Nikon Corporation has announced its latest Image Authentication Software, designed exclusively for use with the Nikon D2xs digital SLR. The software enables the authentication of an image captured by the camera and can determine whether or not it has been altered since capture. Image data can be used as a critical link in the "chain of evidence" for verifying image authenticity by law enforcement and other government agencies, the media, insurance companies and a variety of other business applications and requirements. Using the software, image data - as well as information attached to the image - are verified to determine whether an image captured by the camera has been changed in any way.

Features
The Image Authentication software from Nikon permits verification via a personal computer as to whether an image has been processed or edited after it was taken. Thumbnails of the images selected in the results display area are displayed for confirmation. Furthermore, various code protections are employed to prevent alterations to the software program. And to further improve reliability when using this software, both a product key and a USB key are required. The USB key must be plugged into the USB port to commence application. The software enables verification of JPEG, TIFF and NEF（RAW）data taken using a Nikon digital SLR compatible with the authentication function. Nikon Image Authentication software will be available in the summer of 2006.

Requirements:

• CPU : Pentium 4, 1GHz or higher (or equivalent) recommended
  
• OS : Preinstalled versions of Windows XP Home Edition/Professional (SP2 or later)
  
• OS : Windows 2000 Professional (SP4 or later)
  
• RAM : 512MB or more recommended
  
• Hard disk space : Requires 50MB for installation, and 200MB for running the software
  
• Display : 800 x 600 pixels or more with 16-bit color (High Color/thousands of colors)
  
• USB: Supports built-in USB ports
  
• IEEE 1394: Supports only OHCI-compliant boards
  
• Cameras supported : Nikon D2xs digital SLR
  
• Miscellaneous : One built-in USB port (for the USB key)