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AJA Video Systems today announced V2Digital, V2Analog, HD10A-Plus and 4K2HD, new additions to its range of compact, high-quality Mini-Converters. Each new Mini-Converter offers new features and capabilities for analog and digital workflows across SD, HD, UltraHD (UHD) and 4K. “More than ever, broadcast workflows routinely mix formats, which requires reliable hardware to ensure signal fidelity. AJA strives to anticipate and address workflow bottlenecks so our customers are never without a viable solution. Our new Mini-Converters deliver AJA quality that is affordable, bridges existing technology and provides fresh options for production professionals working in SD, HD and even 4K,” said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. 4K2HD downconverts 4K 3G-SDI to HD-SDI and HDMI 1.4 simultaneously, and is ideal for HD monitoring with 4K cameras. Supporting 4K (4096x2160) and UHD (3840x2160) input signals, 4K2HD enables simultaneous HD-SDI and HDMI output from 4K, downscaled at high-quality to HD. Additionally, a “pixel for pixel” center cut of the original 4K/UHD frame is supported for camera focus checks. 4K2HD also supports the latest 4K/UHD 50/60fps high frame rate input formats, which then output as 25/30fps to HD. The 4K2HD Mini-Converter is highly configurable via the supplied AJA MiniConfig software for Mac and PC. V2Digital and V2Analog convert analog video to digital and digital video to analog, respectively, supporting HD/SD-SDI and YPbrPr/RGB component or composite. The devices are configurable on USB via AJA MiniConfig software for Mac and PC, and offer 10-bit high-quality conversion in a new compact, low power design.HD10A-Plus facilitates the high quality conversion of HD/SD 10-bit analog to digital for HD and SD digital workflows. With full bandwidth component HD RGB, RGBS or YPbPbr input, HD10A-Plus features three HD/SD-SDI outputs, SD mode support and internal or external sync input.

AJA Video Systems today announced the KUMO v3.0 firmware update to enable Dual Link, 4K and Ultra HD support in its KUMO family of compact SDI routers. Available in super-compact 1RU or 2RU form factors and with support for 3G/HD/SD-SDI, cost-effective KUMO routers are ideal for any production environment from mobile production trucks to live event A/V rigs. KUMO routers are available in three configurations: KUMO 3232 supports thirty-two 3G-SDI inputs and outputs, KUMO 1616 supports sixteen 3G-SDI inputs and outputs, and KUMO 1604 supports sixteen 3G-SDI inputs and four 3G-SDI outputs. The new KUMO firmware also supports ganged dual and quad port routing, allowing users to group together multiple inputs and outputs for Dual Link, 4K and Ultra HD workflows.Additional key features include:

• Full broadcast specifications over 3G-SDI, HD-SDI and SD-SDI
• Grass Valley Native Protocol support over RS-422 and Ethernet
• Integrated webserver allows browser-based HTTP LAN control and monitoring
• Elegant and simple Bonjour and Zeroconfig LAN configuration
• Designed for professional performance with rugged construction, high-quality connectors, and redundant power supplies

"Future proofing our products for anticipated workflow needs is a priority for AJA’s engineers, and this firmware release for our KUMO routers adds support for 4K and Ultra HD,” Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems said. “In addition to SD and HD, every KUMO can now route 2 or 4 grouped 3G-SDI connections, supporting uncompressed or RAW 4K and UltraHD signals.” AJA’s KUMO routers are backed by AJA’s world-class support network, a five-year international warranty, and advanced exchange service. New v3.0 firmware is available now to KUMO owners for no additional charge at www.aja.com/en/products/kumo/#support. For a complete list of features and technical specifications, please visitwww.aja.com.

AJA Video Systems today announced TruZoom™ delivering high-quality region-of-interest (ROI) workflows from 4K and UltraHD video. The TruZoom software and external joystick controller drives AJA’s Corvid Ultra professional video I/O platfrom. TruZoom allows customers to scale any 16:9 region within 4K frames to HD in realtime, making it ideal for sports broadcast, live event production, professional AV, and digital film. “Corvid Ultra is a powerful solution for high frame rate workflows across a range of resolutions, from SD all the way up to 4K. With the release of TruZoom, we’re offering a simple front end interface for very high-quality HD region-of-interest scaling and extraction from 4K sources,” said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. “TruZoom has already been proven in critical on-air broadcast environments, including the MLB Network, who was very pleased with its performance during the baseball Division Series playoff games.” TruZoom Features

• Region of Interest scaling for HD extraction from 4K and UltraHD sources
• High-quality scaling utilizing the AJA Corvid Ultra with TruScale™
• Support for High Frame Rate (HFR) and 4:4:4 workflows
• Work with realtime signals, or recorded uncompressed files
• Instant realtime playback and interaction at the highest quality
• All parameters are key-frameable
• Intuitive interface with on-screen indicators
• Includes external joystick and keypad controller
• Optional realtime RAW Debayer firmware for Canon C500
• Compatible with the latest HP workstations running Windows

