Every filmmaker knows the importance of good eye contact in a filmed interview. And every camera operator knows how difficult (and time-consuming) this can be to achieve. But the VoxBox Air by PrimeLight Design makes perfect down-the-lens interviews quick and easy.
You can set it up in two minutes with no tools or cumbersome adapters. Its two-way mirror system enables your subject to maintain natural, confident eye contact with both the interviewer and your audience. It enables perfect interviews in tight spaces with small crews and minimal equipment.
Its foldable, ultra-lightweight design makes transportation easy, and you can be ready to shoot perfect down-the-lens interviews in just two minutes. If you rely on down-the-lens interviews for documentaries, video journalism or digital marketing, the VoxBox Air is the smartest investment you can make.
VoxBox Air
Perfect down-the-lens interviews anytime, anywhere
Perfect eye contact in any location
The VoxBox Air uses a beamsplitter to ensure the subject speaks directly into the camera. This mirror system means they see the face of the interviewer in front of the lens. This helps the subject relax and ensures a smooth conversation with the interviewer while engaging the audience with natural eye contact.
The side mirror can be removed giving the interviewer an alternative position away from the camera.
Ready to shoot in two minutes
The VoxBox Air slides out of its carry bag and pops up ready for you to slot in the beamsplitter glass. No tools, no adapters, no complex assembly.
Once set up, just attach to your existing 15mm bars, like you would a matte box. Easily attach the side mirror and move it to the correct position, and you’re ready to shoot. If your rig doesn’t have 15mm bars, use the supplied 16mm receiver to attach it to a standard light stand and position it in front of your camera. The whole process is far quicker than any other foldable focusing tool or interrotron setup.
Perfect Down The Lens Interviews
See how it works
Unparalleled portability
With Primelight Design’s background as working camera operators, we know the ability to transport your kit easily is essential when doing multiple locations daily.
The VoxBox Air’s patent-pending foldable design takes up minimal space in the van. The Carbon fibre reinforced polymer frame gives it strength and resilience without adding too much weight to the camera rig.
Weighing in at just 3.9kg including the bag, transportation is effortless. You can take it on flights as hand luggage if necessary.
Becomes a teleprompter in seconds
The VoxBox Air doubles as a teleprompter, giving you great flexibility in your productions.
The supplied tablet holder clips into place on top of the box, and can clamp any device up to 188mm for effortless teleprompting.
You can also use video calling functions on your tablet to conduct remote face-to-face interviews with perfect eye contact.
Integral filter holder
Cinematographers and DoPs will welcome the ability to use standard 4X4" and 4X5.6" PV filters with the VoxBox Air - an unprecedented feature for any mirror box or teleprompter.
Filter trays are included with the kit, so there is no longer any need to compromise the look of your interviews.
VoxBox Air FAQs
Where is the VoxBox Pro MKII?
The VoxBox Pro was known for its sturdiness. The VoxBox Air is its foldable sucessor. It performs the same job - giving you perfect down-the-lens interviews - but it’s all about portability. It uses the same size glass as the Pro yet it’s half the weight and takes up just one-third of the space in your van. But we’ve made sure it can take care of itself. Its carbon fibre-infused polymer frame ensures strength and resilience without adding much weight.
Will it attach to my camera rig?
Standard 15mm rails are recommended for optimal use, which you should already have if you have a matte box. Your rails should not extend beyond the front of the lens. You will also need a medium/heavy duty tripod to support the front weight of the main box unit.
How heavy is the VoxBox Air?
The VoxBox Air main unit is about 1.5kg (without tablet adaptor or side mirror).
Do the mirrors adjust for different interviewers?
The side mirror can be titled for interviewer comfort. If you are not using the side mirror, simply set the height of the camera to match the eye-level of the interviewer (as you would a standard off-camera interview) and frame the subject. In extreme height differences, the main box can be angled by adjusting the rail block mount.
If I don’t have rails or if I am using a small camera or a DSLR?
The VoxBox Air comes with a 16mm receiver adaptor. This screws onto the base of the VoxBox Air which allows you to attach it to a standard light stand. The unit can then be positioned in front of the camera lens.
Is the case robust enough?
The soft bag is British made, with custom cut foam insert. The two mirrors are layered between foam and are very well protected from impact. However, we do not recommend checking it into the hold of an aircraft.
Does the beamsplitter glass give any loss of light or colour shift?
You will lose less than 1 stop of light through the glass. This is not a problem for most cameras. The glass ‘warms up’ the image slightly, which can be corrected in post-production if necessary.
What’s the widest focal length I can use?
On a Super 35 size sensor (F55, F5, FS7, C300 etc), the widest focal length is approximately 24mm before the edges of the VoxBox Air are visible. On full-frame sensors, around 35mm is the widest. You can easily frame two subjects in the same shot.
What is the diameter of the hole on the box?
The opening at the back of the VoxBox Air (where the lens is positioned) is 140mm. Doughnuts are supplied to fit on various lenses.
How do I clean the beamsplitter glass?
Make sure all dust and grit is brushed or washed from the glass. Do not rub it when dry. When clear of dust and grit, the surfaces may be cleaned using any soft cotton based cloth. Man-made fibres will eventually damage the surface. Dabbing the surface with a damp soapy cloth to remove dust and grit is safe. The glass can then be polished. Non-greasy window cleaning products used in conjunction with a cotton cloth should be safe, once all grit has been removed
Which tablets work with the VoxBox Air?
The included adjustable tablet holder will accept any device. Maximum device size: 188mm (measured between the two clamps). Note that due to the size of the opening at the side of the unit (180mm), some of the tablet screen may be cropped.
Which teleprompting software works with the VoxBox Air?
There are many free and paid-for Teleprompter software applications available. We recommend applications with the following features:
1. Flip mirrored text horizontally
2. Text justification (recommended if using a tablet larger than the two-way mirror) (The latter is more important if your tablet is over 7”)
We recommend ‘Nano Teleprompter’ (Android) or ‘PromptSmart Pro’ (Android/iOS).
Does the unit fold away for travel?
Yes! It folds into a softbag compatible with airlne carry-on size.
WHAT USERS SAY
Ben Baldwin
Founder and Producer, Chuffed Productions, London, UK
We use the VoxBox Pro on shoots in the UK, Europe and most recently, Mexico. We feel confident sending it as checked baggage as the superb case protects the kit perfectly during transit, ensuring there are no nasty surprises at our destination! What we really like about VoxBox Pro is its versatility. We use it for both down-the-lens interviews and as a Teleprompter, it's quick and easy to rig with our DSLR kits, either using the rail mount or simply on a lighting stand in front of the lens.
Jonah M. Kessel
The New York Times
We really love the VoxBox Pro and have been evangelizing it to all of our colleagues in the digital video space. So much of our video journalism has turned direct-to-camera and we find this infinitely easier to use than the EyeDirect. It has been used extensively and has clocked some miles across the US traveling.
Robin Probyn
Lighting Cameraman / DOP, Tokyo, Japan
I have used the VoxBox Pro on various corporate shoots. It's easy and quick to set up - I usually just put it on a lighting stand. It's solidly made and looks very professional - the director/client can plainly see what they're getting for the rental fee... it's not just a cardboard box.
I used it on one corporate shoot and the director was so impressed, the cameraman shooting the next segment in another country, was told to buy one too! And as an added bonus it can be a teleprompter too.