Hitachi presents new camera for remote production at NAB 2019

The new SK-HD1800 in combination with CU-HD1300 CCUs responds to evolving industry trends, including HDR (High Dynamic Range), 4K and IP workflows.

Hitachi announced at NAB the new camera SK-HD1800. Combining CMOS imaging technology first implemented in the ZHD5500 with a four-position motorized filter wheel for remote operation, it delivers image quality for mobile productions.

They are Global shutter and progressive scan CMOS sensorsThey easily adapt to a wide range of LED lighting conditions, enabling high-performance video capture in television studios, churches, sports halls, concert halls and other facilities where LED lights or large LED displays are used. Advanced 1080p sensors combine with Hitachi digital signal processing and low noise circuit technology to deliver crystal-clear visual quality with superior sensitivity, high color fidelity and a signal-to-noise ratio of 62dB.

John. J. Humphrey, vice president of business development at Hitachi Kokusai Electric America, says, "Features such as support for motorized, remotely operated filter wheels have made our SK series of cameras the preferred choice for remote and mobile production. The new SK-HD1800 offers customers the best of both worlds and combines with the CU-HD1300 family of camera control units (CCUs) to flexibly support 2 evolving industry trends, including HDR (High Dynamic Range), 4K and IP workflows.”

The new camera is compatible with HDR specifications, including HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) and HPQ, which supports the open HDR10 standard for consumer TVs.

The combination of the SK-HD1800 with a CU-HD1300 series CCU unit from Hitachi Kokusai forms a flexible camera system that supports a wide range of production infrastructures and production requirements. The new camera supports SMPTE digital triaxial and fiber optic connectivity and can be combined with a dedicated fiber or triaxial CCU or dual-cable CU-HD1300FT for increased deployment flexibility.

Efficiently transposing HDTV and Ultra HD production workflows, an optional 4K output module for the CU-HD1300 transforms natively acquired 1080p video from SKHD1800 resolution to 4K/UHDD and produces the result in 12Gbps single-link SDI or quad-link 3G-SDI connectivity. Meanwhile, the SMPTE ST 2110 option for the CUHD1300 enables seamless integration of the SK-HD1800 camera system into IP-based production workflows, supporting the transition from traditional in-band broadcasters to more flexible media networks.

Both the 4K output options such as SMPTE ST 2110 They are fully compatible with the HDR capabilities of the SK-HD1800. In addition to improving HDR output, a firmware option for the CU-HD1300 allows users to purchase optimized HDR and standard dynamic range (SDR) video simultaneously with a single camera, providing independent video shading adjustments for HDR and SDR outputs. This provides creative and financial benefits compared to using separate cameras, allowing for shot consistency while reducing equipment and operational costs.