Time for an update on NI machine vision

It’s been a while since I passed comment on the vision offerings from National Instruments, so let me give a shout-out to the latest incarnation of their real time vision box.

I’m referring to the sexily-named EVS-1463RT, which is billed as a complete vision system in an industrial box. The 1463 handles GigE and CameraLink, unlike its sister box, the 1464, which was released first and provides FireWire (b) and GigE connectivity.

I like the idea behind these boxes – all the IO, memory, OS, everything really is in one robust housing which should make it quick and easy to implement. I just have to swallow hard when I look at the price: $4,500, and that’s before you’ve bought a camera and lights.

I like the NI range of vision products, but their pricing sure makes it hard to argue a persuasive case for going with them rather than the competition.