Canon U.S.A. Introduces Outstanding Broadcast Lens and Digital Capture Solutions at the 2008 NAB Show
April 14, 2008 12:00 PM ET
Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging technology, will exhibit advanced HD lenses, Free Space Optics, robotic pan-tilt HD camera and professional camcorder equipment for television, video content creation, and digital filmmaking industries at the 2008 NAB Show, in Las Vegas, April 14 - 17, in booth #SU3020. These innovative products address a broad range of applications and budgets, all leveraging Canon's worldwide leadership in optics and imaging, particularly in terms of HD, autofocus, new lens coatings, remote control, laser communication, and image stabilization.
Canon Broadcast and Communications Division Announcements:
New HD Studio Lenses and Auto Focus
New this year are Canon's DIGISUPER 27 HD studio lens (model XJ27x6.5B IE-D) and DIGISUPER 27 AF HD studio lens (model XJ27x6.5B AF), which feature studio-optimized autofocus capabilities based on a proprietary HD implementation of Through-the-Lens Secondary Image Registration Phase Detection Method technology (also used on Canon's DIGISUPER 100AF and DIGISUPER 86AF HD field lenses). The DIGISUPER 27AF HD studio lens enables camera operators or robotic systems to achieve exact focus each and every time.
Remote Control Robotic HD Camera
Canon is introducing its new BU-45H remote-control robotic pan-tilt 16:9 HD camera system at the 2008 NAB Show to address such specialized HD applications as POV (point-of-view) cameras for traffic and weather monitoring, houses of worship, legislative chambers, high-resolution outdoor security installations, remote-controlled Web cameras, and more. The new BU-45H remote-control robotic pan-tilt 16:9 HD camera features a Canon HD camera equipped with three 1/3 inch (1,670,000-pixel) CCDs, a Genuine Canon HD zoom lens with 20X optical zoom ratio (4.5 - 90mm), a remote-control ND (neutral density) filter, genlock input, HD-SDI/SD-SDI output with embedded audio or standard-definition composite NTSC, a Canon autofocus function, and Canon's sophisticated Image Stabilizer technology.
HDgc Portable HD Lenses
Responding to the introduction of lower-cost tapeless HD ENG cameras from all major manufacturers, Canon's new HDgc line of cost-effective portable HD lenses for 1/2 inch, 2/3 inch, and 1/3 inch imagers will also be on display at the 2008 NAB Show. Sixteen different models comprise Canon's HDgc line, with three tiers of quality: the higher-end eDrive Series, the middle-range Economical Series, and the basic Remote-Control Series. The higher-end eDrive Series of HDgc lenses are designed for cameras with 2/3 inch imagers and include a built-in 2x extender and Canon's digital eDrive feature, which enables users to program such functions as zoom and focus settings into the lens for precise, automated repeatability.
HDxs Portable, Studio and Field Lenses
The full line of Canon's high-performance HDxs field lenses (including the DIGISUPER models mentioned above), HDxs studio lenses, eHDxs and HDgc ENG/EFP portable lenses will also be on display at the 2008 NAB Show. The HDxs studio lens category includes the industry's first-ever Compact Studio Lens, the DIGISUPER 22xs (model XJ22x7.3BIE-D), which provides the superior HD optical performance of a large "box-style" HD lens in an extremely compact (13.4 lb.) design appropriate for portable HD cameras configured for studio use. Other Canon HDxs studio lenses include the popular compact DIGISUPER 25xs (XJ25x6.8B IE-D) and the cost-effective DIGISUPER 23xs lens (XJ23x7B IE-D).
HD-EC Cine-Style Prime and Zoom Lenses
Canon's HD-EC (High-Definition Electronic Cinematography) prime and zoom lenses are designed for digital HD "24p" production of theatrical motion pictures and episodic television series. The entire HD-EC series line of lenses will be exhibited at the 2008 NAB Show, including three cine-style zooms (the HJ8x5.5B, HJ11x4.7B, and HJ21x7.5B) and six cine-style prime lenses ranging from 5mm to 55mm. All Canon HD-EC lenses feature traditional film-style lens feel and operation: large, dual, luminous scales for focus (marked in feet) and iris, as well as precise mechanics and a defined control of torque with no backlash. Also on display will be the innovative ACV-235 Anamorphic Converter, which captures very wide aspect ratio (2.35:1) images with all available 2/3 inch 24P digital HD cameras.
