MELVILLE, N.Y.—Canon will soon offer a firmware update for key models in its Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) line of cameras that will provide a variety of new features and improvements the CR-N700, CR-N500, CR-N300, CR-N100, CR-X300 PTZ cameras, RC-IP1000 controller, and the Remote Camera Control Application.

Enhancements to the Auto Tracking Add-On Application results in smoother, more natural pan tilt movement, and algorithm improvements to help maintain tracking of the desired subject even when crossing paths with others, the company said. Canon will also be including in the firmware update a free lite version of the Auto Tracking Add-On application. Named Auto Tracking Lite, this free version provides the same smooth and precise auto tracking experience as the paid version, but without some of the advanced customizations that are available in the full licensed version.

The firmware will further enhance the CR-N700 in multicamera use with the addition of Canon 709/BT.709 Gamma/Color Space support, G Gain support, and expanded RGB pedestal range, which will allow for easier color matching with other cameras. For virtual production, a large increase in available Clear Scan frequencies which allow the CR-N700 to be able to be used with many more LED walls and virtual environments, Canon says.

For the CR-N100 and CR-N300, their performance when in USB webcam mode will see a significant boost with higher frame rates and the addition of YUV format, allowing the CR-N100 and CR-N300 to be used more in the Corporate and Education markets. These cameras (along with the CR-X300) will also see a new image mode that will help reduce noise in low light environments, according to the company.

Canon says the firmware update will also improve the experience of controlling PTZ cameras with this firmware, increasing the number of Zoom and Focus steps, and adjusting the preset movement speed curve, providing users with smoother, more precise movement. Users will now be able to set limits on Pan and Tilt Range of motion, which will assist both experienced and novice users alike to avoid moving the camera beyond the intended shooting area, according to the company.

Updates to the RC-IP1000 controller include support for the EOS C400 camera, the ability to display the Camera Multi-view, Preset/Trace list on an external monitor via HDMI and SDI, and ability to display Waveform, Vectorscope, Marker display, and Focus Guide on controller screen providing the user with more tools at their fingertips. The firmware will also enable the copying of a camera setting from one camera to many, and adds support for Elgato Stream Decks for camera select, preset, and multi preset triggering. 

The XC protocol will also be updated to allow 3rd party control systems to send commands to the RC-IP1000 for greater compatibility (i.e. video switcher changing camera being controlled). Controls of the Auto Tracking Application on the RC-IP1000 have also been enhanced with new features, such as the ability to touch to select the tracked subject and the ability to position the subject in the frame by moving the silhouette directly on the display.

An updated version of The Remote Camera Control Application (RCCA) for both Windows and Macinotosh operating systems will also see a variety of additional functionaliy. The updated version will add support for the EOS C400 camera, and support control of both the Auto Tracking and Auto Loop PTZ Add-On Applications.

The firmware updates to the PTZ cameras, RC-IP1000 controller,and the Remote Camera Control Application are scheduled to be available on July 1st, 2024.

SAN DIEGO—Sony Electronics has released a new firmware update for its Airpeak S1 professional drone.

New features in the FOTA2.1.0, APF2.20 and APB2.2.0 update include:

• Enhanced mapping mission, which streamlines the surveying workflow by enabling automatic flight for mapping missions through the Airpeak Flight mobile app. The feature uses RTK kit RTK-1 and Gimbal GBL-PX1, facilitates the efficient creation of 2D ortho maps, 3D models and point clouds, with mission planning possible both manually and via KML format imports. The update also simplifies the addition of high-precision positioning data to captured images.
• Enhanced automatic return to home, a new feature on the Airpeak drone that enhances safety and efficiency. It enables automatic activation and aircraft guidance back to home in low battery situations or times when signal is lost. It intelligently calculates and navigates bypass routes to avoid restricted airspace or obstacles along the return path. Users have the option to choose between Basic and Advanced modes for the RTH feature.
• Precision flight path recreation via the new Direct Repeat Flight feature for the Airpeak drone. Besides recreating a previously flown flight path, it recreates specific gimbal and camera movements.
• Expanded camera compatibility, including new support for the a7RM3A camera and other models.
• Extended iPad and iPhone compatibility, including the iPhone SE third generation, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14.

Sony also said it has formed new partnerships with AirData UAV, HEXAGON Smart Net and Inertial Labs. 

More information is available on the company’s website.

