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Best in Broadcast 2020
When you’re looking for the best tech in broadcast, you ask the experts. News networks across the world use GSS gimbals to capture the latest in current events.
Time and time again, our clients choose GSS Cineflex gimbals for their:
Lightweight and compact size
Rock-solid stabilization at the end of the lens
Stabilized look down in a smaller and lighter package
Fast installation
Reliability - they just work
Best Churchill Navigation moving maps integration in the industry, with Geo Pointing capabilities and adjustable heading for perfectly aligned maps
Still not convinced? Check out some of our clients with their ships and gimbal systems!
WKMG, via Parker Brown, Orlando, FL.
WLS, Chicago, IL.
WSVN, Miami, FL.
KTVU, via Ruben Campos, San Francisco, CA.
WKMG, Orlando, FL.
WPXI, via Ruben Campos, Pittsburgh, PA.
WCBS, New York, NY.
WABC, New York, NY.
HAI Heli Expo 2019
GSS team members commit themselves to sharing our knowledge and expanding the incredible industry opportunities. What better place to do so than Helicopter Association International’s 2019 Heli Expo?
GSS Managing Director Jason Fountaine and Vice President of Sales Nick Ricciardi exhibited this year in Atlanta and had the chance to meet with industry customers, supporters, and friends. We are always grateful to share our systems with members of the helicopter industry and expand our network. The heli industry has been the largest proponent of our systems to date, and we look forward to new opportunities within the broadcast/ENG, utility inspection, and surveillance markets for gimbals. It’s a very exciting time to work with this tech!
While HAI’s membership has grown dramatically since its inception in 1948, its mission has stayed the same. Nearly 20,000 experts gathered this season to share knowledge, focus on safety standards, and of course, show off awesome new systems within the helicopter industry. We are truly fortunate to exhibit with the best in the business and can’t wait for next year!
Stay updated by signing up for our emails below!
USAF Goes Gyro-Stabilized in Weapons Test
This past December, the U.S. Air Force released footage of a successful Flight Test Integrated-03, also known as FTI-03, shot with a GSS Cinema Pro gimbal. Watch the footage here.
Filmed with a Red DSMC2 Helium and a Canon 50-1000mm lens for day footage along with stunning night footage via a Midwave Infrared Camera, the video captured combined efforts of the Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy.
The team operated the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex based out of the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. According to Mark Wright of the Missile Defence Agency, “This was an operational live fire test demonstrating the Aegis Weapon System Engage On Remote capability to track and intercept an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) target with an Aegis Ashore-launched Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA interceptor.”
It is incredible to see so many different purposes and projects with GSS in action. We are proud to represent the U.S. military in their defense exercises.
Get more updates of GSS gimbals, and our client’s projects by signing up for our emails below.
The Clients of GSS
What does it take to create the incredible documentaries you watch on The BBC, Discovery Channel and more? It starts with the best tech, outstanding customer service and state-of-the-art designs from a dedicated team. But don’t just take our word for it. Listen to these client testimonials from the most talented crews in the aerial cinematography industry.
“They are a step above...”
It’s all about the problem-solving abilities for Aerial Photographer Christian Turner from the US Air Force and Media Fusion. Our high-quality gimbal designs and 24/7 customer service speak for themselves, allowing Christian Turner to continue to capture the fastest aircraft around.
"It just made sense."
Emmy-winning Aerial Cameraman Skip Margetts of Helimedia wanted a partnership, not a sales pitch. With the ability to interchange cameras and lenses, Helimedia has created stunning footage on the Cape Town front for movies like Chappie (2015) and District 9 (2009) for over a decade.
“GSS is a group of excellence."
For IDO Aerials Co-Owner and Director of Photography Nathan Garofalos, accountability and consistency are crucial, and we can understand why. Since 2014, Incline Dynamic Outlet has created footage for the industry's biggest filmmakers: National Geographic, Warner Bros. Pictures and more.