The Canobeam DT-150 HD
Drawing on its worldwide expertise in optics, Canon developed the Canobeam DT-150 HD digital transceiver to wirelessly bridge gaps in HD transmission situations. The Canobeam DT-150 HD digital transceiver uses an eye-safe laser to generate infrared light for wide-bandwidth digital video transmission via line-of-sight Free Space Optics. A pair of Canobeam DT-150 HD digital transceivers can provide a temporary or permanent alternative (or back-up) to RF and/or fiber for transmitting uncompressed, high-bandwidth (HD-SDI and SD-SDI) video, audio and camera-control signals bi-directionally and without delay. Situations requiring the Canobeam DT-150 HD can include golf and other sporting events where cables may be impractical, signal backhaul in RF-heavy areas, or TV station STLs (studio/transmitter links). The Canobeam DT-150 HD digital transceiver has a range of up to one kilometer and features Canon's exclusive Auto Tracking feature to maintain beam alignment despite vibration due to wind, rain, or unsteady camera platforms.
Exclusive Technology Collaboration
One year ago, Canon and Vinten - a leading manufacturer of tripods, pedestals, pan/tilt heads, camera robotics, and other innovative camera-support solutions - jointly announced an exclusive technology collaboration. Now, at the 2008 NAB show, the benefits of this collaboration are available to users of most existing Canon HD field lenses that have Canon's Optical Shift Image Stabilizer (Shift-IS) technology. Canon's Shift-IS feature enables camera operators to capture rock-solid HD images even at telephoto distances. The Canon-Vinten technology collaboration integrates the advanced capabilities of Canon's Shift-IS lens technology with high-resolution optical encoders built into Vinten's Vector 950 Active pan/tilt head, which, combined with a customized serial controller box, creates a link between the two technologies. This link transmits precise, real-time digital positioning data from the pan-and-tilt head to the Shift IS stabilization system in Canon HD field lenses. The result is the elimination of any trace of lag after fast pan or tilt shots - a great advantage in the production of fast-paced HDTV sporting and entertainment events. A standard feature of the Canon DIGISUPER 100AF and DIGISUPER 86AF autofocus HD field lenses, the Canon-Vinten technology collaboration is also now available as an optional upgrade on the DIGISUPER 100xs, DIGISUPER 86xs II and DIGISUPER 75xs HD field lenses that have Canon's Shift-IS lens technology.
Canon Video Division Announcements:
Canon XL H1S and XL H1A HD Camcorders
Building on the success of its acclaimed XL H1 High-Definition (HD) camcorder, Canon U.S.A. is introducing the new shoulder mount XL H1S and XL H1A HD camcorders at the 2008 NAB Show. These two new models include new advanced features requested by professional users for improved operation and image control. Canon's new XL H1S and XL H1A camcorders feature an updated Canon 20x HD Video Lens with three independent manual adjustment rings (focus, zoom and iris), as well as enhanced manual focus and zoom control. Additionally, the XL H1S and XL H1A incorporate an expanded array of controls for customizing the image, the display, and operation to match individual needs. Utilizing the industry's most affordable digital video recording media - HDV tapes - both models are ideal for such long-form production applications as wedding and event videography, digital filmmaking, documentary production and media education. Both the new XL H1S and XL H1A High-Definition camcorders deliver superior HD image quality with their Genuine Canon XL interchangeable lens system, three 1/3 inch 1.67 Megapixel CCD Image Sensors, and Canon's proprietary DIGIC DVII HD Image Processor. Both models also feature a durable six-pin IEEE 1394 terminal, providing a more robust connection to external hardware.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. CAJ, a top patent holder of technology, ranking third overall in the U.S. in 2007+, with global revenues of $39.3 billion, is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is on the 2007 BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/pressroom.
(+)IFI Patent Intelligence Press Release, January 2008
All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Availability, prices, and specifications of all products are subject to change without notice. Actual prices are set by individual dealers and may vary. Contact Information: Canon U.S.A. Web site: www.usa.canon.com For sales information/customer support: 1-800-OK-CANON ccenter@cits.canon.com or Editorial Contacts: Canon U.S.A., Inc. Len Musmeci, 516-328-4884 lmusmeci@cusa.canon.com or Kevin McCarthy, 516-328-5950 kmccarthy@cusa.canon.com
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