Canon Introduces HD Camcorder; HD Lenses

April 24, 2006-- Canon launches innovative new product line, a new product category, and several additional new products, all of which are on display at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference and exhibition in Las Vegas, April 24th - 27th.

The new product line, designated as the HDgc family of lenses, is Canon's first series of economical HD lenses specially engineered for tapeless HD camcorders. Other new lenses include an improved line of professional SD (IFpro) lenses, the first lightweight Super Telephoto HD lens, and a technology demonstration of Auto Focus capabilities for HDTV Studio and Field zoom lenses.

The new product category trumpets the arrival of Canon's first HD camcorder, the XL H1, a three-CCD video camera recorder, debuting at NAB; as well as an expanded line of REALiS(TM) High Resolution (SXGA+) Multimedia Projectors, including the first LCOS XGA model.

"The popularity of High Definition is supporting a trend toward the development of new and more specialized HD lenses both on the high end and to outfit the expanding line of mid-range HD cameras," said Toru Yamasaki, vice president Broadcast and Communications division at Canon U.S.A., Inc. "At NAB 2006, we anticipate the strengthening interest in HD to continue to drive broadcaster demand for the newest and the best, while expanding into professional and education markets."

"Canon is poised to make great strides in HD imaging and display with our first HD video camera, the XL H1 model, and with the expansion of the REALiS line of XGA and SXGA+ Super High Definition Multimedia Projectors," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc. "We anticipate great interest in these products, especially from those who require superior optical quality and operation at an affordable price."

Continuing its tradition of optical quality, operational ease, and superior reliability, the new and existing Canon products on display at the NAB 2005 show include:

Optics

Economical HD lenses: The introduction of Canon's HDgc general class lenses signals the growing popularity of tapeless HD cameras. The new lenses combine the best optical features of Canon's remarkable lenses, including reduced chromatic aberration, and high and well-controlled MTF, with digital operational tools that include Shuttle Shot, Framing Preset, Speed Preset, and more in a line-up that delivers HD optical quality, and other higher-end lens advancements. The HDgc lens line includes for 1/2-inch CCD cameras: the KH21ex5.7 IRSE (telephoto version), the KH10ex3.6 IRSE (wide-angle lens), and a 16x standard version that will be available in late 2006. Digital "eDrive" is available on all three of these lenses, and represents a principal difference (along with a built-in 2X extender) between these models and the more economical KH20x6.4 KRS (for 1/2-inch HD CCD cameras) and the KJ20x8.5B KRS (for 2/3-inch HD CCD cameras).

Special Technology Demonstration: Having greatly refined the technology of built-in Optical Image Stabilization in very long field HDTV zoom lenses used for sports and events coverage, Canon turned its attention to the highly challenging problem of ensuring sharp focus on a selected object within a large and complex scene, often complicated by objects that are in motion. The complexities associated with scenes involving diverse object motion can be compounded by manipulation of both the lens zoom and aperture. A high level of intelligence is required to unambiguously maintain sharp focus on the desired object. At NAB, Canon will demonstrate new developments in automated assistance to focus. A Canon HDTV Field zoom lens will be equipped with this revolutionary technology so that broadcast and production industry professionals will be able to test the system and submit their commentaries directly to Canon.

HD ENG/EFP: Ideal for sports, stabilized helicopter mounts, documentaries, special events, or live reality programming, Canon's new, smaller, lightweight HJ18ex28B IASE Super Telephoto HD lens lets broadcasters and content producers capture those "really long-distance" images with ease. The new HJ18ex28B IASE lens is one more in an expanding line-up of portable Canon eHDxs lenses, which brings the total introduced over the last four years to eight. Canon eHDxs lenses feature innovative technologies that address the complex demands of HD lens design in terms of ergonomics, features, price, size, and weight. The HJ18ex28B IASE includes Canon's Enhanced Digital eDrive as well as a built-in focus motor in addition to the zoom and iris motors traditionally found in portable ENG/EFP lenses.

IFpro: Two new 2/3-inch Pro-Video lens series that provide a new standard for performance, creative options, and affordability for a wide range of business, industrial, and broadcast production applications including POV (point of view) and robotic cameras. The new YJ20x8.5B series is available in three configurations: the YJ20x8.5B KRS, YJ20x8.5B IRS (2X extender model), and YJ20x8.5B KTS (remote control model). The YJ13x6B series is also available in three configurations: the YJ13x6B KRS wide-angle lens, the YJ13x6B IRS (2X extender model), and the YJ13x6B KTS (remote-control model).

All of these lenses feature Canon's innovative Internal Focus technology (IFpro), which enhances optical performance and provides multiple user benefits. The lenses also feature Canon's exclusive Shuttle Shot function, an advanced servo system that brings an entirely new range of value-added creativity to hand-held acquisition systems.

High Definition Electronic Cinematography: Other lenses on display include Canon's increasingly popular line of six HD-EC prime lenses and three zoom lenses. The HD-EC line includes Canon's unique Anamorphic converter, which fits easily between any 2/3-inch electronic cinematography prime or zoom lens and camera, making it possible to easily record a CinemaScope(TM) size (aspect ratio 2.35:1) image with an HD cinematography camera.

Full Line SD and HD lenses and NU-700N: Also on display will be Canon's full line of HDTV and SDTV lenses and accessories, as well as the NU-700N model, a turn-key Network Controllable Pan/Tilt/Zoom (P/T/Z) system designed for broadcasting and professional video applications such as traffic, weather observation, and remote city views.

Transmission Canobeam: For broadcasters in need of a wireless high-bandwidth connection in situations where fiber is cost prohibitive or logistically impossible, Canon offers its Canobeam DT-100 Series, an optical beam communications transceiver.

Capture

Canon XL H1 HD Camcorder: Canon's first HD camcorder, the XL H1 features a Genuine Canon 20x HD video zoom lens, and provides users with a low-cost 1080i resolution option for ENG, documentary or reality TV production, and filmmaking. Canon's "Professional Jackpack" features include uncompressed digital HD-SDI output (SMPTE 292M) for seamless integration into broadcast studios or high-quality image transfer to non-linear editing systems. SMPTE Time Code Input/Output and Genlock synchronization is provided for seamless multi-camera shoots.

The XL H1 camcorder has three 1/3 inch native16:9 1440 x 1080 CCDs that capture images at 1080i resolution. The camcorder features selectable frame rates of 60i, 30 Frame and 24 Frame to allow the user to adjust to the assignment at hand and can switch back to SD resolution if needed. For total control, an extensive selection of image adjustments allows complete control over the every parameter of the image.

The XL H1 HD camcorder is the first model to include Canon's proprietary DIGIC DV II image processor. DIGIC DV II is an image processor that can process both HD and SD video signals as well as still photos, while maintaining the correct color space for each mode.

Complementing the XL H1's open architecture is Canon's optional software, called Console. With Console, users can control key camcorder functions and settings remotely from a Windows PC. Footage is recorded directly to a computer's hard drive, and on-screen Vectrascope and Waveform monitors put professional control at the user's fingertips. This software can be used in a variety of environments and shooting conditions where the camera may be mounted on a crane, in another studio, or in an inaccessible or dangerous location.

REALiS Multimedia Projectors: After the successful debut of Canon's first REALiS brand LCOS projector, the SX50 model, which was described by one trade magazine as "a 'best of breed' combination of LCD and DLP technologies," Canon has expanded and enhanced the line to include the REALiS SX6 (with Adobe RGB color match), SX60 (featuring a Home Cinema mode), and X600 Multimedia (the first LCOS XGA-model). Incorporating Canon's proprietary "AISYS" (Aspectual Illumination System), which equalizes light from the projector lamp to maximize the imaging power of LCOS technology, the REALiS projectors feature High Resolution (SXGA+ in all models other than the X600), and display exceptionally accurate color, intricate "grid-free" detail, text visible to 7 pt., and full-motion HD-quality video(true 16:9 720p). AISYS also enables the REALiS Multimedia Projector line to achieve greater brightness and contrast, be more compact, and more affordable. All new REALiS models are compatible with HDCP-encrypted content and feature motion-adaptive IP Conversion and 2-3 Pulldown for automatic, correct display of input signals, as well as "Auto Set" and "Off and Go" for getting started and packing up fast.

See the full line of Canon products at NAB 2006 in Booth # SU 131 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information regarding Canon's XL H1 HDV camcorder and other models, please contact Canon U.S.A., Inc. at 1-800-OK-CANON or www.canondv.com.

SOURCE Canon