Panasonic unveils its 4K proposal at NAB

Panasonic is making a big splash at this NAB 2012 with new capture proposals for all budgets and needs in P2 HD, AVCCAM HD… and 4K. Additionally, continuing its evolution towards higher speed and lower cost media, it announced at the NAB in Las Vegas a new series of memory cards called microP2.

Panasonic is presenting within the framework of NAB 2012, a complete range of solutions and additions for image capture, storage, playback and display to its already known and proven technologies for the creation of television, video and digital cinema.

Although shown in a seen and unseen before the press, Panasonic did not want to miss this NAB to show what will be its new 4K camera, demonstrating that Panasonic's new compression logarithm, AVC-Ultra is already bearing its first fruits in limits unimaginable until now in a codec. This logarithm, according to Panasonic, could generalize 4K sooner rather than later in a process similar to that experienced with the emergence of HD.

Unprecedented file sizes for 4K can severely limit applications, and a powerful compression tool promises to move stunning camera images like the one Panasonic will release… and in real time.

Panasonic's new Varicam 4K would offer a three-part modular design: large format sensor, AVC-Ultra 4:4:4 and 12-bit (400/200Mbps) recorder in P2, and interface module.

Panasonic has announced more details about the AVC-Ultra family of codecs, an extension both above and below the current AVC-Intra codec (Class 100 and Class 50). For mastering, AVC-Ultra includes binary rates of 200Mbps (Class 200), and can reach 4K with 4:4:4 and 12-bit sampling (Class 444) for digital cinema and advanced chroma key applications. For more efficient workflows, AVC-Ultra includes the AVC Long-G codec, with rates between 25 and 50Mbps, and Proxy encoding between 0.8 and 3.5Mbps.

AG-HPX600

One of Panasonic's strong proposals for this NAB is the AG-HPX600 P2 HD camcorder designed for news, due to its lightness and low energy consumption

The AG-HPX600 camera weighs less than 3kg and incorporates a new 2/3 MOS sensor to generate both HD and SD images, designed for the production of live events, news coverage and sports. Among the main functions and features of this equipment to add flexibility to workflows and anticipating the future, it has an input for wireless metadata, proxy recording, and variable frame rates, as well as recording in AVC-ULTRA compression (available in 2013), a codec that will offer quality pasteurization and/or low-rate 10-bit 4:2:2 recording.

Panasonic's new P2 HD AG-HPX600 shoulder-mount camera offers low weight, low power consumption and AVC-ULTRA recording

At NAB 2012, Panasonic has unveiled the AG-HPX600, a new 10-bit P2 HD camcorder, AVC-Intra 4:02:02 recording and the lowest weight of a shoulder-mount unit. The HPX600 features a new 2/3 type MOS sensor to produce beautiful HD and SD images. The HPX600 will achieve the high sensitivity of F12 (at 59.94 Hz) and a signal-to-noise ratio of 59dB. It is compatible with AVC-Intra100/50, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO and DV series. It is switchable with 50Hz and 59.94Hz for worldwide use.

The HPX600 will allow the user to upgrade their camera as soon as new functionality is available. This innovative camera will provide inventive functionality and enhanced workflows, with options such as wireless metadata input, proxy recording, and variable frame rates (available this fall), and then AVC-ULTRA recording. When available in 2013, AVC-ULTRA will offer master quality and/or low bit rate 10-bit, 4:2:2 recording in Full HD to meet diverse user needs from mastering to broadcast (the AG-HPX600 does not support all AVC-ULTRA formats). The HPX600 also features wired and wireless connection capabilities with Wi-Fi, USB, and Gigabit Ethernet. Additionally, a future option will support LiveU for video uplink with real-time indication to the camera operator of the transmission status and video stream quality of the LiveU.

José Facchini, vice president of Panasonic System Communications Company of North America, commented on this new camcorder: "With its ultra-light weight and low power consumption, the HPX600 is the first shoulder-mount camera that is easy to carry on the shoulder, while being super-efficient in battery use. With its innovative design and selectable options, the HPX600 is upgradable to new technologies, such as wireless remote control from a smartphone and much more."

Suitable for news, sports or live events, this interchangeable lens camcorder will be equipped with Chromatic Aberration Compensation (CAC) to maximize lens performance, Dynamic Range Span (DRS) function to help compensate for variations in lighting, and high-precision flash band detection and compensation software that eliminates this effect. Original features of this camera include a smart user interface that allows access to the camera's expanded functions from an LCD screen on the side of the camera. The HPX600 will offer two P2 card slots and one SD card slot.

The AG-HPX600 will be available in the fall for less than $16,000 (body only) and less than $18,000 with the new AG-CVF10 color viewfinder.

AG-HPX255

Another new camera in the P2 HD family is the AG-HPX255. The camera has three high-sensitivity 1/3 processors of the 2.2 mega-pixel Full HD MOS type, it also has a 20-bit digital signal processor for image capture in native resolution 1920 x 1080. It incorporates a 22x HD lens from 28mm to 616mm (35mm equivalent) with three adjustable and independent rings (Zoom/Focus/Iris). Recording needs in a wide variety of situations can be met without having to use a wide-angle conversion lens.

