NEC hopes to cancel video zoom noise

Tokyo-based electronics company NEC has developed a technology to eliminate noise from by AF and zoom motors in digital camera videos. At present focus and zoom motors are slowed or disabled to prevent noise being collected by internal microphones. NEC's technology processes-out motor sounds using a similar method used by noise-canceling headphones. Its system takes a three-stage approach to accurately match its suppression to the noises of the specific camera. With manufacturers' increasing concentration on HD movies, this is a technology we'd like to see used, if it allows the effect of zoom and focus to be seen and not heard.