The High Definition Drop Camera system is designed to take high resolution images of the seafloor for analytical work. The camera is mounted in a drop frame to reduce blur from camera motion and ensure that all images are taken at the same height above the seafloor and have the same field of view.
The specifications of the High Definition Drop Camera are:
- 5.0 MP camera with a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1920 pixels
- 0.3 lux sensitivity for color images and < 0.05 lux sensitivity for black and white images
- power consumption less than 2.5 W
- full time analog video output (NTSC/PAL standard)
- Ethernet output for live streaming of high definition video and images as well as control over the various camera settings
- ability to record high definition images to an onboard CF card
- high intensity white LEDs for additional illumination
- operates using shipboard power
- has an operating depth of 150 m (currently restricted by the length of the electromechanical video cable)
Shown below is an example of a photo of eelgrass taken by the high definition drop camera.
