LAS VEGAS (NAB 2004, Booth # SU9649), April 12, 2004
- As High Definition sports and entertainment production
rapidly proliferates, Canon lenses are behind the
scenes and setting the standard for quality in mobile
production. Last year, Canon lenses were chosen to
outfit 12 of the 13 mobile HD trucks in development
nationwide. With products onboard 17 trucks in total
and more scheduled for 2004, Canon has become well
established as the leading force in HD production
and the de facto standard in the industry.
Fast-expanding truck fleets and an increased number
of sports and entertainment events being produced
in HD on a daily basis by major players such as ABC,
CBS, ESPN, NBC, Turner, VOOM, and YES Network, are
testament to the growth and wide acceptance of the
HD format. Production companies are ramping up to
meet this demand and utilizing the latest technology,
including Canon's advanced HD lenses, to ensure the
highest quality.
"Sports and entertainment is some of the most-watched
programming on TV, so mobile production provides a
lot of people's first taste of HD," said Jerry Gepner,
president of NMT. "Canon has always provided not only
an excellent product but superior service. Another
thing that we have found, and NMT has been providing
HD facilities since 1998, during that time Canon has
always taken the time to share not just product information
but core knowledge on HD with us. That's important,
because as the technology evolves, everyone has to
learn together."
NEP Supershooters has made Canon lenses a foundation
for years, including the transition to HD.
"The overwhelming majority of NEP's lenses are from
Canon," said George Hoover, senior vice president
of NEP. "Image quality, reliability, service and support
are all critical in selecting lenses for field work.
Canon rates a 10 in each of these categories."
Canon is also a cornerstone for the growing fleet
at Western Mobile Television Group.
"Canon HD lenses fit perfectly into our 11-truck Mobile
Group because they are totally compatible with SD
lenses," said Philip Garvin, owner and president of
Western Mobile. "And Canon's great service and quality
continues to be the dominant factor for us."
Today, Canon lenses are traveling the country with
nationally known truck vendors such as Dome Productions,
Game Creek, NCP, NEP, NMT, Turner Networks, and Western
Mobile. The 17-truck fleet represents the vast majority
of HD trucks that have been built or are being built,
with the completed trucks already carrying an array
of over 150 Canon HD lenses between them.
The outstanding service and support of Canon is another
key factor in moving mobile HD production to the next
level.
"We've been using Canon lenses for 15 years, and we've
never seen a reason to change," said Mike Mundt, manager
of NCP. "The proof of a company is how they respond
when there's a need for service. If a lens gets beat
up and we have to send it back, how fast do they respond?
Canon's always been very responsive. The image quality
has always been tremendous, as well. Canon has always
had dramatically better stuff -- that's why we've
stuck with them all these years."
Each unit is exclusively Canon, giving viewers the
best look possible for top-priority sporting events,
as well as high-profile entertainment productions
including the 76th Annual Academy Awards. With life-like
imagery and industry-leading innovation that includes
the world's first triple-digit zoom lens, the DIGI
SUPER 100xs model, Canon glass has become the definitive
look of HDTV sports and entertainment.
With remote trucks emerging as the driving force for
HDTV's fast development, Canon imagery has now become
synonymous with HD production.
"Based on their experience, plus input from their
customers, major TV truck vendors know that Canon
is the lens of choice," says Gordon Tubbs, assistant
director, broadcast and communications division at
Canon U.S.A., Inc, a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE:
CAJ). "The great majority of vendors have voiced that
they prefer Canon lenses for the high quality optics
and support, as well as the image they want to convey
for themselves: that they have the best of the best."
Canon's DIGI SUPER 100xs, DIGI SUPER 86xs lens and
DIGI SUPER XJ75xs lens feature HD precision and heightened
long-range zoom capabilities that have made Canon
a symbol of excellence in sports and entertainment
production. All of Canon's long lenses are equipped
with the same built-in Optical Image Stabilizer, or
Shift-IS system, that helped the 86xs transform production
content, allowing directors to capture dramatic, high
impact long shots and deliver them shake-free to the
viewing audience.
ENG/EFP HD lenses from Canon, such as the popular
HJ21ex7.8B IRSD lens and super-wide HJ11ex4.7B IRSD
lens, as well as studio lenses, also come equipped
with the latest enhanced Digital Drive controls. Taking
advantage of advanced ergonomics and personalization
technology, Canon's Digital Drive brings operators
a highly useful group of functions. The main features
include Speed Preset, Shuttle Shot, Framing Preset,
Zoom Mode Select, improved maximum zoom, focus servo
speed, and a host of additional advanced features.
For more information, please call Canon broadcast
and communications division at 1-800-321-4388.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business,
and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed
as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America,
and is ranked #39 on the Business Week list of "Top
100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ)
is a top patent-holder of technology, ranking second
overall in the U.S. in 2003, with global revenues
of $29.9 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.
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All referenced product names and other marks are
trademarks of their respective owners.
EDITORS, please note corporate contact information
for this division:
For more information, please call Canon Broadcast
and Communications Division at 1-800-321-4388 or visit
www.canonbroadcast.com.
