On an EK flight class, I noticed that the seatback IFE system had (what appeared to be) a small pinhole camera recessed into the screen fascia, similar to the webcam you might find on a laptop. (I'll try to attach an image of it)
If it's in fact a camera -- as it appears -- what purpose does this serve?
My only guess is that it's a component of the IFE comms that might allow for video calls or social media use at some point in the future. Perhaps a feature included by the IFE manufacturer that EK hasn't put into service.. (Alternatively, could it be used for pax monitoring, as they do in the main cabin with their bulkhead cameras?)
Does anybody know what this is? Let me know your thoughts, and/or if I'm clearly missing something...
A possible explanation is that it detects the surrounding light levels and adjusts your screen brightness to suit.
That was my thought, but I tried covering it multiple times to no effect. I believe the four black sensors (two on each side of the blue illuminated power button) are used to monitor the ambient light?
I'm asking about the purpose of an IFE feature, I don't think that qualifies as a paranoia. Hey, thanks for your useful contribution though, keep up the good work tiger.
It's a standard Panasonic Avionics Elite 13 Monitor which Emirates uses in Economy. The screen just comes with a camera but Emirates doesn't use it.
An example of how it can be used though is on the new 777's in First Class where passengers can use the tablet with a camera to make video calls to the flight attendants.
Potentially they could spy on people... or even use it to allow for passenger to passenger video calls (and if satellite bandwidth increases by 100x then potentially land to air video calls on the IFE) but for the time being it'll just sit their doing nothing bothering only those who don't wish to be stared at by a disabled camera.
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EK IFE seatback webcam?
ausJCP
ausJCP
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Aug 2014
Total posts 132
On an EK flight class, I noticed that the seatback IFE system had (what appeared to be) a small pinhole camera recessed into the screen fascia, similar to the webcam you might find on a laptop. (I'll try to attach an image of it)
If it's in fact a camera -- as it appears -- what purpose does this serve?
My only guess is that it's a component of the IFE comms that might allow for video calls or social media use at some point in the future. Perhaps a feature included by the IFE manufacturer that EK hasn't put into service.. (Alternatively, could it be used for pax monitoring, as they do in the main cabin with their bulkhead cameras?)
Does anybody know what this is? Let me know your thoughts, and/or if I'm clearly missing something...
ausJCP
ausJCP
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Aug 2014
Total posts 132
If it's of any relevance, it was on a newer A388 aircraft (registration A6-EUD).
Phil Young
Phil Young
Qantas
Member since 22 Oct 2012
Total posts 253
A possible explanation is that it detects the surrounding light levels and adjusts your screen brightness to suit.
rckjiang
rckjiang
Member since 16 Jun 2017
Total posts 40
CIA/NSA/GCHQ/MI6 etc.
ausJCP
ausJCP
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Aug 2014
Total posts 132
That was my thought, but I tried covering it multiple times to no effect. I believe the four black sensors (two on each side of the blue illuminated power button) are used to monitor the ambient light?
Doubleplatinum Banned
Doubleplatinum Banned
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
Member since 07 Feb 2013
Total posts 431
Paranoid much?
bl5965
bl5965
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 13 Nov 2015
Total posts 83
Qantas A330 Business has a huge webcam-like camera on the top of the IFE screen. Not sure of its function, but I presume it's currently inactive.
ausJCP
ausJCP
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Aug 2014
Total posts 132
I'm asking about the purpose of an IFE feature, I don't think that qualifies as a paranoia. Hey, thanks for your useful contribution though, keep up the good work tiger.
346
346
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 May 2017
Total posts 55
Did you ask any of the EK staff on board or?
henrus
henrus
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Oct 2013
Total posts 766
It's a standard Panasonic Avionics Elite 13 Monitor which Emirates uses in Economy. The screen just comes with a camera but Emirates doesn't use it.