DJI Announces Ronin 2, Cendence RC & More

bannerdji-700x366.jpg It's already been a busy NAB 2017 for DJI as they've unveiled the Ronin 2 gimbal aimed at professional filmmakers as well as a number of exciting new peripherals. Read on to find out everything we know so far.

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DJI ANNOUNCES RONIN 2 GIMBAL

The Ronin 2 three-axis camera stabiliser is a redesigned member of the Ronin range built to give filmmakers total creative freedom. Thanks to DJI's expertise in gimbal technology, the Ronin 2 has more power and torque to carry larger cameras, is more versatile and has more intelligent features to allow for unprecedented camera movement.

Paul Pan, DJI's Senior Product Manager, has released the following statement on the new gimbal: "The Ronin 2 dramatically improves every aspect of the camera operating experience and is the best stabiliser we have ever made. Completely redesigned to meet the needs of today's camera professionals, the DJI Ronin 2 makes it easier than ever to capture stunning cinematic footage under the widest variety of situations." ronin2image1.jpg DJI's Ronin 2 gives filmmakers a versatile approach to select the right camera for the shot. An enlarged camera cage and 50mm extendable arms support everything from DSLRs to full cinematic cameras and lenses. Powerful gimbal motors ensure sufficient torque to handle payloads up to 30lbs. Aided by onboard GPS the powerful, encoded motors let the Ronin 2 travel at speeds of up to 75mph while delivering the same 0.02° of sub-pixel level precision that Ronin users have come to expect. With a new design and detachable grip, the Ronin 2 adds custom stabilisation to the full range of camera mounts that directors rely on. From basic handheld and jib configurations to cable cams, vehicles and drones, DJI's Ronin 2 provides a wide range of creative flexibility. A new two-axis operation mode for mounting to Steadicams offers innovative movement patterns that were once impossible to perform. ronin2image2.jpg The quick release mount makes it easy to transfer seamlessly from one scene to the next, giving filmmakers new freedom to explore every perspective. A redesigned dual band 2.4/5.8 GHz remote allows minimised interference for full control during remote and two-person operation at a range of nearly 1.5km. Every detail of the DJI Ronin 2 has been improved for quick setup and easy operation. New axis locking levers and fine tuning knobs deliver faster and more precise balancing, while the Auto-Tune Stability feature intelligently adjusts motor parameters for optimal use in seconds. A new integrated touch screen with 1,000nits of brightness lets professionals directly configure the gimbal settings for on-the-fly adjustments and for full control of mounted cameras (including the RED range). ronin2image3.jpg The Ronin 2 boasts a redesigned carbon fiber frame which provides what DJI are calling 'the highest quality manufacturing ever in a handheld stabilised camera rig' while making the platform durable, lightweight and easy to carry. New fold-away feet enable the operator to set the platform down during handheld filming without the need for a separate stand. A splash-proof enclosed motor design with internally routed power, SDI and data cabling enables worry-free shooting in the most demanding environments. Integrated power and data ports make the DJI Ronin 2 a centralised system for cameras and accessories without the need for multiple power systems. It features four 14.4v (8 amps) ports near the camera cage, two 12.6v (4 amps) ports near the pan motor, and one P-Tap 12.6v (4 amps) outlet on the battery mount. Dual hot-swappable batteries provide continuous uptime without ever powering down. They are capable of operating simultaneously and independently to provide 2.5 hours of runtime to power the gimbal and cameras up to the RED Dragon. The Ronin 2 uses the same ultra-fast charging, high-capacity, self-heating batteries as the DJI Inspire 2, simplifying battery management and guaranteeing reliable power in extremely cold temperatures down to -4°F. The battery system is fully detachable to provide a portable power supply for any 12v P-Tap powered camera or accessory. ronin2image4.jpg The completely updated DJI gimbal assistant mobile app provides a more intuitive and easier-to-use interface for bringing a cinematic vision to life. It includes new studio-oriented functions to easily capture complicated camera moves that once required specialised expertise or additional equipment. The new Panorama mode automatically controls DJI's Ronin 2 to create still image panoramas that account for the camera sensor type and lens focal length as well as the user-defined overlap rate. Its new Timelapse mode can program multiple movements and camera actions at different points along a route, and view progress in real time and the new CamAnchor mode lets operators quickly record a preferred gimbal orientation at particular locations, then revisit them with a simple touch as the camera moves from point to point. The intelligent SmoothTrack system that provides stable images while the camera is on the move has been enhanced with an updated algorithm for keeping Ronin 2 in sync with the operator's movements. For every scenario encountered by a professional camera, Ronin 2 users can fine-tune how their rig responds to new movements along all three axes. As for the release date? According to DJI the Ronin 2 will be available in the second quarter of 2017 and pricing will be announced prior to availability.

