FAQ: What's included in the JoyMechanix cable cam system

This article explains what is supplied as standard with a JoyMechanix cable cam system - the robotic rope winches, winch installation kit, control station and control station kit, universal gimbal mount, lifetime software key, transport cases, training and the 3-year warranty. It also sets out what is optional or configured per project, such as the LiveLine fiber winch, power-to-gimbal, 4K and AR upgrades, and what clients typically source locally or provide themselves, including the total station, gimbal batteries, camera and lens. It is a scope-of-supply overview to help you plan procurement and installation; exact contents are always confirmed in your quotation, since options and rope lengths are set to match your venue and workflow.

A standard system is supplied as a complete operating and installation package. In practice that means everything needed to rig, control, and fly the camera, apart from the camera and lens themselves and a few items clients source locally. A typical supply includes:

Robotic rope winches - the winches that move the dolly, supplied as a set (four for a standard 3D system), each with its rope at the length specified for your venue.

Winch installation kit - winch control cables, power cables, ceiling/floor mounting kit, attachment fittings, pulleys, ratchets, rigging hardware and auxiliary installation equipment.

Control station - the operator/pilot console supporting 3D, 2D and 1D modes, with full motion control, trajectory programming and repeatable moves.

Control station kit - connecting cables, software monitor and joysticks.

Universal gimbal mount - compatible with our Black Swan and third-party stabilized heads, with two V-mount/Gold-mount battery plates and additional accessory mounting.

JoyMechanix software (lifetime key) - proprietary control software with the 3-level safety protocol, memory presets for tracks, programmable 3D safety zones, the 3D editor and AR integration.

Transport cases - flight cases for every piece of equipment.

Training - online course for pilots and operators before delivery is always included. Onsite installation support and in-person onboarding during the first project is either included or available separately depending on the configuration (travel costs excluded in both cases).

3-year manufacturer's warranty - covering equipment against manufacturing defects under normal operating conditions, with remote technical support and diagnostics included during the warranty period.

Some items are configured per project rather than included by default:

Optional upgrades and add-ons:

• Black Swan stabilized head by JoyMechanix (our 3-axis gyro-stabilized gimbal, natively integrated, with infinite 360° pan and Fujinon/Canon lens control),
• LiveLine fiber winch (interference-free video and control signals to the gimbal),
• power transfer to the gimbal for battery-free operation,
• 4K upgrade,
• AR connection kit,
• extended rope length,
• and winch control over single-mode fiber.

These are added to the quotation based on your venue and workflow.

Sourced locally by the client - the total station used to measure pulley coordinates during installation, gimbal batteries (two standard V-mount, easily available worldwide), and travel/freight for onsite support.

Not included - the camera and lens (chosen by your DoP), an HD-SDI operator monitor and any extra video output monitor, and operator intercom.

Yes. The supplied system includes everything needed for operation and installation - pulleys, power cables, control cables, rigging hardware, ratchets, and installation accessories. The only item not included is the total station used to measure pulley coordinates during installation; most clients either buy one or use local surveying services.

The standard solution uses CAT-7 LAN cables for winch communication. This approach has proven highly reliable and provides significant advantages in the field, as cables can be sourced locally, repaired quickly and replaced easily if damaged.

Fiber-optic communication between winches is available as an optional upgrade through dedicated interface modules. However, most clients prefer LAN connectivity due to its simplicity, serviceability and proven reliability.

No. Each winch is connected independently to the control station. We do not use daisy-chain communication because our testing has shown that chain architectures introduce significantly more failure points.

Independent communication ensures maximum reliability and allows operators to maintain control of the remaining winches even if communication to one winch is lost. Fiber-optic communication can be supplied as an option, but the standard system uses dedicated CAT-7 connections to each winch.

No. We do not supply batteries as part of the standard package.

The gimbal uses 2 standard V-mount batteries, which are readily available worldwide. Due to the significant cost and logistical complications associated with international transportation of lithium batteries, most clients either purchase batteries locally or rent them at the destination.

• A JoyMechanix cable cam system ships as a complete rig-and-fly package - winches, installation kit, pulleys, rigging hardware, control station, universal gimbal mount, lifetime software key and transport cases are all standard
• Online training and a 3-year warranty with remote support are included; onsite installation and onboarding is either included or purchased separately
• The universal mount fits both our Black Swan and third-party heads - so you can use a gimbal you already own or add Black Swan as an option
• Optional upgrades (LiveLine fiber winch, power-to-gimbal, 4K, AR kit, extended rope, winch control over fiber) are configured per venue and workflow

👉 Almost everything needed to install and operate the system is included as standard - the exact contents are always confirmed in your quotation, since options and rope lengths are set to match your venue.