Las Vegas – Sachtler, a Vitec Group brand received five prestigious awards at the 2008 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention for its 4-in-one camera support device, the SOOM. Jurors for the TV Technology STAR, DV Black Diamond, Videography Vidy, Digital Content Producer NAB Pick Hit and The 4EVER Group Product Innovation Award, each presented the SOOM with top honors.

The SOOM consists of a tripod, a monopod and a baby tripod, designed for use with Sachtler’s FSB fluid heads as well as other 75mm bowl fluid heads. The tripod and monopod can be combined to create the SOOM Hi-Pod system to place the camera where it can shoot over crowds or other obstacles. In keeping with Sachtler’s slogan, “Set your ideas in motion!” the SOOM’s modularity offers camera operators maximum flexibility in day-to-day production, enhancing freedom for spontaneous creativity.

The SOOM can be converted from its various configurations easily and swiftly, without the use of tools. In its various configurations, the SOOM offers a height range of from 8.1″ (20.5cm) to 8’4″ (250cm), with a payload range from zero up to 19.8 lbs. (9 kg). The SOOM itself weighs just 12.7 lbs. (5.8 kg) and comes in a protective trolley / backpack bag.

The Sachtler booth in the Vitec Group village on the convention’s exhibition floor saw a steady stream of traffic from broadcast and video professionals wanting to look at and demo the SOOM. “This product truly raises the bar when it comes to versatility. So it’s no surprise that the SOOM attracted a diverse range of camera operators at NAB,” explained Bob Carr, President of Camera Dynamics Inc., a Vitec Group company.