Wireless and IP connectivity, together with the use of the cloud, mark the future lines of Panasonic in the field of news production

At NAB 2015, the strategy that Panasonic will follow in the coming years has been outlined. Its goal is to achieve full compatibility between all its solutions.

Panasonic has announced at NAB 2015 the launch of P2 Cast, a cloud-based news generation system that uses the network capacity of its P2 HD camcorders.

P2 Cast allows the AJ-PX5000G, AJ-PX800G, AJ-PX380 and AJ-PX270 camcorders to connect to the P2 Cast cloud and upload content for immediate review and editing. This system dramatically speeds up live news streaming and extends editing functionality to any Internet-connected device.

Additionally, thanks to the expansion of a strategic collaboration initiative with LiveU, the PX5000G, PX800G, PX380 and PX270 camcorders can now connect directly to the LiveU Central management platform via 4G/LTE, Wi-Fi or wired LAN connections.

On the other hand, Panasonic has also presented the AJ-PX380 model, a 1/3 type AVC-ULTRA shoulder camcorder that incorporates a whole set of network functions and simultaneous recording in two codecs, making it the perfect tool for collecting news by electronic means and at high speed.

Three new 4K cameras

Panasonic also took advantage of the Las Vegas fair to present three new 4K cameras that complement its revolutionary VariCam 35.

The first is the AK-UC3000, a 4K studio camera scheduled to be released in winter 2015. This model incorporates a sensor that generates a UHD signal of up to 3840x2160/60p. The second is the AK-UB300 model, a multipurpose 4K camera, ideal for remote studios, outdoors, image enlargement and sports broadcasts. Finally, the company has presented the AG-DVX200 model, a 4/3-type handheld 4K camera with a large sensor that offers UHD recordings up to 3840x2160/60p.

Panasonic has also announced an expansion unit for the VariCam 35 and HS, which is scheduled to ship in July 2015. This unit allows the camera and recorders to be separated and increases the versatility of both devices for use with steadicams, cranes and davits, as well as tricks and aerial shots.

Por otro lado, Panasonic ha presentado su nueva cámara insignia de estudio, la AK-HC5000 Full HD, capaz de crear imágenes de alta velocidad a una resolución de hasta 1080/240p. Su comercialización está prevista para el invierno de 2015. La HC5000 incorpora un nuevo sensor 3-CMOS de tipo 2/3 de alta sensibilidad (F11 a 2.000 lx), silencioso (relación de señal-ruido: > 60 dB) y con una resolución medida a 1.100 líneas de televisión.

In the remote camera segment, Panasonic has announced a powerful optional upgrade to its AW-HE40 PTZ camera. Additionally, the new AW-SFU01 features production-quality MPEG-4 HD streaming and HD recording to a microSD/SD card via a connected USB device such as a tablet or PC.

Panasonic has also introduced an innovative digital camera control system, the AW-HEA10 device, which dramatically simplifies and improves remote recording with the company's PTZ cameras.

Finally, NewTek and Panasonic have joined forces to promote and ensure interoperability between the AW-HE130 integrated PTZ camera and NewTek TriCaster multi-camera video production systems.

Full compatibility between all Panasonic products

At NAB 2015, the strategy that Panasonic will follow in the coming years has been outlined. Its goal is to achieve full compatibility between all its solutions. The new IP environments, the possibilities offered by wireless connectivity and the use of the cloud are three pillars that will mark this change. A change that will be more evident in news production due to its frenetic pace of work throughout the workflow.

This connectivity concept already allows us to incorporate a 3G USB into some camcorder models and from an iPad, for example, to remotely control parameters such as colorimetry.

Another example is found in the camera control panels that now allow us from a single control to adjust parameters of all the cameras in the studio and also act remotely on ENG camcorders in the street. We could even load a scene in an external memory for a certain program or sequence and send its parameters to all the cameras, convertible, studio or ENG, that are involved in the production.