Teradek takes wrappers off CTRL.5 expandable wireless lens controller

Teradek’s new CTRL.5 is a fully customizable lens control handset with its own operating system: CTRL.OS, a proprietary software toolkit that evolved from sister company SmallHD’s award-winning PageOS.

This is an interesting one. CTRL.5 is the new heart of the Teradek RT wireless lens-control system. It combines an ultra-bright five-inch SmallHD display with CTRL.OS, a custom iteration on SmallHD’s PageOS page-based software toolkit, specifically designed for camera assistants and focus-pullers. A new graphic-rich lens mapping tool allows users to create, browse and select lenses mapped to pre-printed focus rings, allowing for rapid changes in the heat of production. Users can access saved configurations faster via the touchscreen or one of eleven programmable user buttons. 

“CTRL.5 is the project that we’ve been dreaming about releasing ever since Kris Bird and RT Motion joined Creative Solutions; a culmination of design and development effort across so many of our teams,” says Greg Smokler, VP of Cine Products at Creative Solutions. “The result is a next-gen focus pulling platform with open ergonomic design, built around a powerful technical architecture that will keep the system ‘future proof’ with new features and integrations for years to come.”

Hardware features include user adjustable friction knob, interchangeable custom grips, interference-resistant FHSS 2.4GHz wireless, WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity. As with previous RT handsets, a 5-pin USB enables SmallHD overlays, meaning assistants never have to take their eyes off their monitor.

The touchscreen user interface leverages the power of CTRL.OS, making CTRL.5 the first FIZ handset on the market with its own proprietary operating system. Users can customize a wide range of functions including digital marks, automatic calculations, focus scaling, pointer-color customization, axis lock/unlock, Metric/Imperial unit selection (via pre-marked rings), and third-party rangefinder support.

Future integrations include WiFi Camera Control for RED cameras, expanded customizations from third-party rangefinder systems and more.

CTRL.5 is, naturally, fully cross-compatible with the entire Teradek RT Lens Control Ecosystem. It seamlessly integrates with the MDR.S receiver, the expandable MDR.X receiver, the TOF.1 rangefinder, and the MOTR.S and MOTR.S MAX lens motors. CTRL.5 also works with legacy RT receivers and motors.

CTRL.5 offers a variety of accessories, which are sold separately. Those include the all new Bolt-On Monitor Hinge Cube, Kickstand, Neck Strap, Hand Strap, and Hand Grip.