PANASONIC DEMONSTRATES LANDMARK BROADCAST TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS AT IBC 2019

Panasonic will be demonstrating its groundbreaking innovations in broadcast technology at IBC 2019 bringing together the best of its new generation Live IP Switching solution, 8K ROI camera and 8K organic sensor capabilities and its latest 4K Switcher.

Panasonic will be presenting its brand new, IT/IP-centric platform at IBC, before the product is launched in 2020. This new generation system is not a dedicated tool: it is based on an open software architecture and will bring ground-breaking innovations to many markets in the video industry, starting with a very powerful broadcast video switcher.

This platform is fully resolution and format-independent and based on the latest technology in software and CPU/GPU processing, allowing users to allocate processing power with 100% efficiency and achieve performance levels currently impossible with traditional hardware-based products. It offers uncompressed processing, true uncompressed 4K inputs and full support of baseband and IP signals (such as ST2110 and NDI) at the same time. Fully embracing the latest IP technologies, the platform is also ready for Remote Production and can be integrated in a full IP-based environment.

Thanks to a very intuitive, extremely well designed GUI and fully customizable interface, this platform sets a new standard of usability for customers, allowing them to manage an unlimited number of video layers. And along with the support of vritually any kind of signal in a single server, the platform offers super low 1-frame latency processing, making it an extremely powerful tool in all contexts and applications. It is the perfect solution for a smooth transition to the IP world and offers a new level of flexibility and control.

“This new modular and open architecture platform is a game-changer for many customers involved in high-quality video production and delivery, either live or in the studio, allowing customers to optimise and future-proof their investment whilst maintaining the ultimate in flexibility,” said Andre Meterian, Panasonic EMEA Director at the Professional Video Systems Business unit. “The Live IP Switching application is just the start for this new platform. Its video processing architecture allows users to build and run any kind of application. In the near future, this new platform will be at the heart of video production, being used as a video processor, scaler, mixer or server. There is simply no limit to what can be achieved with this one platform for many applications.”

Introduces 8K Organic Sensor innovation

Panasonic will also be demonstrating its latest 8K Organic Sensor technology at IBC 2019. Designed for wide camera angle shots with high resolution, the sensor is set to revolutionise commercial sports and live event coverage.

With first commercial use anticipated at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, the organic sensor technology has a number of competitive advantages. It comes with a wide dynamic range delivering more colours and higher quality images than ever before. Its Electronic Neutral Density Filter (ENDF) can reduce or introduce light more smoothly than its traditional Optical Neutral Density (OND) counterparts and its innovative Global Shutter delivers advantages over current Rolling Shutters by removing the skew when shooting fast moving images and eliminating flashband from still camera lighting at live events and press conferences.

8K ROI camera available later this month

Panasonic is also showcasing its new 8K ROI (Region of Interest) multi camera system that promises to change the landscape of broadcast production. This system includes a 8K multi-purpose camera (AK-SHB800), a processing unit (AK-SHU800) and framing control software (AK-SFC101) and goes on sale in Europe later this month at an RRP* of 130.000 €.

The 8K ROI system is able to produce 4 different HD signals or “virtual cameras” from a single 8K camera system. The 8K sensor produces a wide angle, large canvas, out of which four separate “crops” can be generated out of the processing unit.

The system improves operational efficiency, reducing operating costs on a multitude of potential production applications such as sports broadcasting, staging and studio applications. Featuring automated picture correction technology, the camera system also ensures that any distorted images are corrected and cropped with a natural, cut out, Full HD image from within the main 8K image.

Multiple cameras can be integrated across the system, with a main operator controlled camera linked to further sub-cameras, which can also be pre-programmed prior to the event. As a result, a single operator can control multiple cameras each with several pre-set crops for versatile, yet cost effective multi-camera operation.

New 4K Switcher (AV-UHS500)

A new 12G-SDI compatible compact 4K Live Switcher, the AV-UHS500, will also be on display at IBC 2019. The 4K Live Switcher demonstrates outstanding live video production performance in the fi­eld for use in a variety of applications, such as event staging, broadcast at stations and OB vans, lectures at universities and conference halls.

The AV-UHS500, planned for release in February 2020, represents the next step in switching technology from Panasonic, which has rapidly gained a reputation for live compact switchers in broadcast studios, live entertainment and sport events.

The AV-UHS500 offers a high level of functionality in its range. In addition to providing 4K/3G/HD multi format support, the device allows the same number of HD inputs and outputs to be maintained even when operating in 4K.

Five optional boards have also been developed to meet customer needs. For improved flexibility and usability, additional optional boards can be freely installed to increase the number of inputs to as many as 16 SDI* or 8 HDMI*, ensuring smooth operation at big events with a large number of cameras. The unit is equipped with 5 keyers, including 2ch of chroma-key and 2ch of PinP, to enable a variety of production effects. The switcher is also equipped with an up/down conversion function, HDR/SDR conversion function and ITU-R BT.2020/BT.709 conversion function. These enable the flexibility to select video output as needed in environments where there are a variety of formats being used.

* Kit price (includes multi-purpose camera AK-SHB800, Image processing unit AK-SHU800 and framing control software AK-SFC101)