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Panasonic Professional Camera Solutions announces the AV-HS6000, a new broadcast grade 2-M/E live switcher. The AV-HS6000 features a highly compact 3-RU size mainframe unit, provides 32 SDI (HD/SD switchable) inputs and two DVI inputs as well as 16 HD/SD SDI outputs in its standard configuration. With its 3-RU size mainframe unit, the AV-HS6000 is a highly compact live switcher. The new Panasonic broadcast 2-M/E live switcher features a stylish design matched with an intuitive button layout and has an optional 25.7 cm (10.1 inches) touch-operated menu panel, which can also show input and output video, WFM display and multi-view display. The switcher can, alternatively, be equipped with a commercially available VGA monitor. A web server feature enables users to select menu settings on a PC through a LAN connection. Furthermore, a Software Development Kit (SDK) ensures excellent expandability. With the SDK provided by Panasonic, third-party vendors and SI professionals can freely develop plug-in software that adds new functionality to the AV-HS6000. The AV-HS6000 supports HD and SD multi-format signals. The system frequency of the live switcher is also changeable between 59.94 Hz, 50 Hz, and 24 Hz (or 23.98Hz), enabling operation and digital cinema production worldwide. The standard configuration has 32 SDI (HD/SD) inputs and two DVI-D inputs. 16 input channels feature a built-in frame synchroniser, there are up-converters for 4 channels and colour correction circuits for 8 channels. In its standard configuration, the new Panasonic broadcast grade 2-M/E live switcher also features 16 HD/SD SDI outputs with down-converters for 2 channels and colour correction circuits for 4 channels. There are 16 keyers with 4 downstream keyer channels. Its combination of input and output channels with two mix/effects (2 M/E) allows the AV-HS6000 to be used in a wide variety of operation scenarios. The numerous built-in effects include standard wipe, mix and cut effects as well as DVE transition effects such as squeeze and slide. A chroma keyer is included as a standard item on the AV-HS6000 with 1 channel for each M/E. This keyer can be expanded to up to 4 channels per M/E. The chroma key compositor employs the powerful Primatte® algorithm , which has a proven track record as plug-in software on many high-end non-linear editing systems. The new AV-HS6000 features the same memory functions as previous models, being: the Shot Memory, the Event Memory, and the Video Memory. The Video Memory is excellent for CG clips as this function allows recording or playback of 4 channels of still images and 4 channels of video clips. In addition, a dedicated module in each M/E of the AV-HS6000 control panel allows users to easily and safely perform memory recall actions. The new Panasonic broadcast 2 M/E live switcher will be available from the first quarter of 2014 with a pricing to be confirmed.

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.

Panasonic Professional Camera Solutions has unveiled its plans to expand its public network transmission function to the new AVC-ULTRA supporting 2/3" shoulder camcorder AJ-PX5000G and following hand-held camcorder, the AJ-PX270. The camcorders and the wireless, cloud-based network workflow aim to facilitate the work of professionals in electronic newsgathering. Panasonic’s public network transmission function works via a mobile telephone network and will be supported by the new 2/3” shoulder camcorder, AJ-PX5000G, and the AJ-PX270 hand-held camcorder. These camcorders will feature the low-bit recording system with LongG format of the AVC-ULTRA CODEC technologies, which offers a highly effective workflow for Electronic Newsgathering applications. The AJ-PX5000G camcorder will be able to transmit proxy video to a cloud server from almost anywhere by using a telephone line network. A future upgrade will also enable simultaneous transmission whilst recording. In order to enable the exchange of AV content via a mobile network, an optional 3G/4G/LTE dongle, which replaces the traditional uplink device, and specific camcorder firmware need to be installed. Recorded content can be shared almost instantly and can be accessed from anywhere, which drastically changes the broadcasters’ ENG workflow. The advanced network function so far featured on two Panasonic P2 HD camcorders, AJ-HPX3100G and AG-HPX600. Via a Wi-Fi connection, these models provide a connection between the camcorder and a notebook PC and/or tablet device. That connection enables various wireless camera functions such as streaming, remote camera control and Proxy list editing. To complement its wireless network transmission functions, Panasonic acquired the European-based cloud service provider, CAMERAMANAGER (Cameramanager.com) in July 2013. Panasonic will expand its cloud service based on this platform in Europe. In addition, Panasonic is working on strategic partnerships that will help establish efficient network-based workflows and further improve the workflow of video creators, including broadcast stations. Panasonic first announced the AJ-PX5000G, its first P2 HD camcorder with native AVC-ULTRA recording and built-in microP2 card slots, at NAB 2013. The 2/3-inch, 2.2M 3-MOS camera combines superb image production, lightweight, a variety of professional I/Os and innovative expandability. The camcorder features 720p and 1080p/i recording, and is the first P2 camcorder that will record in full-resolution, 10-bit 1080/50p. With its breadth of options, the AJ-PX5000G is designed to address niches in network news, documentary, high-end corporate and sports production, as well as the rental market. The AJ-PX5000G will be launched in October 2013, AJ-PX270 and the rollout of the network workflow are planned for spring 2014.