MELVILLE, N.Y.—Canon has unveiled several new cinema and broadcast digital imaging solutions, ranging from the CINE-SERVO 15-120mm T2.95-3.95 EF/PL lens for cinematic and live production to the DP-V2730 4K HDR monitor for filmmakers and broadcasters.

The company also announced a new expansion unit that’s compatible with several Canon cameras and new firmware for several EOS cameras.

The new CINE-SERVO 15-120mm T2.95-3.95 EF/PL (CN8x15 IAS  S) combines a versatile focal range, compact size and lightweight and offers support for Super 35mm and Full-Frame sensor cameras. Supporting a focal range from a wide 15mm to a telephoto length of 120mm, the lens can extend further to 180mm via a built-in 1.5x extender, the company said.

The new lens also supports 8K optical performance across the full focal length to support future productions, it said.

It also features Canon’s warm color science, matching the existing range of the company’s cinema lenses and offers an 11-blade aperture to produce a beautiful, round bokeh. The lens supports EF mount communications and advanced metadata capture with support for Cooke/i Technology. The PL mount version is the first Canon CINE-SERVI lens to enable ZEISS eXtended Data (XD) communication and Cooke /i Technology, Canon said.

The CINE-SERVO 15-120mm T2.95-3.95 EF/PL uses the same 16-bit encoder found in the company’s broadcast and existing CINE-SERVO lenses. It provides accurate lens position, zoom, focus and iris metadata as well as critical information and communications support between the lens and camera, which is vital for VFX, virtual and cinema production, it said.

The new EU-V3 modular expansion unit for live productions is compatible with the Canon EOS C500, Mark II and EOS C300 Mark III cameras and supports specific functions for multi-camera and live productions, Canon said.

For studio and live production applications, the EU-V3 has a 4-pin XLR DC poser input for constant power to both the expansion module and the camera body, eliminating the need for external batteries for the devices, it said.

Offering an SDI return video feature, the EU-V3 allows real-time monitoring of a live broadcast feed from a production switcher. The return output destination can be selected from the VIDEO, EVF-V50, MON/HDMI and SDI-OUT terminals. The expansion unit also supports tally, the company said.

The lens focus position can be displayed on-screen when using the EU-V3 – with compatible broadcast and CINE-SERVO lenses via 12-pin serial communication. 

The expansion unit can be combined with the CINE-SERVO 15-120mm T2.95-3.95 EF/PL (CN8x15 IAS S) lens on the EOS C500 Mark II and EOS C300 Mark III cameras, it said.

The new DP-V2730 4K HDR reference monitor has a 4K UHD display engine and offers 1,000 cd/m² full-screen peak brightness, with Canon’s local dimming technology giving an ultra-low black level of 0.001 cd/m², it said.

With a 27-inch screen, the DP-V2730 achieves high brightness with minimal noise, making it well-suited for on-set and post-production uses. The monitor meets Dolby Vision certification standards and EBU TECH3320 user requirements, it said.

The new monitor offers several monitoring tools, including waveform monitor, histogram, frame luminance monitor and RGB parade. It offers users an HDMI input and 12G-SDI terminals (4x Inputs and 5x Outputs) and is capable of delivering 4K60P 4:2:2 10-bit or 4K30P 4:4:4 12-bit signals, Canon said.

Canon’s new Cinema EOS firmware update for the EOS C500 Mark II and EOS C300 Mark III cameras enables both to be used in live environments with multiple workflows. Among the updates are:

• XC protocol support for multi-camera application and providing direct control via RC-IP100 remote camera control and Ethernet;
• Enhanced AF features, including 120p/100p AF support, alongside face detection during slow and fast shooting mode use;
• 4-channel audio display showing all channels with the mode is selected;
• New accessory and lens support, enabling the EOS C500 Mark II and EOS C300 Mark II cameras to work with both the CINE-SERVO 15-120mm T2.95-3.95 EF/PL and the EU-V3 and support for the Flex Zoom series of lenses.

The company also announced pricing and availability of the new offerings, including: 

• CINE-SERVO 15-120mm T2.95-3.95 EF/PL , $30,999, November;
• EU-V3, $2,999, December;
• DP-V2730, $18,999, March 2023;
• Canon Cinema EOS firmware update, free, October.

More information is available on the company’s website.

