Unlocking Canon’s Latest PTZ Camera Firmware with All New Features

On This Week's Videoguys Live, James is introducing the new PTZ firmware updates from Canon. This update brings free auto-tracking available to all Canon PTZ Cameras as well as other great new features.

Watch the full video below:

Canon PTZ Camera Family

New Firmware Updates

• FREE Auto-tracking Now Included with all Cameras​
• Improved Color Enhancements & Low Light Capabilities​
• Improved Camera Control Experience​
• Plus new features & capabilities added to the Canon RC-IP1000 controller​

FREE Auto-Tracking Included Now on all PTZ Camera Models​

• The free version has limited options available, but still retains excellent tracking performance​
• Users who need detailed tracking configurations and tuning should purchase the full Auto Tracking license​

Free Auto Tracking Feature Summary​

• Subject Auto Detect​
• 2 Subject Display Sizes (2&4 only)​
• Subject Loss Action ​
• Prohibited Tracking Area​

Fixed Values​

• Subject will always be in the middle​
• Auto Zoom is always on​
• Sensitivity is Level 9 (out of 10)​
• Tracking start time is 0 seconds (right away)​
• Tracking Selection Area is full screen​
• Tracking will always resume after manual operation​

​Auto Tracking Subject Improvement​

• When multiple people are in the camera’s view, it is possible to lose tracking if the subject’s face (head-CR-N700) being tracked is temporarily blocked by another person. Auto Tracking is improved to better handle temporary loss of a subject face/head.​

​Smoother Auto Tracking Start and Stop​

• Improvements have been made to allow a smoother start and stop.​

​Support for Prohibited Tracking Areas​

• Added ability to specify an area to stop tracking. Once the tracked target enters this area, the tracking tops. Can be useful for situations such as presentations where multiple speakers will stand to present, and then sit afterwards. ​

Improved Subject Composition Adjustment​

• Currently, small changes to the silhouette would not trigger any camera movement.​
• New firmware algorithm will ensure camera movement even with very small silhouette adjustments​

More Exciting New Features​

• USB Webcam - UVC Output Improvements ​
• Pan / Tilt Operation Range Limiter​
• Enhanced Focus / Zoom Speed Resolution​
• S/N Priority – Improved Strong Noise Reduction ​

USB Webcam - UVC Output Improvements ​

• The UVC (USB Video Class) output performance of the CR-N100 and CR-N300 will be improved, and additional output in YUV format will be supported​

Pan / Tilt Operation Range Limiter​

• Specify a Pan / Tilt movement limit to protect against moving the camera too far off subject​

Enhanced Focus / Zoom Speed Resolution​

• The current 16 zoom speed steps (24 steps for the CR-N700) will be expanded to 128 steps, and the current 3 focus speed steps will be expanded to 64 steps.​

S/N Priority – Improved Strong Noise Reduction ​

• ​For 1/2.3” Sensor cameras (CR-N100, CR-N300, CR-X300), there was noticeable noise when shooting in lower light environments due to the automatic noise reduction not being strong enough, which is normally addressed by manually assigning a stronger noise reduction setting. The new SN Priority Mode will make it easier to apply strong noise reduction.​

SMPTE Color Bars​

• Available on CR-N700 and CR-X300​
• Now Available on CR-N100, 300 and 500!​

• On the CR-N700, available clear scan resolution will be increased from 256 to 768 available resolutions, to match frequencies available in Cinema/Pro Video products.​

RC-IP1000 Updates

• Support for outputting 2x2 and 3x3 multi-display IP preview screens​​
• Touch Preset Thumbnail Images​
• Waveform Monitor and Vector scope Display​
• Auto Tracking Controls​
• Copy Camera Settings​