Vaddio Takes Wraps off New Camera, Controller
Vaddio, which makes robotic PTZ cameras and camera control systems, is rolling out a full slate of new products at Integrated Systems Europe 2011, including new high-definition PTZ camera, a multiviewer camera controller, and video whiteboard kit.
Vaddio, which makes robotic PTZ cameras and camera control systems, is rolling out a full slate of new products at Integrated Systems Europe 2011, including new high-definition PTZ camera, a multiviewer camera controller, and video whiteboard kit. The company also announced it is now shipping its new Hot-Shot Preset Camera Controller and YPbPr to DVI-D Format Converter.
“In addition to all of our new classroom and videoconferencing solutions, we will be previewing some never-before-seen technology at this year’s ISE show,” said Vaddio president Rob Sheeley, in a statement.
Vaddio’s newest high-definition PTZ camera, the ClearView HD-20, has a 20x hyperzoom lens and imaging sensor technology that is comparable to a three-chip camera, according to the company. The multi-element motorized zoom lens and new slip-clutch robotics system enhance performance with smooth pan/tilt operation for accurate camera movement and control, Vaddio explained.
The new ProductionView MV HD/DVI-HDMI production switcher, with integrated camera controller and multi-viewer, is a powerful, cost-effective and easy-to-operate platform for live presentation environments, Vaddio officials said. It includes the company’s patent-pending Touch and See multiviewer touchscreen user control panel, which allows production operators to easily see and switch all live video feeds and create “video thumbnails” of preset camera shots. The video thumbnails provide an easy alternative to viewing stored camera presets. The Touch and See multiviewer touchscreen comes in two sizes: an 18.5-inch rack-mount style or a standard 22-inch screen.
Finally Vaddio’s new Squiggle Video Whiteboard Kit can reportedly transform any whiteboard into a video whiteboard. Company officials said Squiggle converts whiteboard notes into an SD or HD video signal compatible with any video device. The portable enclosure screws into the wall on the left side of the whiteboard. A Cat-5 cable then runs from the enclosure to the Quick-Connect at the head-end for plugging into your video device. One-Touch Image Save allows users to save their notes as a JPEG on a USB Flash Drive.
The Hot-Shot Preset Camera Controller adds automated PTZ camera control to a videoconferencing system camera. By using the camera presets stored in the codec, the Hot-Shot controller can be externally triggered by a number of different trigger devices, such as a microphone switcher/mixer, StepView presence-sensing mats, AutoView IR sensors, Vaddio’s new PresenterPOD, or any other triggering/logic output device. Each Hot-Shot controller can control up to 36 presets.
“We created the Hot-Shot Preset Controller for those videoconferencing system applications that require camera automation but don’t want to spend a fortune in doing so,” said Sheeley in a statement. “The Hot-Shot allows users to easily automate a camera in a videoconference room for less than $1,000 for the controller.”
Currently the Hot-Shot works with the Polycom HDX-8000 and HDX-900 Series, LifeSize Room System Series, Tandberg C40, C60, C90, and the older Tandberg 6000MXP and 3000MXP Series codecs. For use with other control systems, the Vaddio simple ASCII API is also included to alleviate the need for multiple I/O or relays associated with large control systems. Up to four Hot-Shot Controllers can be linked via RS-232 for up to 144 total triggers.
The YPbPr to DVI-D Format Converter changes analog component video to DVI/HDMI. Whether the output signal is 480i, 576i, 720p, 1080i or 1080p, video can be converted to a digital signal to work with a variety of third-party devices such as videoconferencing codecs and multiformat switchers, according to the company.
