Orbiter (camera seat)

An Orbiter in terms of broadcast camera technology is a camera seat used by camera operators that swivels at a low working height. Another term, often used is therefore "low shooter" as filming or video taping is often named "shooting".

Orbiter with a camera operator.

The Orbiter low shooter is characterized by a partial separation of the camera section (mount) and the movable/swivelling seat ensuring the natural vibrations, caused by the camera operator, is absorbed by the swivel seat to a large extent. This is especially important with telephoto lenses with up to x101 zoom or more, where vibration resistance is vital for steady pictures. The swiveling seat is not mounted on the centre camera column (which would increase vibration), but it rotates with the camera along the same axis as the camera pans. Further, the unlinked design makes sure, that no movement of the swivel seat causes unwanted movement to the camera, this is different to other systems, which link the seat to the camera, resulting in visible movement in the camera picture even when just slightly moving the seat. Due to marketing reasons the name ‘Orbiter’ was chosen because the cameraman is in orbit around the camera, and because orbita means ‘eye socket´ in medical language, and a camera is an electronic eye.

The Orbiter project, founded in 2002 was initially supported by the European Union and European Regional Development Fund.[1] Meanwhile it became a worldwide recognised brand in broadcasting. The Orbiter system is the most successful camera seat worldwide, in terms of sales.

The Orbiter system was used exclusively at the UEFA European Championships in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020, as well as at the FIFA World and Confederations Cups of 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2014, and 2018.

Production companies for German Bundesliga use the Orbiter 500 ultraflat for all cameras at the sideline to minimise sight restrictions and, most important, minimising interferences with the fourth referee and coaches. Since 2011, the Orbiter 270 stadium is used at camel races, mounted on top of 4WD vehicles, providing live footage from camel races transmitted by wireless links. Since 2011, Orbiter.tv has been developing a customised version for videotaping spacecraft launches by Arianespace in French Guiana, and for NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center handling simultaneously a number of different camera types including high speed cameras for analysis.

Early after its launch, a Chinese 1:1 copy, a Dutch partial copy of the Orbiter and a Spanish/ Portugues 1:1 copy appeared at broadcasts and TV business fairs.