. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Site Loader
Posted on June 2, 2021

Sony BRC Series HD Cameras and the EVI-HD1: Their Impact on Future Video Conferencing Trends

Infocomm 2008 kicked off its 3-day conference last Wednesday (June 18, 2008) with a vengeance. Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, I had the opportunity to fly in on its opening day to see what the latest trends are and get a first-hand look at the new products in action. Upon arrival at the LVCC, the size of the convention was overwhelming to say the least and that was before thousands of people flocked to the doors after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Divided into two different rooms and occupying more than 1,050,000 m2. ft., there were at least 950 exhibitors showing their latest and best audiovisual and electronic products before a floor of at least 15,000 people present. This number does not include the large number of meeting rooms used for various technology seminars and workshops, in addition to keynote speaker presentations.

Although several different products were showcased, one of the main buzzwords of the conference was “Telepresence.” “Telepresence” is defined as “a set of technologies that allow a person to feel as if they are present, give the appearance of being present, or have an effect, in a location other than their actual location.” (Wikipedia 2008) Simply put, the term “telepresence” is an updated term that seems to be replacing “Videoconferencing” as technology continues to advance. With telepresence, the person who is not in the office appears almost in 3D, making it appear that they are actually present when they are not. Video conferencing is less technical and the people on the other end are included in video form.

Walking through the “Telepresence Pavilion”, the two new and most popular VC systems were courtesy of Polycom and Sony. Although Polycom telepresence systems were showcased in abundance, the Sony EVI-HD1 and BRC series of cameras were also showcased as the latest and greatest HD cameras available for telepresence / video conferencing applications.

SONY EVI-HD1

Building on the great success of the EVI-D70 and EVI-D100, Sony’s first high-definition robotic EVI camera was designed for video conferencing, distance learning, houses of worship and corporate training. This single chip based pan / tilt / zoom camera features multi-format capabilities to produce standard definition and high definition video so users can easily migrate from standard definition to HD.

The new EVI-HD1 model uses a 1080i CMOS sensor that offers exceptional high definition resolution in 720p, 1080i or 1080p. The camera can be used with compatible third-party codecs and systems, due to its ability to produce standard definition video (YC and composite), high definition analog component (Y, Pub, Pr), or digital HD-SDI. For companies equipping conference rooms with 16: 9 widescreen displays, the EVI-HD1 outputs 16: 9 images in 480i or HD formats. The camera also incorporates a 10x optical zoom lens with a 70-degree horizontal field of view and is equipped with high-speed, high-torque direct-drive motors that allow for smooth, fast and quiet pan / tilt operations, making it makes it ideal for conference rooms. and courtrooms.

The camera’s pan / tilt / zoom controls can be operated with an easy-to-use IR Remote Commander® unit or via the RS-232C (VISCA (TM) protocol) interface with a number of commercially available controllers. The EVI-HD1 can also be controlled from an optional RM-BR300 remote control unit. The ergonomically designed joystick and feature-rich control panel of the RM-BR300 provide excellent operability in various remote video recording applications.

BRC SERIES

Sony’s BRC series consists of three revolutionary pan / tilt / zoom (PTZ) color video cameras, each specially designed for remote video recording applications. Both the BRC-H700 and BRC-300 have already been very successful around the world, meeting the needs of users for high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) applications, respectively.

With a number of useful functions and excellent image quality, the BRC series is ideal for a variety of remote video recording applications, such as in places of worship, auditoriums, university hospitals, corporate boardrooms, and at sporting events, trade shows. commercials and concerts. . Plus, it’s a great choice for streaming applications, such as TV show recording or as a weather camera. Since the BRC series consists of three cameras, each with specific benefits, users can choose the most suitable solution for their specific application needs.

Sony’s high definition BRC-H700 offers high image quality and high sensitivity with three 1/3 type HD CCDs and a total resolution of 1,120,000 pixels. It is ideal for users who demand extremely clear HD images with great detail, and due to its high sensitivity it can be used in shooting environments without ideal lighting. In addition, it has the widest viewing angle of the BRC series, allowing users to capture wide areas of a scene, such as concert audiences or auditoriums.

Sony’s standard definition BRC-300 incorporates three 1 / 4.7 type Advanced HADTM CCD sensors with a total of 1,070,000 pixels. It is an ideal camera for cost-effective SD applications, and can capture images in both 4: 3 and 16: 9 aspect ratios, the latter offering a wider angle of view. Additionally, the BRC-300 is the smallest camera in the BRC series, making it ideal in environments that require the camera to be discreetly positioned.

Sony also recently introduced the new HD / SD BRC-Z700, equipped with three 1/4-type HD ClearVidTM CMOS sensors. This camera supports both HD and SD, allowing for versatile operations and allowing users to easily migrate from SD to HD image quality. Additionally, the BRC-Z700 incorporates a newly designed smooth PTZ mechanism for precise camera control.

On display at the Sony booth last week, the BRC-H700 and BRC-Z700 gave visitors an inside look at why these two cameras are fast becoming the true leaders in the world of high-end video conferencing / telepresence. definition:

  • The BRC-H700 and BRC-Z700 each have sixteen presets (BRC-300 has six presets) to which you can assign preset pan / tilt / zoom positions and other parameters. These presets can be recalled at the touch of a button to easily capture video from preset areas. They can also be controlled from the supplied IR (TM) remote control unit or the optional RM-BR300 remote control unit. The ergonomically designed joystick and feature-rich control panel of the RM-BR300 provide excellent operability in various remote video recording applications.
  • Users can transmit uncompressed digital data, including external sync and camera control signals through an optical multiplexing unit such as the BRU-H700 and BRU-300. With a single cable connection between the camera and the HD Optical Multiplex Unit, the system is extremely easy to install.
  • Flexibility
    • Third-party switches and multiplexers work very well with BRC cameras.
    • Sierra Video Systems and AMX switches and multiplexers were showcased at the show and work very well with BRC cameras.
    • Sony adapter cards are available or third-party adapter cards can be used to accommodate the user’s video interface
  • Users can install fiber cables up to:
    • 500 meters in length for the BRC-300 and
    • 1000 meters in length for both BRC-H700 and BRC-Z700.

With all that the Sony BRC series of industrial cameras has to offer not only for HD video conferencing / telepresence but for a host of other applications, a growing number of people are beginning to integrate these cameras into their current video conferencing setups. Sony’s new HD cameras are changing the dynamics of video conferencing due to the dramatically improved image quality seen when moving from standard definition to high definition.

Another reason to consider switching to a Sony HD camera is the impending mandatory shift from analog to digital transmission in 2009. Due to this change in technology, it may be beneficial for users to start looking at their current technologies early enough. to assess where they are. they need / want to be in tandem with what they have to do to get there. Displays are rapidly moving toward HD capability, which could leave analog users in a bind if they don’t follow suit with compatible gear. Whether it’s buying an analog-to-digital converter box or replacing the company’s analog gear with HD, the fact is that technology is advancing and those who sit back and realize will be the ones to triumph over the competition.

admin

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *