Canon Enhances VC-C50I PTZ Camera

April 6, 2005
Canon's new optional adaptor kit for the VC-C50i PTZ Network Video Solutions Communication Camera

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. -- Canon's new optional adaptor kit for the VC-C50i Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) Network Video Solutions Communication Camera (and VC-C50iR Reverse Mount version) improves the connectivity of the camera, compared to a stand alone unit. The Kit includes the VC-EX3 Interface Adapter, a BNC/RCA Video Adapter, and the WL-V5 Wireless Controller. The Kit provides the VC-C50i/R camera with a means of interfacing with S-Video monitors, BNC/RCA-equipped video monitors, and remote-control systems via the VC-EX3 Adapter's RS-232 In/Out Terminals.

Canon continues to ship multi-pin plugs included with the purchase of VC-C50i/R cameras to facilitate long cable runs and permanent installations. Customers who already own the VC-C50i/R model can purchase the Adapter Kit as an optional accessory. The VC-C50i/R with Adapter Kit replaces Canon's older model VC-C4 Communication Camera.

The VC-C50i/R camera with Adapter Kit is designed to meet the needs of users requiring crisp 640-by-480-pixel, up to 30 frame-per-second images and exceptional low-light imaging. The VC-C50i/R Adapter Kit's VC-EX3's RS-232 In/Out Terminals provide a means of interfacing the camera with network video systems used in such areas as videoconferencing, security, Webcasting, distance learning, telemedicine, worship, education, machine vision, and other markets.

"Canon enhances the functionality of our premier PTZ camera by offering this important Adapter," said Yukiaki Hashimoto, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Canon Inc. "Now businesspeople, educators, medical personnel, Web developers, houses of worship and others can take full advantage of Canon's optics excellence and precision PTZ controls."

Featuring a quarter-inch 340,000 pixel CCD imager and 1 Lux low-light sensitivity, the VC-C50i/R has a Genuine Canon 26X optical zoom lens and a 12X digital zoom (the highest optical zoom magnification available in its class) to capture fine detail from far distances.

With a wide-ranging pan of +/-100 degrees and tilt of +90/-30 degrees, the VC-C50i can quickly survey entire office areas or warehouses (the reverse-mount VC-C50iR version features a pan of +/- 170 degrees and tilt of +10/-90 degrees). Additionally, a motorized infrared (IR) cut filter can be turned off to brighten the viewing area. A built-in IR light is effective up to 9.8 feet for illuminating small areas. An external trigger can be used to turn on external illuminators in dark parking lots, at university campuses, hospitals, and warehouse facilities.

The VC-C50i/R can also be used with Canon's VB150 Network Video Server, which helps enable users to review and archive still images and monitor live video feeds over the Internet or intranets. Additional features include motion detection, wireless operation, and complete four-camera connectivity. Canon also offers software products for live, simultaneous, and highly customizable monitoring and recording of video from multiple Canon Network Video Cameras.

The VC-C50i/R packaged with the new VC-EX3 Adapter Kit has a suggested list price of $1,499 and will be available in mid-March. The VC-EX3 Interface Adapter for existing VC-C50i/R owners has a suggested list price of $120 and will also be available by mid-March.