Hitachi debuts cigar-sized, color CCD camera

Hitachi debuts cigar-sized, color CCD camera

The new KP-D8 color CCD camera from the industrial video systems division of Hitachi Denshi America Ltd. (Woodbury, NY) measures just 22 ¥ 22 ¥ 86 mm and contains digital-signal-processing (DSP) and remote-computer-control capabilities. Because of its small size, high-quality imaging, and remote accessibility, the camera suits medical, monitoring, and process applications within hospital, factory, and restricted facilities.

Explains Phil Gantt, vice president, industrial video systems division, "[The camera] provides a very-high-quality picture, can be mounted anywhere, and can be controlled anywhere via a personal computer. Plus, with its all-metal housing, the camera is extremely rugged."

The camera`s image quality is enhanced with Hitachi`s DSP technology, which provides automatic aperture correction, back-light correction, and three white balance modes. In its NTSC version, the camera provides 410,000 pixels (PAL version, 470,000 pixels) and a minimum sensitivity of 4 lux at f/1.2. Other features of the camera include a 1/3-in. CCD with microlens, autoelectronic shutter, and composite and Y/C outputs. Just adding a lens and a dc power source makes the camera operational.