The Goobuy UC-678 is a 1/1.8″ Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 HDMI camera module with a 4 mm low-distortion lens, delivering 4K UHD real-time HDR video output in ultra-low light for industrial vision, medical imaging, and edge-AI systems.

Built on Sony’s next-gen STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensor, the Goobuy UC-678 HDMI camera module supports up to 3840×2160@30fps, 2560×1440@60fps and 1920×1080@60fps over direct HDMI output—no drivers, no PC required. With ultra-low-light sensitivity down to 0.001 lux, HDR dynamic range of 83 dB, and board size of 38×38 mm powered from 5 V USB-A, it is ideal for 24/7 factory inspection, medical device integration, lab imaging and high-performance visual systems. Custom optics, low-distortion imaging, and embedded-friendly design make the Goobuy UC-678 a versatile choice for OEM/ODM high-end camera modules.

 

product overview

The IMX678 STARVIS2 HDMI Goobuy UC-678 Camera Module is designed for industrial imaging applications that demand both clarity and reliability in low light. Built on a 38×38 mm PCB, this industrial HDMI camera module 38×38 low light version delivers 4K UHD output directly via HDMI for seamless integration into monitors, recorders, and industrial vision systems.

With single-exposure HDR STARVIS2 camera night flight technology, it reduces motion artifacts while capturing details in both shadows and highlights—ideal for drones, AMRs, and energy monitoring

Novel 4mm lens (95-degree field of view) SONY STARVIS2 IMX678 HDMI Camera module, with its 38x38mm dimensions and Sony IMX678 sensor, is a powerful combination. This means it boasts excellent low-light performance 0.001Lux (STARVIS 2™ technology), high resolution (typically 8MP, supporting 4K), and outstanding image quality and color reproduction. The HDMI output provides lossless, real-time, high-definition video transmission without the need for complex networking or driver setups.

Sony IMX678-AAQR1-C is a diagonal 8.86 mm (Type 1/1.8) CMOS active pixel type solid-state image sensor with a square pixel array and 8.40 M effective pixels. This chip operates with analog 3.3 V, digital 1.1 V, and interface 1.8 V triple power supply, and has low power consumption. High sensitivity, low dark current and no smear are achieved through the adoption of R, G and B primary color mosaic filters. This chip features an electronic shutter with variable charge-integration time

In 2026 U.S. smart factory deployments, this architecture supports AI-at-the-edge workflows where a Vision Language Model (VLM) or YOLO-based defect detection AI runs on a co-located Jetson Orin while the operator views the live 4K HDMI feed in parallel

Keying Feature

1, Low light performance is good for a 1/1.8" BSI STATVIS sensor.
2, The back-illuminated structure provides good basic light sensitivity and good near-infrared response.
3, Works with a large aperture lens (F1.4 or greater) and excellent ISP noise reduction algorithms to provide usable color images in scenes with low ambient light (0.1 lux or more).
4, Under active infrared supplementary light, it can provide good black and white night vision effect, meeting most of the general monitoring and industrial inspection needs.

The Sony IMX678 CMOS sensor offers several core advantages and unique competitive features:

1, High-Resolution Imaging: With its 4K Ultra HD (8.29 megapixels) resolution, the IMX678 provides exceptional image clarity, making it ideal for applications that require high-detail visuals, such as license plate recognition, industrial inspections, and machine vision.

2, Starvis 2 Technology: As part of the Starvis 2 line, the IMX678 excels in low-light performance, enabling it to capture clear, detailed images in challenging lighting conditions, making it highly suitable for night vision and security applications.

3, Wide Dynamic Range (WDR): The sensor offers a wide dynamic range, allowing it to perform well in environments with high contrast, such as bright lights and deep shadows, without compromising image quality.

4, Single-Exposure HDR: Unlike traditional multi-exposure HDR methods, the IMX678 uses single-exposure HDR, which eliminates motion artifacts and ghosting, ensuring artifact-free high-quality imaging, even in fast-moving scenarios.

5, Compact and Versatile: It supports a range of applications with compact form factors, and interchangeable lenses. This flexibility allows the sensor to fit in various devices, from industrial robots to smart city monitoring.

Overall, the IMX678 stands out for its high-resolution capability, low-light performance, and motion artifact-free HDR, making it a superior choice for demanding industrial and commercial applications.

