Dream Chip Technologies Introduces ATOM One SSM500 – a 500fps Slow-Motion Camera

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by Mark ZdunnekSeptember 20^th, 2019

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Dream Chip Technologies GmbH from Garbsen Germany just announced their brand new “ATOM one SSM500” super slow-motion camera fully fitted for an EVS or stand-alone workflow. The 500 is the number of frames it can output in 1920×1080 @ up to 60fps via 4x 3G-SDI channels directly to the EVS for slow-motion replays. Let’s take a fast first glance. Is this what sportscasters, tv stations and broadcasters have been waiting for? Decide for yourself.

ATOM one SSM500 – Exploded View

ATOM one SSM500 – Core Features 

With a 2/3″ CMOS Sensor and Full HD Resolution of 1920×1080, the camera supports shutter speeds from 1/25 – 1/10000s. The dimensions of the camera are rather small and compact, with 165mm in length and a diameter of 60mm. It weighs about 400g. This is similar to the Sony A7III (371g, body only) and equates to about 4x GoPro Hero 7 Silver units (94,4g each) or less than half the weight of a Canon 5D Mark III (860g, body only). Camera control is operable via RS485 and IP, while the camera uses a voltage range of 11V – 36V at a power consumption of 20W (1,7A @ 12V).

Framerates (1920 x1080):

23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 50.94, 60, 50i, 59.94i, 60i

ATOM one SSM500 – Inputs and Outputs (Backside)

Video outputs EVS SSM mode or Trigger mode are offered with a recording time of 60 seconds @ 500fps (internal memory), while 500fps also is the highest possible frame rate. The colour sampling changes with the frame rates chosen: 300fps @ 12bit – 500 fps @ 10bit. The native ISO (sensitivity) of the CMOS sensor is ISO 640, and the camera offers HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) and PQ (Perceptual Quantizer) as HDR modes. The camera makes use of the C-Mount.

ATOM one SSM500 – Front View

All the information here is from press documents by Dream Chip. The manufacturer states that all the data contains preliminary information and is subject to change without notice. Aside from that, information on the dynamic range of the camera was neither available from lab tests nor manufacturer information.

Workflow

ATOM one SSM500 – Slow-Motion Workflow

ATOM one SSM500 – Final Notes

The ATOM one SSM500 has now extended the line of ATOM one cameras and seems mainly designed for sports and event coverage purposes. Due to its weight and size, it easily fits with all types of camera mounting options, such as on a Polecam or attached to sports goals, among numerous other options. Users familiar with EVS systems and workflow environments will find this camera easy to integrate for all types of slow-motion replays when covering sports games. Aside from these larger productions, the camera is also usable for smaller projects or in cases of stand-alone usage. When used all by itself the ATOM one SSM500 records internally and integrates smoothly with the free ProVideo Software, that takes care of the process.

ATOM one SSM500 – Side View

What do you think about the new ATOM one SSM500 camera? Do you see any uses for it in your field of production?