Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of systems do you offer?
Sea to Sky Cable Cam Inc., currently offers three very distinct point-to-point rigs referred to as Cable Cam A, B and C.
A: Single Line, Horizontal. This cable cam is completely remote controlled with two RC transmitters. It can be set up in 20 minutes, can carry camera packages up to 7 kilograms and travel from 0.25 meters per second to 40 km/hr with variable control. It is water proof and completely silent to allow for onboard audio recording. The system is limited by the fact it can only travel horizontally, stability is effected by high wind (we use Kenyon gyros to compensate for high winds). This rig was designed for the budget conscience film maker or where fast set ups or multiple locations in a day are required.
B: Double Line, Horizontal to 15 Degrees. This cable cam runs on two support lines and hence is far more stable in difficult situations, is safer as there are three lines (third line drives trolley in a clothesline loop) each line can hold the trolley if the other two break, can travel from 0.5 meters per second to 70 km/hr and travel back up hill at the same speed with variable control. The trolley drive control is by wired connection to one anchor (much safer!) and wireless control of camera head with additional rental option of iris, zoom, focus and record control. System requires a minimum of an hour to set up. We recommend this system for live events but a full day may be required for set up.
C: Triple Line, 20 degrees to Vertical. This cable cam travels in a vertical orientation and offers all the professionalism, safety and ability of the B type cable cam. Motion can be even slower than types A and B and can start and stop with incredible stability. Maximum speed is 40km/hr in either direction with variable drive control. Control is by wired connection to one anchor and wireless control of camera head with additional rental option of iris, zoom, focus and record control. System requires a minimum of an hour. We recommend this system for live events but a full day may be required for set up.
How does the system work?
The Sea to Sky Cam is referred to as a one-dimensional rig, other names include; single axis or point-to-point system. A trolley carrying the camera zooms along support lines on a horizontal, sloped or vertical plane. Cable cam types B and C move their trolley by a single winch located at one of the two anchor points. This winch drives a third rope that acts like a “clothes line,” as a continuous loop of rope that connects to either side of the trolley. Type A has its motor onboard its trolley and pulls itself along the one support line by wireless control. Transmission of video, audio and control of the camera is through radio frequency, enabling faster speeds and a smaller and more portable systems than using fiber optic cables. Support and drive lines are made of our custom Cable Cam Tech Line (lightweight high strength rope) and are adjusted quickly and easily even during filming by quick adjust winches connected to one of the anchors.
What lengths can the Sea to Sky Cam reach?
Anywhere between 10 feet / 3 meters to 1000 feet / 300 meters. Want it to go longer? Ask us about options.
What speeds can it do?
Very smooth crawl to 45 miles/hr or 70 km/hr. We have developed systems to obtain 130 km/hr and obtain complete servo (closed loop) programmability. Ask us about options.
How long does it take to set up?
In a simple location (example: across a parking lot) one person can set up the Sea to Sky Cam in 20 minutes. The most dangerous and inaccessible locations (example: across a class 5 river canyon and accessed by a 8 km hike) have taken a maximum of one day to set up with four people. Live events though take a full day with two people to set up as they require added considerations.
How safe is it?
The Sea to Sky Cam type B and C use three 6000 pound / 2700 kilogram (breaking strength), 1/4 inch / 6.5 millimetre high tech and lightweight synthetic ropes. If two ropes were to fail the third rope would easily hold the entire rig and still maintain a 15/1 safety factor. Since the trolley and camera weighs at the most 60 pounds / 30 kilograms, it generates under 800 pounds / 360 kilograms of force on it’s anchors. This force is a small enough amount that it is possible to use ballast such as vehicles, trees, concrete blocks, water barrels or existing building structures without the need for added engineering or expensive structures.
What cameras can it operate with, what camera heads?
The Sea to Sky Camera Head can carry any camera packages up to 15 pounds / 7 kilograms and has a maximum camera height of 14 inches / 35.5 centimetres. We offer the light weight HD broadcast quality Sony HDC-P1 with the NEW image stabilized lens, Canon HJ15ex8.5B KRSE-V.
But is it stable? Most cable cam systems I see jitter and shake without the use of a $300,000 gyro head.
Experienced camera operators will know that cable cam systems require a gyro stabilized camera head to aquire a stable shot. The Sea to Sky Cam operates highly stabilized excluding high wind conditions without the need for these expensive systems and this is what makes the Sea to Sky Cam so unique to other cable cam systems on the market. Watch this unedited, raw video (without any post edit stabilization work) to see how stable the system is.
But what if I still want a gyro stabilized head.
This is not a problem. We have added a standard Mitchell / Moy fitting to enable any wireless Scorpio Head, Libra Head or Flight Heads to connect to the Sea to Sky Cam Trolley. Ask us for stabilized camera head pricing.
Focus, zoom or iris control?
Yes. Depending on the camera and head chosen we have various options for maximum control of the camera. We have a Preston FI+Z unit for zoom, focus and iris control and a Skydreams Airpaint unit for Broadcast Truck control of iris.
What kind of mobility does your Sea to Sky Cam Head offer.
Full 360 degree pan, 360 degree tilt and roll.
Wired or RF video? HD or SD?
For live events and live TV we offer the new RF – HD Boxx Meridian Microwave technology at 1080i with no latency or dropped frames. For scripted film we include an HD (430 foot range) and SD (1000 foot range) RF video transmission for monitoring. See our Rates page for pricing details.
How much does the whole system weigh? Shipping costs?
The entire Sea to Sky Cam type B and C rigs including camera head, support and drive lines, motor, controllers etc… weighs under 300 pounds / 130 kilograms. It is shipped with it’s technicians through economy air travel with only 7 bags and normally costs no more than $500 USD one way to any international airport. Type A is under $50 lbs and requires no additional excess baggage fees.