“GSS has definitely set the bar high.”
Aerial Photographer Chris Higgins of the Edwards Air Force Base says his relationship with the GSS team boosts productivity. That engaging customer service really counts and makes a difference when he’s taking on the skies and capturing footage at jet speed.
"They care about my success."
Just like Winged Vision Founder Bob Mikkelson said, we do what others won't. Our partnership helps him capture awesome sporting event coverage of NASCAR, NHL, NFL and more. With stable footage, he gets in on the action both from land and in the air.
"GSS is a partner who we trust, and it works."
Alexander Brozek of CAMCAT-Systems agrees. GSS takes the time to answer questions. CAMCAT takes the European market by storm, taking on the 2017 British Golf Open and more with their remote-controlled cable system designed for aerial footage captures.
“It’s cutting edge, state of the art.”
Straight from Rogue Aviation Co-Owner Matt Barnes and Creative Director and Aerial Cinematographer Cory Hill, GSS is a family. Rogue Aviation has shot aerial work for The Mint 400 race and Pacific Flight Aviation flight school, and has been featured in commercial ads for all kinds of businesses and brands, like DuPont, BMW, and even in music videos!
Our amazing clients are the reason we do what we do. The art they continue to create inspires us to consistently innovate our gimbals for the best service and quality available.
See more testimonials here.
Award-Winning Teton Gravity Research
Last year, Teton Gravity Research created an awesome new project with their Cinema Pro+ and took home Powder’s Movie of the Year Award.
Their film Far Out goes global, from the Albanian Alps to Girdwood, Alaska. What do the world’s most wild mountain ranges have to offer? More than 30 of the most daring bike, ski and snowboard athletes find out. This epic chronicle took one of the coveted awards during Powder Magazine’s 19th Annual Powder Awards in December, an event which honors the best athletes and artists in the ski community.
Check out the trailer for Far Out below.
We are a proud sponsor of this film. As we have seen time and time again with dozens of the team’s incredible films, TGR never fails to deliver. Our client’s amazing work inspires us to push gimbal technology to new levels so they can achieve new perspectives.
A huge congrats to the TGR crew on this awesome win!
What will TGR create next? Be the first to know by following us on Instagram and Facebook!
Inter BEE 2018
GSS had a successful trip to Inter BEE 2018 last month, Japan’s annual broadcast electronic conference and exhibition. Totsu International, our sales partner for the Japanese market, shared our advanced gimbal technologies with the Japanese broadcast audience.
GSS Japan Sales & Support Partner Totsu International President Akira Ito, Koichi Ogata and Takeshi Sasadate.
Totsu International has represented Cineflex and GSS products in the law enforcement, government, broadcast and production markets for over a decade. Their experience and knowledge of the industry has allowed us to grow our presence and market share in Japan. At this year’s Inter BEE, we showcased our Cineflex Broadcast series gimbals specifically tailored for the Japanese market, the GSS Cineflex Premier and Cineflex T2.
Customers had a chance to try out our gimbal at the Totsu booth.
Inter Bee, formerly named the Broadcast Equipment Exhibition, has showcased the latest in broadcast electronics in Tokyo since 1965. It was a privilege to attend alongside some of the world’s most advanced technology. It has continued to be a great opportunity to share our systems.
Learn more about our Cineflex Broadcast systems here.
GSS 5-Axis Gimbals: Best of Broadcast
If you’re part of the broadcast industry, you know how crucial a small, lightweight gimbal is. Whether you’re traveling with your system or operating at high speeds, you’ll need a gimbal that can keep up. Between aerodynamics and the light weight, the Cineflex Series sets the bar for five-axis systems, making it the prime choice for your broadcast filming needs.
Our 5-axis gimbals offer increased ground clearance and a roomier internal space for a wider range of camera and lens in a small but mighty package. Consistent travelers and creative camera operators prefer this for its optimal aerodynamics, increased aircraft mounting options and the ability to ship as excess baggage.