Product Specification of 4K low light HDMI camera module

Parameter	Specification
Sensor	Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678, 1/1.8″
Resolution	3840×2160@30fps, 2560×1440@60fps, 1920×1080@60fps
Minimum Illumination	0.001 lux
Dynamic Range	83 dB (single-exposure HDR)
Lens	4 mm F2.8, low-distortion, ~95° FOV
Board Size	38mm×38mm×41.40mm±0.5MM
Power Input	5 V (USB-A)
Max Power Consumption	< 950 mW
Distortion	< 5%
Output Interface	HDMI
Use Cases	Factory inspection, medical imaging, robotics, embedded AI vision
Customization Options	Lens, housing, color tune, mounting bracket

The Goobuy UC-678-HDMI is a PC-less 4K inspection system powered by the Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 sensor, delivering zero-latency, single-exposure HDR video directly to monitors for high-precision industrial and surgical applications

Specification	HDMI Output Detail	Why it Matters?
Resolution	4K UHD (3840 x 2160)	4x the detail of 1080p for micro-inspection.
Frame Rate	30 FPS @ 4K / 60 FPS @ 1080p	60fps is crucial for smooth hand-eye coordination.
Latency	< 20ms (Glass-to-Glass)	No lag when moving samples under the lens.
Output Interface	HDMI 1.4 / 2.0 Type A	Standard connector for all modern monitors/TVs.
Power Supply	USB-C / 5V DC	Can be powered by a power bank or phone charger.
Optical Format	1/1.8" (Large Sensor)	Captures more light than standard 1/2.8" sensors.
Menu Control	OSD Button / Remote (Optional)	Adjust Exposure/WDR directly on screen.

Output & Compatibility (HDMI Version)

• HDMI real-time output: no drivers, direct plug-and-play
• Tested modes: 3840×2160@30fps, 2560×1440@30/60fps, 1920×1080@60fps, 1280×720@60fps
• Power: 5V via USB-A cable (for power only; no data transfer)
• Accessories: HDMI cable, USB power cable, optional metal housing

Direct HDMI to industrial panel PCs (Advantech, Beckhoff), NVIDIA IGX Orin industrial module, FLIR Machine Vision host systems

For users requiring USB UVC output (MJPEG/YUY2), we also provide a separate USB version of UC-678-2.

 

Typical Application Scenarios

1. Industrial Inspection and Quality Control:
   • Scenario: Real-time monitoring on production lines for quick visual inspection of micro-defects and assembly errors; remote assistance for repairs, transmitting live images from inside equipment or hard-to-reach areas to large screens; high-definition monitoring of automated equipment operational status.
   • Advantages: The IMX678's low-light performance ensures clear images even in dimly lit factory floors or shadowed areas; the 95-degree field of view is sufficient to cover medium-range inspection areas; HDMI output can directly connect to industrial displays or recording devices for real-time, on-site viewing without lag.
   • Advanced industrial inspection systems operating in dim environments/Edge AI devices requiring cleaner night image input
2. AI-Powered Surgical Robotics & Telepresence:  The low-distortion 4K output feeds real-time imaging to robotic surgery assist systems (e.g., integrated with ROS2 MoveIt2), where geometric accuracy is critical for instrument positioning.
   • Advantages: The IMX678 offers high resolution and excellent color reproduction, providing strong resolution for fine tissue structures; low-light capabilities help reduce reliance on additional lighting; HDMI output ensures uncompressed, lag-free video display for real-time decision-making and teaching.
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3. Laboratory and Scientific Research:
   • Scenario: Digital imaging systems for microscopes, displaying sample details on monitors for analysis and recording; real-time monitoring and recording of experimental processes, especially in light-sensitive or low-interference environments; educational demonstrations.
   • Advantages: The IMX678's high sensitivity makes it ideal for low-light experiments, reducing damage or interference to samples; high resolution helps capture intricate structures of the microscopic world; HDMI output facilitates simultaneous viewing and discussion by multiple people.
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4. Semiconductor & PCB Micro-Inspection (Industry 5.0): 
   Real-time PCB microsoldering stations, AI-assisted surgical robotics direct-display, and live broadcast special filming where computer OS latency is unacceptable.
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5. High-End Security and Surveillance:
   • Scenario: Real-time HD monitoring of critical indoor areas (e.g., bank vaults, museum exhibition halls, server rooms), especially at night or in low-light conditions; locations requiring high-quality evidence capture; direct integration with existing HDMI display devices. (Premium low-light monitoring terminals and smart infrastructure devices)
   • Advantages: The IMX678's STARVIS 2 technology provides superior night vision capabilities, delivering color images even in extremely low light, significantly outperforming traditional IR black-and-white night vision; high resolution offers more detail for post-event analysis.
   • Critical Infrastructure Protection: power plant perimeter, water treatment facility, and data center security systems require 4K low-light capability for actionable video evidence at night
6. 4K Broadcast & Streaming Production Monitoring:
   • professional video production houses use HDMI 4K camera modules for on-set monitoring, teleprompter integration, and multi-camera switching
   • Advantages: Compact size for easy deployment; the IMX678's cinematic image quality and low noise characteristics are attractive for professional content creation; HDMI output is directly compatible with broadcast equipment.
7. Smart City 4K AI Video Analytics: metropolitan AI surveillance deployments in the US, Japan, and EU are migrating to 4K cameras for face recognition at distance and license plate reading in complex urban lighting

 

Why HDMI Output for Microscopy & Medical?