THE DJI CENDENCE REMOTE CONTROLLER

The new DJI Cendence remote controller is DJI's first multi-platform controller for professionals who need versatility, efficiency and personalization at their fingertips. Its intuitive ergonomic design fits perfectly in your hands, allowing easy access to programmable function buttons and dials. Users can program and store customised button configurations for varied flight and shooting options and can use two dials to adjust the pitch and yaw of the gimbal at the same time. With the DJI Cendence, pilots have instant access to functions like ISO, sharpness, shutter speed, focus and more, without navigating the touch menu settings on their mobile device. cendenceimage.jpg The DJI Cendence features built-in SDI and HDMI video transmission ports for live HD broadcast and streaming applications and can be easily adapted to use DJI's Lightbridge or WiFi video transmission technology. The controller mounts smartphones, tablets and DJI's high-brightness CrystalSky monitors, and also features a smaller secondary screen to display critical telemetry data. Long battery life of up to 4 hours and the ability to easily exchange batteries make power management easier and longer flights possible. Cendence is compatible with DJI's Matrice 200 and Inspire 2 drones. DJI has said that the Cendence remote controller will be available 'later this year' with a price of £949.

THE DJI TRACKTENNA

DJI's Tracktenna is a high-gain antenna that ushers in a new era of remote wireless communication by improving signal reliability over long distances and resisting interference. Its built-in sensors and two-axis gimbal automatically point the antenna to the aircraft at all times, bolstering the connection even while the operator is in motion or on a vehicle. tracktennaimage3.jpg When installed on the new Cendence controller in optimal conditions, DJI Tracktenna can boost signal transmission to over 10km, giving professionals increased responsiveness and confidence when performing complex flights like search and rescue missions, power line inspections, pipeline inspections, live HD broadcasting, filmmaking and more. Pilots should always understand and follow any applicable laws and regulations regarding flight distance. DJI Tracktenna supports transmission speeds of up to 10Mbps within 2km for data-intensive applications. It supports both 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz frequency bands, giving it greater signal stability. tracktennaimage4.jpg Both the pricing and availability for DJI's Tracktenna are set to be announced at a later date.

DJI's CRYSTALSKY MONITOR RANGE

The CrystalSky range of dedicated monitors offers a brighter and more reliable display screen for pilots, photographers and filmmakers who need more robust visual information than is available on smartphones and tablets. The CrystalSky series features displays up to 2000cd/m2, which is 4x brighter than a typical smartphone or tablet, allowing clear screen visibility even in full daylight. CrystalSky monitors are available in 5.5" and 7.85" sizes. They attach directly to the new Cendence controller and use a new dedicated mounting bracket to attach to other DJI controllers. They are designed to operate in temperature ranges from -4 to +104°F, and can operate for up to 6 hours in ideal conditions using a secondary external battery. crystalsky.jpg CrystalSky runs optimised versions of the DJI GO, DJI GO 4 and DJI Pilot apps, and includes two microSD card slots for rapid storage and playback of encoded 4K video. A typically vague release date from DJI states that CrystalSky will be available 'soon' in three configurations: a 5.5", 1000cd/m2 version for £449, a 7.85", 1000cd/m2 version for £669 and a 7.85", 2000cd/m2 version for £949.

AN ALL-NEW CUSTOMER SERVICE SCHEME

The new DJI Circle program delivers a premium customer support program dedicated to ensuring world-class service whenever help is needed. The program offers broad coverage over a 12-month period for up to five DJI products, including the Inspire, M600, Mavic Pro and Phantom drone series, and the Ronin and OSMO series of handheld stabilisers. Each DJI Circle member receives the services of a personal DJI concierge to guide them through the many benefits of the program, and to ensure they can take advantage of those features easily and efficiently. The concierge can manage expedited battery rentals, prioritise product shipments, field technical support questions, provide information tailored to members' particular needs, and invite them to exclusive DJI events where they can network with both DJI product managers and industry experts. djilogoimage.png With one single point of contact from around the world – including backup concierges available around the clock, every day of the year – DJI Circle members are free to focus on their creative needs. DJI Circle benefits include:

• Battery Rental Service: Upon request, batteries will be delivered to ensure your DJI devices always have as much power as needed to get you through your project. This service also helps avoid air travel restrictions associated with some DJI battery technology.

• Device Repair and Backup Service: Receive coverage for repair of accidental damage to DJI products, up to $15,000 (USD) annually. When sending a product to DJI for repair you will receive a temporary replacement device to use until the repair is complete.

• Global SOS Service: Gain access to emergency medical services in the event you become ill or injured while travelling.

• Exclusive Membership Benefits: Be among the first to receive new DJI products, plus exclusive access to DJI events and networking opportunities.

• Airport Lounge Access: Free access to more than 850 airport lounges across the globe.

DJI Circle will first be available starting in May by invitation only to customers in the United States and mainland China, starting at $4,699 (USD) for a 12-month period.

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