FAQs

Is the TI-12 height drive compatible with non-Shotoku pedestals?

Answer:

Yes. The Ti-12 is specifically designed to be compatible with a very wide range of pedestals (old or new, Shotoku or third party). We manufacture special mounting brackets for most common studio pedestals and the pedestal itself remains un-modified.

Of course the pedestal needs to be suitable for the robotic head and payload, and be stable enough to work satisfactorily with type of systems being installed. We will be happy to offer advice on any particular model you may have in mind.

Can the Pan and Tilt heads be mounted inverted?

Answer:

Yes. The TG-27 lightweight head is very often mounted inverted, hanging from a ceiling, lighting grid or wall bracket etc. The TG-18 is a larger head but also can be mounted inverted with a suitably strong support in place. The TG-19 is our heavy-duty head and while it too can be mounted upside down it is not a common requirement.

How many stored shots can each head have?

Answer:

The number of shots available depends on the type of control system in use:

TR-T Touch control systems - Unlimited shots per camera.

TR-S Shot Control systems - 999 total per camera

Orchestra CMS - 999 total per camera

TR-B Basic Control Systems - 10 stored shots per camera

How many cameras and control systems can I have in a single system?

Answer:

Our standard panels come in two configurations supporting either 8 or 16 cameras (e.g. TR-8T or TR-16T). Many more cameras may exist within the system however, simply by using the camera-map configfuration tool to bring cameras onto the correct selection buttons. Please contact support for more details on how to map cameras with a system.

There is no practical limit to the number of control systems which may be in a system. Control systems of different types may also be freely mixed within a single a system.

Can I use my own video router for operator preview switching?

Answer:

Yes. All our panels are equipped with Serial, GPI or Ethernet interfaces for preview video router control. We can supply a small local SD / HD router for this purpose, fully integrated with the Shotoku Ethernet control network. Alternatively you can simply connect the panel to your existing studio router with a spare output. Let us know the router make and model so we can confirm compatibility - we support numerous industry-standard serial protocols, and can provide simple GPI control too. Contact support for connection information.

What video formats can the TR-T system work with?

Answer:

Most TR-T systems are supplied with an HD/SD-SDI video capture card. Some systems (and all systems shipped before 2009) are equipped with analogue PAL/NTSC video capture only.

SD-SDI formats: SMPTE 259M (625/25 PAL, 525/29.97 NTSC and 525/23.98 NTSC )

HD-SDI formats: SMPTE 292M (720p/1080i/1080p 50/59.94/60)

What is the maximum distance between control system and the head?

Answer:

Our control network is based on industry standard 10/100 Ethernet so most distances are governed only by the network infrastructure you have. Multiple switches / hubs may be deployed to extend distances if necessary, and fiber links can cover very long distances.

Multicore floor cables between the PDU power supply and the pan and tilt heads are typically in the range of 10-30m but may be run up to 100m if required.

Which lenses are compatible with Shotoku robotic systems?

Answer:

Virtually any ENG, Teleconference or EFP / Studio lenses from any manufacturer can be used with the system.

We offer several options when it comes to control interface:

Direct Lens Interface - Broadcast ENG, Teleconference or EFP/Studio. Uses the lens's own internal servo drives. This requires a 'Full-Servo' lens model.

Shotoku Lens Servo - Broadcast ENG only. For ultimate high-end performance of zoom and focus, or situations where a 'Full-Servo' lens is not available.