Apr 8 2014
Ross Video, makers of production switchers, graphics/character generator systems, and remote-control camera-support technologies, have chosen HDTV lenses from Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, to integrate with Ross Video products displayed at the 2014 NAB Show, April 7–10, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Canon XJ76x9B and XJ60x9B long-field HD zoom lenses and HJ22x7.6B HD ENG lenses will be shown with Ross Mobile Productions’ new “Future is Now 3” (FIN3) compact production vehicle, part of Ross Video’s “openTruck” initiative to meet the needs of budget-conscious producers and operators. A variety of Canon ENG lenses will be shown with Ross Robotics’ Furio and CamBot remote-control camera support systems, which utilize precision positional data from Canon lenses for integration with advanced virtual set and augmented reality applications.
“High-quality optics are essential for sports coverage, and Canon has a stellar reputation in this market,” stated Nigel Spratling, marketing product manager at Ross Video. “The new FIN3 truck we will display at NAB is a standard platform we are developing for the smaller version of our openTruck initiative. We chose Canon lenses because of their optical performance and how well they match across the various lens types, as well as their reliability, ongoing performance, and Canon support. Using these Canon lenses means that Ross Mobile Productions is using exemplary quality HDTV optical products.”
“Canon HDTV lenses are among the most widely used in HD sports and entertainment productions today,” noted Larry Thorpe, senior fellow, Professional Engineering & Solutions Division, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “We are pleased that Ross Mobile Productions has chosen Canon HDTV lenses for its new compact mobile production vehicle FIN3, and Canon ENG lenses for its Furio and CamBot remote-control camera support systems. We continually strive to provide professionals in production and videography with the best equipment possible for their various shooting needs.”
Ross Robotics’ Furio dolly and track-based systems as well as CamBot robotic pedestals exhibited at the 2014 NAB Show will each include a camera outfitted with a Canon portable ENG-style HD lens that can output precise positional data through its Digital Drive unit. The Digital Drive units in Canon ENG lenses incorporate Canon-developed ultra-compact rotary encoders capable of 0.1um position detection. These encoders employ Canon’s unique Micro Roofmirror Array (MRA) technology to produce 16-bit resolution of the zoom, iris, and focus control positioning for operator programming. The Digital Drive unit also includes a connector to output this lens data for use by virtual studio and augmented reality systems. Combined with additional data from Furio and CamBot systems, this Canon lens data enables the computers in virtual set and augmented reality systems to create convincing and attractive video illusions to inform and entertain viewers of TV sports, news, and many other types of programming.
See the full Canon U.S.A. NAB 2014 exhibit in Central Hall booth C-4325 from Monday, April 7 through Thursday, April 10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Ross Video’s 2014 NAB Show exhibit will be located in booth N-3806 in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.