NewsJune 2006

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Nikon Camera Control and Authentication

As well as the D2Xs Nikon are also announcing two new software packages. The first is Nikon Camera Control Pro which is a development of Nikon Capture Camera Control, this new 'Pro' version compatible with Nikon Capture NX, other differences aren't made clear by the press release. The second is Nikon Image Authentication (Windows only) which enables the verification of the authenticity of images captured with the D2Xs, it can report if the image information (metadata) or image data itself has been modified since the image was taken and is clearly aimed at the law enforcment, government, media and insurance markets.

Jump to:

• Camera Control Pro Press Release
• Image Authentication Software Press Release

Camera Control Pro Press Release:

Camera Control Pro

New software enables remote control of Nikon digital SLRs from a PC

Sales Release date: July 2006
RRP: £29.99

Nikon UK is pleased to announce its new Camera Control Pro remote control software which allows users to control many digital SLR functions remotely from a PC.

The new software succeeds Nikon’s Capture 4 Camera Control, released in 2003, and includes advanced features such as “Viewer”, providing substantial operational improvement.

Camera Control Pro is compatible with Nikon’s latest software, including Capture NX (to be released in summer 2006), allowing for smoother image processing from shooting to transfer and storage.

Major Features

Take Control of Your Photography — Remotely

Using the USB or Firewire cable that’s included, and/or optional WiFi adapters for selected models, Nikon Camera Control Pro allows photographers to capture critical shots. Once the image has been taken, it can be viewed immediately on a PC screen.

Wildlife and nature photographers will be able to set up a camera near a bird’s nest or in a hide and take that once-in-a-lifetime shot. Industrial photographers can safely place the camera at special locations to record critical elements of a manufacturing process. Using the software’s built-in intervalometer function law enforcement and government agencies can now use cameras for continuous surveillance purposes.

Viewer function

Enables captured images to be viewed within the software. Viewer window contains the following buttons: “Previous image”, “Next image”, “Show focus area”, “Fit to screen”, “100%”, “50%”, and “Delete”.

Tone Compensation Curves can be saved in camera

In newer Nikon digital SLRs, including the D2Xs, customized Tone Compensation Curve data can be saved to tailor the camera’s behavior to the photographer’s vision and improve efficiency when using multiple cameras at the same time.

Improved graphic user interface

A simulated (camera) LCD panel on the computer screen performs the same function as the camera’s viewfinder display and is consistent with those used in the latest cameras for smoother operation. It is also possible to control the camera from your personal computer without having to use the control menu on the computer.

Compatible with Nikon’s Image Authentication Software*

Image data can be transferred and stored without affecting the authentication function.
* Available in summer 2006

Compatible with WiFi operation

In addition to supporting USB cable connections, Camera Control Pro offers compatibility with the optional Wireless Transmitter models WT-2 and WT-3*. When attached to a digital SLR, the WT-2 and WT-3* enable remote shooting and setting via a wireless LAN over WiFi.
* Available in summer 2006

System Requirements (Windows)

• CPU Pentium 300MHz or higher recommended
• OS Preinstalled versions of Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, or Windows 2000 Professional
• RAM 256MB (768MB or more recommended)
• Hard disk space Requires 50MB for installation, plus 1GB of free disk space for running Camera Control Pro
• Display 800 x 600 pixels or more with 16-bit colour (High Colour/thousands of colours)
• Interface USB: Only built-in USB ports supported IEEE 1394: Only OHCI-compliant boards supported
• Note: Operation is not guaranteed when connection has been made to a USB hub.
• Cameras supported D2 series, D1 series, D200, D100, D70 series, D50 Miscellaneous
• CD-ROM drive required for installation
• Internet connection required for Nikon Message Center

System Requirements (Macintosh)

• CPU PowerPC G3/G4/G5
• OS Mac OS X version 10.3.9 or later
• RAM 256MB (768MB or more recommended)
• Hard disk space 50MB required for installation
• Display 800 x 600 pixels or more with 16-bit colour (High Colour/thousands of colours)
• Interface USB: Only built-in USB ports supported FireWire: Only built-in FireWire ports supported Note: Operation is not guaranteed when connection has been made to a USB hub.
• Cameras supported D2 series, D1 series, D200, D100, D70 series, D50 Miscellaneous
• CD-ROM drive required for installation
• Internet connection required for Nikon Message Center

Image Authentication Software Press Release:

Nikon Image Authentication Software

New software enables verification of the authenticity of images captured with a Nikon D2Xs digital SLR

Sales release date: July 2006
RRP: £399.99

Nikon UK is pleased to announce a new Image Authentication Software application which is designed exclusively for use with the Nikon D2Xs digital SLR.

The software enables users to determine whether an image has been altered since capture. Image data can be used for verifying image authenticity by law enforcement and other government agencies, the media, insurance companies and has a variety of other business applications.

Verification results are displayed as a list on a PC screen with selected images displayed as thumbnails within the same screen.

Major Features

Quick and easy verification of authenticity

• Allows verification to determine whether an image has been processed or edited after being shot
• Thumbnails of the images selected are displayed for confirmation

Protection of the software

• Code protections are applied to prevent alterations to the software program.
• A product key and a USB key are required to ensure security whereby the USB key must be plugged into the USB port to commence application.

Three file formats can be verified

• The software enables verification of JPEG, TIFF and NEF (RAW) data to be taken using a Nikon digital SLR compatible with the authentication function.

System Requirements (Windows)

• CPU Pentium 4, 1GHz or higher (or equivalent) recommended
• OS Preinstalled versions of Windows XP Home Edition/Professional (SP2 or later), or Windows 2000 Professional (SP4 or later)
• RAM 512MB or more recommended
• Hard disk space Requires 50MB for installation, and 200MB for running the software
• Display 800 x 600 pixels or more with 16-bit colour (High Colour/thousands of colours)
• Interface USB: Supports built-in USB ports IEEE 1394: Supports only OHCI-compliant boards
• Cameras supported Nikon D2Xs digital SLR Miscellaneous One built-in USB port (for the USB key)
• Note: Operation is not guaranteed when connection has been made to a USB hub