Glidecam vs Movi at DVinfo.net

Peter Berger · July 30th, 2014, 11:07 AM

Can somebody explain to me what is the diffference between analog stabilizers like Steadicam/Glidecam and motorized stabilizers like Movi? What are the advantages of the motorized stabilizer?

Daniel Epstein · July 30th, 2014, 04:22 PM

Peter,
There are lots of differences in the way each unit operates and the skill level required to get good results. The advantage the Movi seems to have over some of the other units you mention is its ability to be handed off from one operator to another which is not easily done with a steadicam with a vest. Also remote controls for pan and tilt of the movi mounted camera while being moved around means you can have more camera control compared to other systems.

Chuck Spaulding · July 31st, 2014, 12:41 AM

The main difference is that Steadicam's are passive, they rely almost entirely on balance while camera gimbals like the Movi are active stabilizers requiring a controller to keep the camera steady.

They are very different and although they are both used for camera stabilization they are quite different. Steadicam's (passive) are very good at not only keeping the camera level but also keeping it from moving vertically while walking and running, since a gimbal can't account for changes in the vertical distance its almost always easy to tell when someone is walking with it.

Probably the best application of a gimbal is when its mounted on a Steadicam. They can both be very difficult to use but when used by people who know what they are doing they can help provide amazing shots.

Like Steadicam's there are good gimbals and not so good gimbals, generally speaking a good gimbal can cost almost as much as a good steadicam but I think gimbals have more value because they can be mounted on a variety of different things.

Noa Put · July 31st, 2014, 02:13 AM

You could give a movi to someone that has never used a steadicam before and get acceptable shots that you might be able to use in a production (like a wedding) but you can't do the same with a steadicam. Also, you can use a movi outside when there is a lot of wind which would be much more challenging and up to impossible with a steadicam.

Julian Ott · August 17th, 2014, 10:28 PM

Being only slightly experienced in both on a few projects:

• both need to be planned carefully because they have limits in sudden and gradual movements. Handoffs on movi are possible but still need to be planned and done carefully or you'll be stabilizing in post

• movi seems ideal for long shots with weird terrain.

• movi with 2 operators (one for focus) becomes quite complicated

• professional steadicam operators can tell you how to improve your plan for the shot and what's in the realm of possible.

• as already mentioned, if you have the time on a movi, you can play with it and practice and plan and probably get better results as an amateur than you would on a glidecam.

July 30th, 2014, 11:07 AM	#1
Peter Berger Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 136	Glidecam vs Movi Can somebody explain to me what is the diffference between analog stabilizers like Steadicam/Glidecam and motorized stabilizers like Movi? What are the advantages of the motorized stabilizer?

July 30th, 2014, 04:22 PM	#2
Daniel Epstein Trustee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,267	Re: Glidecam vs Movi Peter, There are lots of differences in the way each unit operates and the skill level required to get good results. The advantage the Movi seems to have over some of the other units you mention is its ability to be handed off from one operator to another which is not easily done with a steadicam with a vest. Also remote controls for pan and tilt of the movi mounted camera while being moved around means you can have more camera control compared to other systems.

July 31st, 2014, 12:41 AM	#3
Chuck Spaulding Trustee Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Thousand Oaks Posts: 1,099	Re: Glidecam vs Movi The main difference is that Steadicam's are passive, they rely almost entirely on balance while camera gimbals like the Movi are active stabilizers requiring a controller to keep the camera steady. They are very different and although they are both used for camera stabilization they are quite different. Steadicam's (passive) are very good at not only keeping the camera level but also keeping it from moving vertically while walking and running, since a gimbal can't account for changes in the vertical distance its almost always easy to tell when someone is walking with it. Probably the best application of a gimbal is when its mounted on a Steadicam. They can both be very difficult to use but when used by people who know what they are doing they can help provide amazing shots. Like Steadicam's there are good gimbals and not so good gimbals, generally speaking a good gimbal can cost almost as much as a good steadicam but I think gimbals have more value because they can be mounted on a variety of different things.

July 31st, 2014, 02:13 AM	#4
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,509	Re: Glidecam vs Movi You could give a movi to someone that has never used a steadicam before and get acceptable shots that you might be able to use in a production (like a wedding) but you can't do the same with a steadicam. Also, you can use a movi outside when there is a lot of wind which would be much more challenging and up to impossible with a steadicam.

August 17th, 2014, 10:28 PM	#5
Julian Ott Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Seoul Posts: 25	Re: Glidecam vs Movi Being only slightly experienced in both on a few projects: • both need to be planned carefully because they have limits in sudden and gradual movements. Handoffs on movi are possible but still need to be planned and done carefully or you'll be stabilizing in post • movi seems ideal for long shots with weird terrain. • movi with 2 operators (one for focus) becomes quite complicated • professional steadicam operators can tell you how to improve your plan for the shot and what's in the realm of possible. • as already mentioned, if you have the time on a movi, you can play with it and practice and plan and probably get better results as an amateur than you would on a glidecam.