Canon's New VB-C300 PTZ Security Camera

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Canon expands its line of Network Video Solutions products with the addition of the VB-C300 Wide-Angle Pan/Tilt/Zoom network camera, addressing the confined quarters and wiring limitations often faced by small businesses. Offering the widest angle of view of any PTZ camera on the market, the new feature-packed VB-C300 PTZ Camera, along with the introduction of Version 1.3 of Canon's versatile VK-64 / VK-16 Network Video Recording Software, are the company's latest innovations for security and video-monitoring professionals needing to capture high-quality video and deliver it via a LAN or the Internet.

Offering a wide 70˚ horizontal angle of view, the VB-C300 PTZ Camera pans bi-directionally at ± 170˚ to deliver a total viewing angle that exceeds 360˚. This feature makes the VB-C300 PTZ Camera well-suited to tight, indoor spaces. The camera comes equipped with a high-sensitivity progressive-scan 310,000-effective pixel CCD that helps deliver crisp, well-defined images of even rapidly moving objects, as well as powerful low-light (1 Lux at 1/30 shutter speed) performance. In addition, an Automatic Day and Night Mode switches from color video to light-sensitive black & white video, depending on available illumination. Incorporating a Genuine Canon 2.4x Optical Zoom Lens with 4x Digital Zoom, the VB-C300 PTZ Camera has an Auto Focus system designed to keep the majority of the camera's image plane in sharp detail. The advanced lens design reduces the "fish-eye" distortion typical of extreme wide-angle lenses.

The integration of Canon's next-generation video codecs in the VB-C300 PTZ Camera provides many additional advantages, including high-performance data transmission that maintains a high video frame rate even during simultaneous access by multiple viewers. The VB-C300 PTZ Camera's built-in network server allows for viewing for up to 15 clients at the same time.

Full duplex, two-way audio support allows the VB-C300 PTZ Camera to both send and receive audio simultaneously, which enables security professionals monitoring its video to hear and speak to people appearing on-camera, while using a microphone. Security professionals can speak into a microphone connected to their monitoring PC and be heard at the camera's location through a powered speaker connected to the VB-C300 PTZ Camera. VB-C300 PTZ Camera also offers 20 pre-set pan, tilt, and zoom positions to further facilitate monitoring.

The VB-C300 PTZ Camera's Power Over Ethernet feature allows the camera to utilize a single Ethernet cable for data transmission and to power the camera. Because Power Over Ethernet makes a separate cable for electrical power unnecessary, this feature simplifies installation in single or multi-camera systems, particularly at sites where AC outlets are not readily accessible, resulting in faster and more cost effective installation. For installations not requiring Power Over Ethernet, however, the VB-C300 PTZ Camera has connectors enabling it to be powered via a 24V AC or 12V DC source. Built-in terminals for connection to external devices such as alarms and sensors are also included.

Optional indoor Dome Housings with either a Clear or "Smoke"-tinted dome and a Ceiling Bracket for the VB-C300 PTZ Camera provide a compact and attractive installation designed to provide an effective range of view while also being unobtrusive. In addition to its ability to pan bi-directionally at ± 170˚, the VB-C300 PTZ Camera also tilts at -25/+90 in upright mode, and +25˚/-90˚ in reverse mode installations.

Complementing the new VB-C300 Wide-Angle PTZ network camera is Canon's introduction of Version 1.3 of its optional VK-64 / VK-16 Network Video Recording Software. This software enables the VB-C300 PTZ Camera to interface over IP with all existing Canon Network Video Solutions PTZ and stationary ("fixed") cameras. Canon's VK-64 Version 1.3 Network Video Recording Software provides the ability to view and record high-quality, full-motion video over IP from as many as 64 Canon Network Cameras on a single PC storage server, while the VK-16 Software provides the same functionality and control for up to 16 cameras. Because this video is nonlinear, archiving and search functions are fast and efficient. Video can be recorded, managed, and accessed by computer, simplifying storage and playback.

Canon's VK-64 / VK-16 Version 1.3 Network Video Recording Software features a wide variety of new recording and playback options, including Camera Control, which gives viewers an array of camera-adjustment choices such as exposure, white balance, and auto panel. A new Status-bar display shows total frame rate, CPU activity, a video window, and display events. VK-64 / VK-16 Version 1.3 Network Video Recording Software also provides support for NAS (Network Attached Storage) to enable users to expand the storage area over their network easier than if they expanded their PC servers.

When used in combination with other Canon Network Video Solutions products — such as the new VB-C300 Wide-Angle PTZ camera — Canon's VK-64 / VK-16 Version 1.3 Network Video Recording Software provides security professionals with a versatile means of addressing their unique needs and applications.

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