NEC applies noise cancellation to zoom sound compact cameras

NEC has developed a solution that allows cameras to filter out the noise of the zoom motor while making video images. Microphones record the zoom sound, then filter it out of the recording in real time.

The Technic NEC has developed somewhat resembles that of noise canceling headphones, in which microphones register the unwanted sound, after which it can be filtered out. NEC takes this one step further, because the system can automatically adapt to different types of microphones and zoom motors. The system records and saves the characteristics of the sound made by the zoom motor. As a result, the technology would not have to be tailor-made for every new type of camera.

NEC claims that its technique produces better results than the current solutions that manufacturers are turning to, including the use of whisper-quiet motors and the digital filtering of certain frequencies. According to NEC, the quieter motors are often slow, which hinders ease of use, and digital filters negatively affect sound quality. Although the company is only now officially announcing the technology, it says that Casio’s EX-ZR10 compact camera is already equipped with it.