Our 5-Axis systems use VectorSteering™ to avoid automatic gimbal lock. New mechanical and software design allows a wider range of motion than anything seen before. There’s a reason the GSS Cineflex series is the preferred gimbal of its class; its capabilities are unmatched.
View the entire Cineflex Series here.
GSS at IBC 2018
Next week, GSS will attend IBC 2018 in Amsterdam, a six-day conference and exposition showcasing leaders in technology, media and entertainment.
We are so honored for this opportunity and invite everyone to visit our booth in Hall 12, booth E56.
Originally known as the International Broadcasting Convention, IBC was founded in 1967 and featured 32 exhibitors. Since then, hundreds of keynote speakers and thousands of guests from nearly 20 countries attend annually for 15 halls of exhibits from the world’s top media contributors.
The convention allows engineers, content providers, researchers and more from all industries to collaborate, teach and showcase their latest projects. This year’s featured guests include The BBC’s Research and Development, Verizon’s Digital Media Services, and Vimeo.
We are excited for this incredible chance to showcase our gimbals with professionals in film, broadcast and more.
Contact Jason or Nick for meeting requests during the event. If you have questions, stop by our booth; we’ll be meeting with people all day and look forward to showing our tech.
We hope to see you there! Until then, follow our Instagram @gyrostabilizedsystems and the blog for the event recap.
Beyond The Helicopter: GSS Custom Design Services
Gimbals should go above and beyond the standard helicopter. When your project requires ground rigging from a ship or truck, as filmed during Deadliest Catch or a Teton Gravity Research project, a custom design should be within reach.
“We have mounted the C520 (Cinema Pro+) on cars, trucks, boats and small 4-wheel drive vehicles,” says Co-Founder, Executive Producer & Co-Director of Teton Gravity Research, Todd Jones.
“You can have it on a truck in the morning and move it onto a helicopter in under an hour.”
Decades of experience allow GSS engineers to develop gimbal systems which accommodate custom designs. We design every model with room for modifications as camera and lens technologies change and integrate systems to your needs.
After purchasing your gimbal, contact GSS who, along with companies including Paradigm SRP LLC, can develop unique systems fitted for your production, surveillance or broadcast needs.
Contact us about your custom design today!
GSS: quality tech, quality service
When you choose Gyro-Stabilized Systems, you’re choosing the leading gimbals in both the production and broadcast markets. Between the best quality and customer service, GSS engineers design unmatched stabilized platform solutions that you can utilize from the air, sea or ground.
Our two series of gimbals averaging 50 pounds without payload, making them easy to ship and reasonable to use. As camera and lens technology advance, so do our gimbals and customizable options. For our broadcast/ENG customers, our broadcast gimbals offer a moving map interface which we developed in-house.
These technologically advanced systems are completely upgradeable and are designed to support interchangeable lens and camera combinations for today’s most popular payloads. Gimbal technology is progressing with no sign of stopping; this means that GSS is committed to ongoing engineer development.
With a year-long warranty and 24/7, high-level customer service, our customers not only have resources for possible issues but an opportunity to build custom parts if needed.
If you are flying smaller helicopters and need your system to be optimized for weight and balance on a smaller helicopter, the R44 and R66 mounts are available in-house.
For complete product specifications and list of features, view our Broadcast and Cinema Series gimbals.
From Old to New: A Look at Stabilized Improvements with Churchill Navigation
At GSS, we always look to evolve and improve. At our core, we are engineers that love to create, test and improve our gimbals and technologies to provide the highest quality and latest advancements that integrate with our gimbals. As we analyze old footage, we are proud to see how far our stabilized gimbals have come and are able to offer the best solution for IMU integration.
In this clip, we compared the original solution, External Novatel IMU, to the new, GSS Internal IMU. Both flights featured identical paths over Philadelphia and used Churchill Navigation’s BEAR mapping system with a GSS Cineflex series broadcast gimbal. Notice the incredible stabilization improvements; the street names no longer shake or bounce, and instead, glide smoothly.
