Fujinon and NHK receive Emmy Award for their Precision Focus Assist system

The manufacturer Fujinon and the Japanese NHK are thus rewarded for their efforts in developing this solution aimed at allowing operators to fine-tune focus quickly and reliably in HD capture.

The North American Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has decided to award Fujinon, together with the Japanese NHK, an Emmy award that aims to recognize the Precision Focus Assist system. This system is proving essential in HD slowdowns to help operators fine-tune focus on live HD broadcasts. Due to the high image quality, focus adjustment has become a headache in this type of broadcasts, such as sports broadcasts, where operators are continually forced to focus on different points at different distances very quickly. While in SD images a slight imbalance in focus was barely noticeable, in HD this imbalance is evident on the screen, which is why systems like the now awarded one are being highly appreciated in the industry.

Developed in 2001, Precision Focus Assist is not itself an autofocus system, although the system can be operated in assisted or automatic mode by adjusting the lens to maximum precision. This system is currently in its third generation, now presenting improved features such as less light loss or smaller size and weight. The system can be attached to any 2/3-inch lens with the necessary Precision Focus software interface.

This award is Fujinon's third engineering Emmy. In 1996 he was awarded for his technical achievements in the development of broadcast lenses, while in 2005 he was awarded for the development of solid-state technology in high-definition camcorders.