In every video production, there are many cameras, batteries, hard drives, computers, monitors, lights, and more. However, without proper organization, managing all these items during movement can become quite troublesome. This is where a Video Production Camera Cart comes in as the best choice for keeping everything together and allowing easy mobility, especially when transitioning between scenes during team shoots.
What is a Video Production Camera Cart?
A Video Production Camera Cart is a multifunctional cart designed specifically for video production, equipped with wheels at the bottom to allow flexible movement of various equipment on set. It can carry cameras, lights, and other equipment mentioned earlier, keeping them well-organized during transportation. With this cart, the crew can quickly arrange and adjust equipment, saving time and improving efficiency, especially in large shooting locations or when frequently switching between scenes. It functions like a larger suitcase, moving freely, offering great convenience and support for video production.
Advantages of a Video Production Camera Cart
A Video Production Camera Cart offers many advantages on set, particularly for the crew.
- Easier Mobility
The Video Production Camera Cart makes it easy to transport various filming equipment, reducing the burden on staff. There’s no need for multiple people or trips to carry all the equipment, even if it’s heavy, speeding up scene transitions and setups during filming.
- Equipment Organization
A Video Production Camera Cart typically has multiple compartments, allowing equipment to be placed in an orderly manner, making it easy to access quickly during use.
- Increased Efficiency
By placing all the necessary equipment on the Video Production Camera Cart, it eliminates unnecessary back-and-forth trips, reducing downtime during filming and effectively increasing production efficiency.
- Convenient Operation
Not only can the Video Production Camera Cart move easily, but it can also function as a table, allowing various devices to be placed on it for use. For example, a monitor can be set up on it for the director and others to view.
Power Supply Solutions for a Video Production Camera Cart
The director’s cart often carries many devices, such as cameras, computers, monitors, lights, and more. However, all of these devices require power. Some devices have built-in batteries, but these may not last during extended filming, leading to low battery situations, and external power sources become necessary.
How to Power the Devices?
- Connect to the Mains
If you are in a location with access to the mains or indoors, you can move the cart next to an available outlet and plug in the devices directly. This ensures stable power.
- Use V-mount Batteries
V-mount batteries can provide continuous power to cameras, lights, monitors, and other devices. They are compatible with multiple devices and can power equipment via D-TAP, USB-C, and other ports.
- Portable Power Stations
Compared to V-mount batteries, portable power stations have larger capacity and power output, suitable for powering high-consumption devices such as lights. With multiple AC outlets, they can support multiple devices simultaneously, making them ideal for filming environments that require high power.
How to Choose the Right Power Supply?
Based on the information above, there are three options to choose from, so how do you decide?
If you are indoors with stable mains power, connecting directly to the mains is the safest option. However, if you are outdoors without access to the mains, V-mount batteries and portable power stations are the best choices.
That said, V-mount batteries offer less capacity and output power than portable power stations. If your equipment has low power requirements, then V-mount batteries will suffice. However, if you’re using more equipment with higher power demands, portable power stations are a better fit because they can handle the total power requirements of multiple devices.
Here is a list of common equipment power requirements on a Video Production Camera Cart, which can help you choose the most suitable power supply.
Equipment Name | Approximate Power Consumption |
Walkie-Talkie | 5~10W |
Computer | 30~100W |
Various Battery Chargers | Depends on battery type and charger power |
Film Lights | 100~3500W |
What is Portable Power Station?
Portable power station involves storing energy in rechargeable batteries, which can be used to power electronic devices at home or while on the go. It is suitable for a variety of locations, especially in outdoor environments or places without electricity, providing power for various devices through its AC outlets.
Our portable power stations come in a range of capacities, from 890Wh to 3570Wh, with a maximum output power of up to 3500W. This makes them highly convenient for powering high-power devices, such as the Aputure XT26 high-power film light. These power stations can easily handle the power needs of activities like camping, small businesses, film crew shoots, and outdoor live streaming.
For lighter power needs, our smaller-capacity portable power stations offer a more lightweight solution, ideal for small photography teams and similar scenarios.
Our portable power station systems use semi-solid state cells, which allow for over 2000 charging cycles. Based on a daily usage rate, this translates to a lifespan of approximately five and a half years, with the battery still retaining 80% of its capacity after that period.
The Video Production Camera Cart is an ideal choice for on-set filming, helping camera crews manage and transport various photography equipment more efficiently. Portable power station is undoubtedly a perfect power solution for this setup. Compared to traditional power sources, it not only provides more robust power but also offers portability and flexibility, unaffected by location constraints. Whether in indoor or outdoor environments without access to power, it eliminates the inconveniences caused by power limitations, enhancing the overall efficiency of the filming process.