Atsushi Seki

The new cameras and the Network VMS offer broader 4K technologies to customers with varying needs and budgets At ISC West 2016, Sony Electronics is showcasing its latest 4K cameras and technologies for the security and surveillance industry, including the UMC-S3C and SNC-VB770 cameras, as well as a recorder and software system that supports the company's newest 4K technologies. Live demonstrations of SNC-VB770 and UMC-S3C Sony is displaying its lightweight UMC-S3C, currently the company's most compact 4K camera. It has mounting points on the camera body that enhance mobility, allowing users to easily attach it to moving objects. Users can control the UMC-S3C via a micro USB interface, such as a remote control or compatible software. Live demonstrations of the SNC-VB770 4K network camera will show how it delivers the greatest light sensitivity in its class. Its sensor captures more light with low noise than conventional camera sensors, resulting in drastic improvements in sensitivity. The result is low-light performance in nearly pitch-black environments, beyond the capabilities of human eyes. Customisable and flexible solution Sony is also showcasing its new Network Video Management System, giving professionals a customisable and flexible solution for managing, storing and analysing video content. The system features a combination of network video recorders (NVR) and server-based video management software capable of supporting a variety of network camera formats, including 4K. "The new cameras and the Network Video Management System all strengthen Sony's 4K leadership position by offering broader 4K technologies to customers with varying needs and budgets", said Atsushi Seki, Director, Business Development at Sony Electronics. "These products – and everything else visitors will see at the booth – showcase Sony's dedication to the security and surveillance market and our desire to deliver consistently superior image quality." Visitors to Sony's ISC West 2016 exhibit will also see: Sony's entire line of network cameras, including its X-Series of small mini domes, bullet cameras, 360-degree solutions and megapixel technology. Sony's edge storage solution, which is available on many Sony cameras. Sony’s newest 4K cameras, the UMC-S3C (left) and the SNC-VB770 deliver the greatest light sensitivity in their respective classes. Sony's intelligent coding and intelligent cropping features that improve bandwidth and storage efficiency in 4K deployments. "Sony is constantly innovating so that all our IP cameras delivers exceptional video quality", said Seki. "Our theme for ISC West this year is See Everything, Miss Nothing, which reflects our goal of providing the security industry with the best possible image quality, even in the harshest of lighting conditions."

Sony’s newest 4K network camera, model SNC-VB770, offers the highest sensitivity in its class - under 0.004lx, expandable to ISO 100-409600. The new model combines ultra-high sensitivity with 4K resolution and advanced networking capabilities to give video professionals more flexibility to capture details even in extreme low-light conditions. Captures more light with low noise The new SNC-VB770 camera achieves high resolution and sensitivity, in addition to low noise due to its image processing and full-frame 35mm Exmor sensor – all developed by Sony. The sensor captures significantly more light with low noise than conventional camera sensors to realise drastic improvements in sensitivity. The result is low light performance in nearly pitch-black environments beyond the capabilities of human eyes. The SNC-VB770’s E-mount lens series accommodates a variety of lens options from wide angle to telephoto, allowing easy integration into a range of video capture applications, including surveillance such as city, transportation, ports or critical infrastructure; web attraction, nature studies or scientific applications. “The SNC-VB770 builds on Sony’s image sensor strengths and applies this expertise to new applications in the commercial video capture realm,” said Atsushi Seki, Director, Business Development at Sony Electronics. “Low-light conditions don’t only occur at night. They exist 24/7 in museums, zoos and any number of municipal and commercial areas. This new camera and our expanding line of 4K network models give users more options for meeting their demanding capture requirements.” Uses area-specific noise reduction With the exceptional detail provided by 4K technology (4 times the detail of full HD) security professionals, for example, can expand their wide area surveillance and still capture, magnify and examine the smallest parts of a scene like a face or a car license plate number – all with a single camera. The new camera uses area-specific noise reduction to selectively divide images into areas based on patterns (such as edges, textures and evenly coloured areas like blue skies) to efficiently reduce noise. In addition, detail reproduction technology further enhances image quality. E-mount lenses are optimised to maximise the performance of the 35 mm full-frame sensor, keeping resolution high across the entire image area from the center to the lens periphery. Intelligent cropping feature The camera’s Intelligent Cropping feature lets users capture a full view while cropping images in its native 4K resolution from multiple images at the same time, with either 3 or 5 simultaneous video streams. Intelligent Cropping has two modes, static and dynamic. Users can select “static” to see multiple specific areas in one scene. They can capture an overview image and the details of the cropped areas at the same time. “Dynamic” mode uses the intelligent motion to detect, crop and track moving objects automatically. Intelligent Scene Capture automatically adjusts and adapts picture quality (brightness and colour) depending on time, weather and lighting conditions. The camera also allows users to customise picture parameter presets for the best settings. Multiple picture configurations can be saved and switched either manually (using the Picture Profile mode) or according to schedule (Picture Profile Scheduler) to ensure the best picture quality day or night.