About AJA Corvid Ultra Corvid Ultra facilitates high-bandwidth, high frame rate production needs as well as high-quality scaling capabilities for all resolutions. With support for high frame rates (48p, 50p, 60p), UHD, 4K and stereoscopic workflows, onboard debayering and two expandable card bays, Corvid Ultra provides maximum performance for the most critical applications. Corvid Ultra interfaces to computers via its 8-lane PCIe 2.0 interface card, which connects to the 2RU Corvid Ultra chassis via its tether cable. Corvid Ultra’s TruScale arbitrary scaling engine option allows high-quality up or down scaling of any raster from tiny web video up to 4K. TruScale is real-time and keyframeable, allowing scaling parameters to be changed on a frame-by-frame basis allowing real-time “zoom” effects while maintaining pristine image quality. It also enables many new and exciting workflows including real-time pan-and-scan of 4K to HD. Corvid Ultra can be expanded with up to two TruScale cards for multi-stream scaling of up to 4K images. Optional realtime RAW Debayer firmware is also available to support the Canon C500.

Panasonic Professional Camera Solutions announced new details about the BT-4LH310, a 31-inch 4096 x 2160 resolution LCD monitor for unrivalled 4K/2K monitoring in a studio or in the field. The 4LH310's 4K 10-bit IPS panel affords native 4K resolution, a wide viewing angle, and faithful reproduction of up to 1.07 billion colours. The high quality LCD monitor features multiple professional inputs (including 3G/HD-SDI, HDMI and DisplayPort); true colour processing with a 3D look-up table (LUT); HD closed captioning; and an eco-friendly panel with mercury-free LED backlight. The new native 4K LCD production monitor of Panasonic serves excellently in the field, in video villages for live viewing of 4K cameras and devices with I/Os as well as for the viewing of rushes. For this, the monitor has been equipped with a production-tough aluminium frame, can operate on 28V DC besides AC, has worldwide 59.94/50Hz compatibility and VESA screws for mounting as well as comes with a supplied stand. Thanks to the great size-to-price value of the 4K monitor post production facilities can accept more 4K assignments, including editing, screenings and dailies. In addition to 4K, the 4LH310 can portray up to four screens in 2K and HD resolutions, meaning it can be used for all types of cinema production and post production, as well as top-end implementations in corporate, educational and laboratory settings. The 4LH310’s high resolution and quality also allow it to be used in computer graphics and simulation applications. The 4LH310's high contrast, horizontally-aligned IPS panel has 178 degree vertical and horizontal viewing angles which delivers superb colour accuracy and sharp images regardless of the view point. The 4LH310's 3D-LUT with six-pole colour correction includes a look-up table for each signal level. It also applies 10-bit image processing to each RGB colour resolving colour drifting at low light levels and keeping colours vividly natural. A true cinema production tool, the 4LH310 supports the DCI-P3 colour space and facilitates digital cinema workflow with a LUT upload function. Panasonic’s 4K production monitor can also accurately display the industry standard colour space of ITU-R BT.709. Advanced assist features include a Y-Map display that makes it easy to confirm luminance level map, and a Zebra display. The 4LH310 will display HD closed captioning with a SDI input. Further, the 4K LCD monitor incorporates diverse video inputs and remote terminals to deliver superb operability in a system configuration with almost any 4K imaging equipment and support of various display modes. These include 3G/HD-SDI (with BNC x 4 active loop-through), HDMI (1.4b), DisplayPort (1.1a), and GPI inputs, as well as RS-232C and RS-485. Panasonic’s native 4K LCD production monitor will be available from December 2013 with a pricing to be confirmed.

In response to the growing worldwide demand for 4K production, Panasonic Professional Camera Solutions is prioritizing the development of the 4K VariCam camera recorder. The VariCam will be a highly practical camera, boasting features and performance suitable not only for 4K cinema, but also HDTV content production. The camera is set for launch in 2014. Panasonic has also unveiled the development of the new Ultra P2 cards at IBC. With the 4K VariCam, Panasonic is tending to businesses that are increasingly looking for suitable, and above all affordable, equipment to create 4K production environments. By using large-scale integration chip technology (LSI) boasting AVC-Ultra, the new extension of the AVC-Intra codec format used widely in HD recording, Panasonic will speed the development of its 4K VariCam. By integrating the latest 4K technology, the VariCam will support 4K shooting from 24p to 100/120p. To enable even better 4K video productions, Panasonic will fit the 4K VariCam with a newly developed Super35mm size high sensitivity image sensor with 4K resolution. The sensor will feature wide dynamic range, extended colour space, and support for Log. Moreover, in order to support highly reliable recording at high bit rates, new Ultra P2 cards will start shipping in conjunction with the 4K VariCam camera recorder. The form will be the same as traditional P2 cards, with a high speed PCIe interface adopted to enable high speed data transfer. Currently, 256GB Ultra P2 cards are planned for production. Shipment of the 4K VariCam and the new Ultra P2 cards will start in 2014. Further product details will be revealed as the launch draws nearer.

