What is the ML55 Chase Car?

The ML55 Chase Car is a specially modified Mercedes ML55 AMG (SUV). It is quick, nimble, tough and able to go where and do things a normal camera car/ insert car cannot.

Shooting Applications

The ML55 Chase Car is a high speed, AWD, On/Off-Road shooting platform for:

• Russian Arm & gyro-stabilized Flight Head: mounted to Roof of ML55
• Chase Car with the gyro-stabilized Flight Head, Locked-off Camera and/or Stills Camera mounted anywhere on the back, front or roof of the ML55.
• Shock Absorber System: uses the Gyro-stabilized Flight Head mounted left/right/ centre on the back or front bumper of the ML55 Chase Car Max safe operating speed 180 km/h (115 mph) providing optimum road conditions, (driver makes the final call).

 

Chase Car Advantages

Safety & Efficiency

• Shoot moving vehicles from just about any & every angle you want.
• Shooting in all weather conditions.
• Shots are setup on the fly & adjusted instantly.
• Sequences can be as dynamic as your imagination.

 

ML55 Chase Car Features

Communication is key - So we loaded the ML55 with technology to make the job safer, easier, and faster.

DVR/Playback

• The camera video tap image is recorded/played back using the NDT 200 DVR. It uses a 100GB hard drive. It records in QuickTime format which can be downloaded to PC or Mac via the onboard USB 2.0. The drives are hot swapable. Standard features include selectable compression ratios (from 4:1 to 30:1), dual-channel audio, time-lapse recording, build and edit clip lists.

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8 LCD Monitors

• 5 camera video assist & 3 witness LCD monitors are mounted in various positions inside the ML55. Each monitor has dual inputs.
• A 4 input video switcher determines what feed gets recorded.
• 2 DA8s & 1 DA4 split the video signals coming into the back video patch bay.
• DVD Player: for reference footage is built into one of the LCD screens.
• All video connectors are Canare 75 Ω BNC.

Patch Bays

• Front Patch Bay is a mini version of the Back Patch Bay.
• On both patch bays you will find:
• A, B & C Camera Video Outs, A & B Witness Camera Outs, 12 Volt Outs (4pin XLR), Balanced Program Sound L R In & Out, Communication Out (to belt pack), Program Sound In & Out of Com. System, Loop from front to back patch, 4 Audio Input Switch to Bose Sound System, Video Control Switches.

Integrated iCom Systems:

• All in the Chase car can converse at normal speaking levels via iCom mic/ headsets that are always active.
• An iCom 50 watt licensed 2 channel walkie push-to-talk system to communicate with picture car drivers & base camp. Both systems are secure and private from production walkie channels.

How the iCom Systems Work:

• When the Director gives an instruction to the picture car driver they simply push the white button on their belt back. The driver hears the direction over the speaker in the handset & responds (push-to-talk) via the external mic.
• Everyone in the Chase Car can hears the response in their headsets.

Who uses the iCom System:

• Director push-to-talk.
• Camera Op foot pedal.
• ML55 Driver console trigger.
• 1st AD push-to-talk.
• Crane Op push-to-talk.
• Picture Car Driver push-to-talk.
• Base Camp hand trigger.

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