Olympus CV-190 EXERA III: specifications and compatibility
Specific Equipment · Endoscopy Silo · Olympus EXERA III
Olympus CV-190: the EVIS EXERA III processor — specifications and compatibility
The Olympus CV-190 is the central video processor of the EVIS EXERA III platform — compatible with over 100 models of Olympus HD endoscopes. Complete technical guide on specifications, compatibility, and differences with the CV-1500 (EVIS X1) in Colombia 2026
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GSMED Imaging Technical Team — Olympus Colombia
Based on official Olympus Medical Systems EVIS EXERA III (CV-190/CLV-190) technical specifications, comparison with EVIS X1 (CV-1500), and experience installing Olympus systems in Colombia since 2008.
For over a decade, the CV-190 was the world reference processor for digestive endoscopy — and in 2026 it remains the most installed option in Colombia due to its balance of Full HD image quality, proven robustness, and lower cost than the EVIS X1. Understanding its exact specifications and which endoscopes are compatible helps you make the right decision between EXERA III and the new generation EVIS X1.
1. Technical specifications of the Olympus CV-190
| Specification | CV-190 (EVIS EXERA III) | CV-1500 (EVIS X1) — comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Image resolution | Full HD 1920×1080p | 4K UHD 3840×2160p |
| Enhancement technology | NBI (Narrow Band Imaging) · HDTV · Optical zoom (with -Z endoscopes) | NBI + TXI (Texture and Color Enhancement) · RDI · 4K zoom |
| Compatible with ENDO-AID AI | No — only available with EVIS X1 | Yes — ENDO-AID CADe + CADx |
| Light source | CLV-190 (separate xenon) — 500h bulb | CLV-190 xenon or LED (depending on configuration) |
| Compatible endoscopes | All Olympus endoscopes with EXERA III-type CF/GIF connector (H190, Q190, HQ190, 1TH190, 2T180 series) | EVIS X1 series endoscopes (GIF-1TH190, GIF-EZ1500) — backward compatible with H190 in HD |
| Video outputs | DVI-D + RGB + S-Video | HDMI 2.0 + SDI + DVI |
| Reference price in Colombia | USD 18,000–28,000 (processor only) | USD 35,000–50,000 (processor only) |
2. When to choose the CV-190 over the CV-1500 in 2026?
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Choose the CV-190 (EXERA III) if…
Your service performs general diagnostic endoscopy without a high-volume cancer screening program · Your budget is USD 45,000–80,000 for the complete system · You already have EXERA III endoscopes and want to upgrade only the processor · Your volume is 10–20 procedures/day · You do not require AI integrated into the processor · You work in an area where CV-190 technical support is well established.
→ General Dx · Moderate budget · Medium volume · No AI
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Choose the CV-1500 (EVIS X1) if…
You have a high-volume colorectal or gastric cancer screening program · You want to integrate AI (ENDO-AID) for polyp detection assistance · Your service operates in a reference hospital with endoscopic quality KPIs · You can justify the additional investment due to higher diagnostic performance · Your medical team is trained to utilize advanced features (TXI, RDI, 4K zoom).
→ CRC/gastric screening · ENDO-AID AI · Reference hospital · High volume
3. Endoscopes compatible with the CV-190 — the most used in Colombia
| Endoscope model | Type | Working channel | Main use |
|---|---|---|---|
| GIF-H190 / GIF-HQ190 | HD gastroscope | 2.8 mm | Standard upper endoscopy · Biopsy · H. pylori |
| GIF-1TH190 | HD therapeutic gastroscope (large channel) | 3.7 mm | Hemostasis · Variceal ligation · Therapeutic procedures |
| CF-HQ190L/I | Long HD colonoscope | 3.2 mm | Standard colonoscopy · Polypectomy · CRC screening |
| CF-H290ECI | HD colonoscope with EndoCuff | 3.2 mm | Greater adenoma detection · Better visualization behind folds |
| TJF-Q180V | HD duodenoscope | 4.2 mm | ERCP · Retrograde cholangiopancreatography |
| PCF-H190TI | Pediatric colonoscope | 3.2 mm | Pediatric colonoscopy · Narrow bowel · IBD |
📋 Frequently asked questions also answered in this article
Which endoscopes are compatible with the Olympus CV-190?
What is the difference between the Olympus CV-190 and the CV-1500?
Is the CV-190 compatible with ENDO-AID artificial intelligence?
How much does the Olympus CV-190 cost in Colombia?
Does the CV-190 have NBI? What imaging technologies does it include?
Can I upgrade from the CV-190 to the CV-1500 while keeping my endoscopes?
Can I upgrade from EXERA III (CV-190) to EVIS X1 (CV-1500) while keeping my current endoscopes?
Partially. The CV-1500 is backward compatible with H190 series (EXERA III) endoscopes — you can connect them and they will work, but in HD resolution, not 4K. To take advantage of the EVIS X1 4K image, you need the new EVIS X1 series endoscopes (such as the GIF-1TH190 or CF-HQ290). This means that a complete transition from EXERA III to EVIS X1 also involves replacing the endoscopes — a significant investment. Many services opt for a mixed system: a new CV-1500 with some X1 endoscopes for the most demanding diagnostic procedures, and the existing H190 endoscopes for routine procedures.
Olympus CV-190 and EVIS X1 available in Colombia — GSMED
CV-190 (EXERA III) and CV-1500 (EVIS X1) with technical support, original spare parts, and training in Bogotá.
