Manufacturer of professional battery systems and power distribution equipment for cinema cameras and lighting rigs.
Technical Details
The Gold Mount interface works with a 3-pin XLR connector and delivers a constant 14.4V at discharge rates of 10A to 15A continuously. Standard battery packs like the Dionic HC weigh 1.36kg at 90Wh, while the HyTRON series reaches up to 240Wh at 2.95kg. The patented PowerTap system allows for additional 12V/24V outputs directly on the battery for monitors or wireless systems. Modern Lithium-Ion cells achieve over 500 charge cycles with less than 20% capacity loss. The InterActive technology communicates with compatible cameras, displaying precise remaining runtimes on the screen.
History & Development
In 1970, Anton Wilson and Jim Bauer in Connecticut developed the first professional Ni-Cad battery packs for 16mm cameras. In 1982, they introduced the Gold Mount system, which Panasonic, Sony, and other manufacturers adopted as a standard. The breakthrough came in 1995 with Lithium-Ion technology and the Dionic series. In 2008, Vitec Group acquired the company. The 2015 Digital series integrated USB outputs and smart charging algorithms for modern camera generations.
Practical Use in Film
On "Dunkirk" (2017), Hoyte van Hoytema used Anton Bauer Dionic batteries for the handheld IMAX sequences, as they enabled 6 hours of continuous operation at a weight of 2kg. The standard workflow involves 4-6 batteries per camera: two on set, two in the charger, two as spares. The Quick Release system allows for battery changes in under 3 seconds without camera shutdown. For Steadicam work, operators prefer the slim Cine models, which have less impact on the center of gravity.
Comparison & Alternatives
V-Mount batteries from RED or Core SWX offer similar capacities but use incompatible connectors. IDX and Bebob provide Gold Mount-compatible alternatives at 60-70% of the Anton Bauer price with comparable performance. SmallRig and other Chinese manufacturers are capturing the low-budget segment. For high-end productions, Anton Bauer batteries remain the standard due to their reliability and global service network. Block batteries are now only used for stationary studio setups.