Remember the old Virtual Studio setups? (Ten or fifteen years ago, because that’s how fast we move) How was integrating live graphics into a broadcast like launching a rocket? I mean both in complexity and cost. Well, those days are numbered. Family-owned Italian tripod masters Cardoni have introduced the new e-GiPo. Essentially a small, coded zip, combined with the right partners, brings AR and VR live production to a significantly wider range of customers: under €50,000 for the whole thing. Including the camera.
Cardoni has long been a staple of stability (pun intended). The company manufactures tripods, gibs, dollies and everything else to stabilize or move the camera smoothly. All these experiences have led the company to respect changes and differentiate from trends in response to the real needs of the market. Coded e-JibO is another testament to that perspective and strategy.
Cardoni e-GiPo: Coded Zip, which makes virtual production affordable
The e-JibO is an advanced Cordoni Jib: a small, three-segment portable jib that monitors and communicates movement and position information. This is achieved by using 22-bit absolute encoders in both the pan and elevation axes, the same encoder resolution found in CARTONI’s high-end encoder heads. No calibration required.
These encoders feed precise level metadata into the pipeline, and that’s where the magic happens. Combined with the right hardware and software, the e-JibO can feed real-time positional data to the graphics engine, enabling virtual object insertion, augmented reality overlays and on-screen game graphics – all reliably locked to camera movement. Add a Sony FR7 PTZ camera to the front, and you’ve got a four-axis tracked virtual camera setup at a fraction of the cost it used to.
While the price may not seem like a bargain to some of us, those who have explored alternatives know how affordable and accessible the Cardoni e-GiPo’s capabilities are.
Technical specifications
The e-JibO is constructed from aluminium, weighs 15kg and folds to 122cm for transport. It stretches up to 172 cm and can shoot up to 2 meters above ground level. Maximum payload capacity is 20 kg with 360° pan range. The e-JibO accepts 75mm, 100mm bowl heads or Mitchell flat base heads, and mounts on a standard 100mm bowl tripod. A rear arm accommodates up to 25kg of counterweight, and the front telescopic arm allows for down-slung or sideways camera orientations. Assembly should take less than three minutes, given proper skill and knowledge. The power draw is a modest 5V DC and it operates happily between -15°C and +60°C. Data output is via the BiSS-C protocol via Lemo connectors, making for straightforward integration into third-party systems.
Who is it for?
Cardoni e-Zibo aims to lower the bar on AR/VR products. This applies to medium-sized small package production companies, rental houses, sports broadcasters, a university media department, some houses of worship, or a regional television station that wants to punch above its weight with live virtual graphics. For working operators and DPs who are already familiar with Jibs, the learning curve is minimal.
The open architecture is noteworthy. Cardoni is not creating a closed ecosystem here. The e-JibO connects to any compatible system via standard Lemo connectors, and software compatibility is independent of any one vendor. In sum, CARTONI blends its two fundamental characteristics: working with proven concepts and innovating in meaningful, user-centered ways, rather than fixing what isn’t broken. No matter what shiny AI slaps on it, and no big touchscreen, it’s a philosophy worth respecting.
Price and availability
CARTONI e-JibO is now available through CARTONI and its dealer network, as well as integration partners including Miraxis and Sony. The e-JibO costs approximately €11,000. The full system pricing (including camera and electronics) will be around €50,000.
Can e-JibO help you progress towards live AR/VR jib work? Let us know in the comments.
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