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Bluetooth brings remote control of Sony's new camera

People have complained that Bluetooth doesn't offer much to the camera owner - beyond an opportunity to waste valuable battery power. Sony has found something more: it lets you control the new DSC-FX77 camera from a notebook PC wirelessly ...

The new camera is Sony's first Bluetooth-enabled model, and its basic function is to transfer pictures without having to find the cable to connect camera and PC.

However, ignoring the "fun and convenient" claims about this week's new product, provided by the Basic Imaging Profile bluetooth link, and leaving details of the camera to photography nuts, the real breakthrough is the use of wireless to control the machine from the PC.

"The significant feature created by Bluetooth connectivity is the ability to remotely control and shoot with the camera from a laptop today, and in the future, from other BIP supported devices. This feature creates a 'real-time camera' with a thumbnail picture transmitted from the camera to the remote device at a data rate of 6.5 frames per second."

Sony reckons that the AV and IT worlds are converging rapidly. "Not only does this new camera offer sophisticated connectivity options, also it breaks the mould in the way digital cameras look and feel," commented Akihiro Nishikawa, Director, Sony Digital Imaging Europe.

The press announcement reports that the Bluetooth feature works just fine transferring data: "The DSC-FX77 uses Basic Imaging Profile, a Bluetooth profile that works 'peer to peer' between the camera and peripheral, helping to ensure fast, reliable and accurate data transfer," added Nishikawa. In reality most of us prefer to have a compactflash memory card in the camera, and simply dump the card into the PC to transfer data. But if you don't want to fiddle about, a full 4 Meg picture takes around 47 seconds to transfer over wireless (if you're reasonably close!) whilst a VGA resolution image (640 by 480 by eight colours - you don't want one!) takes just 1.5 seconds.

Those wanting the full details of the camera can find them on Sony Europe's web site.

Standard connection for the DSC-FX77 - using a cradle with a USB interface and cable connection to a PC, has the advantage of providing a power supply for recharging batteries and an AV cable connection to televisions.The camera is supplied with image transfer software developed to help transfer and upload your favourite shots automatically to a selected directory on your PC.

The DSC-FX77 will be available from November 2002.