Hollywood Lite and XL1 fittings for Studio at DVinfo.net

April 27th, 2002, 03:44 PM

Hey gang, are any of you using the Hollywood Lite stabilizers? The GT Series? I'm just wondering how those are working.

ALSO, what is the best for handle Zoom/Focus and for LCD monitors in a 'studio' or live situation? I have looked at VariZoom, but don't know what your impressions are.

Just looking for some reviews / suggestions.

-Grimps

James Emory · August 5th, 2002, 12:47 AM

I am a Hollywood user. I fly my XL with the GTX rig. It performs very well for the money. As far as lens controls, I use the Varizoom studio kit. Click on the link(s) below for a streaming video demo of the GTX in motion.

Steadicam Links

(high speed)
http://198.65.158.133/steadicam/STEADICAM300K.asx

(dial up)
http://198.65.158.133/steadicam/STEADICAM56K.asx

wefdenver · August 6th, 2002, 08:02 AM

James,

I can't find a cost for that GTX you demoed in the video. How much did you pay and where did you buy it?

Thanks

Keith Loh · August 6th, 2002, 10:54 AM

Just to save anyone the trouble of looking them up on Google:
http://hollywoodlite.com/HOLLYWOOD_LITE/Hollywood_Litx.html

I'm also interested in what the cost of that is.

Terrible site, by the way.

Chris Hurd · August 6th, 2002, 11:04 AM

I've tried many times over to get Gary Tull (of Hollywood Lite) interested in DV Info Net and what we do here, but to no avail. Good luck.

On the other hand, Garrett Brown (inventor of Steadicam) told me once that he visits the Watchdog regularly. That really made my day!

Jeff Donald · August 6th, 2002, 12:08 PM

The GTX/S series runs around $2600-$2700 depending on accessories. I compared the Hollywood lite series to the Glidecam V-8 http://www.glidecam.com/goldvest.html and for my needs and build (6ft., slender) the Glidecam has a better fit and feel. But everyone is different. These are the types of devices you really need to try before you buy, if possible.

Jeff

James Emory · August 6th, 2002, 04:48 PM

Howdy. The cost of the rig by itself was $2800.00. But I went ahead and got the low mode kit with the cage just to be prepared. All of this together with a couple of batteries and variably sized arm post extensions has run around $3500.00. The owners and engineers of the company are all from Steadicam (Cinema Products). There was a big upheaval when Steadicam did its transfer to Tiffen and these folks went their own way and started Hollywood. I call it a Steadicam because no one, literally, that I have encountered in this industry has heard of Hollywood Lite. But everybody in the industry knows what Steadicam is and when I say Steadicam they say OK that's what we need. Anyway, Chris made a good point about the management being difficult. In my opinion they are unacceptable when it comes to support. I've been on the phone many times with Gary and the engineer and it seems like I'm spinning my wheels or talking to a wall because nothing gets accomplished. I was going to get an actual Mini Steadicam rig but after comparing the two and knowing the same guys helped design it before they left I chose Hollywood because if you look at them they're VERY similar, for copyright reasons obviously, but there is a difference in price of around $1500-$2000. However, if the differences are black & white, then I'm going with the better rig. The great thing is that B&H will let you return it within 7 days if you are not satisfied. This rig has some issues that you have to compensate for but again, for the money, it performs well. They have recently introduced a dual action arm, like the larger rigs, which provides more shock absorption and vertical travel and is available for the low, low price of I believe $1500-$1800. I am 6'7" tall and need that extra vertical travel. Hope this helps.

April 27th, 2002, 03:44 PM	#1
pgrimpo1 Posts: n/a	Hollywood Lite and XL1 fittings for Studio Hey gang, are any of you using the Hollywood Lite stabilizers? The GT Series? I'm just wondering how those are working. ALSO, what is the best for handle Zoom/Focus and for LCD monitors in a 'studio' or live situation? I have looked at VariZoom, but don't know what your impressions are. Just looking for some reviews / suggestions. -Grimps

August 5th, 2002, 12:47 AM	#2
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Hollywood Lite I am a Hollywood user. I fly my XL with the GTX rig. It performs very well for the money. As far as lens controls, I use the Varizoom studio kit. Click on the link(s) below for a streaming video demo of the GTX in motion. Steadicam Links (high speed) http://198.65.158.133/steadicam/STEADICAM300K.asx (dial up) http://198.65.158.133/steadicam/STEADICAM56K.asx

August 6th, 2002, 08:02 AM	#3
wefdenver Registration Incomplete -- contact Admin. Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 29	What's the cost? James, I can't find a cost for that GTX you demoed in the video. How much did you pay and where did you buy it? Thanks

August 6th, 2002, 10:54 AM	#4
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	Just to save anyone the trouble of looking them up on Google: http://hollywoodlite.com/HOLLYWOOD_LITE/Hollywood_Litx.html I'm also interested in what the cost of that is. Terrible site, by the way. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

August 6th, 2002, 11:04 AM	#5
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	I've tried many times over to get Gary Tull (of Hollywood Lite) interested in DV Info Net and what we do here, but to no avail. Good luck. On the other hand, Garrett Brown (inventor of Steadicam) told me once that he visits the Watchdog regularly. That really made my day! __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

August 6th, 2002, 12:08 PM	#6
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	The GTX/S series runs around $2600-$2700 depending on accessories. I compared the Hollywood lite series to the Glidecam V-8 http://www.glidecam.com/goldvest.html and for my needs and build (6ft., slender) the Glidecam has a better fit and feel. But everyone is different. These are the types of devices you really need to try before you buy, if possible. Jeff

August 6th, 2002, 04:48 PM	#7
James Emory Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 1,892	Hollywood Lite - Costs Howdy. The cost of the rig by itself was $2800.00. But I went ahead and got the low mode kit with the cage just to be prepared. All of this together with a couple of batteries and variably sized arm post extensions has run around $3500.00. The owners and engineers of the company are all from Steadicam (Cinema Products). There was a big upheaval when Steadicam did its transfer to Tiffen and these folks went their own way and started Hollywood. I call it a Steadicam because no one, literally, that I have encountered in this industry has heard of Hollywood Lite. But everybody in the industry knows what Steadicam is and when I say Steadicam they say OK that's what we need. Anyway, Chris made a good point about the management being difficult. In my opinion they are unacceptable when it comes to support. I've been on the phone many times with Gary and the engineer and it seems like I'm spinning my wheels or talking to a wall because nothing gets accomplished. I was going to get an actual Mini Steadicam rig but after comparing the two and knowing the same guys helped design it before they left I chose Hollywood because if you look at them they're VERY similar, for copyright reasons obviously, but there is a difference in price of around $1500-$2000. However, if the differences are black & white, then I'm going with the better rig. The great thing is that B&H will let you return it within 7 days if you are not satisfied. This rig has some issues that you have to compensate for but again, for the money, it performs well. They have recently introduced a dual action arm, like the larger rigs, which provides more shock absorption and vertical travel and is available for the low, low price of I believe $1500-$1800. I am 6'7" tall and need that extra vertical travel. Hope this helps.