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Aaton also pioneered the linking of [[timecode]] to motion pictures in the acquisition stage. Aatoncode was one of the earliest schemes for encoding a timecode signal in the frame margins of 16mm film, allowing rigorous synchronization of audio and film in post-production.
Aaton also pioneered the linking of [[timecode]] to motion pictures in the acquisition stage. Aatoncode was one of the earliest schemes for encoding a timecode signal in the frame margins of 16mm film, allowing rigorous synchronization of audio and film in post-production.


As of 2014, the currently available product line<ref name=camera_list>{{cite web|title=Cameras|url=http://www.aaton.com/content/cameras|website=aaton.com|publisher=Aaton Digital|accessdate=25 October 2014}}</ref> offers the Xterà (along with its still used predecessors the XTR Plus and XTR Prod<ref name=current_16>{{cite web|title=Film :: Cameras :: Rental Equipment :: AbelCine:|url=http://www.abelcine.com/store/Film-Rental/|website=abelcine.com|publisher=AbelCine|accessdate=23 November 2014}}</ref>), the [[A-Minima]] (a small camcorder-sized 16mm camera) and the [[Aaton Penelope|Penelope]] (along with the still in use 35-III<ref name=current_35>{{cite web|title=Film :: Cameras :: Rental Equipment :: AbelCine:|url=http://www.abelcine.com/store/Film-Rental/|website=abelcine.com|publisher=AbelCine|accessdate=23 November 2014}}</ref>).
As of 2014, the currently available product line<ref name=camera_list>{{cite web|title=Cameras|url=http://www.aaton.com/content/cameras|website=aaton.com|publisher=Aaton Digital|accessdate=25 October 2014}}</ref> offers the Xterà (along with its still used predecessors the XTR Plus and XTR Prod<ref name=current_16>{{cite web|title=Film :: Cameras :: Rental Equipment :: AbelCine:|url=http://www.abelcine.com/store/Film-Rental/|website=abelcine.com|publisher=AbelCine|accessdate=3 December 2014}}</ref>), the [[A-Minima]] (a small camcorder-sized 16mm camera) and the [[Aaton Penelope|Penelope]] (along with the still in use 35-III<ref name=current_35>{{cite web|title=Film :: Cameras :: Rental Equipment :: AbelCine:|url=http://www.abelcine.com/store/Film-Rental/|website=abelcine.com|publisher=AbelCine|accessdate=3 December 2014}}</ref>).


===Evolution and Digital Products (2004-2013)===
===Evolution and Digital Products (2004-2013)===

Revision as of 22:05, 3 December 2014

Aaton Digital
FormerlyAaton
Company typePrivate
IndustryMotion picture equipment
Founded1971
Headquarters
Grenoble
,
France
Key people
Jean-Pierre Beauviala, Founder
ProductsMovie cameras, Audio recorders, Audio and post production softwares
Websitewww.aaton.com, (old website)

Aaton Digital (formerly known as Aaton) is a french motion picture equipment manufacturer, based in Grenoble, France.

History

Aaton was founded by Eclair engineer Jean-Pierre Beauviala, whose efforts have been primarily focused on making quiet, portable motion picture hardware suitable for impromptu field use, such as for documentaries. A theoretical model for all motion picture cameras they have produced is the "cat-on-the-shoulder", a small, light, quiet motion picture camera.

In the late 60's Beauviala was working as a professor of electronics in the University of Grenoble. With the project to make a movie about the evolution of the city and of its architecture, but unable to find the proper tools, Beauviala decided to create the camera himself. Though the movie would eventually be abandoned this led to the creation of Aaton in 1971.[1]

After several initial prototypes, the Aaton LTR 16 mm movie camera became available on the market in the late 1970s. It has been succeeded by several improved models, including the LTR, LTR 54, XTR, X0, XTRplus, and XTRProd.

Aaton also pioneered the linking of timecode to motion pictures in the acquisition stage. Aatoncode was one of the earliest schemes for encoding a timecode signal in the frame margins of 16mm film, allowing rigorous synchronization of audio and film in post-production.

As of 2014, the currently available product line[2] offers the Xterà (along with its still used predecessors the XTR Plus and XTR Prod[3]), the A-Minima (a small camcorder-sized 16mm camera) and the Penelope (along with the still in use 35-III[4]).

