Every so often a product comes along that changes how you think about certain jobs. After peppering Danny from DVTec (www.DVTEC.tv) with a volley of emails about their DV Rig XL he graciously shipped me one and I was privileged to put one through a couple days of grueling tests. Tests as hard on the reviewer as the equipment. After a these tests I've discovered an indispensable tool in my video kit. The DVTec unit I tried was the DV Rig XL, made with the Canon XL series cameras in mind but will also fit the Panasonic DCV-15 and MD-9000. Models exist for most of the popular small frame DV cameras up to the larger broadcast cameras and can even support Matte Box bars. The first thing that I noticed was the size of the box, it was quite large. Opening the box I was greeted by something that would make a great prop in a science fiction movie. A folded metal creation that looked as solid and high tech as it felt. Definite cool factor right out of the box. There were a few parts but, curiously, no directions. Not a problem. Turns out you don't really need them. The design and operation is both intuitive and obvious.

Photo Courtesy of DVTec

• DV Rig XL w/ padded shoulder support
• Quick release tripod plate
• Spring Loaded support bar
• Nylon waist belt

The DV Rig XL felt sold, weighing in around 10 pounds, reflecting the highly refined, almost bullet-proof construction. The added weight also plays a part in counter-balancing the camera, letting the unit sit comfortably on your shoulder without tipping, something you'll really appreciate on a long shoot.

The camera mounting rail is fitted with a quick release tripod adapter, which makes getting the camera on a off a lot easier than units with only a screw mount. The camera position is adjustable forward and back, so your viewfinder can comfortably meet your eye. The adjustment knobs are easy to find with your eyes glue to the viewfinder. They are well placed and easy to manipulate making last minute adjustments a snap.

Fitted to the rear of the DV Rig XL, attached to the back end of the shoulder pad, is a large plate (pictured below with the blue band) that adds most of the weight to the unit. It is designed to act as a counter-weight and keep the camera balanced on your shoulder. This plate is removable with a hand screw if you want to attach extra batteries or another audio or video recording device. The Velcro straps will hold what you need securely and is expandable. Additionally the rear plate can be adjusted side to side for balancing the rig on your shoulder. In fact, just about everything on the DV Rig XL is adjustable in some way. It all works together to help balance the rig on your shoulder or the ground when you put it down.

The Velcro and nylon support belt feels secure and strong. The support belt secures the support pole which attaches to the bottom of the camera rail. The support pole is spring loaded and helps dampen movement when walking or running. Since the nylon belt attaches to your waist it takes a bit of practice to walk smoothly as with ANY STABILIZING DEVICE, but stand still shooting is rock steady. Danny from DVTec let me in on a big hint - if you move the belt higher on your waist it will work best when walking.

Pans and tilts are smooth, almost effortless because the rig is distributing the weight of the camera around several points on your body. The normal strain on my neck, back and arms were eliminated with the DV Rig XL letting me shoot longer in worse conditions.

One feature of the superior balance that I really appreciated was being able to set my camera on the ground and not worry about it falling over.

Next came the big test. I took it out into the hilly brush and scrub while shooting for our local Fire Academy. They were learning Wildland firefighting skills today and, lucky me, I got to hike along. Today's skill test was how to make a “cut line” fire break. The instructors have absolutely no incentive to make this exercise easy on anyone, particularly the cameraman.

"Take that hill and cut a line to that power pole," said the instructor. Easy for him to say. The power pole looked like it was a long way off and a really long way up with lots of tough terrain in between. After verifying he really did mean that barely visible power pole way off in the distance, we saddled up. This was going to be a long day and a trial by fire or, in this case, trial by fire fighter for the DV Rig XL.

Up we went through brush nearly 6 feet high, some of the fire fighter team cast glances in my direction that seemed to indicate they were glad they weren't the ones carrying the camera - so was I. The DV Rig XL did all the hard work.

The hill angle was steep and muddy. A tough slog without carrying anything, let alone an XL-1s and trying to capture the event on video. But it was no problem with the DV Rig XL. With it securely balanced on my shoulder and one hand on the grip at all times, I was able to keep up on the hill and still had a free hand. The rig actually kept me balanced and when I was out of breath at the top. The unit stayed put on my shoulder so I could concentrate on breathing and shooting and not becoming the skill test casualty.

For extreme shooting like this you don't want to take a chance on the construction of your equipment. In situations like the fire break hill the quality of the DVTec units really shines. I wouldn't trust my camera to anything less.

The Good:

• Quality construction
• Superior stability
• Flexible adjustments
• Very comfortable

The Bad:

• -A touch heavy after climbing that hill. (Not the equipments fault - I should workout - nah...)

It didn't take long to have the support assembled. The parts are intuitive and connect easily. Everything on the DV Rig XL is adjustable in some way. It all works together to help balance the Rig on your shoulder.

5 min later I was in business. The Velcro and Nylon Support Belt (NOT SHOWN ABOVE) feel secure and strong. It attaches the Spring Loaded Support Pole (above) to the bottom of the DV Rig XL to assist in smooth pans and tilts along with dampening some of the shock.

Attaching the quick connect camera base to the tripod hold on the camera was easy.

The DV Rig XL is perfectly balanced so you can set it on the ground and not worry about your camera falling over.