Very interesting.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/671536-REG/Sony_HDR_CX550V_HDR_CX550V_Camcorder.html

B&H's blurb doesn't mention the gyros at all.

Interesting rig! But no need to buy an expensive custom special rig for this.

Came across this technique to stabilize my old Canon A560 (no image stabilization) which still works and this technique works really well for my video cam also.

A good quality mono pod or a mini telescoping leg tripod like this:


makes for a great shoulder mount for your cam.

Mount the cam parallel to the monopod, just extend the legs out until it reaches your shoulder.

I used this Hakuba monopod w/ my Canon A560. I bought this Hakuba in Japan (they sell it at B&H Photo) because it is solid metal, has some weight to it and is very compact. Fully extended it's a little wobbly but works well.



Lately I've been preferring to use the tripod because it can be used in more situations to support my mini HD cam than just a monopod! Also, I just discovered another technique, that if I open the legs and place one leg on each shoulder w/ the cam right in front, I get even more stability. Of course the situation dictates whether I use the single leg or dual leg support. I think this is much more efficient and multi purposeful than a special rig unit.

I guess if you want to get fancy you could just mount or poke a piece of foam to the end of the shoulder mount to add some cushion.

@ eightyeightkeys :

If you check this page: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921666073231
then you see a picture of the technical arrangement (just over the text "Say Goodbye to Camera Shake"

I can not say if the gyros are actually rotating - as we are used to - or if they are some kind of Integrated solid state, which can give the same effect with a stunning sensitivity (normally you get 3 axis in a package of approx. 5x5x1 mm using only a few mA).

But what I can say is that I have never had such a surprising experience: You switch on the camera and let it have a few seconds to orientate itself - then you do a pan - and here it comes: the picture on the cameras lcd screen pans with a little delay - and when you stop panning the camera stops a little later. This is due to the time constant in the control enginering - and quite as one would expect it.

Now for the crash-test you just shake the camera - do not hold back :- ) and the picture on the LCD screen stays quite undisturbed.

Now if you take a walk with the camera then most of the shaking/swaying etc. is removed and all you see is a soft and continous movement.

I have only recorded a few hours so far - but one quickly gets used to how the camera responds - and learns to use and appreciate it.

Hey Byron, that's fantastic.
Is this the unit ? :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/171802-REG/Hakuba_H_MS10SG_Mono_Pod_10_Champagne.html#features