What is IMU?
An IMU, Inertial Measurement Unit, detects linear acceleration using an accelerometer and rotational rate using gyroscopes. It reports pitch, roll and yaw status on a continual basis.
We use IMU data as part of an Inertial Navigation Systems (INS). The GSS INS uses the IMU measurements to calculate attitude, angular rates, linear velocity and position relative to a global reference frame. GSS IMU/INS reports the video’s location to Churchill for a live mapping overlay. An accurate IMU data feed results in a stable mapping overlay, as you see in this video.
Learn more about our development of our in-house INS here.
For more information on integrating GSS’s IMU with your system, contact us here.
For more information about our Cineflex Broadcast Series, click here.
The GSS Cinema Pro+
The GSS Cinema Pro+, formerly known as the C520, is the smallest and lightest gimbal in its class and supports the most popular cameras and lenses in the marketplace. This gimbal goes above and beyond competitors with fast installation time, a weather-sealed shell and the ability to house today’s most popular camera and lens configurations.
Weighing in at 85 pounds (without payload) and a width of 20 inches, this gimbal accommodates large cinema cameras and lenses for projects in all environments. The system has been used at sub-freezing temperatures above 24,000 feet in the Himalayas and in the sweltering heat in the Emirati desert. Unlike competitors, the Cinema Pro+ is completely sealed for safe operation in adverse climates.
Like all GSS gimbals, no gimbal tech is required for installation. Save time and money with our interchangeable systems, and swap between cameras like the Arri Alexa 65, Alexa SXT, Alexa LF, Sony Venice (and many others!) with hundreds of lens options within 30 minutes. This package can fly on a single pole mount, which will also save considerable time and money when compared to shipping, installing and using a dual pole mount.
With an expanded elevation of 30° to -205° from horizontal and six-axis of gyro-stabilized movement, the Cinema Pro+ has the most wide-ranging capabilities yet and may be operated in both standard and inverted mode. With VectorSteering™ look-down technology there is no gimbal lock.
Even with its large-scale capabilities, this gimbal still flies conveniently as excess baggage without ITAR or EAR export restrictions and easily breaks down to 70 lbs/32 kg per box in about one hour.
We have designed our future-proof open architecture systems to be compatible with upgrades as gimbal, camera and lens technologies evolve.
For all of the Cinema Pro+ details, check out the complete specs for more information about its expanded, interchangeable camera and lens options.
Download the complete specs here.
Fitting the DNA of Teton Gravity Research
Earlier this year, GSS client Teton Gravity Research, an action sports media company, shared this custom feature about their journey with GSS their new GSS Cinema Pro +, and we are so proud to see our gimbal in these incredibly versatile projects.
“GSS really fits our DNA. It’s the best five-axis gimbal in the world.”
– TGR Co-Founder Todd Jones
TGR formed more than two decades ago and since created thirty-two sports culture-focused films with no signs of stopping.
Check out how TGR uses their GSS gimbal to capture winter sports across the globe in the video above and learn more about their award-winning films here.
Learn more about the Cinema Pro + and it’s capabilities here.
The GSS Cineflex Pro Gimbal
Optimized for broadcast use, The Cineflex Pro is the smallest and lightest system in the world, weighing 35 lbs or 15.8 kgs plus payload, that can hold today's most popular Broadcast payloads!
The GSS Cineflex Pro is the only system in the world that can hold the following payloads without having to repackage:
- Sony P43 4K with 45x-46x (No camera repacking necessary)
- GV c86n 4K with 45-46x (No camera repacking necessary)
- Ikegami HDL-F3000 with 45x-46x (No camera repacking necessary)
- Sony HDCP-1/3 with 45x-46x (No camera repacking necessary)
(Other camera and lens options are available as well - ask us about yours!)
