Photos: Video-shooting minihelicopter

The National Association of Broadcasters 2006 electronic-media conference, offering a showcase of the latest broadcasting technology, is taking place this week in Las Vegas.

One gadget on display there is the CVG-A "autonomous" minihelicopter from Van Nuys, Calif.-based Coptervision. Production companies can rent the little whirlybird--starting at $5,000--to film commercials, movies and music videos or to take still photographs. Coptervision plans to begin selling its helicopters in the fall.

Here are the PC-enabled controls for the CVG-A. The system allows an operator to set a flight plan with a computer. The tiny helicopter can safely fly below bridges, around trees and inside warehouses.

For capturing images in tight spots that require a camera to move rapidly, Coptervision can mount its Rollvision Camera System onto cables, bicycles or tiny remote-controlled cars.

These are the controls for the camera mounted on a remote-controlled car. The vehicle needs two people to control it: one to drive the car via remote control and another to operate the onboard camera.

Ricardo Galindo operates the remote controls for the Rollvision Camera System, manufactured by Coptervision.