14 October 2002
Dubai, UAE – 13 October 2002 - Canon Middle East will introduce the XM2 Digital Camcorder aimed at high-end consumers and semi-professional users at GITEX 2002 tomorrow. The XM2 improves on the market leading and extremely successful XM1 in a number of key areas, including a brand new ¼” 470,000-pixel 3CCD system, with improved picture adjustment features for increased image quality.
“The Middle East market has adopted digital camcorder technology extremely enthusiastically: they’re amongst our most popular selling products, especially in the Gulf. Digital camcorders are a convenient way to store memories and special occasions, which is why we expect the brand new Canon XM2 to do really well in this market, as it offers the discerning user superb image quality, versatility, and ease of use that are a cut above the rest,” said Gordon Jones, President of Canon Middle East.
Technology
A new high-sensitivity ¼” 470,000-pixel 3CCD achieves super 540 lines horizontal resolution and Super Low Light performance. The new-generation camera signal processing LSI circuitry improves the signal/noise ratio by approximately 3dB compared to the XM1. The result is a healthy improvement in colour, low light performance, resolution and dynamic range. The XM2 features Canon’s optical image stabilizer, which keeps the picture steady without degrading quality.
Improved resolution and sensitivity
Equipped with a pixel shift system that boosts both resolution and sensitivity, the XM2 allows users to achieve superb results.
Pixel shift is a technology to horizontally shift the green CCD by one half-pitch where pixel quantity is increased by a factor of 1.5 for moving images. In addition, the green CCD is vertically shifted to achieve 1.7 megapixel high-resolution still images and a wider dynamic range for moving pictures while also reducing vertical smear.
New Picture Adjustments
The following picture adjustments have been greatly improved in the XM2.
· Colour gain adjustments, colour phase adjustments, sharpness adjustment and black level can be adjusted to a desired value, and stored as a preset.
· Custom preset - after picture adjustments, settings can be stored as a custom preset
· Slow shutter speed – XM2 can be set to slow shutter speeds of 1/6 of a second
· Gain control – gain can now be increased up to a maximum of 18dB
· Frame movie mode – frame mode can make progressive shooting at 25 fps. Footage with 1/50 slower shutter is very similar to fine cinema.
· 16.9 guides – allows accurate 16.9 framing when shooting so that image can be cropped.
New Shooting Enhancements
The Canon XM2 includes the following new shooting enhancements:
· Custom keys – allows users to set frequently used functions as custom keys
· DV Control – allows synchronisation with hard disk or another camcorder
· Zoom speed adjust
· Zebra pattern - highlights areas of over-exposure that need correcting
· Interval record – allows continuous recording at fixed intervals
· Clear scan – reduces the flicker that occurs when filming a TV screen or PC monitor
· Colour Bars – professional standard EBU colour bars can be displayed
· Character recording – ‘burns’ the date and time or a timecode on the tape
· Power Save (VCR stop) – if tape is not is not run for 5 mins, the camcorder automatically switches to standby mode
· Index recording/Index search – allows easy automatic search for pictures during playback when used in shooting. Improved sound
The XM2 sports a direction accurate stereo microphone that incorporates two non-directional microphones for both left and right channels to produce better directional ability and give more precise stereo reproduction.
The XM 2 allows users to select three types of frequency characteristics for the built in microphone:
· NORMAL mode - Achieves powerful audio by expanding the sound pick up band to the low ranges.
· VOICE mode - Primarily for sound pick up of voices, this mode reduces the environmental noise distributed in the low ranges for recording better audio.
· WIND SCREEN mode – In windy conditions, this mode records audio by reducing the wind noise.
The XM2 features a two-channel manual audio level control where the input level can be adjusted by a special dial and Left/Right balance can be set for two channels. An audio-level meter with right-and-left independent 24-segment peak holder and the audio-level meter can be displayed in LCD and EVF.
An MA-300 microphone adapter allows the simultaneous recording of two independent channels from microphones with XLR connections. A BNC picture Out Terminal is also present.
PC Connectivity
The XM2 is equipped with a DV terminal for non-linear editing.
Using a USB terminal (storage class), transmission of still image JPEG files to a PC is made easy. The XM2 is also compatible with SD Memory and MultiMediaCard and includes an 8MB memory card in the kit.
- Ends -
Canon
Canon is a world-leading innovator and manufacturer of advanced, market-driven imaging solutions for individuals and businesses. The company operates in two clearly defined markets: Consumer Business Solutions (colour and black & white copiers, colour laser beam printers, document image management systems, projector and software solution) and Consumer Imaging Product (photo, video and digital camera products, printers, scanners, fax, personal copiers and calculators).
Canon employs more than 80,000 people around the world. Further information on Canon is available at: www.canon.com or www.canon-europa.com.
Canon Contact: Michel Sabbagh,
Canon Middle East FZ-LLC
Tel: (9714) 391 5050 Fax: (9714) 391 6715
Email: sabbaghm@canon-me.com
Press Contact: Roger Hislop, Spot On Public Relations
Tel: (9714) 349 1686 Fax: (9714) 349 3245
Email: rogerh@spotonpr.com
Dubai, UAE – 13 October 2002 - Canon Middle East will introduce the XM2 Digital Camcorder aimed at high-end consumers and semi-professional users at GITEX 2002 tomorrow. The XM2 improves on the market leading and extremely successful XM1 in a number of key areas, including a brand new ¼” 470,000-pixel 3CCD system, with improved picture adjustment features for increased image quality.
