FOLLOWING the
launch of four HD cameras in 2009, the new camera rounds out Sony’s HD camera
offering. Customers can now choose from a full line up of HD cameras including
fixed, minidome and PTZ cameras suitable for both indoor and outdoor recording
conditions. Through this latest launch, Sony says it is demonstrating its
commitment to HD as a format.
“There is
undoubtedly increasing market demand for HD products for the security industry
but until now there has not been the breadth of products to provide the
motivation and means to move from analogue to IP,” says Simon Nash, head of
video security, Sony Professional, Europe.
“By offering
customers a complete range of fully compatible HD cameras, we are fulfilling
all recording needs but also enabling customers to make the transition to
HD.”
Sony’s HD
innovation has already had an impact on the industry.
“Sony’s HD
PTZ models were the first on the market and the HD quality of Sony’s image
sensor is a really valuable innovation for the video surveillance industry,”
says Henrik Friborg Jacobsen, vice president of Milestone Systems.
“Milestone was
one of the first VMS providers to support HD cameras and it was natural for us
to integrate the full line of Sony HD cameras into our XProtect platform,
thereby strengthening the HD capabilities for the end user.”
Despite the benefits
of IP HD technology, Sony maintains its commitment to offering a true hybrid
offering through the new launch. Nash says IP cameras have a better picture
quality than analogue but system investment often delays upgrades.
“Sony helps to
overcome this issue by offering a range of hybrid products that support and aid
the migration to IP,” Nash explains.
According to
Sony, a case in point is the NSR-1000 series, a hybrid recorder that can manage
both analogue and IP input. And Sony’s SNT encoder range supports migration by
converting analogue video signals to IP thereby adding value to existing
systems such as picture enhancement technologies and intelligent video and
audio analysis technologies.
To this end, a
new feature in Sony’s HD cameras is designed to improve image quality. The
SNC-CH240 is equipped with Sony’s unique View-DR Wide Dynamic
Range technology. Designed to allow users to see normally in extreme light
conditions, View-DR helps users to see figures more clearly in backlit
conditions. With the strongest recording range currently on the market, Sony’s
cameras are an ideal choice for quality-conscious customers in the
railway, airport, education, financial and sports industries.
“HD has the
potential to transform the security industry but to date this capability has
not been fully tapped,” says Nash. “With the launch of these new HD cameras we
are now able to offer customers a complete HD security solution, from the
initial image capture to playback, regardless of the recording scenario. When combined
with our HD compatible recorders and HD display units, we have a unique
advantage over our competitors who still only offer a limited range of HD
technology.”
The new SNC-CH240
incorporates the new Exmor CMOS image sensor which also drives Sony’s HD domes
released in 2009. This sensor is specially designed for security, and it
includes state-of-the-art image-enhancement technologies such as View-DR which
incorporates the latest in Wide D technology with Visibility Enhancer, and XDNR.
These capabilities mean
Sony’s HD units
can provide high quality HD images even under challenging backlit environments,
as well as excellent sensitivity.
Specifications
includes an optical Range of f=3.1 to 8.9mm, H.264, MPEG-4, JPEG compression, Back
Light Compensation, Auto Gain Control, White Balance, Electronic Shutter range
of 1s ~ 10000s, S/ N (Signal/ Noise) Ratio dB of more than 50 dB, and a Zoom
Ratio approx. 2.9x.
Network Protocols
include IPv4, IPv6, TCP, UDP, ARP, ICMP, IGMP, HTTP, HMTP, Image Frame Rates
are H264/MPEG-4: 30fps (1280×720); JPEG: TBD(1280×720) and electrical specifications
are PoE, 24 V AC, 12 V DC with a consumption of 7.7W. Physical Specifications
are 140 x 118mm and the weight is 900 grams.
