National Instruments Extends Smart Camera Family

New Cameras Feature Higher Resolution and DSP Coprocessors to Provide More
Options for Machine Builders

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 2, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- National
Instruments (Nasdaq: NATI) today announced the extension of its NI Smart
Camera product line with the introduction of three new products. The NI 1744,
NI 1762 and NI 1764 Smart Cameras deliver faster processing speed and higher
image resolution to offer more powerful options for engineers requiring an
embedded machine vision solution.
Powered by a 533 MHz PowerPC, the new NI 1744 Smart Camera features a
high-resolution image sensor that acquires images up to 1.3 megapixels
(1280x1024). Industrial engineers and machine builders can use the camera to
inspect objects for smaller defects and make measurements with four times the
resolution of previous NI Smart Cameras.
For engineers needing higher performance for pattern matching, optical
character recognition and code reading, the NI 1762 Smart Camera offers a 720
MHz Texas Instruments DSP coprocessor alongside the 533 MHz PowerPC, making it
possible to run algorithms up to four times faster with no changes to the
application software. The NI 1762 contains the same 640x480 resolution image
sensor found in the previously released NI Smart Cameras.
The new NI 1764 Smart Camera offers the highest resolution and performance
of all the new cameras, featuring the 1.3 megapixel image sensor and the 720
MHz Texas Instruments DSP coprocessor. The NI 1764 is ideal for uses such as
high-speed manufacturing line applications that are inspecting large objects
or locating and identifying small codes or features.
The new cameras are shipped with NI Vision Builder for Automated
Inspection (AI), an interactive software environment for configuring and
deploying complete machine vision applications without programming. With this
intuitive, menu-driven software, engineers can build complex machine vision
applications incorporating not only vision algorithms but also state-based
execution with looping and branching using the built-in state diagram editor.
For more advanced applications, NI Smart Cameras also integrate with NI
LabVIEW software and the full NI library of image processing and machine
vision algorithms. Engineers can transfer machine vision applications between
LabVIEW and Vision Builder AI with few modifications because both software
platforms support the entire NI Smart Camera family.
The extension of the NI Smart Camera family of products continues to
strengthen NI's vision offerings and provides additional solutions for a wide
variety of machine vision applications. Readers can visit
http://www.ni.com/smartcamera for more information on the new cameras.
About National Instruments
National Instruments (http://www.ni.com) is transforming the way engineers
and scientists design, prototype and deploy systems for measurement,
automation and embedded applications. NI empowers customers with off-the-shelf
software such as NI LabVIEW and modular cost-effective hardware, and sells to
a broad base of more than 25,000 different companies worldwide, with no one
customer representing more than 3 percent of revenue and no one industry
representing more than 10 percent of revenue. Headquartered in Austin, Texas,
NI has more than 4,800 employees and direct operations in nearly 40 countries.
For the past nine years, FORTUNE magazine has named NI one of the 100 best
companies to work for in America. Readers can obtain investment information
from the company's investor relations department by calling (512) 683-5090,
e-mailing nati@ni.com or visiting http://www.ni.com/nati.
Pricing and Contact Information
NI 1744 Smart Camera 11500 N Mopac Expwy, Austin, Texas 78759-3504
Priced from $3,499; Tel: (800) 258-7022, Fax: (512) 683-9300
euro 3,099; 423,000 yen E-mail: info@ni.com

NI 1762 Smart Camera
Priced from $3,499;
euro 3,099; 423,000 yen

NI 1764 Smart Camera
Priced from $4,499;
euro 3,999; 544,000 yen
Web: http://www.ni.com/smartcamera

LabVIEW, National Instruments, NI and ni.com are trademarks of National
Instruments. Other product and company names listed are trademarks or trade
names of their respective companies.
Editor Contact: Julia Betts, (512) 683-8165
Reader Contact: Ernest Martinez, (800) 258-7022
SOURCE National Instruments

Julia Betts, +1-512-683-8165, or Ernest Martinez, 1-800-258-7022, both of
National Instruments