1. Digital Microscopy Upgrade (No PC Needed)

• Scenario: Upgrading traditional optical microscopes to digital without adding a bulky computer tower.

• The Advantage: Connect the UC-678 directly to a 27-inch 4K monitor. The STARVIS 2 sensor reveals details in dark biological samples (fluorescence) that standard cameras miss, and the 60fps (at 1080p) ensures no motion blur when moving the slide.

2. Dental & Surgical Documentation

• Scenario: Dentists need to show patients live video of their teeth on a chair-side monitor.

• The Advantage: The high color fidelity and dynamic range of IMX678 ensure gum tissue and enamel colors are accurate. The HDMI connection is reliable and doesn't crash like Windows drivers often do.

3. PCB Soldering & Repair Station

• Scenario: Technicians repairing smartphones under a magnifier need to look at a screen instead of hunching over.

• The Advantage: The "Zero Latency" is critical here. If the video lags, the technician might burn the board with the soldering iron. This camera provides instant visual feedback.

Industrial Inspection & Quality Control
The Goobuy UC-678 excels in illuminated or low-light factory floors, enabling defect detection, high-speed inspection and robotic guidance thanks to its 4K output and HDR capability.

 

Popular Typical Application Scenarios in the USA and Europe in 2026
•    production QA
•    electronics assembly inspection
•    microscope / lab visualization
•    operator station vision
•    robot-cell validation / setup
•    AI-assisted inspection workstation

 

FAQ for Engineers & Integrators

Q1. What is the difference between the HDMI and USB versions of the IMX678 module?
A1. The HDMI version (UC-678) outputs real-time 4K video directly via HDMI with no drivers needed, while the UC-678-2  USB camera is designed for PC/Jetson integration, supporting UVC interfaces and software capture.

Q2. Can the Goobuy UC-678 HDMI camera perform in very low-light environments?
A2. Yes. The STARVIS 2 sensor with 0.001 lux minimum illumination and HDR capability makes it effective in dark environments, labs, night robotics and low-light inspection.

Q3. Why choose a 4 mm low-distortion lens?
A3. The 4 mm F2.8 low-distortion lens provides ~95° FOV and <5% distortion, ideal for wide scene capture in industrial/robotics setups without warping.

Does the module support OEM customization?
Yes. We provide OEM/ODM services for lens swap, focus adjustment, housing style, bracket mounting, color tuning and firmware adaptation.

Q4.  How does STARVIS 2 (IMX678) differ from the original STARVIS generation in practical low-light performance?
Sony STARVIS 2 introduces a new pixel architecture with improved charge transfer efficiency and reduced dark current, resulting in approximately 2× better low-light sensitivity and 30–40% lower noise floor compared to STARVIS 1 sensors of equivalent resolution. The IMX678 achieves 0.0005 lux in color mode — equivalent to imaging under a quarter moon with no other light source.

Why is Single-Exposure HDR (SE-HDR) superior to traditional HDR for live industrial inspection?
Traditional multi-exposure HDR merges frames taken at different times, causing motion blur or "ghosting" on moving objects. SE-HDR captures a massive 83 dB dynamic range in a single frame, ensuring fast-moving machinery or surgical instruments remain perfectly sharp and artifact-free.

Q5. What power interface does the module use?
A5. The board is powered from 5V (USB-A) and consumes less than 950 mW under standard 4K30 operation.

Q6. Can this camera be used in a Physical AI or embodied AI robot system??
A6. The UC-678 HDMI module is primarily designed for stationary inspection stations and PC-less monitoring. For mobile robot integration, we recommend our IMX678 USB variant. However, the HDMI output can feed a local edge display while USB simultaneously streams to a Jetson Orin running VLM inference — a common configuration in U.S. AI-assisted assembly lines.  check here UC-678-2  USB camera

Q7: How do I adjust settings like brightness or color? 
A7: The camera features an On-Screen Display (OSD) menu, controlled by a 5-way joystick on the back of the cable/board (or optional remote), allowing you to tune WDR, exposure, and white balance without a PC.