Panasonic upgrades AW-HE2 HD video, audio via USB
Source: Panasonic
Date: 2013/08/26
Panasonic has announced a major upgrade to its versatile AW-HE2 HD all-electronic pan/tilt/zoom camera, enabling high-quality HD video and stereo audio output (plus control) via the camera’s USB connector. This free upgrade effectively transforms the camera into a “super-webcam” for lectures/event capture and a wide-range of other USB-centric applications
The HE2 is a highly cost-effective HD camera with a non-mechanical, electronic pan/tilt/zoom (or ePTZ) and a super-wide angle lens with more than 90 degrees field-of-view. Small and unobtrusive, the camera is ideal for remote A/V monitoring or capture in athletics, conference rooms, reality show production, and in classrooms for lecture capture and distance learning.
This new upgrade will be available in October at no charge to all current HE2 owners. All new units shipped from October onwards will come already equipped with these new features. The HE2’s video and audio over USB output is compatible with Microsoft Lync and other common programs that support USB lecture/meeting capture, audio/video recording, and videoconferencing--including Skype, Adobe Connect, Microsoft Graphedit, and Panopto.
Full HD video is output via USB in MJPEG up to a maximum of 1080/30P. Video output formats via HDMI include 1080/60P, 1080/59.94i, and 720/60P, with stereo audio. Via a built-in LAN connection, the AWHE2 also provides video preview, setup and control using Panasonic’s browser-based IP-Live Preview, as well as full screen MJPEG video at resolutions up to 640x480 and frame rates up to 30fps.*
The new firmware upgrade will also enable camera controls via USB, such as pan/tilt/zoom, brightness, and contrast.
Featuring a sleek, compact design and versatile HDMI output, the HE2 combines production-level image quality, smooth digital pan/tilt/zoom operation, IP control and preview, and easy system integration for versatile HD/SD video communications. The camera utilizes a full HD MOS sensor and Panasonic’s revolutionary Super Resolution digital signal processing to deliver high quality PTZ video with no moving parts. Horizontal resolution is a high 850 TV lines and minimum illumination is 20 lux.
The HE2 supports IR and both direct and Browser-based IP remote control. The compact camera weighs less than 9 ounces, and is less than 6 inches long with a diameter of about two inches. The camera includes a small AC supply, and has DC/USB power connectors for system applications.
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