The AG-HPX255 also offers compatibility with Panasonic's AG-EC4 remote control unit extension, which controls virtually the entire menu. Gamma settings and functions can be operated directly from the camera menu, including shutter, iris, gain, filter positions and detail.

News in the AVCCAM HD family

The new AG-AC160 and AG-AC130 cameras incorporate an assisted focus function that allows you to verify the focus of the taken image by zooming in. The one-touch turbo-speed autofocus function has also been added that allows the system to quickly track the element of the shot that should be in focus.

Both camcorders have three high-sensitivity 1/3 2.2 mega-pixel Full HD MOS type processors for image capture in native 1920 x 1080 resolution. Among other notable features, they have two SD memory card slots for simultaneous or individual recording, and compatibility with the new SDHC class 10 UHS-1 (Ultra High Speed) cards.

MicroP2 memory

Recently Emmy Award-winning P2 HD technology will now be available to more filmmakers with the launch of Panasonic's new MicroP2 memory cards, identical in shape and size to a conventional SD card, but with the power of the professional P2 HD format for video recording.

The MicroP2 memory cards will ensure high-speed transfer and great reliability for all frame rates, formats and P2 codecs, as well as the most recently developed compression platform by Panasonic, AVC ULTRA (AVC Intra200 mode), which will be available in 2013. The creation of a conventional-sized P2 adapter for the new microP2 cards will allow the installed base of more than 250 thousand P2 products worldwide to continue operating with this new technology, with as just download a software update (charged).

With this innovation, television, digital film and video professionals will be able to combine file-based workflows in a faster, easier, more reliable and economical way.

Monitors

For accurate viewing of Full HD high-definition images under various production conditions, Panasonic introduces a new 21.5-inch LCD monitor model BT-LH2170 that is LED-backlit and manufactured free of mercury. It offers Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution on a horizontally aligned, high-brightness (250cd/m²) and high-contrast (1000:1) IPS panel. The horizontal and vertical viewing angle is 178°. Among the advanced functions, it includes 3D assistance for field recordings where parameters of composition, convergence, color, luminance, focus, zoom position and parallax must be verified.

Firmware and software updates

Existing users of the AJ-HPM200 P2 HD and AJ-HPD2500 P2 HD portable recording units will be able to download the free Video Disk Control Protocol (VDCP) firmware update, allowing the controller connected via an RS-422 signal to recognize the new P2 memory card during playback in the event of a program change. And when a video server is not available at the moment, this update will allow the units to act as such in secondary or extemporaneous configurations.

The VDCP firmware update will be available free of charge starting April 2012 at http://pro-av.panasonic.net

For the popular AG-AF100 camcorder aimed at digital filmmakers, Panasonic introduces the AG-SFU100 upgrade to increase recording capabilities, enabling 1080/60p and 1080/50 capture of HD recording formats (PS mode -28 Mbps maximum) and replacing the 2.39:1 screen aspect ratio with the current 2.35. High-resolution recordings of sports and scientific analysis and content to be transmitted have become popular, so the 2.39:1 marker in the camera's viewfinder and LCD display will be very useful for the narrative approaches of documentary filmmakers, for example, considering that this screen aspect is a standard for large screen exhibition.

The AG-SFU100 software update will be available for a fee starting May 2012.

A major media innovation: microP2 cards

Continuing its evolution towards higher speed and lower cost media, Panasonic announced at NAB in Las Vegas a new series of memory cards called microP2, which has an SD card form factor for further cost savings on media pricing. The simultaneous introduction of a microP2 card adapter ensures that the new series of 64GB and 32GB microP2 cards will work on current P2 hardware.

The microP2 card will ensure high-speed transfer, high reliability and the guarantee of all frame types, formats and P2 codecs, as well as Panasonic's latest compression platform, up to AVC-ULTRA's AVC-Intra200 mode, which will be available in 2013. Furthering the versatility of the microP2 card adapter, its design allows high-quality Class 10 or SD cards (at bit rates only up to 50 Mbps) are used in P2 products in emergency situations.

John Baisley, executive vice president of Panasonic System Communications Company of North America (PSCNA), said: "Since the introduction of this Emmy Award-winning solid-state recording format nearly a decade ago, Panasonic has continued to make improvements to the P2. The development of the microP2 card brings additional innovation to owners of the more than 250,000 P2 products currently in use worldwide."

Panasonic P2 solid-state memory cards ensure highly reliable video, audio and metadata recording, especially under harsh conditions of extreme temperatures, shock and vibration. P2 cards allow professional users to benefit from a fast and easy file-based workflow and exceptional reliability.

The microP2 card and microP2 card adapter will be available in spring 2013. The microP2 card and microP2 card adapter do not support all P2 products. To use the microP2 card adapter a firmware upgrade to the current P2 hardware is required for an additional fee.