April 14, 2004

Olympus Introduces World's First Input-to-Output 8-Megapixel High-Fidelity Digital Motion Picture Camera, Editing & Display System - Compact camera and recorder systems announced, dedicated editing facility opened -

Summary

Olympus Corporation (President: Tsuyoshi Kikukawa) is pleased to announce the introduction of the first complete input-to-output digital motion picture camera, editing, and display system in the world to support 8-megapixel high-fidelity imaging. The system's image quality is four times than that of existing high-definition television (HDTV) systems. The system includes a new 8-megapixel high-definition digital motion picture camera and hard disk drive recorder whose size and weight have been significantly reduced over previously announced prototype models. In addition, realtime data transfer between the recording and editing components of the system reduces editing time and allows the review of full-resolution, large-screen image data. To coincide with the introduction of the new system, a new Olympus High-Fidelity Theater with full high-fidelity digital movie production and editing facilities also opens today at the Olympus Hatagaya Plant in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward.

In the future, Olympus plans to develop the market for this extremely realistic high-definition movie system in theaters, cinemas, exhibition halls, showrooms, and other entertainment and commercial applications.

SH-880TM 8-Megapixel Digital Movie Camera And SH-880TR HDD Recorder

The Olympus High-Fidelity Theater at the Olympus Hatagaya Plant in Shibuya, Tokyo

Development Background

With the advent of HDTV and terrestrial digital television broadcasting, the potential commercial and residential applications of high-fidelity imaging have begun to receive increased attention. Particularly strong interest has been focused on the development of unified standards for all-digital recording, editing, distribution, and viewing systems that can be used to achieve the simultaneous worldwide screening of digital entertainment and other content that can benefit from the extremely high image quality that such systems offer.

For some time now, Olympus has been involved in the research and development of large-screen, high-fidelity input and output technologies. In May 2002, it was the first company to announce the successful development of 8-megapixel high-fidelity movie camera and recorder prototypes that had the potential to be deployed in the field, and in September of the same year it successfully demonstrated their capabilities by using them to present a classical music concert conducted by Seiji Ozawa. Olympus also developed the VisionPlex automatic image calibration system for seamless large-screen display of high-fidelity output from multiple projectors, and in April 2003 installed such a system at the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution in Kobe. With the introduction of the latest system, and the opening of a facility that showcases its potential, Olympus plans to solicit business partners with a view to further market development.

Overview

The improved version of the 8-megapixel digital movie camera that was developed for this product release is smaller and lighter than the prototype version, and is now capable of battery operation. As a result, it is suitable for both location shooting and studio use. An optical link between the camera and recorder also now allows image data to be transferred over a distance of one kilometer or more, increasing usability and overall mobility. The hard disk drive (HDD) recorder unit allows instantaneous playback, which is a major advantage over film-based shooting, and makes it easy to review material on location.

In addition to showcasing the capabilities of the newly developed digital movie camera and HDD recorder, the new Olympus High-Fidelity Theater features an editing system specifically developed to handle 8-megapixel movie content. For output and display, the proven performance of an Olympus VisionPlex automatic image calibration system is used. From input to output, all of the equipment is interlinked and supports 8-megapixel imaging, so editing time is reduced, and dynamic 8-megapixel image quality can be captured, reviewed and screened on site.

The Olympus High-Fidelity Theater will be used to foster the development of business partnerships and commercial applications for the input-to-output system, and to serve as a showroom to help strengthen sales of the previously introduced VisionPlex display system. In addition, the facility will offer high-fidelity content production services.

Main Features

8-Megapixel High-Fidelity Digital Movie Camera and HDD Recorder Significantly Smaller and Lighter Digital Movie Camera and HDD Recorder The camera body is constructed of magnesium and weighs just 9kg, making it approximately 30% lighter than the prototype model announced in May 2002, as well as the lightest 8-megapixel-class movie camera currently available. Like the prototype, it features a 2/3" HD mount that allows the use of digital cinema and TV camera interchangeable lenses. The HDD recorder weighs approximately 22% less (25kg) and is approximately 6% smaller (W420 x H190 x D370mm) than the previous prototype. In addition to being significantly lighter and smaller, it also offers improved resistance to vibration. It is also the most compact HDD recorder in the world to offer 8-megapixel imaging and a recording capacity of 60 minutes. Battery Operation and Optical Cable Connectivity for Increased Shooting Versatility Batteries can now be used to power both the camera and recorder unit, greatly increasing the range of situations in which the system can be used. In addition, a single optical cable carries both image data and control signals, further adding to the ease with which the camera can be moved when shooting on location. Editing System Significantly Reduced Editing Time for Large-Screen High-Fidelity Images In order to edit material recorded with previous versions of the system, image data on the HDD recorder first had to be converted for display on a CRT monitor during the editing process, and then reconverted for final output. Now, however, data can be transferred directly from the recorder to the editing system in realtime, and by using a VisionPlex automatic image calibration system, the edited images can be reviewed at actual full resolution. As a result, large-screen high-fidelity images can be edited in 1/4 - 1/8 the time required with previous systems.

Olympus High-Fidelity Theater Overview

Location Olympus Hatagaya Plant, 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Theater Floor Area 72 sq. meters (W10.4 x D6.9 x H4.6m) Seating Capacity 24 (tiered seating) Sound System 5.1ch Surround Equipment 8 SXGA projectors 5.1ch Surround sound system VisionPlex automatic image calibration system 8-megapixel-enabled editing system 8-megapixel digital movie camera & recorder (Not always on site) Commercial Functions 8-megapixel image display (recorded/live) Content editing (on-screen review possible)

Olympus High-Fidelity Theater Overview