Canon Connect Station CS100 ($300) to Unite Company’s Imaging Devices

Canon U.S.A., Inc., announced the Connect Station CS100 ⁽¹⁾, a photo and video storage device that has the capability to connect to multiple compatible imaging devices allowing users to easily store, view and share images and videos.

First shown as a prototype at the 2010 Canon Expo in New York, the Connect Station CS100 device provides up to 1TB of storage ⁽²⁾ exclusively for photos and videos allowing users to free up space on media cards quickly without the use of a computer. Featuring NFC (Near Field Communication) capabilities and Wi-Fi technology, users can tap the NFC icon on their compatible ⁽³⁾ Canon digital camera or camcorder to automatically import new images and videos wirelessly to the CS100 making them ready to view and share on a connected HDTV.

“Canon designed the Connect Station CS100 device to help consumers quickly and easily view, share and store their most valuable images and videos using Wi-Fi and NFC technologies,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A. “Today’s imaging culture is passionate about photography and videography and our goal at Canon is to make it as easy as possible for everyone to protect and share all their precious memories.“

Once movies or photos are stored on the Connect Station CS100, users can view them in Full HD via HDMI connection to a compatible HDTV. With the CS100’s wireless remote control, users can navigate through the device’s stored images and video files while viewing them on a large screen. The user-friendly menus appear on the screen when interacting with the CS100 and will allow sorting and managing image and video files by albums, date taken or by device. Freeing the user from having to use a computer to manage their images, the CS100 device features SD and CF memory card slots and a USB connection for importing images from compatible devices that may not feature wireless capabilities or when wireless connectivity may not be available ⁽⁴⁾.

The CS100 device wirelessly connects to select Pixma and Selphy printers ⁽⁵⁾ in the home to print those favorite images helping to make memories that will last for years.

It will allow users to view, upload, and download images from compatible smartphones, tablets or PCs using a web browser. Users can send or receive images with other CS100 units in different locations using the Canon Image Gateway ^(6), allowing users to share their images and videos to their favorite social networking sites.

File formats ⁽⁷⁾ supported include JPEG, RAW (CR2), MP4, MOV and AVCHD. Backup and restore functions are possible using the USB connection and an external HDD (sold separately).

The Connect Station CS100 is scheduled to be available in April 2015 for an estimated retail price of $299.99.

⁽¹⁾ This device has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.
⁽²⁾ Since part of the disk space is used by the system, the indicated capacity is less than 1TB.
⁽³⁾ Wireless image transfer is compatible only with Canon cameras and camcorders equipped with NFC and released in 2015.
⁽⁴⁾ Compatible with Canon cameras and camcorders released in 2010 and later.
⁽⁵⁾ Compatible with printers supporting PictBridge (Wireless LAN).
⁽⁶⁾ One-time registration is required on Canon Image Gateway online photo album.
⁽⁷⁾ JPEG thumbnail file in RAW image file is shown. RAW image processing is not available.