Panasonic Professional Camera Solutions announces a new shoulder mounted Full-HD 1080P AVCCAM camera recorder, the AG-AC8. It features exceptional ergonomics and functionality, simultaneous recording to dual SD Cards, 21x optical zoom and intelligent auto mode (iA) with up to 50x zoom. The AG-AC8’s exciting feature set makes it perfect for a range of professional and semi-pro users that require the best performance in applications such as weddings, business seminars and conferences, education, documentaries and nature films, sporting events and other events and shows. With dual SD card slots and the capability to record simultaneously, the AG-AC8’s new relay Auto Switch functionality means extended recording is made possible and signature Panasonic reliability and dependability is ensured so precious moments are continuously captured. Relay scene uses an external hard disk drive to enable continuous recording of audio, without voice loss when the file recording destination SD card swaps during Auto Switch continuous recording. The AG-AC8 comes equipped with a lens for wide 28mm/F1.8 recording, which delivers excellent recordings even in the most compact settings with the camera situated close to the subject. With this lens, every important aspect of in the scene is within shot also making the camera suitable for professional shooting at sports events, weddings and documentaries, and films where flexibility and convenient ease of use is often required. With a highly stable and ergonomic form factor that ensures the operator is in control, iA Intelligent Auto mode helps in situations where there is limited setup time for dialling in the cameras professional manual settings. An optical zoom of 21x is available whilst using iA mode and up to 50x zoom is possible. A 1/4.5 type high sensitivity sensor specified with 4.14M S-FS ensures bright and sharp images even in the most dimly lit scenes. Input control commands can be made by the AG-AC8’s integrated 3.0 type touch panel LCD with 460,800 dots and Smart Touch. AVCHD progressive recording modes range from 1920x1080/50p max. 28Mbps, 1920x1080/50i max. 24Mbps through 1280 x 720 8Mbps (PM mode) with a steady shot assisted by a powerful 5-axis hybrid OIS (Optical Image Stabiliser). Rushes can also be quickly offloaded to external hard disks for backup peace of mind plus flexibility and speed in post-production. Moreover, the AG-AC8 is Eye-Fi™ SD card compatible making the transfer of recordings to networked devices fast, simple and convenient. The AG-AC8 will be available at the end of October 2013. The launch offer will include a new high performance 2 channel stereo microphone plus a 3 Year Warranty Repair Program.

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.

Ross Video adds yet another product to its expanding Carbonite switcher lineup. Called Carbonite 2S, this new 2 ME switcher includes all of the powerful standard features of the Carbonite family. Carbonite 2S is a new 2 ME control panel based on its highly successful bigger brother, the Carbonite 2X but with 24 source select buttons instead of 32. “The success of Carbonite has been simply astonishing! It has surpassed all of our expectations, and we have now shipped almost 2000 systems since it’s introduction,” stated Nigel Spratling, Switcher Business Development Manager, Ross Video. “At Ross we listen carefully to our customers to help make our products better, and from their feedback we designed the Carbonite 2S to better suit environments with space limitations as well as offer all of the power of a 2X Carbonite at a great price point.” Like the Carbonite 2X, the 2S has individual ME Effects Memory keypads that many operators have expressed a preference for due to a familiar workflow for high paced sports production. The new 2S panel can be configured with any Carbonite processing engine, including the new Carbonite eXtreme. It also comes with Ross’ ViewControl touchscreen production controller and LiveAssist Graphical User Interfaces. When purchased as a Studio System Package with Ross’ BlackStorm Playout Server and XPression Motion Graphics System, it becomes a complete production powerhouse. Like all Ross products, the new Carbonite 2S is fully integrated with their free DashBoard PanelBuilder application, allowing operators to easily build their own custom control interfaces for the entire production system. The Carbonite 2S is now available for shipping. About Ross Video Ross Video designs, manufactures and supports a wide range of innovative products for use in video production applications. Ross’ award winning product line includes Vision, Vision Octane, Vision Tritium, CrossOver and Carbonite Video Production Switchers; openGear, RossGear and GearLite Terminal Equipment; BlackStorm Video Servers; OverDrive Automated Production Control Systems and Inception Social Media Management System; XPression Character and 3D Graphics Generator; NK Series Routing Systems and Ross Robotics. Ross products are installed in over 100 countries around the world, where they are used daily by top broadcasters, production companies, sports stadiums, government agencies and houses of worship.