Light at the museum: how Canon’s XEED laser projectors bring the past to life in immersive exhibitions
Creative projector installations
PROJECTORS
Imaging systems: the new end game
Imaging systems: the new end game by Ryuhei Kamata
The technology industry has moved away from a product-centric approach. Instead, the new end game is systems. People want fully integrated systems that solve a specific challenge. As a result, the role of systems integrators (SIs) has become increasingly complex, with a plethora of digital solutions employed in almost every walk of life. With so many different technologies needing to be integrated to deliver the desired outcome, there’s a lot of loose ends to connect. This is transforming the way that manufacturers design and sell their products in order to simplify the role of SIs – whatever industry they work across. Selling a holistic solution guarantees that businesses get the most out of each individual component. Even imaging technology – from cameras to projectors – is expected to work seamlessly together, simplifying the process of image capture all the way to image display.
360-degree installation at Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, Leiden
Imaging Systems
For the most part, this process has been applied to basic imaging from input to output. For instance, the development of 4K systems which guarantee optical excellence across the workflow has become a major focus for creative industries. Content creators rely on optically excellent lenses and cameras to capture content which meets industry demand for high-quality content and to push their creative boundaries. But, without a compatible output, it’s pointless. For instance, if you want to deliver an 8K projection it’s critical that every part of the imaging ecosystem is optimised to deliver true 8K, free of any optical imperfections. This means using precision-built 8K glass in camera lenses, a powerful processor and efficient recording formats, so footage can easily be exported as well as projection systems that can receive and reproduce an 8K image.
That doesn’t mean to say you need an 8K capable projector – just one that is designed to integrate with an 8K workflow. Canon has already experimented with this 8K system using a live-video transmission of a rugby match in Japan. The match was captured with a Canon 8K camera and lens and transmitted to a projector system comprising of four Canon 4K HDR projector units, to achieve an impressive live viewing experience with a high dynamic range and wide colour gamut.
RS-SL06UW short throw projector lens
Imaging Solutions
The next iteration of this is a move towards embedding imaging technology within broader technology systems. For example, embedding cameras within security systems or sensors within cars. At ISE 2020 – the world’s largest AV systems integration show - Canon will showcase software it has developed to automate various processes that require visual analysis. The software can dissect the image captured by a camera, which can then be programmed for the necessary command, for instance, the movement of a robotic arm. By combining this with Canon’s PTZ camera, the software can also pan, tilt and zoom the camera which adds flexibility to the system and enables the solution to be customised for various circumstances. Unifying imaging technology with wider technology systems will help to deliver much more comprehensive and effective solutions for a greater range of challenges.
Canon PTZ display at ISE 2019
What this means for SIs
For systems integrators, this shift towards building fully integrated systems could mark an industry-wide revolution. They will need to look for manufacturers whose technology is designed with the bigger picture in mind. Finding technology that can be easily integrated into a wider system will be hugely beneficial in the long term, but it will be manufacturers with a singular, holistic solution that will win in the long run. For system integrators, these complete solutions will allow them to hold more of a decision-making and consultation role for their clients, guiding them to select the right tools to help them meet business objectives.
Join us at ISE 2020 in Hall 1, Stand F-50 to hear more about our imaging systems. For live news updates from the event, please follow us on twitter @CanonEMEA.