“The Middle East market has adopted digital camcorder technology extremely enthusiastically: they’re amongst our most popular selling products, especially in the Gulf. Digital camcorders are a convenient way to store memories and special occasions, which is why we expect the brand new Canon XM2 to do really well in this market, as it offers the discerning user superb image quality, versatility, and ease of use that are a cut above the rest,” said Gordon Jones, President of Canon Middle East.
Technology
A new high-sensitivity ¼” 470,000-pixel 3CCD achieves super 540 lines horizontal resolution and Super Low Light performance. The new-generation camera signal processing LSI circuitry improves the signal/noise ratio by approximately 3dB compared to the XM1. The result is a healthy improvement in colour, low light performance, resolution and dynamic range. The XM2 features Canon’s optical image stabilizer, which keeps the picture steady without degrading quality.
Improved resolution and sensitivity
Equipped with a pixel shift system that boosts both resolution and sensitivity, the XM2 allows users to achieve superb results.
Pixel shift is a technology to horizontally shift the green CCD by one half-pitch where pixel quantity is increased by a factor of 1.5 for moving images. In addition, the green CCD is vertically shifted to achieve 1.7 megapixel high-resolution still images and a wider dynamic range for moving pictures while also reducing vertical smear.
New Picture Adjustments
The following picture adjustments have been greatly improved in the XM2.
· Colour gain adjustments, colour phase adjustments, sharpness adjustment and black level can be adjusted to a desired value, and stored as a preset.
· Custom preset - after picture adjustments, settings can be stored as a custom preset
· Slow shutter speed – XM2 can be set to slow shutter speeds of 1/6 of a second
· Gain control – gain can now be increased up to a maximum of 18dB
· Frame movie mode – frame mode can make progressive shooting at 25 fps. Footage with 1/50 slower shutter is very similar to fine cinema.
· 16.9 guides – allows accurate 16.9 framing when shooting so that image can be cropped.
New Shooting Enhancements
The Canon XM2 includes the following new shooting enhancements:
· Custom keys – allows users to set frequently used functions as custom keys
· DV Control – allows synchronisation with hard disk or another camcorder
· Zoom speed adjust
· Zebra pattern - highlights areas of over-exposure that need correcting
· Interval record – allows continuous recording at fixed intervals
· Clear scan – reduces the flicker that occurs when filming a TV screen or PC monitor
· Colour Bars – professional standard EBU colour bars can be displayed
· Character recording – ‘burns’ the date and time or a timecode on the tape
· Power Save (VCR stop) – if tape is not is not run for 5 mins, the camcorder automatically switches to standby mode
· Index recording/Index search – allows easy automatic search for pictures during playback when used in shooting. Improved sound
The XM2 sports a direction accurate stereo microphone that incorporates two non-directional microphones for both left and right channels to produce better directional ability and give more precise stereo reproduction.
The XM 2 allows users to select three types of frequency characteristics for the built in microphone:
· NORMAL mode - Achieves powerful audio by expanding the sound pick up band to the low ranges.
· VOICE mode - Primarily for sound pick up of voices, this mode reduces the environmental noise distributed in the low ranges for recording better audio.
· WIND SCREEN mode – In windy conditions, this mode records audio by reducing the wind noise.
The XM2 features a two-channel manual audio level control where the input level can be adjusted by a special dial and Left/Right balance can be set for two channels. An audio-level meter with right-and-left independent 24-segment peak holder and the audio-level meter can be displayed in LCD and EVF.
An MA-300 microphone adapter allows the simultaneous recording of two independent channels from microphones with XLR connections. A BNC picture Out Terminal is also present.
PC Connectivity
The XM2 is equipped with a DV terminal for non-linear editing.
Using a USB terminal (storage class), transmission of still image JPEG files to a PC is made easy. The XM2 is also compatible with SD Memory and MultiMediaCard and includes an 8MB memory card in the kit.
- Ends -
Canon
Canon is a world-leading innovator and manufacturer of advanced, market-driven imaging solutions for individuals and businesses. The company operates in two clearly defined markets: Consumer Business Solutions (colour and black & white copiers, colour laser beam printers, document image management systems, projector and software solution) and Consumer Imaging Product (photo, video and digital camera products, printers, scanners, fax, personal copiers and calculators).
Canon employs more than 80,000 people around the world. Further information on Canon is available at: www.canon.com or www.canon-europa.com.
Canon Contact: Michel Sabbagh,
Canon Middle East FZ-LLC
Tel: (9714) 391 5050 Fax: (9714) 391 6715
Email: sabbaghm@canon-me.com
Press Contact: Roger Hislop, Spot On Public Relations
Tel: (9714) 349 1686 Fax: (9714) 349 3245
Email: rogerh@spotonpr.com
© Press Release 2002
