Canon Announces Free Firmware Updates for XF200 and XF205 Professional Camcorders

The Canon XF line of cameras have a long standing tradition in the broadcast world. Starting with the XF305, which has been widely popular with major broadcasters like the BBC, the smaller XF105 also let documentary filmmakers, news gathering professionals and everyone in between get a solid camera in a small package. With the more recent release of the XF200 and XF205, Canon are continuing the XF line legacy and have just announced a free firmware update for the XF200/205 which will make them even more desireable for documentaries, ENG work, events and loads more.

The first firmare update will be released next month and will improve low-light performance with noise reduction. In late June, Canon will release an update for IP streaming support, a method proven very effective and popular in the broadcast world. See details of the new firmware updates below.

MELVILLE, N.Y., March 4, 2015 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today two free firmware upgrades1 that the company will make available for the Canon XF205 and XF200 Professional Full HD camcorders (released in July 2014), one of which adds a new image-quality setting to the camcorder and another that enables the streaming of video over an IP network.

Since their launch in July 2014, the Canon XF205 and XF200 camcorders have proven popular in a wide variety of fields, from the production of news and other broadcasting content to the recording of weddings and other events. In response to the needs of a wide range of users, the new firmware upgrades will add such features as a new image-quality setting that facilitates video recording with reduced noise even in low-light conditions2, as well as numerous functions that deliver enhanced basic performance, such as the ability to stream live video over an IP network.

New image-quality setting (upgrade to be released in mid-April 2015)

One of the new upgrades, to be released in mid-April 2015, will add an image-quality setting to the XF205 and XF200 camcorders that facilitates the recording of video with noise reduction even in low-light conditions. This feature will enable users to choose the optimal image quality based on their shooting requirements, providing a choice between a setting that prioritizes the high-resolution capabilities of the camcorder - the camcorders' default setting - and a new image-quality setting that gives priority to video with noise reduction.

Support for IP streaming (upgrade to be released in late-June 2015)

The firmware upgrade to be released in late-June 2015 will enable the XF205 and XF200 camcorders to support video streaming over an IP network, a method that is widely used in the broadcasting industry to send and receive video signals. By sending video over the internet while it is being captured, users will be able to provide live transfers of footage to news programs and video-sharing sites. In addition, the upgrade will enable the camcorders to be used with Fujitsu's video transmission equipment, the Fujitsu Network IP-900IID and IP-920D HD/SD Compact Video Decoders3 as well as software supporting IP streaming. Thanks to these new capabilities, users will be able to stream video over an IP network without having to alter existing video-capture and editing workflows, such as those employed at broadcasting stations.

Canon will exhibit prototype-versions of the firmware upgrades at the Canon booth during the 2015 NAB Show from April 13 to 16 in Las Vegas.

Additional information

The firmware upgrade enabling IP streaming will support the following video data formats:

Additional functions delivering further enhancements

In addition to newly supporting IP video streaming, the firmware upgrade - available in late-June 2015 - will allow XF205 and XF200 camcorder users to take advantage of various new functions, including those outlined below:

1. Slow- and fast-motion video capture in MP4 format
   
   When recording in the MP4 format, users will be able to slow down the action up to 40 percent or speed up video up to 250 percent, facilitating the creation of high-impact and expressive footage.

2. Improved Wi-Fi setting display
   
   When choosing Wi-Fi® settings on the XF205 and XF200, the camcorders' selection menu screen will feature an improved user interface delivering intuitive, easy-to-understand operability.

Check out our Canon XF200/XF205 page for more info and to order yours. For all your Canon needs do contact our Canon specialists at 0208 977 1222.