Sony today introduced an all-in-one color robotic video camera that combines three 1/4.7-type mega pixel CCDs with Advanced HAD technology, along with a high-accuracy, wide-range Pan/Tilt/Zoom capability -- all in a compact and stylish design for capturing high-quality and high-resolution images. The new BRC-300 camera adds flexibility to Sony's industry-leading remote video camera line up.
"By incorporating a range of versatile optional interface cards, the new BRC-300 camera is aimed at analog and digital system configurations, and is totally scalable," said Robert Ott, vice president of Pro Video Marketing for Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Production Systems Division. "This enables users to meet their requirements with an all-in-one, compact, professional, three-chip robotic camera -- ideally suited for a wide range of applications including houses of worship, distance teaching, corporate production, high-end videoconferencing, event videography and broadcasting. In addition, this product will become a strategic part of production systems offered by Sony, so it is built to meet future applications."
The new BRC-300 camera can be easily installed on a desktop or ceiling mounted using the supplied ceiling mount kit, and is equipped with a number of convenient, powerful features that are packed in a compact design, including:
Superb Picture and Color Quality with a total of 1.07 Mega Pixels produced by the three high-sensitivity 1/4.7-type Advanced HAD CCD sensors, which contribute to low noise even in low light shooting environments;
High-Performance, Highly Accurate Pan/Tilt/Zoom Mechanism, which enables a wide range of coverage for both slow and fast moving objects without vibration. The BRC-300 camera has a pan range of 340 degrees that can be covered in eight seconds and a tilt range of 120 degrees that can be covered in 4.5 seconds. It also incorporates a powerful built-in 48X auto focus zoom lens (12X optical, 4X digital). Various camera settings including pan, tilt, zoom, focus and white balance can be programmed in up to six presets per camera;
Precision Technology that captures high-resolution images in both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. In addition, the 3-CCD sensors enable an even wider-angle view in the 16:9 mode;
Multi-Interface Card Slot enables analog and digital system configurations with an optional interface card [model BRBK-301 for Analog RGB/Component, model BRBK-302 for SDI, model BRBK-303 for Fiber Optic] and an i.LINK(R) DVCAM card (planned to be available in September), that allows the BRC-300 to function as an all-in-one robotic camera;
Optional RM-BR300 Remote Control Unit in an easy-to-use, ergonomic design that uses Sony's own VISCA protocol to enable all local control, including Pan/Tilt/Zoom settings and up to six highly accurate programmed presets. Using the VISCA protocol, up to seven cameras can be daisy-chained and remotely controlled from the RM-BR300; and
Optional BRU-300 Multiplex Unit that receives and converts uncompressed digital raw data from the camera using the optional multiplex interface card into any video output. The unit has two built-in interface card slots and can be connected to the camera with a single fiber cable that extends up to 1,500 feet for easy installation. The BRU-300 also converts control data from the RM-BR300 to optical, and transmits this data to the camera.
The new BRC-300 camera is planned to be available this May for a suggested list price of $5,499. All accessories will be sold separately.