Evolution and Digital Products (2004-2013)

In 2004 Aaton introduced the Cantar-X, a multichannel digital audio recorder designed to be used on location.[5]

In 2005/2006, the company started to test and exhibit the successor to the 35‑III, a quiet 35mm camera called Penelope, specially designed for 3-perf and 2-perf shooting.[6][7] It became available for purchase in October 2008.[8]

During the 2010 NAB Show Jean-Pierre Beauviala and AbelCine officially announced Aaton's first digital camera, called Delta Penelope. A fully functional prototype was exhibited at NAB two years later, with plans for a limited test run in 2012 and an eventual release in 2013. Evolving from a variation of the Penelope (with a digital mag) to a new concept, the camera most notably featured a "cat-on-the-shoulder" inspired design and a Dalsa Super-35 CCD sensor (with a native 3.5K resolution) mounted on a specially developed/patented mechanism designed to bring unprecedented image quality.[9]

Recent Developments and Name Change (2013-present)

On April 26, 2013, an official statement was issued by founder Jean-Pierre Beauviala announcing that due to quality issues involving the Dalsa sensors for the planned Delta Penelope, the company had to declare bankruptcy so it could have time to find a new investor.[10] In May 2013 Beauviala sent an e-mail detailing the situation of Aaton and explaining that despite the recent troubles the company was still functioning and mainly develloping its next digital audio recorder (tentatively called Cantar-X+), and a digital-camera aiming at documentary-style filming (called D-Minima).[11]

On June 18, 2013, Transvideo acquired Aaton through its holding company ITHAKI. Still based in Grenoble and with the same development team, the new company now named Aaton Digital planned the release of their new digital recorder (the Cantar-X3) and of a new "cat-on-the-shoulder".[12][13]

On October 22, 2013, Jean-Pierre Beauviala left Aaton Digital/Transvideo where he was working as a consultant.[14]

In March, 2014, Aaton Digital officially introduced the next successor in their digital audio recorder line, called the Cantar-X3.[15]

Products

Camera models

16 mm

  • 7A (introduced in 1972[16])
  • LTR (introduced in late 1970s)
  • LTR 54
  • XTR
  • X0
  • XTR Plus
  • XTR Prod
  • Xterà
  • A-Minima

35 mm

  • 35-I
  • 35-II
  • 35-III
  • Penelope (introduced in October 2008[8])

Digital

  • Delta Penelope (discontinued[2])

Sound Recorders

  • Cantar-X (introduced in 2004[5])
  • Cantar-X2
  • Cantar-X3 (introduced in March 2014[15])

References

  1. ^ Brody, Richard (28 June 2011). "Grenoble Street Scenes". newyorker.com. The Newyorker. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Cameras". aaton.com. Aaton Digital. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Film :: Cameras :: Rental Equipment :: AbelCine:". abelcine.com. AbelCine. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  4. ^ "Film :: Cameras :: Rental Equipment :: AbelCine:". abelcine.com. AbelCine. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  5. ^ a b Ciletti, Eddie (1 June 2004). "Aaton Cantar-X Field Recorder With Mixer". mixonline.com. Mix. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  6. ^ "New Aaton 35 / Penelope". steadicamforum.com. The Steadicam Forum. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  7. ^ S. D. Katz; D. W. Leitner; Dan Ochiva; Jan Ozer (1 June 2006). "NAB 2006". digitalcontentproducer.com. Digital Content Producer. Retrieved 23 November 2014. Aaton also previewed a prototype of Penelope, a compact switchable 2-, 3-, and 4-perf "quiet, quiet, quiet" sync-sound 35mm camera, a complete redesign that also incorporates twin batteries.
  8. ^ a b "Aaton: Penelope". test.aaton.com. Aaton. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  9. ^ Gross, Mitch (27 September 2012). "Aaton Unveils the Delta Penelope Camera". blog.abelcine.com. AbelCine. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  10. ^ "Aaton turns to financial receivership". afcinema.com. Association Française des directeurs de la photographie Cinématographique. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  11. ^ "Jean-Pierre Beauviala outlines the future for Aaton". cinescopophilia.com. Cinescopophilia. 2 May 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  12. ^ "Statement by Jacques Delacoux, CEO of Transvideo, and Jean-Pierre Beauviala, founder of Aaton". afcinema.com. Association Française des directeurs de la photographie Cinématographique. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  13. ^ "Tansvideo acquired Aaton". transvideo.eu. Transvideo. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  14. ^ "Jean-Pierre Beauviala n'est plus avec Transvideo". afsi.eu. Association Française du Son à l'Image. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  15. ^ a b "Aaton's Cantar-X3 pushes the limits of sound recording". aaton.com. Aaton Digital. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  16. ^ "Compañeros". test.aaton.com. Aaton. Retrieved 1 December 2014. JP Beauviala Sveridge Film Institutet Stockholm 1972. First public presentation of the Aaton 7A. Photo Anders Petersen.
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