Marshall Electronics continues to update and add functionality to its POV and PTZ camera models with accessory add-ons and easy-to-upgrade firmware in the field. These updates respond directly to customer requirements.

Marshall now offers three levels of Neutral Density (ND) filters for its IP67-rated CV226 All-Weather Lipstick Camera and CV503-WP Miniature All-Weather HD Camera. In photography and optics, an ND filter reduces or changes the intensity of all wavelengths, or colors, of light equally, giving no change in the hue of the color rendition. It can be a colorless (clear) or gray filter, and is designated by the number Wratten 96, a labeling system for optical filters. The purpose of a standard photographic neutral density filter is to reduce the amount of light entering the lens. This allows the photographer to select combinations of aperture, exposure, and sensor sensitivity that would otherwise produce overexposed video.

“We’ve been asked many times about ND filters because many of our live production customers operate in direct sunlight and need to mitigate its effects on video performance,” says Tod Musgrave, director of cameras for Marshall Electronics. “In addition to ND filters, we’ve also added CGI and Free-D protocol support to our CV630 and CV730 PTZs, allowing two-way positioning communication between the camera and control decks to produce a graphical overlay More realistic VR and AR Color Matrix is ​​also now available for our Genlock cameras, providing deeper color control for closer color matching with other cameras in the broadcast workflow.

Free-D protocol support is now standard on the Marshall CV730 and CV630 models and is available to existing customers via a free firmware update. The Free-D protocol is an industry standard protocol, supported by major AR/VR solution providers. With this firmware update, CV730 cameras will transmit tracking data over IP to the command center, using Free-D communication. This allows cameras to respond directly with real-time pan, tilt, zoom, focus, iris, and axis position, making VR/AR production simple and cost-effective without the hassle. adding other tracking devices or systems.
Marshall is also adding Color Matrix to CV566, CV568, CV366 and CV368 cameras. Color Matrix creates a more accurate color representation with Master Level, Master Phase, Color Level, and Color Phase enhancements. Remotely controllable with Visca over RS485 from Marshall RCP controller, camera control software or 3rd party control boards such as Cyanview, Skaarhoj and others.

Additional new camera features from Marshall include support for the CGI command control function, improved vMix integration, new OBS plugins/docks, and ongoing AF and tracking performance improvements zoom on all PTZ models. New firmware is now available for free download on each marshall-usa.com product page.