AJA recently announced the RovoCam, a 4K block camera that is designed for use in industrial, corporate, security, audio visual and broadcast applications. The camera marks a second direction for the company after their most recent camera offering, the CION. That camera was designed for cinematic production and surprised many in the industry. Until the CION’s launch the company had been focussed on external recorders and not cameras. Delays in shipping and an initial asking price that made it uncompetitive with other offerings ultimately led to the camera being unpopular. The RovoCam sees the company return to its traditional markets of broadcast and corporate shooting
RovoCam is built around Sony’s 4K FCB-ER8300 Camera Block that features a 1/2.3 type 8.9 megapixel back illuminated CMOS sensor. The RovoCam shoots UHD and HD using Sony optics, and has a built-in 12x optical (20x with Super Resolution Zoom). The lens has both autofocus and manual focus capabilities. The RovoCam is housed in a aluminium enclosure that should be tough enough to stand the rigours of production.
The RovoCam camera block has no internal recording and needs to be used as part of larger system. It connects via a HDBaseT interface that supports uncompressed video, power, stereo audio and RS-232 control over a single CAT 5e/6 cable running at lengths of up to 100 metres. According to AJA, using a single cable will dramatically simply installation, camera setup and footprint requirements.
You can control and display RovoCam’s imagery remotely with the RovoRX-HDMI. The RovoRx-HDMI is an UltraHD/HD HDBaseT Receiver with integrated HDMI video and audio outputs specifically designed to receive RovoCam’s output. This can be at the end of a cable up to 100m away from the camera, and then output to HDMI compatible TVs and devices for broadcast, viewing or recording. The HDBaseT connector on RovoRx-HDMI supports camera uncompressed video, audio, power, and control, all over a single Cat 5e/6 cable, greatly simplifying cabling and systems integration.
This from AJA: “AJA has always been known for supporting open standards with highly functional, flexible and reliable technologies, and the release of RovoCam continues this trend. Marrying our HDBaseT interface technology with Sony’s compact 4K camera delivers incredibly powerful camera acquisition with very simple single cable setup and operation,” said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. “We’ve partnered closely with Sony for many years and RovoCam comes as the latest in a long line of collaborations with them.”
Because the RovoCam is so clearly aimed at live environments it is unlikely to be used by many filmmakers. It will be interesting to see as we get closer to the NAB show in April if AJA will continue to pursue cinematic cameras with a follow up to the CION.
Pricing and Availability:
RovoCam will be available soon through AJA’s worldwide reseller network for a US MSRP of $2495.00. RovoRX-HDMI will be available for a US MSRP of $495.00. For more information about RovoCam, visit https://www.aja.com/en/products/rovocam.
Tech Specs:
RovoCam Camera Module Sony FCB-ER8300
Video Formats:
(UltraHD) 3840x2160p 25, 29.97
(HD) 1080p 50, 59.94, (HD) 1080i 50, 59.94, (HD) 1080p 50, 59.94, (HD) 720p 50, 59.94
720x480p 59.94
720x576p 50
Pixel Format:
YUV 4:2:2
RGB 4:4:4
Sensor:
Progressive scan CMOS, 1/2.3 3840×2160 8.93 Mega Pixels
Lens:
Focal Length: 3.9mm to 46.8mm. F value 1.8 to 2.0
Horizontal angle of view
70.7 degrees (wide), 6.2 degrees (Tele)
Magnification
12x optical, 20x with Super Resolution Zoom
Lens Control:
Zoom, Focus, Iris, IRCS
White Balance:
Auto, ATW, Indoor, Outdoor, One Push, Manual, Sodium lamp
Focus:
Auto, Manual, One push trigger mode
Digital Zoom:
12xSuper Resolution Zoom
UHD: 1.67x (max 20x combined with 12x optical zoom)
HD: 2.0x (max 24x combined with 12x optical zoom)
Image Processor:
Noise reduction (2D/3D)
Visibility Enhancer ICR (Day and Night) Slow AE
High Sensitivity
Gamma
Character Generator
Defog
Color Enhancement Picture Effect
Spherical Privacy Zone Masking
E-Flip
Video Output Digital:
HDBaseT (RJ-45, Requires Receiver Unit)
Cat 5e 70m (230 ft) or Cat 6a 100m (328 ft)
Audio Input Analog:
1 x 3.5mm TRS Input with 3V PiP (Plug in Power)
Control:
1 x 3.5mm TRS Input for VISCA camera control.
*RS-232 can also pass the control from the RovoRx-HDMI Unit as well.
User Interface
VISCA Compatible Control Software and Hardware
AJA Control Software TBD
Physical:
Width: 2.8” (71mm)
Length: 5.9” (149.9mm)
Height: Including tripod mount and cold shoe – 3.6” (91.4mm)
Power: 10-12Vdc 2 pin pluggable terminal block, 0.6A max
6W typical, 8W max OR Power over HDBaseT
Conforming to IEEE802.3af-2003 mode A
6W typical, 8W max
Weight: 2.2 lbs (1kg)
Safe Operating Temperature Range: 0C to 40C (32F to 104F)
