, chose Lemo B connectors for their performance and reliability.

The compact design of the connector was another significant feature in its suitability for the small, but robust Polecam, which comprises a single jib operator arm made up of six, 1m lengths of custom wound carbon fibre for both lightness and strength.

Mounted on the remote pan and tilt unit is an ultra-light, state-of-the-art Toshiba three-chip camera and small FX microphone.

The system, which can be rigged and de-rigged in less than 10min, is man-portable and can be attached to the body by a harness or attached to a tripod, dolly or vehicle.

It breaks down into two custom designed bags with a combined carrying weight of 35kg.

The Lemo B Series is produced in seven different housing sizes, each has a wide variety of plugs and socket configurations with a choice of solder, crimp and PCB mounted straight or angled contacts.

Pin layout range from 2 to 64 way multiple inserts, as well as low voltage coaxial and high voltage pin combinations.

These sockets can be supplied in watertight and vacuum tight housings, and with, or without cable collet clamping for full EMC protection.

Keyway combinations can be supplied to prevent cross mating similar connections and are obtainable with colour coding for quick identification.

In addition, the Lemo ECG Socket designed for rear panel mounting, was specified for the Polecam control system.

Using Polecam to film the latest series of 'Survivor' on a desert island in Borneo allowed its operator, 'Lammo', to film in a variety of locations and in areas that would otherwise have required a crane or a platform of some type.

As he explains, "As an operator, getting the best shots and footage is dependent on being able to respond quickly and reliably.

With Polecam you just 'pick up the rig and go' which is ideal for location filming.

Using Polecam on 'Survivor Island' gave me experiences I would never have otherwise had".