“Putting customers first compels Panasonic not only to develop new and advanced technologies, but also to design for market needs,” said Stephen Gerrard, Country Marketing Manager, Panasonic System Networks Europe “Bringing together high definition and PTZ functionality lets the user capture the essential details, which is at the core of video surveillance and security.”

The new i-Pro SmartHD WV-SC385 dome camera uses the Panasonic Uniphier LSI chip (H.264 high-profile format) to combine HD video and real-time video streaming at a lower data size. A new 1.3-megapixel MOS image sensor enables high sensitivity and lower power consumption. To increase user system options, the camera is Open Network Video Interface (ONVIF) compliant, while system migration is more easily facilitated with the H.264 or MPEG-4 selectable format. Super dynamic and adaptive black stretch (ABS) technologies combine to deliver 128x wider dynamic range than conventional cameras. Face super dynamic ensures clear images of faces, and a face-detection function detects the position of human faces and sends the information by XML or video.

The dome model's industrial grade PTZ mechanism features up to 64 preset positions. Auto-tracking enables automatic pan and tilt to follow a moving subject and keep it in the centre of the image. An auto-flip function enables panning from 0 to 360 degrees. A new “drag and zoom” operation and 16-speed user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) provide enhanced PTZ control. There are 256 speeds available when using the camera with Panasonic's WV-CU950 universal system controller (with video management software WV-ASM100).

Video motion detector (VMD) has four programmable detection areas, 15 steps of sensitivity and 10 steps of detection size. Privacy zone can mask up to eight private areas. Full duplex bi-directional audio allows interactive communication between the camera and monitoring site. An 18x optical zoom combines with a 12x digital zoom to enable 216x zoom (in VGA resolution, 36x extra optical zoom combines with 12x digital zoom for 432x zoom.) Day/night function provides low-light sensitivity of 0.5 lux in colour and 0.06 lux (B/W) at f1.6 (wide). Adaptive digital noise reduction (2D-DNR and 3D-DNR integration) ensures reduced noise and motion blur in various conditions. Progressive scan delivers clear images without motion blur or tearing, and H.264 full-frame-rate video can be recorded using an SD/SDH memory card.