Aaton Xtera Programme

At a time when standard 16 mm was used mainly for medium-resolution TV, Rune Ericson introduced the concept of Super16 to Jean-Pierre Beauviala, the founder of Aaton who decided to design a Super16 camera with 'theater projection' resolution at its heart.

This goal led to the research and development of a camera whose main technical feature would be a micro-steady film transport, not just vertically and laterally, but also in terms of flange focal distance. The result was the famous co- planar pull-down mechanism. This focus on crispness, in turn, led to the design of an extremely high resolution fibre optic viewfinder for focus control.

Other essential features were quietness achieved through the use of a direct-drive brushless motor while others were using belts and gears, permanent real time recording by AatonCode at the gate level, ergonomics with the famous cat-on-the shoulder shape, remote view of framing tfrough a fully integrated video assist.

Of all these advances -- mostly firsts by Aaton over four decades -- the most important one in today's HD world is the coplanar movement ensuring the crispest images and the quietest cameras ever. The Xterà builds on the Aaton philosophy of always giving users the benefits of technical and design improvements. Rather than a costly generational change, what you have here

is a brand new camera, and/or an affordable upgrade programe for Aaton XTR prod owners.

None of this "buy the whole kit" stuff you get in some spheres. For example: AATON Xterà owners will not need to buy new magazines, since any XTR magazine will operate perfectly on the Xterà; the same applies for viewfinders. A real plus for rental houses.

The new components of the Aaton Xterà are designed to be easily integrated into any existing XTRprods.

Update includes :

NEW VHR 16 video assist :

Progressive scan video assist : full target resolution in Run or Stop position.
The lowest power eater in the market : approx. 180mA in Pal, 200mA in NTSC
Manual iris and electronic gain
Frame store (one picture can be stored and recall)
Automatic white balance : with RGB values which can be modified
Color chart (to calibrate monitors)
Frame line generator (4 frames can be set and memorized, transparency and color can be adjusted.....)
Resolution : 769 x 576 PAL, 640 x 580 NTSC
Logo can be downloaded and burned in video picture
2 x BNC analog video outputs
1 x Fisher 4 (Video & Power) output for mini monitors

NEW Junction box (PBY) including :

2 ports battery holder and Lemo 6 x 2, Lemo 8 x 1, Lemo 2 and BNC x 2 connectors.
Also on option, 11 position variable shutter and complete overhaul of the camera.

TECH SPECS...

• The gentle-for-film Aaton style magazine lacing is becoming the standard of the industry. The Xtera magazine keeps up the tradition, and with its totally open loop-making area it is easier to check and keep clean.
• The half-moon mechanical counter remains visible at a distance, from behind operator's head. In addition, large numbers are clearly visible on assistant display.
• Running on one or two 12V 3.8Ah NiMH batteries, the highly efficient Xterà motor powers twenty-four 400' magazines (eleven 800' magazines), i.e. four hours!
• Xterà's color video-tap is the lowest power eater on the market: at 200mA, it can run for over a day on the twin batteries! This is a third of what other videotaps consume!
• Lower and upper batteries feed camera motor, video-tap and accessories. They are paralleled and avoid power interruption during replacement. Single-battery operation is also an option.
• A real chunk cut out for the shoulder: the Xterà respects the 'cat on the shoulder' rule Aaton is famous for. No other camera brings this comfort to the operator.
• Coplanar film pull-down: so quiet it doesn't need elastic filters between the gate and the lens, so steady it extracts every last bit of the Super16 frame. Superior image crispness, one of Aaton's claims to fame.
• High precision internal photometer for run-and-gun situations and peace-of-mind permanent exposure control.
• Versatile viewfinder: you can change the tap ratios, i.e. the amount of light sent to the tap: 100%, 80%, 50%, 0%, or remove the optical viewfinder for 'low mode' with absolutely no effect on the video tap.
• Top Rod holder (19, 15,8 and 15mm diam), mounted on the central chassis, means no lens motor torque backlash.
• Rock solid link between lens and film makes for ultra crisp images: no noise hiding, blur-producing rubber mounted film gate.
• Built-in 15mm front rod sockets for handgrip and lightweight mattebox (the lateral top rod looks after the lens motors). Lens-to-base distance is the standard 105mm: no need to carry a tripod intermediary.
• Large assistant display showing frame rate, remaining footage, ISO, timecode, two battery levels... (data also visible on operator side).
• Generous junction box dispatching power from the twin batteries to camera, video assist and accessories. Stop/test/start switch on assistant side.
• Progressive-scan video assist provides full target resolution during film takes: a first in video taps. Aatoncode VITC insertion to auto-sync rushes with digital recorder files.

Download Xtera Manual PDF (1.4 MB PDF)

Download VHR Manual PDF (1.2 MB PDF)

OTHER AATON PRODUCTS:

This item is available now from Lemac Sales & Rentals - please contact us for more details or a quote.