Custom Multi-axis robo-slider /w camera control

[Viddovation]

So, this video is just a glimpse of the potential of what I've been building:
https://vimeo.com/151716054

The key hardware I used is Kessler's Second Shooter on a Matthews DC Slider (but you can also use it for any Kessler Slider). But if you've used the Kessler Second Shooter, you know that for all of it's preprogrammed move and timelapse capability, it's controller is awful for live moves - you can't change speed mid move, and you can only move two axes at the same time.

That's where my custom work sets in - allowing me to route the control of the motors to a wireless xbox controller. The controller buttons and thumbsticks can be mapped to the users preferences.

Next, you'll notice the slider motor is at one end of the slider, and that there's no cable run to the pan tilt head. I'm wirelessly communicating between those points - important for remote operations so you don't run over the wire with the wheels.

Also, you'll note that each axis has programmable limits. And that means you never hit the end of the slider, but always come to a smooth stop.

And, not shown in this video, but for the Sony A7S and the Sony PXW-FS7, the camera controls can also be mapped to the controller. I plan to support more cameras in the future.

Thanks for taking a look!

 

[little bobby]

Ho. Li. Crap.

That is awesome. You are awesome. I knew I should've studied computer science instead of film.

That is an awesome and practical solution. The only trick is to get the client to understand what you're about to do with the XBOX controller.

What sort of range do you get with the controller? Typical Bluetooth range?

Combine this with a wireless monitoring solution, and, well, you'd have some pretty sweet flexibility.

 

[DPStewart]

Mmmm, Yeahhhhhh..........

I'm gonna have to go ahead and have you check that project in with the Office of the Department of Ridonkulously Cool Stuff.


..and who is that sexy little lady sitting all alone in the corner in your vid?
(Kidding of course...we ALL know her name.)

 

[Viddovation]

Range with the Xbox controller is 30 feet+, better with line of sight, but can pass/bounce some walls. But you can test it yourself - it's the same as if you take your (or a friend's) xbox controller to the far end of the house or the front lawn. I'm not tinkering with the Xbox controller's wireless abilities.

I didn't install my Paralinx Triton for the above video - but that's exactly the idea - add monitoring and you're good to go.

 

[markfpv]

So - after watching this and the FS7 video - can / will you be able to use one xbox controller for all functions (if programmed thus). In other words, one controller that controls most camera functions while also moving on the slider?

 

[Viddovation]

So - after watching this and the FS7 video - can / will you be able to use one xbox controller for all functions (if programmed thus). In other words, one controller that controls most camera functions while also moving on the slider?

Yes. Mind you, for the two videos you watched, buttons were mapped differently. The software lets the end user map buttons to preference in minutes. "BACK" and "START" act as shift keys, allowing additional button mappings. And, further, there's an "ALT" mode, which basically shifts the whole controller to a second alternate set of mapped keys. Mind you, you can map enough keys to confuse yourself. But that is really up to the end user, and the more time you spend with a mapping, the better you memorize it.

 

[markfpv]

Yes - got it. Quite impressive. I've been researching sliders for time-lapse work for some time... but always prefer to get multiple use from gear if/when I can... so the ability to use a Kessler or other hardware for both time-lapse and smooth "real-time" work is exciting. Adding the camera control becomes icing on the cake!

 

[Viddovation]

Yes - got it. Quite impressive. I've been researching sliders for time-lapse work for some time... but always prefer to get multiple use from gear if/when I can... so the ability to use a Kessler or other hardware for both time-lapse and smooth "real-time" work is exciting. Adding the camera control becomes icing on the cake!

Kessler is great people, but I definitely was annoyed that the Second Shooter simply didn't offer an effective way to do live move control. Mind you, I've seen a prototype box they took to a convention, but it's not out yet and is designed more for their jib rigs, and would still cost more than my xbox rig and be wired.

 

[hojomo]

Kessler is great people, but I definitely was annoyed that the Second Shooter simply didn't offer an effective way to do live move control. Mind you, I've seen a prototype box they took to a convention, but it's not out yet and is designed more for their jib rigs, and would still cost more than my xbox rig and be wired.

This is awesome work, I'd be elated to control a Second Shooter this way (and am likely buying one this spring, just trying to decide which 3-axis head/system is best for me).

You mentioned it communicates wirelessly, could you control it wired (I assume there are still Xbox wired controllers)? I could see studio or other situations I might opt for wired as a guarantee of no interference or failure to have control.

I'm also trying to understand, if you are emulating the Kessler controls; is that taking place in the Xbox controller firmware? Is there additional hardware used aside from the controller? Either way, very promising. I'm exited to see this progress.

Is this project to the point that you have a release date planned?

 

[Viddovation]

This is awesome work, I'd be elated to control a Second Shooter this way (and am likely buying one this spring, just trying to decide which 3-axis head/system is best for me).

You mentioned it communicates wirelessly, could you control it wired (I assume there are still Xbox wired controllers)? I could see studio or other situations I might opt for wired as a guarantee of no interference or failure to have control.

I'm also trying to understand, if you are emulating the Kessler controls; is that taking place in the Xbox controller firmware? Is there additional hardware used aside from the controller? Either way, very promising. I'm exited to see this progress.

Is this project to the point that you have a release date planned?

There is interlink hardware/software that handles communication with the Xbox controller, the Second Shooter, the camera, and any remote interlink. That hardware is small and battery powered, and is onscreen in the OP video. I don't want to explain just now precisely what that hardware is, because, among other things, it could still change. In the video above, you notice there's no wire between the pan/tilt head and the slider motor at the end. In the shown configuration I actually have two interlinks, one at the pan/tilt, and one at the slide motor, with one of the two set to operate in a slave mode, communicating wirelessly to the master. That means there are also two Second Shooter motor controllers in the shown configuration. But, you could run the same three axes on one Second Shooter controller and one interlink, just with an extra wire between the slider motor and the pan/tilt.

Neither the Xbox or Kessler firmware/electronics has been modified. The interlink communicates with them natively by using their protocols (which I reverse engineered). For Xbox, you might have noticed they sell a version for using with computers, that comes with a USB wireless receiver...

- Supporting wired xbox controllers ought to be possible, but I believe there may be some slight differences, so it may not work right now. I don't have one to test with.

- I did just work out so that you can use more than one wireless xbox controller at the same time... each with their own mapped buttons (think of this: person A runs slide/pan/tilt, person B runs camera functions, zoom focus, rec, etc.)


I'm trying to gauge commercial interest. I think maybe it would make a good Kickstarter. I think it's a solution that would cost end users less than $300 total, including hardware (complete interlink solution! you're still responsible for choosing your cameras and motors!)


And... I think I can expand this to control other things too.... trying some stuff out.