First the computer became IP addressable, followed shortly by printers and other office equipment. Now cameras, projectors, and plasmas are following in their ability to be networked.

With cameras, plasmas, and projectors beginning to incorporate IP addressable technology, the ability to monitor and control equipment from remote locations becomes a reality for many new customers. This article takes a look into several products that are IP addressable along with optional cards and external boxes for products that do not have network capabilities.

IP Addressable Products

Cameras
New cameras such as Sony’s SNC-RZ30 and SNC-VL10N have built in web servers, which allow one to control and operate the camera from anywhere. They also allow one to view controls, change settings, and troubleshoot easily from remote locations.

Projectors
Projectors such as the Sony VPL-FE110 allow for networking capabilities for individual diagnostics, cable disconnection alarms, and the ability to control the projectors from afar. Not to mention uploading files and retrieving them off the hard drive of the projector.

Options for Products
For those who have cameras, projectors, or plasmas without network capabilities and wish to move into network-enabling device there are other options.

Cards
More and more products are offering optional LAN card slots, which allow for wired or short distance wireless delivery.

Projector Card
Sony’s VPL-PX15 SuperSmart offers the ability to be connected to a network via a wired or wireless interface card while simultaneously storing user files in its on-board memory. It can send messages to email accounts, pagers and cell phones when it’s time for maintenance, or if the lamp breaks. It can be controlled as part of a bank of projectors enabling huge savings in time and effort on behalf of overworked maintenance departments.

Other manufactures such as NEC, Sanyo, and Panasonic have developed cards for several of their various lines for wired or short distance wireless. Plasmas
Pioneer has incorporated PureVision™ expansion slots in their 43-inch and 50-inch plasma screens which allow end-users to add or remove various expansion boards. Pioneer has cards available from Altinex and Adtech, which enable the plasmas to become IP addressable in addition to other card options for inputs etc.

External Devices
Mitsubishi is offering an external device called ProjectorView that can be connected to their present and many of their previous (until 1997) projectors. The device is a serial-to-Ethernet translator that connects the projector to a LAN line. This allows the customer to access and/ or operate the projector from anywhere. Other features are a cable disconnection alarm, distance troubleshooting, and programmable control.

In Summary:
How often do we forget that these products need occasional adjustment and are reminded before a big meeting when the unit shuts down? IP addressable products almost take care of themselves from notification of a problem to reminders of needed cleaning and/ or adjustments. With IP addressable products one technician can troubleshoot problems and control these units from a distance. These features allow for greater efficiency and lower personnel cost through remote monitoring and system change alerts, cable disconnection alerts, for example.

Over the next several years we can expect to see this technology incorporated into more products and eventually hitting the consumer market in refrigerators and other home appliances. After this has occurred this technology will eventually be incorporated in the workings of the home itself and it will be possible to monitor and control all appliances and fixtures in the home from a computer, PDA, or cell phone.

If you would like more information or would like to talk with a salesperson please contact the office nearest you or email sales@vmivideo.com with your request (please include the article name, and your contact information).