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GPS data capture and RED metadata?

Robert Kurhajetz

Robert Kurhajetz

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Once upon a time Sony had a device that would allow Global Positioning System data to be captured into their HDCAM camera....just wondering....any idea if something like this might be able to done with the metadata for the RED?

Bob
 
You can do this on one of panasonics new cameras---i think it was something like the HVX 3000--not a joke, but could be wrong about model number--was one of two demos in the US. I was using one of their prototypes this past september. I can't recall the exact model but it was their new 2.2k camera....allows gps data into the metadata. We never used it, but I think we had to have a handheld with datum cable.

Should see this camera out soon and with a body price tag of around $40k or so. And it was a brilliant image.
 
Actually on Panasonic cams I believe the option is there from the SDX-900 upwards. There's a port located on the top of the camera for a GPS module. Sort of a lemo-ish screw-in input for externally mounted recievers. RS232 I guess. You can also get the card model GPS reciever which goes in the slot behind the battery on the back as an internal option.
 
Gps

Gps

rkurhajetz said:
..a device that would allow Global Positioning System data to be captured ..any idea if something like this might be able to done with the metadata for the RED?

Bob
Click to expand...


We don't provide GPS data capture at the moment, but one of the functions of the USB port is to talk to external devices and ingest the data - whatever form that may be.

So a potential future development for sure.
 
GPS applications?

GPS applications?

While I can understand the desire, I guess I am missing how GPS information has tons of applications. (although I can think of some.):biggrin:

IF GPS worked indoors, was accurate to within a few inches, updated more than a 100 times a second, then I could see how it would be of benefit for tons of stuff. Match Moving, Focus etc. Unfortunately, last time I checked it doesn't come close to any of that.

What I've often thought was needed is somekind of "localized" GPS, but have yet to find anything that's accurate or fast enough. I don't really need to know where the Red is in the world, I need to know where it is relative to talent and objects on set.

In some ways, similar to the tech for RFID tags, that retailers use to keep track of inventory in a wharehouse. But like GPS, most of those systems are not accurate enough, or fast enough to work. (also insanely expensive.)
 
Sir Pancake said:
IF GPS worked indoors, was accurate to within a few inches, updated more than a 100 times a second, then I could see how it would be of benefit for tons of stuff. Match Moving, Focus etc. Unfortunately, last time I checked it doesn't come close to any of that.
Click to expand...
I was also wondering how useful GPS really is. It seems more useful for vacation travel photos than pro cine applications... but anytime you are taking aerial footage, it is probably useful, and helpful for FX work.

GPS it may be better than you think...agreed, it wants to be outdoors, but most of the planet is outdoors. To be honest, there is no need for 100 fixes/sec if you are shooting 24 fps! This one has a 20 Hz update rate. http://www.mercator-gps.com/images/upload/ms860specs.pdf
Good RTK GPS systems can get you to 1 cm horizontal precision. http://pro.magellangps.com/en/products/aboutgps/rtk.asp
That is relative to a local fixed reference point, but that's all you probably need/want anyway. You can do better with non-realtime post-processing.

I think GPS was the easiest way to record the exact location I took this photo, "oncoming traffic" in Montana :-)
http://www.bealecorner.com/D30/071111/img_8596.htm
 
The super-accurate clocks used by GPS are a great way to sync up multiple cameras.


They used this during the Olympics where it was impossible/impractical to go to each camera position with a timecode box.

I once worked with a visual effects guy who told me about building a localized 'gps' system for motion control on some big movie (Jurrassic Park, perhaps?). He said it was so accurate that they had to compensate for the variences in the rotation of the Earth. It might have just been one of late-night on-set stories, who knows how true it was.
 
As far as I know the camera GPS systems were developed for news crews. As a news editor you could, say, in a media browser look up all the footage that was ever shot around a certain corner to find images of a building before it blew up. Same thing say on a rally championship. You could look up if any cameramen were close by to that guy who crashed around a given time. It's essentially more metadata for editors to browse through when dealing with large video libraries.
 
In my former work with Wescam and Pictorvision I had the opportunity to use GPS data for a remote head steering function called GEO steering. The actively stabilized gimbal uses an IMU (inertial measurement unit) to sense any deviation of the line of sight. This information was used to command the linear torque motors to instantaneously correct the LOS. The IMU data was also coupled with the data from a commercial GPS unit and processed by INS (inertial navigation system) software to accurately calculate where the LOS intersected with the earth. (LAT, LONG and ELEVATION) While this was developed for law enforcement and defense applications, we discovered that it also could be used to generate CGI metadata for VFX work like aerial plates.
Another really cool use of the technology is the ability of the remote head to receive a GPS data stream from the target vehicle so that the camera is essentially auto-tracking the target even when blocked by a building, mountain, etc. This could be useful for blind reveals which normally take a great deal of practice and timing. While aerial operators may not be ready to give up so much control, I know plenty of producers who would love to decrease flight time as much as possible when they are paying $1250/hour for an A-Star.
 
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