I own a Sony PD150. The smaller DV/DVCAM units have a number of advantages, but sometimes size actually works against you. Veterans accustomed to toting Betacams on their shoulders know that the weight of the camera actually creates sufficient inertia to stabilize the shot. It is much harder to keep the smaller camera stable when hand-held and even tiring to do so.

I have tried everything imaginable in the lower end range of DV camera mounting and stabilization systems. Stationary hand-held stabilizers can be difficult to balance, but, once balanced I dare anyone to try to hold that device for more than a few minutes. Your forearm actually functions as the articulated arm of a steadicam-type device with vest and arm. And its gets tiring. Then there are the hand-held gimbel devices. Again, they are very heavy and require balancing. Not having been the most coordinated cub scout in the pack, I simply could never get the knack of a gimbel-based device.

So, when I had the opportunity to see in action and then purchase a DV Rig Pro, I jumped at the chance. No, you don't get to see actual photos of me. You see, the DV Rig Pro consists of several components: a shoulder mount with a counterweight on the back (which could also hold a brick-type battery), adjustments for up/down, a Bogen (Manfrotto) quick release plate which is also adjustable side to side both for balance and viewfinder or LCD screen, and a belt with a spring-loaded rod which attaches to the bottom of the camera plate and sits in a little pouch in the belt. DV Tec also provides a belt extension to those whose girth exceeds the standard size belt. It is for those reasons of girth that I prefer to make television, restrict most of my on-air work to radio, and not serve as a model for the DV Rig Pro.

Like any device that also includes stabilization, the DV Rig Pro does require some tweaking of the back counterweight and side to side motion of the camera. Having achieved that, it is possible to use those two front handles just with finger tips. I usually attach my Varizoom to the right handle and compensate for the weight with balance.

Combining the belt, spring-loaded rod and shoulder mount keeps the camera stable and distributes the weight evenly. The rig itself with counterweight is somewhat heavy, but this weight adds to the stabilization. I have been able to shoot with this unit for long stretches. In fact, my feet usually give out before my back and arms.

There is also a shoulder strap which can be used as a low-mount, and the unit itself rests nicely on a table or on the ground for a stationary or ground-level shot. Other accessories include a radio mike holder, shorter rod, carrying case and on-camera light.

For those attending NAB 2004, designer Danny Natovich will be showing the rig personally in the Cartoni booth.

This is another Ned-recommended product. Again, subjectively, it works for me. The downsides are cost and an occasional feeling of being restricted in the spontaneity of your shots. Changing shots might require loosening and tightening the knobs or the spring-loaded rod. It might be harder to use the device following fast-moving and variable action than it would be to shoot hand-held. There is a learning curve to effectively "flying it." But for wedding, event, ENG and controlled production uses, this product is a winner.