Atomos
Atomos: An Overview
Atomos is an Australian company known for pioneering high-quality, portable video and audio recording devices, monitors, and converters that cater to filmmakers, content creators, and video professionals. Founded in 2010 by Jeromy Young, Atomos quickly made a name for itself by addressing the growing demand for affordable and portable solutions for high-definition video production. The company’s mission is to empower content creators by providing them with innovative tools that bridge the gap between high-end production and accessibility, making professional-quality video recording and monitoring available to a broader audience.
Company History and Philosophy
The inception of Atomos coincided with the digital revolution in filmmaking, where traditional film cameras were being replaced by digital cameras capable of recording in high definition. Jeromy Young, the company’s founder, saw an opportunity to enhance the capabilities of these cameras by creating external recording devices that could capture higher-quality footage than what was possible with the internal recording systems of most digital cameras at the time.
Atomos's philosophy revolves around simplifying the workflow for video professionals while enhancing the quality of the output. The company’s products are designed to be user-friendly, portable, and robust, ensuring that filmmakers can focus on their creative process without being bogged down by technical limitations. Atomos’s innovations have significantly impacted the video production industry, particularly in the realms of 4K and HDR (High Dynamic Range) video, where the company has been a leader.
Top-Selling Products Atomos has developed a diverse range of products that have become essential tools for filmmakers and video professionals. The company’s top-selling products include monitor-recorders, external recorders, and signal converters, all of which are renowned for their reliability, ease of use, and superior performance.
- Ninja Series: Monitor-Recorders The Atomos Ninja series is perhaps the most well-known product line from the company. These monitor-recorders combine high-resolution displays with the ability to record video directly from a camera’s sensor, bypassing the internal compression and recording limitations of many cameras. This results in higher-quality footage with greater flexibility in post-production.
Ninja V: The Ninja V is a 5-inch, 1000-nit HDR monitor-recorder that has become a staple for filmmakers and content creators. It records 4K video at up to 60 frames per second in 10-bit 4:2:2 color, capturing footage in high-quality Apple ProRes or Avid DNx formats. Its compact size, combined with its powerful recording capabilities and bright display, makes it ideal for on-camera use in a wide variety of shooting conditions.
Ninja V+: An upgrade to the Ninja V, the Ninja V+ adds the ability to record 8K video at 30 frames per second and 4K video at 120 frames per second, making it a future-proof solution for filmmakers who want to capture footage at the highest possible resolution and frame rates. The Ninja V+ also supports H.265 (HEVC) encoding, which allows for high-quality recording at lower bitrates, saving storage space without compromising on image quality.
Ninja Inferno: The Ninja Inferno is another popular model in the Ninja series, offering a 7-inch, 1500-nit display and the ability to record 4K HDR footage at up to 60 frames per second. It is particularly well-suited for use with cinema cameras that output high-resolution video via HDMI, making it a favorite among independent filmmakers and small production studios.
The Ninja series has been praised for its versatility, allowing users to monitor and record video in a single, portable device. The combination of high-resolution displays, HDR support, and professional recording formats has made the Ninja series an essential tool for anyone serious about video production.
- Shogun Series: Advanced Monitor-Recorders The Shogun series represents Atomos’s high-end line of monitor-recorders, offering larger screens, more advanced features, and expanded connectivity options. These devices are designed for professional filmmakers and production environments where maximum flexibility and image quality are required.
Shogun 7: The Shogun 7 is a 7-inch monitor-recorder-switcher that offers a 1500-nit HDR display, capable of recording 4K video at up to 60 frames per second in 10-bit 4:2:2 color. What sets the Shogun 7 apart is its ability to function as a multi-camera switcher, allowing users to record and switch between four HD inputs simultaneously, making it an excellent choice for live events, multicam productions, and broadcast environments.
Shogun Inferno: Similar to the Shogun 7, the Shogun Inferno is a 7-inch, 1500-nit HDR monitor-recorder that supports 4K recording at 60 frames per second and 2K/HD recording at up to 240 frames per second. The Inferno is designed to work seamlessly with professional cinema cameras, offering SDI and HDMI connectivity, as well as RAW recording capabilities from cameras like the Sony FS series, Canon C300 Mark II, and Panasonic EVA-1.
The Shogun series is highly regarded in the industry for its advanced monitoring features, robust build quality, and professional-grade recording capabilities. It is particularly popular among DPs (Directors of Photography) and camera operators who require accurate monitoring and reliable recording in demanding production environments.
- AtomX Modules and Accessories In addition to its monitor-recorders, Atomos offers a range of AtomX modules and accessories that expand the functionality of their devices. These modules and accessories allow users to customize their setups according to their specific needs, adding features such as wireless video transmission, SDI input/output, and timecode synchronization.
AtomX SDI Module: This module adds dual 12G-SDI inputs and outputs to the Ninja V and Ninja V+, allowing users to connect to professional cameras and broadcast equipment that require SDI connectivity. It also supports RAW recording over SDI, making it a valuable addition for filmmakers using cameras like the Sony FX6 or Panasonic S1H.
AtomX Sync: The AtomX Sync module enables wireless timecode synchronization between multiple Ninja V units, as well as other devices that support Bluetooth timecode. This is particularly useful for multicam shoots, ensuring that all cameras and audio devices are perfectly in sync during recording, which simplifies the post-production process.
AtomX Cast: The AtomX Cast is a modular companion for the Ninja V that transforms it into a 4-input HDMI switcher. It allows users to live stream or record multi-camera productions with ease, integrating seamlessly with the Ninja V’s recording and monitoring capabilities.
These accessories enhance the versatility and functionality of Atomos’s products, making them adaptable to a wide range of production scenarios, from indie films and documentaries to live broadcasts and corporate videos.
Conclusion Atomos has established itself as a leader in the video production industry by offering innovative, high-quality tools that empower filmmakers and content creators. The company’s top-selling products, including the Ninja and Shogun series of monitor-recorders and the AtomX modules, have become essential tools for professionals who demand the best in video recording and monitoring. Atomos’s commitment to innovation, usability, and affordability has made its products accessible to a broad audience, from independent filmmakers to large production studios. As the demand for high-resolution, HDR, and 8K content continues to grow, Atomos remains at the forefront of the industry, continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible in video production technology.