CANON U.S.A. INTRODUCES BU-50H HIGH-DEFINITION 16:9 REMOTE-CONTROL ROBOTIC INDOOR PAN-TILT-ZOOM CAMERA SYSTEM

Following on the success of its BU-45H remote-control outdoor robotic pan-tilt HD 16:9 camera system, the Broadcast and Communications division of Canon U.S.A., Inc. has now introduced the BU-50H for indoor POV (point-of-view) applications. The BU-50H remote-control robotic indoor pan-tilt HD camera system is engineered to provide exceptional HD video imagery and versatile performance in such locations as houses of worship, legislative chambers, studio POV camera positions, indoor security areas, and many other environments. The BU-50H is an extremely quiet P/T system and features a maximum noise level of NC30. It is well suited for operation in very quiet environments, including studios, conferences, lectures, and classical music concerts. The BU-50H was formally introduced and displayed along with Canon’s industry-leading HD studio, field, portable, and cine lenses at IBC 2008, at the RAI Convention Center in Amsterdam, Holland from September 12 to 16, 2008.

“The television industry’s ongoing transition to HDTV has created demand for a versatile cost-effective, remote-controlled means of capturing HD video in a wide variety of specialized POV environments,” stated Larry Thorpe, national marketing executive for the Canon Broadcast and Communications division. “For outdoor environments, Canon addressed this need with its BU-45H remote-control outdoor robotic pan-tilt HD camera system. Now Canon has followed with the BU-50H for indoor POV applications. Both camera systems leverage Canon’s global leadership in advanced optics, camera pan-tilt control technologies, and HD video imaging. Both products are economical, turn-key solutions that are completely designed and manufactured by Canon.”

The BU-50H remote-control robotic indoor pan-tilt HD camera system incorporates a Canon HD camera equipped with three 1/3-inch (1.67 million-pixel) CCD sensors (1440 H x 1080 V), a Canon HD zoom lens with 20X optical zoom ratio (4.5 - 90mm), an advanced Canon Auto Focus function, and Canon’s sophisticated Image Stabilizer technology.

Advanced connectivity features of the Canon BU-50H remote-control robotic indoor pan-tilt HD camera system provide the versatility needed to address a wide variety of video-capture applications. These include genlock input for video synchronization in broadcast television systems. Outputs include uncompressed HD-SDI and SD-SDI with embedded audio, or standard-definition (SD) composite NTSC video. The HD-SDI can be used for HD recording and the HD-SDI or NTSC will support simultaneous SD monitoring. The BU-50H pan-tilt HD camera is capable of extremely smooth 300-degree pans and 40-degree tilts.

The Canon BU-50H remote-control robotic indoor pan-tilt HD camera’s control protocol is non-proprietary and open; users or system integrators can interface the camera with their own control system or that of third-party providers to operate the pan/tilt system while also facilitating remote operational control of the HD camera lens and video functions. Short- and long-distance control systems interface via RS-422 connections. An optional third-party E/O (electrical-to-optical) converter is available to enable worldwide connectivity via fiber optics or a connection to the Canon Canobeam DT-150 HD wireless video transceiver for transmission at distances of up to one kilometer.

The total weight of the pan-tilt system, camera and housing is 11 kg. (approx. 24 lbs.).

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. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked 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.

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†IFI Patent Intelligence Press Release, January 2008

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