WAYNE, N.J.—JVC Professional Video has released new firmware upgrades for its GY-HC900 and GY-HC500 cameras, bringing SRT-focused enhancements to the Connected Cam camcorders, including network adaptive encoding, PCR fast mode and an SRT decoder for return video delivery via the internet, the company announced. The additions position JVC’s Connected Cam camcorders for remote integrated model (REMI) production.

The firmware update also adds a unique portrait mode with cropping to the GY-HC500 Series. The feature, added based on the request of users, is intended for those who stream to social networks like TikTok and Instagram Stories. One of five cropping positions can be selected prior to shooting, JVC said.

“The Connected Cam system provides a truly plug-and-play streaming ecosystem that does not require expensive backpacks,” said Joe D’Amico, vice president of JVC Professional Video.

“Building off the incorporated SRT open-source technology, we are able to continually provide firmware updates, ensuring that JVC cameras are a futureproof solution for an ever-evolving media landscape. With the latest upgrades to the GY-HC900 and GY-HC500 series cameras, our customers are afforded a wide array of functions to enhance their workflows.”

Support for Network Adaptive Encoding/Adaptive Bitrate Streaming enables the encoder to monitor network conditions and reduce bitrate when there’s network congestion or high packet loss. Combined with automatic repeat request (ARQ) and forward error correction, the feature makes SRT transport resilient to network congestion, data loss and high jitter, the company said.

The new PCR Fast Mode ensures glass-to-glass latency of less than one second when streaming to the JVC BR-DE900 decoder and SRT-capable video switchers, it said.

The new support for return video via the internet enables confidence monitoring on the cameras’ LCD electronic viewfinders, teleprompter support and two-way remote guest communication.

The firmware update for the GY-HC500 is available today as a free download. The new GY-HC900 series firmware is scheduled for mid-month.

More information is available on the company’s website.

WAYNE, N.J.—A firmware update from JVC will provide its GY-HM250 series cameras with new live streaming features, as well as provide other GY-HM models with a slew of new features, the company announced.

The firmware update for GY-HM250 4K camcorders will provide SNS video streaming with vertical and square guidelines on the viewfinder for capturing an image in either vertical (606x1080 and 404x702) and square (1080x1080 and 702x702) formats for a variety of platforms and devices. Direct streaming to YouTube Live is also now possible with GY-HM250 models, with the ability to schedule streaming start times. Additional features provided by the firmware update include a Multicamera Score Overlay feature for the GY-HM250SP 4KCAM, which enables users to duplicate score overlay information between the primary camera and up to three replica cameras.

The new firmware also provides Face-only Auto Focus for the GY-HM170, 180- and 250-series cameras. This allows users to select between a variety of face detection settings depending on the situation, like sensitivity, framing and whether the camera reacts to brightness or just to the face.

A Digital Image Stabilizer will also be available on all three camera models for HD mode. This will be in addition to the existing Optical Image Stabilizer for 4K, HD and high-speed modes.

In addition, an Auto-Color Matrix Adjustment is incorporated for use under LED stage lighting. When operating under “full auto,” the cameras can reproduce a natural color tone under LED, JVC says. A new Zoom Ease feature is also available, designed to reduce the speed change shock of the zoom operation with a gradual ramping up of the transition.

JVC says that the new firmware will be available as a free download from its website in the New Year. For more information, visit pro.jvc.com.  

COLOGNE, GERMANY—A new version of firmware is available for RTW’s TouchMonitor TM7 and TM9 series, taking into account some customer-requested features according to the company’s press release. The TM7 and TM9 units are 7- and 9-inch touch-sensitive displays for loudness monitoring.

The firmware version 6.0, among its updates, now offers up to four parallel instances of TM7/TM9’s stereo vectorscope, allowing for simultaneous monitoring of transmission streams. A 12th octave filter bank is also part of the update to the units’ Real Time Analyzer feature set for frequency distribution analysis. In addition, a custom selected password feature is now available for increased security against unauthorized adjustment changes, as has support for four-channel operation of a TouchMonitor. RTW also reports that it has addressed previous bug issues and made adjustments to meet new changes to global loudness standards.

The new firmware can be installed into all TM7 and TM9 series instruments, as well as TMR7 units. TM7 and TM9 “TC Electronic” devices can be updated to benefit from the bug fixes. To implement the new firmware, all devices must be upgraded with the SW20021 TC Conversion Kit.