ENG Camera

Figure 14-5.—E1ectronic news gathering (ENG) camera. (CCU), usually located in the control room. The CCU consists of a waveform monitor (an oscilloscope that displays a video signal graphically), television monitor and shading control. Studio cameras are expensive, ranging in price from under $5,000 to more than $100,000. However, the more expensive cameras deliver high-quality images in a variety of production conditions. ENG CAMERA The electronic news gathering (ENG) video camera replaced 16mm motion-picture film for television news in the mid-1970s. The ENG cameras are automated and fully operational within a few seconds after they are switched on. You can make adjustments to extreme production situations quickly and easily. Most ENG cameras weigh between six and 20 pounds, depending on the number of pickup tubes inside the camera. They are powered by batteries, but you may also run them from AC current using an adapter. An ENG camera is shown in figure 14-5. CONVERTIBLE CAMERA Some of the more expensive ENG cameras maybe converted from an ENG format to a studio camera head with a large viewfinder and advanced zoom lens. In terms of practicality, the convertible camera is tough to beat because you can use the same camera for two distinct applications. For instance, you can use a convertible camera to cover the 11 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Navy Commissary, then connect it to a CCU in the control room for the evening news six hours later. Furthermore, the convertible camera is invaluable for remote productions requiring several cameras, such as sporting and entertainment events. A convertible camera is shown in figure 14-6. CAMCORDER Unlike the standard ENG camera, which must be connected to the videocassette recorder (VCR) with a cable, the camcorder (fig. 14-7) combines a camera and a videocassette in one unit. The camcorder weighs less than an ENG camera and may be operated by one person. This allows increased mobility in tight ENG situations. 14-4