Canon Europe has launched a remote camera system which includes three new pan-tilt-zoom cameras.
The CR-N500, CR-N300 and CR-X500 - and the RC-IP100 controller, have been designed to meet demand for smaller scale production needs.
Over the past 12 months, remotely produced video has grown exponentially, with the live streaming industry experiencing a 45 per cent growth between March and April of last year.
The CR-N500, CR-N300 indoor PTZ cameras and the CR-X500 outdoor camera combine Canon’s imaging and network technologies to offer 4K UHD footage with various IP protocol compatibilities, including the newly developed XC Protocol.
Along with the RC-IP100 hardware controller and Remote Camera Control Application, the new XC Protocol will enable other compatible Canon video products to work within the production system. Canon will be releasing new firmware which makes the Cinema EOS range cameras compatible with this new remote production system.
The CR-N500 and CR-N300 enable IP streaming and operation for live productions. Both cameras support multiple protocols such as RTMP/RTMPS, NDI|HX [ii], RTP/RTSP and Canon’s newly developed XC Protocol – which is standard in Canon’s cameras – enabling streaming direct to the selected Content Delivery Network.
Further streamlining workflows, the CR-N500 employs Canon Log 3 and Wide DR modes to produce the best possible HDR results for both live streamed or recorded content ready for post-production.
Designed to fit into existing workflows, these PTZ cameras offer a range of connectivity. Both the CR-N500 and CR-N300 offer Power over Ethernet (PoE+), HDMI, 3G-SDI, and the CR-N300 offers an additional USB port. Enabling broadcasters to deliver image quality and integrate within existing workflows, the CR-X500 uses a 12G-SDI connection to achieve 4K UHD up to 60P with a single cable.
The CR-N500 and CR-N300 are powered by a DIGIC DV6 processor to achieve 4K UHD 30P at 4:2:2 10-bit; while the CR-X500 uses Dual DIGIC DV6 processors to capture up to 4K UHD 60p, also at 4:2:2 10-bit.
The CR-N500 and CR-X500 employ a 15x optical zoom and CR-N300 a 20x optical zoom, all with image stabilisation. The CR-X500 also features an additional 30x advanced zoom when the camera is capturing in Full HD.
The RC-IP100 hardware controller can control 100 PTZ cameras at once from a single operator. Offering enhanced control over a number of settings including, focus, white balance and shutter speed, it also features a multi-function joystick and professional zoom rocker for incremental movement of the camera and smooth transition between wide and tele zoom.
The free Remote Camera Control Application is a software for computers and tablet devices[iii] capable of controlling up to 20 Canon PTZ cameras with up to nine of them being shown as a preview on the user interface. The software control allows the image settings of the camera such as iris, white balance and gain, to be fine tuned from a laptop keyboard.
The CR-N500 retails at £5,399.99.
The CR-N300 retails at £2,699.99.
The RC-IP100 retails at £2,050.92.
The CR-X500 retails at £23,750.00.