Ikegami announces a space-saving addition to its range of broadcast quality television production equipment. Previewed at the April 2024 NAB Show in Las Vegas and scheduled for introduction to the European market at IBC in September, the new ultra-compact OCP-500 camera control unit has the slimmest panel surface of any Ikegami operation control panel to date.

“A key design feature of the new OCP-500 is its compact width, just 82 mm, allowing multiple units to be integrated easily into an outside broadcast vehicle, REMI hub or studio control gallery without compromising on functionality or durability,” says Michael Laetzsch, Broadcast & Professional Video Division Manager at Ikegami Electronics (Europe) GmbH. “Illuminated silicone rubber control buttons tested to over 100,000 key presses contribute to the panel’s anticipated long working life. The control layout and functions are configured in a style allowing easy use, especially by operators accustomed to working with the OCP-300.”

Compatible with all cameras in Ikegami’s Unicam series, including the latest generation HDK-X500, the OCP-500 incorporates all the features required to allow full remote camera control. Up to five OCP-500 units fit into the same desktop footprint as four of Ikegami’s established OCP-300 remote camera controllers. Vertical depth is 83 mm.

The OCP-500 front panel is equipped with a joystick allowing simultaneous rotary adjustment of camera pedestal settings and front-to-back control of the iris. Among other control elements are 10 function-specific pushbuttons, assignable pushbuttons and a colour LCD display panel. Assignable-control settings and related data can be stored on removable non-volatile memory which also allows easy data sharing.

Function-specific controls include camera power, viewfinder power, lens cap, colour bars, calibration, auto white balance and auto black balance. Maximum controller-to-camera cable distance is 60 metres (serial control over CP cable) or 100 metres using Power-over-Ethernet cable. The unit is designed to support operation in temperatures of 0 to 45 degrees Celsius and 30% to 90% non-condensing humidity. Power requirement is 12 volts DC (10 to 18 volts acceptable range) at approximately 5 watts. 

The OCP-500 will make its European exhibition debut at IBC 2024, Amsterdam, Friday September 13th through Monday 16th.