VB-C500D Fixed Mini Dome Network Camera
March 31, 2009
Canon
U.S.A.
released a new high-performance VB-C500D Fixed Mini Dome Network Camera which features
a stylish modern design, a range
of advanced features and outstanding image quality, making
it a cost-effective means of capturing high-quality video for remote monitoring
over IP. The VB-C500D is ideally suited for any location where a fixed security
camera is required, including reception areas and convenience stores, tight
spaces like elevator/ATM lobbies, and in upscale environments like hotels and
condominiums where the camera needs to complement the interior design.
“The Canon brand and products are synonymous with the highest image quality,
and our security cameras are designed accordingly,” stated Yuichi
Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging
Group, Canon U.S.A. “An increasing number of professionals are demanding
better image quality and more advanced features from their security cameras,
and the new VB-C500D certainly meets those needs. The VB-C500D was built using
Genuine Canon Optics and our new powerful DIGIC NET Processor, both of which
stem from our acclaimed lines of professional camera and camcorder products.
The result is an image quality and value we believe is second to none. With
the new VB-C500D,
Canon has now raised mini dome camera performance to a new level.”
Central to the VB-C500D’s design are the camera’s Genuine Canon Optics and powerful
DIGIC NET Processor. The camera features an 82-degree wide angle
lens with 2.4x optical zoom (manual) and 4x digital zoom. When viewing moving objects, images
remain clear thanks to a high-sensitivity progressive-scan CCD.
The VB-C500D includes an
advanced Canon image processor which handles the white balance, exposure
compensation, shutter speed, and color correction functions to ensure the
camera maintains the highest image quality. The
image processor also offers two important image enhancement functions, Smart
Shade Control (SSC) and Auto/Day Night. Smart Shade Control automatically
adjusts the contrast between bright and dark areas of an image for optimum
detail display (eliminates “blown-out” images common with the backlight
compensation function found on other cameras). The Auto Day/Night function
allows the camera to automatically switch day/night modes depending upon
lighting conditions. An additional Digital Night Mode automatically switches
the camera from color to monochrome video without interruption, which on other
cameras is caused by the insertion/removal of an IR cut filter.
Canon’s proprietary DIGIC
NET processor is a powerful hardware-based engine that performs all encoding
and transmission. The DIGIC NET processor enables the VB-C500D to perform
simultaneous Motion-JPEG (M-JPEG) and MPEG-4 video encoding and transmission in
high-quality VGA (640 x 480) resolution at a full 30 frames per second. This combination
is ideal as M-JPEG offers higher image quality, while MPEG-4’s compression
scheme offers lower bandwidth consumption and less storage space. The camera adds
flexibility by allowing the distribution of M-JPEG images in three sizes
simultaneously: 640 x 480, 320 x 240 and 160 x 120.
The VB-C500D can stream M-JPEG
and MPEG-4 to multiple simultaneous viewing locations, and offers support for
up to 30 simultaneous users to access and view video images at the same time
(10 users for MPEG-4). There is also a built-in Web Viewer which allows for
live monitoring on the Web without installing any software on to a computer.
Another key benefit of Canon’s
DIGIC NET processor is the camera’s exceptional low-light performance. The
VB-C500D will maintain Color Night Mode as low as 0.2 lux (SSC on and 1/30 sec.
shutter speed), which enables the VB-C500D to capture color differences even in
the lowest light conditions. This color accuracy can be crucial in making
positive identification in many security monitoring applications.
In addition to the advantages provided by the cameras optics and processor, the
new VB-C500D Fixed Mini Dome Network Camera also includes Motion Detection, Audio Input/Output, and a Recording
Stream Function. The Motion Detection feature enables users to pre-set up to
four motion detection areas, allowing the camera to take a picture when motion
is detected and e-mail that image file to a designated account, including a
cell phone, PDA or other device. This feature also allows the upload of
multiple images to an http or ftp server. The Audio Input/Output feature supports
full-duplex audio communication, and the Audio Output can be used to play back a
pre-recorded sound when triggered by an event, such as motion detection. The
camera’s unique Recording Stream Function, which is compatible with all Canon
software products, greatly minimizes the possibility of lost frames when
viewing recorded video. This is made possible by the camera and software’s
ability to communicate and recognize when frames are lost due to brief network
congestion/interruptions. The camera’s large buffer, which retains the images
captured during breaks in data transmission, will then send the missing frames
to the recording server when the connection is resumed.
Included with the camera is IPv6
and IPsec Support (IP security), a set of protocols for securing IP
communications by encrypting data streams while also securing the data flow to
and from the camera, ensuring only authorized users have access.
The camera’s design allows
it to be placed in either an upright, ceiling-mounted, or wall-mounted
position. For convenience and ease of installation, the VB-C500D supports the IEEE 802.3af standard for Power over
Ethernet (PoE) technology, which allows both power and data to be carried over
a single LAN cable when connected to a PoE hub/switch/midspan. Since a power
cable is not required, the camera can be installed at sites without accessible
AC outlets.
In
addition to the new VB-C500D, Canon has also released an updated Version 2.1 of
its VK-64, VK-16, and VK-Lite Network Video Recording Softwares. These new
versions offer full compatibility with all current Canon Network Cameras.
For
even greater value, the VB-C500D Fixed Mini Dome
Network Camera is bundled with one license of Canon’s VK-Lite 2.1 Network Video Monitoring & Recording
Software, an application that enables the user to monitor, record and playback
images from up to four cameras from a single screen (additional licenses are
available for $99* each).
The
Canon VB-C500D Fixed Mini
Dome Network Camera has a suggested list price of $899, and is scheduled to
begin shipping in May 2009. This new product will be on display in the Canon booth #24051 at the ISC West
2009 trade show being held from April 1-3, at the Sands Expo & Convention
Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For more information on Canon’s Network Video Solutions products log on to www.usa.canon.com/securityproducts
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