Panasonic EVA1 gets Netflix approval

Panasonic has a basket of product announcements and upgrades for the Las Vegas show

Panasonic’s 100 years old this year. It has obviously been making digital video cameras for somewhat less than that but nevertheless it’s quite sobering to think that there even are century-old technology companies.

We’ll run through the major announcements here. They’re all significant in their own way.

AK-UC4000 Studio Camera

Studio cameras are becoming more capable as the future approaches us like a tornado. 4K and HDR are now a staple part of broadcasting’s future, as is slow motion.

The AK-UC4000 does all of these with 4.4K native resolution and 240 fps capability. (240 FPS capability will be introduced through a software upgrade in Autumn/Fall 2018).

The Panasonic AK-UC4000 Studio Camera

EVA1 2.0 Firmware upgrade

The EVA1 camera has just received what is these days considered to be an important accolade, which is that it’s been certified as a suitable video source for Netflix.

Meanwhile, the lightweight 5.7k camera has received an important update.

EVA 2.0 is a free firmware upgrade that allows recording with All I-Frame formats and raw data output at 5.7K. The timing of this is excellent because it means that both the EVA1 and the VariCam LT will be able to output to Atomos recorders that support ProRes Raw, and that this material will be editable in Final Cut Pro X with all the flexibility that comes with Raw and without the crushing data rates and processor overhead. It means, essentially, that you’ll be able to work with Raw footage from these cameras as easily as you work with “normal” video files.

AV-HLC100 Live Production Centre with NDI (Network Device Interface)

It’s a 1 ME switcher, remote camera controller with graphics overlay capability. It combines streaming/recording and an audio mixer function to act as the hub for a one-person live streaming operation. NDI support is significant because it will not only simplify cabling, but will allow easy integration with dozens of other NDI devices by third parties. (NDI is an openly available Video over IP protocol created by NewTek.)

The AV-HLC100 Livew Production Centre

VariCam LT version 6.0 firmware

This firmware upgrade allows the LT, which is at core a cinema camera, to operate as a live TV camera. It can also operate “as live”, recording “as live” to internal media. This new firmware represents an important new direction for the VariCam LT and it’s clear that a lot of work has gone into making it integrate deeply with the quite different demands of live TV production.

There’s nothing that’s going to stop the Earth on its axis here, but while there are no big headlines, these announcements show that Panasonic continues to innovate and to create thoughtfully designed products.

Panasonic's press release follows on the next page.

Panasonic Launches Second Century of Innovation with New Products, Technologies and Solutions at NAB 2018

New AK-UC4000 4K/HDR/High-Speed Camera, AV-HLC100 Live Production Center, EVA2.0 Firmware with RAW Support, and VariCam LT CineLive Firmware Showcased

LAS VEGAS, NV (April 8, 2018) – Panasonic is marking its 100th year anniversary with a wide-ranging display of products, technologies and solutions for production and broadcast professionals here at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show.

Under the theme, “Welcome to our next 100 years of Innovation,” Panasonic debuts the:

• AK-UC4000 4K/HDR/high-speed studio camera with 4.4K native resolution and high-speed 240fps* capability;
• EVA 2.0 free firmware upgrade for the 5.7K AU-EVA1 cinema camera that greatly enhances its recording capabilities with ALL-Intra frame formats and RAW data output. Panasonic also announced the EVA1 and VariCam LT will take full advantage of the new ProRes RAW software for a faster and more efficient RAW workflow;
• AV-HLC100 Live Production Center with Network Device Interface (NDI) that combines a 1 ME switcher, remote camera controller, graphics overlays, streaming/recording and audio mixer functions to enable easy live streaming with one-person operation;
• VariCam LT V. 6.0 CineLive firmware that sets the cinema camera up for live and near live multi-cam use for events, concerts, television shows and corporate productions;
• A new line-up of PTZ cameras with built-in Network Device Interface (NDI|HX) support--the AW-HN38, AW-HN40, AW-UN70 and AW-HN130.

Visitors to Panasonic’s NAB booth C3607 can view an array of technology demonstrations and content presentations, including:

• 8K Region of Interest (ROI) system for sports and live event HD applications. Accessing the 8K camera’s super-wide field of view and HD windows with full pan/tilt/zoom control, one camera operator can follow the action from multiple virtual camera angles, saving space over multiple manned cameras;
• Broadcast- grade, 360-degree/VR end-to-end live streaming system that combines Panasonic’s low latency 360-degree Live Camera with Haivision’s KB 4K encoder and LiveScale’s distribution platform;
• LinkRay visible light communication technology to enable smartphones with a dedicated app to access information emitted in signals from LED transmitters. The dedicated application software
  enables customizable content to be sent and received between LED transmitters (e.g., displays for digital signage use);
• On the exhibit’s main stage, presentations and panel discussions will be held on new technologies and products and leading cinematographers and filmmakers will discuss projects they’ve shot with Panasonic cinema cameras. The presentations will be broadcast on Facebook Live on Panasonic’s Facebook page, @panasonicprovideoUSA. Visit us.panasonic.com/NAB to view the full schedule of presentations.

NAB attendees are also invited to view:

• Panasonic's families of cinema, ENG, studio, pan/tilt/zoom and POV cameras and related equipment in simulated production environments;
• The outstanding low-light performance of the VariCam 35, the VariCam LT and the AU-EVA1 cinema cameras on the Dual ISO set;
• 4K HDR content from the VariCam and EVA1 cinema cameras, as well as an HDR versus SDR content comparisons;
• Demonstrations of simultaneous 4K HDR SMPTE 2020 imaging and ITU 709 HD broadcast from the AK-UC3000 4K camera, the UC4000’s native support of SMPTE 2110 MoIP output, and the Panasonic and Wave Central collaboration on an integrated stadium wireless system, demonstrating the UC4000’s unique assets for sports production;
• The NDIWorld environment, which showcases a full range of NDI products and solutions, from graphics to streaming to screen capture to recording. Visitors can get hands-on with the HLC100 Live Production Center and view it in a real-world control room;
• New partner integrations into the overall workflow of Panasonic’s P2Cast cloud-based platform, including two new Panasonic/TVU video solutions featuring IP video switching, routing and distribution that integrate Panasonic into the TVU ecosystem and TVU Grid;
• New versions of P2Cast Bridge (which enables connectivity into partner newsroom systems) will be demonstrated, including Adobe Premiere and Avid Media Composer for non-linear editing, and Avid Interplay for media asset management;
• 3rd party solutions from Areplus, BlackTrax, and Tecnopoint to enhance the versatility of Panasonic integrated PTZ cameras will be showcased. A real-time BlackTrax tracking solution system 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.

Panasonic will also be demonstrating NDI®-based workflow at the NDI® Central Pavilion at booth SL5516.

*High-speed 240fps will be supported with firmware upgrade in fall 2018.