The Cineflex Pro is just one of the GSS 5-axis gimbals from the Cineflex Broadcast Series. The Cineflex Pro beats out competitors and is ideal for major-market ENG clients and live broadcast applications. Compatible with lighter helicopters like the Bell 505, Robinson R44 and R66, it is fully upgradeable and functions with existing air and ground mounts.
Take advantage of top features including VectorSteering™ look-down with no gimbal lock, isolated electronics for eliminated video noise and optional internal IMU for Geo-pointing with a moving map interface and Virtual Reality Overlays.
Its compact size of 13.8 inches wide and 19 inches tall combined with the small platform size allows this gimbal to be transported as excess baggage without ITAR or EAR export restrictions, making shipping easily accessible.
To learn more about the Cineflex Pro, click here to download and see the complete specs and features.
If you haven’t purchased yours yet, contact us today for the best broadcast gimbal available.
Newest GSS Customer, KOCO 5 Oklahoma City
GSS is continuing success in the ENG market with another broadcast news station customer, KOCO 5.
KOCO 5, part of Hearst Television, chose Gyro-Stabilized Systems’ Cineflex Pro + equipped with an Ikegami HDL-F300 low-light camera and a Fujinon 42x9.7 lens.
With a helicopter provided by Heli,Inc, KOCO 5 has the newest and most advanced news helicopter in Oklahoma.
The Cineflex Pro + allows KOCO 5 to have the most advanced technology with the finest cinematic news gathering camera, allowing better zoom-in ability for storm tracking and the ability to share every angle of the news story.
With a customer-first approach, GSS is continuing with a strong customer service strategy and is gaining traction in the ENG market. With multiple ENG installations around the world, the GSS Cineflex Pro + is the smallest and lightest package proven in the demanding ENG environment.
To learn more about KOCO, take a look here!
Contact us here to learn more about how to get your own gimbal!
GSS Used In Cutting Edge Technology News Helicopter, Sky 4
Sky 4 is taking news reporting to a new level of technology. Reporting out of Jacksonville, Florida, Sky 4 is owned by Graham Media and is one of their many leading and recognized stations in news media.
Sky 4 is leading the way with an Ikegami HDL-F3000 camera and a Canon 40x10 lens in their GSS Cineflex gimbal, mounted with an Arctic Pole Mount, specifically built for R44’s and R66’s.
With an R44, provided by the Heliteam, and a pilot, they are equipped with the GSS Cineflex gimbal operated directly from the news station. Yes, that’s right, there is no camera operator in the helicopter!
How do they accomplish this? By using a bi-directional downlink over the LTE. Simply put, a two-way communication channel transmits the media over the network from the helicopter and back down to the news station, and from the news station back up to the helicopter. This gives the news station the rare ability to locate the GSS hand controller from the news station!
This cutting edge technology saves the news station both time and money; not having the weight of a second person in the helicopter makes fuel last longer and flight operations cheaper.
GSS is proud to provide state of the art gimbals and play a part in innovating to make this possible for the Broadcast and ENG market.
Want your own gimbal? Contact us here!
GSS NAB Recap and Highlights
We’re back from NAB and feeling grateful and very excited from this year’s event and what the future holds for GSS and our partners!
In case we missed you, here’s a glance at what we showcased at NAB this year:
- We introduced the new Cineflex Pro camera system for the broadcast/ENG market. At 60 pounds or less with camera and zoom lens and no auxiliary box, the new system has the ability to integrate unmodified cameras from Sony, Grass Valley, Ikegami and others with focal lengths of up to 46X.
We showed the Arri Alexa 65 with Universal Lens Kit integrated into the gimbal inner axis of the Cinema Pro+. We partnered with Pat Longman from Active Camera Systems to showcase this exciting offering. Pat is excited to bring this new GSS capability to market in a much smaller and lighter gimbal package than was previously possible.
