NEWARK, N.J.—Panasonic’s latest firmware upgrade to its AK-UC4000 4K/HD HDR-capable studio camera system includes V-Log output, giving it the colorimetry of the VariCam and the AU-EVA1 cinema cameras and making it useful in post-production workflows, the company said.

With the new V-Log support, the camera has earned the approval of the Netflix Post Alliance for creating Netflix-approved content, Panasonic said. The camera joins the VariCam 35, VariCam LT, VariCam PURE and EVA1 on the list.

Delivering a very flat image when viewed on a standard monitor, V-Log maintains all of the camera imager’s color and contrast information, which creates more play when images are put through the post-production process.

The camera’s sensor achieves a wide color gamut—the complete color space of the camera—and a color palette wider than BT.2020. ISO-recorded V-Log content has log characteristics somewhat reminiscent of scanned film. V-Gamut delivers a color space that’s larger than scanned film.

With the camera in V-Log mode, the Panasonic AK-UCU600 CCU outputs 4K and HD signals as V-Log to be recorded as V-Log or run through an appropriate LUT box to be viewed on a live display. At the same time, the camera head outputs and viewfinder shows standard ITU 709 images for standard HD displays.

V-Log makes the camera compatible with the CINELIVE workflow of the VariCam LT and the EVA-Live workflow of the AU-EVA1.

To download the camera’s firmware upgrade with V-Log support, visit this page on the Panasonic website.

To download the CCU firmware upgrade with V-Log support visit this page on the Panasonic website.

LAS VEGAS — A the 2018 NAB Show, Panasonic debuted a new high speed 4K HDR camera, firmware update to its EVA camera line and showcased 8K Region of Interest (ROI) for sports and live events.

ACQUISITION

Panasonic debuted the AK-UC4000, a 4K high-speed studio camera that features 4.4K native resolution, HDR, and high-speed 240fps capability. The camera features native support of SMPTE 2110 MoIP output, an integrated stadium wireless system, and unique assets for sports production. They also demoed the AK-UC3000 4K camera, showcasing simultaneous 4K HDR SMPTE 2020 imaging and ITU 709 HD broadcast.

There is now free EVA 2.0 firmware upgrade for the 5.7 AU-EVA1 cinema cameras that enhances its recording capabilities with All-Intra frame formats and RAW data output. There’s also new firmware for the VariCam LT V. 6.0 CineLive that simplified setup for live and near live multicamera use for events, concerts, television shows and corporate productions. Panasonic announced that its EVA1 and Varicam LT now support the new ProRes RAW software for a faster more efficient RAW workflow.

Panasonic also highlighted the low-light performance of the VariCam 35, VariCam LT, and AU-EVA1 cinema cameras, as well as 4K HDR content from the VariCam and EVA1 cinema cameras.

PRODUCTS FOR NDI

Panasonic was at the NDI Central Pavilion, demonstrating its AV-HLC100 Live Production Center now with support for Newtek’s Network Device Interface. This system combines a 1/ME switcher, remote camera controller, graphics overlays, recording, and audio mixer to facilitate live streaming by a single operator.

In addition to seeing the HLC100 working in a real-world control room, visitors got a look at NDI-compatible products ranging from graphics to streaming to screen capture to recording. PTZ cameras now offer built-in NDI support, including the AW-HN38, AW-HN40, AW-UN70 and AW-HN130.

PARTNER SOLUTIONS

Panasonic featured new partner integrations with its P2Cast cloud-based platform’s workflow, including: two Panasonic/TVU video solutions featuring IP video switching, routing and distribution. The company also demonstrated new versions of the P2Cast Bridge, which enables connectivity into partner newsroom systems, including Adobe Premiere and Avid Media Composer for nonlinear editing, and Avid Interplay for media asset management.

Third-party solutions from Areplus, BlackTrax, and Tecnopoint, which enhance the versatility of Panasonic integrated PTZ cameras, were also showcased. A real-time BlackTrax tracking solution with Areplus interface allows a Panasonic PTZ camera to follow the speaker or content. And, a Tecnopoint Tuning System, consisting of a ceiling dolly and a vertical column, is the first track system totally integrated with Panasonic PTZ cameras.

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS

The Panasonic exhibit also demonstrated an 8K Region of Interest (ROI) system for sports and live event HD applications, including an 8K camera’s super-wide field of view and HD windows with full pan/tilt/zoom control. It enables a single operator to follow the action from multiple virtual camera angles, saving space over multiple manned cameras.

Also demonstrated was a 360-degree/VR live streaming system that combines Panasonic’s low-latency 360-degree Live Camera with Haivision’s KB 4K encoder and LiveScale’s distribution platform to form an end-to-end, broadcast-quality solution.

NEWARK, N.J.—There’s a new addition to Panasonic’s system camera line with the introduction of the AK-UC4000 studio camera. The AK-UC4000 is part of the same family of products as the AK-UC3000 4K HDR capable camera and the AK-HC5000 1080p 4x high-speed HDR system. The new 4K HDR capable camera includes many of the same features from the other models while also offering a future-proof infrastructure.

AK-UC4000

The UC4000 utilizes Large Single Sensor Internal Expansion Lens optics with Panasonic’s new super 35mm imager, capturing 4.4K native resolution that offers an improvement in UHD resolution, dynamic range and S/N ratio over the UC3000. The UC4000 maintains the same broadcast lens compatibility and operation, and keeps the same camera form factor as the other cameras. In addition, the UC4000 will be compatible with the same accessories as the UC3000 and HC5000 cameras, including the AK-HVF100 studio viewfinder; the AK-HRP1000, AK-HRP1005 and AK-MSU1000 camera controllers; the AK-HBU500 studio build-up kit; SHAN-HC5000 shipping case and all cabling.

In addition, Panasonic has announced that it will also offer the new AK-UCU600 camera control unit, which provides power up to 6,600 feet over hybrid fiber and comes with the same features as the AK-UCU500. These features include simultaneous multiple format output with simultaneous 4K, 1080p and HD outputs possible; simultaneous HDR and SDR output with HDR/SDR offset adjustment for SDR shading of HDR content; multiple data and video trunk lines and IP control; and a compact 2U design. Additional features for the UCU600 will include selectable 12G-SDI/quad SDI for 4K outputs; accommodation for future SMPTE 2110 MoIP connectivity option board; TICO compression capable output for 4K transport over 3G HD-SDI; and future 2x, 3x or 4x output capability for slow motion shooting when the UC4000 is in HD or 1080p mode.

Panasonic plans to release both the AK-UC4000 and the AK-UCU600 in March 2018. The AK-UC4000 will be listed at $40,000, while the AK-UCU600 will be listed at $20,000.