Sony’s new UMC-S3C video camera offers the highest sensitivity in its class with 4K video recording, allowing users to capture details even in challenging low-light conditions.  The camera also features tremendous flexibility and long duration video recording with 12 megapixel colour still image capture capabilities. Advanced imaging technologies “New products like the UMC-S3C allow us to expand our 4K line-up and bring high resolution and high sensitivity to new markets,” said Atsushi Seki, Director, Business Development at Sony Electronics. “This latest video camera is a testament to Sony’s continuing efforts to provide solutions that meet users’ individual business requirements.” Capable of achieving sensitivity and resolution with colour video recording in 4K, the UMC-S3C realises the highest sensitivity in its class - under 0.004lx, expandable to ISO 50-409600. The camera uses advanced imaging technologies from Sony’s consumer and professional groups - a full-frame 35mm Exmor sensor, to realise high sensitivity with high light condensing efficiency, and an image processing engine, which enhances noise reduction. Using compatible E-mount lenses that maximise the performance of the 35mm full-frame sensor, resolution is kept high across the entire image area. Area-specific noise reduction selectively divides images into areas based on patterns. Image quality is further enhanced through detail reproduction technology, allowing clear and sharp video recording in near pitch-black environments beyond the capabilities of the human eye. This helps optimised images fit various scenes while ensuring a more natural sense of dimension. In addition, the camera’s high shutter speed allows users to capture letters and numbers clearly. Weighing approximately 400g, the lightweight UMC-S3C is currently the most compact camera in Sony’s full-frame line-up. With mounting points on the camera body to enhance mobility, it easily attaches to moving objects. Users can control the camera via multi terminal, including micro USB compatible devices, remote controls or compatible software. Supports multi-camera systems The UMC-S3C is suitable for a variety of applications including disaster response; wildlife monitoring; landscape mapping or surveying; surveillance, inspections and investigations; live camera; and as a dashboard/professional point-of-view (‘POV’) camera, among others. Supporting multi-camera systems, the UMC-S3C fits into nearly any existing infrastructure and also allows playback functions with the use of a PC as well as Live View via HDMI. Long-duration video recording is also possible as the camera is equipped with a memory card slot on the camera body instead of network cabling. With a 64GB memory card, users can record up to 125 minutes of 4K footage at standard quality (30 fps/60 Mbps). In 4K resolution, where images are four times more detailed than full HD, users can cover larger areas with the highest image quality.  The UMC-S3C also supports the XAVC S format for high-quality 4K recording at 100Mbps, especially useful in environments where cabling or space is limited. Sony’s UMC-S3C is planned to be available in the United States in August 2016.

Sony’s new Network Video Management System -- network video recorders (NVR) and server-based video management software -- gives professionals a customisable and flexible solution for managing, storing and analysing content. This system is designed for a range of commercial video capture applications, including city surveillance, transportation, financial services and education. The new recorder and software system supports a variety of IP camera formats, up to the newest 4K technologies including Sony’s 4K network cameras. The addition of a recording and content management solution capable of supporting 4K strengthens Sony’s 4K line-up, offering more options for different markets and budgets. “This new NVR and software expands support for an organisation’s overall operations,” said Atsushi Seki, Director, Business Development at Sony Electronics. “They support a range of camera systems, including 4K recording as the demand for higher resolution increases. 4K image capture now combined with 4K recording lets users benefit from the detail-packed data of 4K high resolution to improve their situational awareness and detail recognition capabilities.” Key features of the new network video management system include: Local or remote live view/playback and search capabilities. Multi-client support on a wide range of devices including PCs, tablets and smartphones. Enhanced search functions, such as event or time, to increase the efficiency of system operations. Situational awareness and detail recognition capabilities which support Sony’s unique features - Intelligent Cropping, both static and dynamic as well as Evidence Shot, which captures the camera’s highest resolution. Flexibility to work with analytics embedded in new cameras. Support for the complete Sony network camera line-up, including 4K cameras. Small to mid-sized business and enterprise options Sony’s new network video management system will be available in two editions: Standard, for small to mid-sized businesses, and Enterprise, for larger organisations. The Standard edition offers improved functionality and the Enterprise edition is designed to fulfil user needs for large systems using many cameras. The Standard edition enables the connection of up to 288 cameras, with support for 40 cameras per unit for the NVR. The Enterprise edition enables the connection of up to 4096 cameras, with support for 100 cameras per unit when using the NVR. With Smart Wall, an additional fee-based feature, Enterprise users can use multi monitor capabilities to better see crucial areas. The new network video management system also offers an option for users to protect their technology investments as video and content management needs change or expand. Sony’s Software Update Plan (SUP) is a fee-based method for customers to upgrade their systems when new features and functionalities are introduced. The new video management software is planned to be available in July 2016 and NVR is planned to be available in December 2016.