We had gimbals in our booth that included cameras from Arri, Red, Ikegami and Grass Valley, as well as, lenses from Arri, Canon and Fujinon.
We partnered with Angenieux to integrate the new Optimo Ultra 12:1 lens into the Cinema Pro+. The system is the smallest and lightest gimbal in the world to integrate this massive lens and was on display at the Angenieux booth paired with the Arri Alexa XT M camera.
We partnered with Defy to show their new 48V Dactylcam Pro cable camera system with a GSS gimbal integration.
We announced the GSS internal INS (Inertial Navigation System) and showcased test footage with Churchill Navigation. We are now able to offer the most stable moving map interface on the market. Take a look for yourself here!
It was great to connect again with some of our worldwide customer base of Cineflex products at NAB. Cineflex is in the GSS team members roots and we have known many Cineflex customers from humble beginnings. It was great to get reacquainted and connect as we continue the Cineflex legacy!
GSS is committed to providing the latest technologies to the broadcast/ENG and production gimbal markets.
Check back soon to see what else is going on with GSS.
Read other blogs and happenings here!
Movies and TV Shot with GSS
You may already know that GSS provides the most advanced and sought-after gimbal technologies in the world to bring you the most stable platform solutions. What you may not know, is just how many well-known films and tv productions GSS has been used in to help capture the perfect shot with stability while maintaining quality.
From horror films to comedy television shows, GSS helps each production get the footage they need. Whether that be following the Discovery Channel to film the new season of Deadliest Catch or some epic snowboarding footage during this year’s Olympic games.
Our systems have been used to film a wide spectrum of different genres, including a few up and coming films that we hope you will be sure to see. Before starting our journey to PyeongChang to film this year’s games, GSS was used in soon to be released films like Ocean’s 8, featuring Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett, and X-Men Dark Phoenix, featuring Jennifer Lawrence and Michael Fassbender.
To see a full list of the films, television shows and productions GSS has been used in, check out our “Shot with GSS” page on our website under the “About” section, or click the button below.
GSS HAI Heli-Expo Recap
This year’s HAI Heli-Expo was one for the books for GSS. Our Managing Director, Jason Fountaine and VP of Sales, Nick Ricciardi exhibited at the annual trade show and had the opportunity to connect with many industry customers, supporters, and friends.
After all, that is one of our favorite parts of being in this industry- the amazing people we get to meet along the way that becomes friends. It’s pretty rewarding to watch the epic projects our friends and customers use GSS gimbals for. (Check out our social media to get a glimpse of where GSS gimbals travel to!)
The helicopter industry have been the biggest users of our products throughout the years and it was a lot of fun to check out the variety of helicopters at the show. (Like the Airbus and Bell 525 Relentless helicopter mockup!)
We are seeing exponential opportunity in the broadcast/ENG, utility inspection and surveillance markets with our gimbals and look forward to keep on sharing the happenings at GSS throughout the year.
GSS New Branding and Product Reveal at HAI Heli Expo 2018
It’s that time of year again and we’re amping up for the HAI HELI EXPO 2018. We love going to Heli-Expo each year to see the latest and greatest happenings in the helicopter community and networking with so many great people.
This year is pretty special for us because we are unveiling our new logo, website and branding at Heli Expo for the first time!
In addition, we’ll also have the following systems at Heli-Expo that you can get your hands on:
- GSS Cineflex (Broadcast Series Gimbal) with a Ikegami HDL-F3000 camera and a Fujinon 42 x 9.7 lens
- Arctic Built Pole for an R44
- A New Prototype (You’ll have to come see us to find out!)
We’ll be at booth #C3445. Please stop by, we’d love to meet you, share a conversation and show you what GSS can offer you. Whether you have needs in broadcast, production, ENG, natural history or any other project, we believe our engineers have created the highest quality gimbals on the market and would love the opportunity to share it with you.
Learn more about HAI Heli-Expo 2018 here.
#settingthestandard