Panasonic took the opportunity at IBC to do the European launch the two variants of
its new Varicam. This camera is at the heart of a number of solutions presented by
Panasonic to optimise workflow in film and television production.
The Varicam was launched earlier this year at NAB and, while the new variants –
the super35mm 4K Varicam 35 and the 2/3 type, high-speed HD Varicam HS –
contain a number of key modifications, they also maintain the modular design and
salient features of the original. The V-Log gamma, which allows for an impressive
14 stops of dynamic range, is still in place, along with the ability to record in two
different formats simultaneously. The latter feature enables shooters to record in
both 4K and HD at the same time, allowing for onset colour grading and offline
editing.
The new Varicam 35 and Varicam HS start shipping in October 2014.
Among Panasonic’s other workflow improvements was its focus on the challenges of
electronic news gathering. The company introduced the world’s lightest shoulder 2/3
type camera-recorder equipped with 3MOS image sensors.
Set for release in October, the AJ-PX800 weighs just 2.8kg, captures both SD and
HD, and comes with a comprehensive range of codecs including AVC-Intra and the
AVC-Long G (50/25/12Mbps) codec set.
Testing of the news gathering network workflow began last month with Independent
Television News (ITN), a major UK broadcaster, and will continue to be carried out
on a rolling basis with the company’s broadcast partners in countries around the
world.
The AJ-PX800 will be released alongside the new AJ-PG50 portable recorder which
enables dual-codec recording and comes with two micro P2 and a single P2 card
slot.
A collaboration with LiveU will see future releases of Panasonic broadcasting
camera recorders support a direct connection with LiveU Central, the unified
management system which allows broadcasters to acquire both live and recorded
content from the field, preview it centrally or remotely, broadcast it live or in
scheduled programming and distribute it to any location.
“By collaborating with LiveU we can realise live transmission and file transfer on to
a world renowned site, making our customer’s workflow more efficient.’ said
Kunihiko Miyagi, Director of Professional AV Business Unit.
Elsewhere, Panasonic have also partnered with VidiGo to showcase a Tap Camera
System, set to launch in March 2015, which enables quick and easy remote camera
control, allowing the user to simply tap a tablet screen on the spot where they want
the camera to point.
Also on show at IBC was Panasonic’s new compact broadcast switcher, aimed at
studio sub-control rooms and outside broadcasts. The AV‑HS6000 is the first 2ME
model in Panasonic’s HS series, it employs a newly designed, easy-to-use GUI
Control Panel to support accurate switching.
