At NAB 23, we had the opportunity to interview a member of the Tilta team about their upcoming product, the Hydra Arm Mini. This innovative cinema camera car crane is set to transform the world of vehicle-mounted cinematography, making it more accessible and versatile for filmmakers than ever before. In this blog article, we'll delve into the features of the Hydra Arm Mini and explore how this product is poised to change the filmmaking landscape.

Tilta Hydra Arm Mini: The Ultimate Cinema Camera Car Crane

The Tilta Hydra Arm Mini Pro Kit is a lightweight, portable, and easy-to-use camera crane designed for capturing dynamic moving shots with various camera systems and gimbals, such as the RS 3 PRO, RS 2, Ronin 4D, Ronin MX, and Freefly Movi Pro. With its counterweight-free design, the Hydra Arm Mini simplifies setup and operation, making it safer and more efficient for filmmakers.

Key Features and Benefits

1. Easy Mounting: The Pro Kit includes suction cups, speed rail, and ratchet straps, allowing you to mount the system easily on most vehicles that can support the 155lb weight of the arm (not including gimbal or camera).

2. Versatile Suction Cup Kits: Optional suction cup kits are available for vehicles with various sunroof sizes, including panoramic sunroofs.

3. Remote Monitoring: An optional Electronic Kit enables users to monitor suction cup pressure remotely for added safety.

4. Stability on Uneven Surfaces: The Shock Absorbing Arm and adjustable Shock Absorbing Head ensure smooth and stable operation on uneven terrain.

5. Customizable Controller: The wired Controller provides access to various options for the tilt and pan axis, including speed, dampening, and range of motion limitations, as well as custom user settings and Pro Mode for simultaneous control of the Hydra Arm Mini and an RS2/RS3 Pro Gimbal.

6. Compatibility: The system is compatible with a range of gimbals that can be mounted via 1/4"-20 threads and powered via V-Mount batteries, as long as they stay within the 22lb weight limit.

7. Power Options: The V-Mount Battery Plate is included, and an optional Gold Mount Battery Plate will be available for purchase in the future.

Please note that a 220V 1000wH+ power source is required to operate the system but is not included. Additionally, the arm does not have power or video passthrough features, so a wireless video transmitter and onboard camera batteries or the Gold/V-Mount battery plate are necessary.

Conclusion

The Tilta Hydra Arm Mini is set to revolutionize vehicle-mounted cinematography with its innovative design and versatile features. Don't miss our exclusive video interview and product overview at NAB 23 to learn more about how this groundbreaking camera crane is changing the filmmaking game. Be sure to subscribe to our blog and YouTube channel for more industry updates, product releases, and behind-the-scenes insights!