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PXWZ100[/caption] Sony today announced the PXW-Z100, a professional 4K handheld XDCAM camcorder featuring a 1/2.3" Exmor R CMOS sensor. The sensor has a total of 16 million pixels, allowing the camcorder to capture stunning 4K content (4096x2160) at 50p or 60p. This camcorder marks Sony’s latest step in expanding the 4K world to everyone, from high-end cinema to corporate and event productions.The PXW-Z100, together with its fixed 4K-compatible high-performance G Lens, weighs less than 3kg and uses the XAVC recording format first used in the PMW-F55 CineAlta camera. As with the F55, 4K (4096 x 2160, 50p or 60p, 4:2:2, Intra-frame, 10-bit recording in MXF file format) is possible at a high-bit rate of 500Mbps or 600Mbps. QFHD (3840x2160) and HD (1920x1080) resolutions can also be selected, both of which are compatible with most 4K TVs. Since the PXW-Z100 is based on the same shooting ergonomics as a conventional handheld professional camcorder, it is possible to capture 4K content without extra equipment and with a minimal crew. In addition, during post production, downscaling from 4K to HD provides new possibilities for HD content production. Sony Australia and New Zealand Senior Product Manager for Content Creation Nick Buchner said, “This innovative new camcorder is capable of capturing very impressive 4K content, making 4K acquisition accessible to a wider range of professional users than ever before. Corporate and event videographers will now be able to easily deliver 4K content across a wide range of platforms including video wall and large projection applications, as well as take advantage of the greater flexibility in post production that 4K acquisition offers when delivering in HD.” Sony has also announced the new FDR-AX1 Handycam at this month’s IFA 2013 in Berlin. The FDR-AX1 has similar specifications to the PXW-Z100 but is only capable of QFHD (3840 x 2160) recording in the XAVC S format. The FDR-AX1 uses 4:2:0, Long GOP and MP4 file format. The PXW-Z100 also offers a range of additional features of importance to professional users, such as off-speed shooting, 3G HD-SDI output, timecode, and remote control via WiFi.Key features4K (4096x2160) 50p or 60p shootingThe camcorder provides extremely high sensitivity due to the back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor. With 8.8 million effective pixels, the 1/2.3" sensor captures 4K images at 50p or 60p. The in-built high-performance G Lens offers maximum flexibility, including a wide angle of 29.5mm (equivalent to 35mm) and powerful 20x optical zoom.XAVC recording format at 4K 50p/60p, 4:2:2 10-bit at 500/600Mbps, HD at up to 223Mbps The PXW-Z100 uses Sony’s XAVC recording format first employed in the PMW-F55 CineAlta 4K camera. MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 compression is used for HD (1920x1080), QFHD (3840x2016) and 4K (4096×2160) content. Image sampling is 4:2:2 10-bit, with an intra-frame system that compresses each frame individually at a maximum bit rate of 500Mbps or 600Mbps during 4K 50p or 60p recording respectively and 223Mbps during HD 50p or 60p recording. The XAVC format is ideal for those looking to implement a high-quality, secure and reliable workflow. A free firmware update is planned for the middle of 2014 to support the Long GOP mode for extended 4K recording time and to add support for AVCHD recording.XQD Memory Card recordingThe XQD Memory Card is a new standard of solid-state memory, which was recently defined by several industry leading companies. XQD uses the ultra-fast PCI Express interface and Sony’s unique camera processor to enable stable video recording at 500Mbps or 600Mbps. The PXW-Z100 features two XQD Memory Card slots. Multiple cards can be used in various ways, such as for relay recording. When the first card becomes full, recording continues on the second card without a break. * The use of new S Series cards (180MB/s transfer speed supported QD-S32E, QD-S64E) is recommended. HDMI interface for 4K output and 3G HD-SDI interface for HD outputThe HDMI interface on the PXW-Z100 can output 4K as a 50p/60p signal. When the PXW-Z100 is connected to a Sony 4K-compatible BRAVIA TV, the recorded 4K image can be displayed in 4K 50p/60p quality. A future firmware upgrade is planned to provide compatibility with the latest HDMI 2.0 standard and enable 4K 50p/60p output to a wider range of devices. Other features include a 3G HD-SDI interface that supports output up to HD 60p. It also supports HD output during 4K recording.Paint function for more creative freedomThe PXW-Z100’s paint function enables multiple image parameters to be adjusted including gamma curve, black level, skin detail and colour. Together with other setting options, parameter settings can be recorded as a camera profile onto a memory card. The recorded camera profile can then be used to set the same parameters in another PXW-Z100 to enable the matching of quality and image tones when using a multi-camera setup.Remote control with WiFi Focus, zoom, aperture settings and ‘record start/stop’ can be remote controlled using the browser function of a smartphone or tablet. The PXW-Z100 will be available in Australia and New Zealand from November 2013 and comes with a two-year warranty please contact your local Videocraft sales team for more information or to pre-order