PBC Pocket Cinema Camera Controller Launched

News

by Jeff LochDecember 16^th, 2019

CDA Tek – a new Irish company specializing in camera control accessories – has just launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign for its first product: the PBC Pocket Cinema Camera Controller. This compact Bluetooth controller allows you to wirelessly change the parameters of your BMPCC4K/6K camera and trigger it. Let’s take a closer look at it!

PBC Pocket Cinema Camera Controller Features

The PBC Pocket Cinema Controller is a compact and lightweight little box that is able to control your camera via the Bluetooth protocol. Well, not every camera, it is only compatible with the BMPCC4K/6K  at the moment. Here are all the functions you can control with the PBC: aperture, ISO, white balance, autofocus, autoexposure, and start-stop of recording.

Image credit: CDA Tek

The design of the PBC is not the most refined out there, but it is pretty straightforward. In front, there is a monochrome daylight-viewable display that shows you all your parameters, and that turns red when you are recording. Note that you can switch the color of the background display between four pre-made colors presets.

Image credit: CDA Tek

Next to the display, there are two buttons to adjust your parameters. To select a parameter, you will have to make a single click, double click, or long click on one of the buttons. Once the setting you want to adjust is selected, you can use the buttons to increase/decrease your parameters.

Image credit: CDA Tek

The PBC Pocket Cinema Controller features a built-in battery that lasts up to five hours, according to CDA Tek. Also, there is a USB port on the right side of the device to charge it or power it via an external battery.

To mount the PBC on your camera/rig/gimbal, there is no mounting thread, so you have to use a tripod adapter rail. This mounting option is not “industry standard” and doesn’t look to be the most secure out there, which is one of the major flaws of this design.

Image credit: CDA Tek

Upcoming PXP Module

To expand the capabilities of the PBC, CDA Tek is also teasing an additional accessory: the PXP module. This module gives you another five assignable physical switches to directly control camera functions as well as an inbuilt focus control wheel.

Pricing and Availability

The PBC Pocket Cinema Controller regular retail price should be $85/77€. It is currently available on Indiegogo for $62/56€, and it should start shipping in January 2020.

Please be aware that this is a crowdfunding project and not a retail shop, so do your research accordingly. cinema5D does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate. But, as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

Image credit: Zebra Zone

Also, if you are looking for a Bluetooth controller for your BMPCC4K/6K, you can take a look at another exciting product, the Litty from French YouTuber Zebra Zone. While this product is still in the prototype stage, the design looks promising.

What do you think about the PBC Pocket Cinema Controller? Is this something that could be useful for your setup? Let us know in the comments below!