Rushing down a hill on a bike or riding the most demanding roller coaster with a camera in hand is of little use if all you get is jerky footage full of jumps, shakes, and other spontaneous movements. The most important editing platforms have built-in functions or compatible plugins that allow you to stabilize video to some extent, but the people behind SteadXP promise a more advanced solution with a dedicated hardware module that can be connected to any camera model.
Software stabilization has its limits
If the film industry invests hundreds of thousands of dollars per project to stabilize its cameras, the reason is obvious: it's not easy. Over the years, different software and DIY project alternatives have emerged that allow enthusiasts to reproduce professional results with fairly good quality. However, elements such as casual filming, the popularity of GoPro cameras, and the advancement of drones demand that image and video stabilization lower its costs even more. Some might be thinking, "that's what the Warp Stabilizer in After Effects and Premiere Pro is for," but it is necessary to recognize that the final result of that function does not always meet user expectations.
https://vimeo.com/137937011How SteadXP works
Let's make some room for SteadXP. The idea of its developers is to combine the original video with additional motion data recorded by a small dedicated module. After post-processing with the software that accompanies the accessory, the video that seemed to come from an earthquake zone will be fully stabilized, without the need for additional supports.
Two versions
SteadXP has two versions. The first has been specially designed for GoPro Hero2, 3, and 4 cameras, so that it attaches perfectly to the back. And the second is even more flexible, because it connects to the so-called hot shoe, with the help of two extra cables (video RCA and microphone).
Kickstarter campaign
SteadXP began its rounds on Kickstarter on September 10, and in just four days it managed to raise the 150,000 euros it needed. The most economical options in both models are completely sold out, so any potential buyer will have to pay a minimum of 140 euros for the GoPro-compatible version, or 230 euros for the universal version. If there are no incidents, the first deliveries will be made in March of the following year.
