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NHK developing hybrid renewable energy-powered video camera for use in disaster areas
You can always count on Japan's NHK to come up with new, exciting and innovative ways to bring us video coverage. The latest project? A wind- and solar-powered robot camera designed for situations such as natural disasters. Loaded with a 1,200 Ah battery, even if the elements don't bless it with sun and air, it can keep filming for two to three days. The combination of wind turbine and solar panels obviously allow it to generate more power than either method on its own, with the turbine reportedly generating 1 kW at 11 m/s wind speeds. A special power-saving mode prevent it draining too fast when full functionality -- such as the built-in wireless, cellular and satellite broadcasting systems aren't needed. Currently the prototype is installed on a rooftop while battery and power-generation are fully tested, but it's hoped that this could lead to further developments for disaster area broadcast equipment. Or -- here's hoping -- power-cut-proof sports coverage.
NHK shows off new wireless HDTV broadcast camera
Taking time off of its always-impressive Super Hi-Vision program, Japan's NHK took the wraps off its latest development, a wireless broadcast camera capable of less than 33ms delay per frame. Apparently current tech has about a .5 second lag time, but this one updates microwave tech to millimeter waveband, letting it switch between wired and wireless cameramen with no interruption. The cameras already got put to use in the 59th NHK Kohaku Utagassen music show, don't be surprised to see a lot more freely moving camera jockeys at live broadcasts in the U.S. very soon.
