Panasonic launches the AK-UCX100 studio camera and the AW-UB50 and AW-UB10 multipurpose cameras

Panasonic Connect Europe is present at IBC 2024, although on this occasion it has chosen to dispense with a conventional stand and focus on a meeting and networking space on the RAI grounds. Among the new features, the new AK-UCX100 studio camera and the AK-CFA100 fiber adapter stand out.

The two products give users greater flexibility in studio productions or live events. The UCX100 allows users to choose the mode of operation that best suits their budget and production challenges. Can be operated directly from the camera head with or without CCU, or in combination with CFA100 fiber adapter, allowing for the highest quality images in any recording environment. Both the UCX100 and the CFA100 adapter will be available from December 2024.

The UCX100 camera supports 3G and 12G SDI outputs from its head and allows you to connect directly to a remote control panel, with synchronization and tally, so it can work autonomously. The camera works independently with full functionality when connected to the camera head via a ST 2110 25Gb high-speed network connection.

The new Panasonic CFA100 Fiber Adapter Allows power to be supplied to the camera via a standard ST 311 hybrid fiber cable to operate on its own. It is also possible for the camera to be powered from a CCU or with a local 12V XLR power supply. Users can take advantage of either mode as production needs dictate. With the CFA100, power can be provided over distances of up to 2 km, or up to 10 km with a fiber optic cable.

When working in a traditional studio with a CCU, the UCX100 is paired with Panasonic's AK-UCU700/UCU710 camera control unit, which offers all the necessary connections, plus options such as Dante, ST 2110 and ST 2022-7 redundancy. Also supports several optional protocols, such as high-speed NDI, SRT, and simultaneous operation of IP signals.

The UCX100 can be easily combined with any Panasonic camera, such as the PTZ AW-UE160, to ensure uniform and high-quality production. Both cameras share the same sensor, making color matching easier. With the AK-UCU700/710 series, the UCX100 supports high-speed recording: 1080p at 4x and UHD at 2x.

The UCX100 studio camera is compatible with the SMPTE ST 2110 IP-based video transmission, enabling uncompressed 4K video streaming for both studio productions and live recordings. The ST 2110 can be connected via the AK-UCU700 or directly to the camera to operate without the need for a CCU. For outdoor events where bandwidth is limited, the UCX100 can transmit near lossless visual quality and low latency using the JPEG XS standard. It also has a “VLAN tagged” function , which can group connected cameras, simplifying management during the operation of large-scale networks.

The UCX100 is designed to bring live productions to life through the camera. The 2,000 line resolution reproduces details in high definition. The wide dynamic range and range of colors in HDR (HLG)/BT.2020 They offer rich gradations and colors with a sense of realism. Additionally, the camera has a variety of recording support features, such as a moiré suppression filter that can reduce this effect when recording on LED screens. It also includes a high-precision focus indicator that helps focus points with a guide display.

Stefan Hofmann, Sales Engineering Manager for MEBD Pro-AV at Panasonic Connect Europe GmbH, notes, "The requirements of live event production are evolving rapidly, with the increasing adoption of LED displays and lighting technology, creating a need for cameras that deliver high-quality content. The UCX100 studio camera and CFA100 address this challenge, providing production teams with flexibility of choice and the assurance of high-quality output, regardless of the environment."

Multipurpose cameras

Panasonic has developed two new 4K multipurpose cameras, the AW-UB50 and AW-UB10, designed to enhance creativity in video production. These two box i camerasThey incorporate the technology of LUMIX interchangeable lens digital cameras and are equipped with a series of new functions that optimize workflows in video production. They are ideal for the rapidly expanding markets of corporate and educational video production, as well as broadcast and live entertainment. They will be available in the first quarter of 2025.

The UB50 includes a sensor full-frame MOS, while the UB10 uses a sensor MFT (Micro 4/3). Both cameras are compatible with the main IP protocols, such as Panasonic's AW control protocol, and others such as RTP, RTSP, RTMP/S, SRT and NDI HX2.

The UB50 is designed for cinematic video production, offering less depth of field than the UB10. Both cameras use autofocus technology with real-time recognition, allowing them to automatically identify the subject and keep it in focus.

They also have capabilities Dual Native ISO and the UB50 is compatible con V-Log, while the UB10 is compatible with V-LogL, in order to provide production teams with the flexibility to create a camera ecosystem tailored to the needs of each production.

The UB50 and UB10 simplify operations in broadcast environments professional and are ideal for video production at large-scale live events. These multi-purpose, box-style 4K cameras offer versatile image capture and are very easy to use, facilitating more creative video production.

Installation flexibility is a design priority. Both models have a compact design, with a height, width and depth of less than 10 centimeters, which allows them to be installed in small spaces. They can also be used for handheld shooting with a Gimbal stabilizer, providing greater freedom to operators.

Both cameras offer 3G-SDI outputs, HDMI Type A, LAN terminal, TC and Genlock inputs and outputs, and USB Type-C connectivity. The LAN terminal supports Power over Ethernet (PoE+), allowing video, control and power to be transmitted over a single cable, reducing cable complexity and clutter.

Connected to systems remote cameras on the same network, the UB50 and UB10 are compatible with the AK-HRP1010 remote operation panel from Panasonic, and soon will be with the technology company's AW-RP150GJ remote camera controller and live video switchers. Additionally, the cameras can be used for tally light control. By installing a color profile compatible with the AW-UE160 integrated 4K camera, color matching is made easier when working with multiple cameras.

The cameras are designed for the future, allowing Panasonic to add support for IP transmission standards such as NDI® HX2. This provides greater flexibility in video production, including distributing video across streaming platforms and building IP-based systems.

NDI support

Within the framework of IBc 2024, Panasonic has announced the expansion of the NDI (Network Device Interface) support, a network protocol that allows the distribution of high-quality video, audio and control signals over standard Internet networks in real time and with minimal latency.

This is integrated into their 4K PTZ cameras (models AW-UE40W/K, AW-UE50W/K, AW-HE145 and AW-UE150W/K) and in the camcorder AG-CX350. The updates, which previously required a paid license from Vizrt NDI AB, will be available for free via a firmware update between December 2024 and April 2025. From then on, new models will come with NDI pre-activated.

The free update will activate the NDI functionality as a standard feature on more than 80,000 devices currently in use in various video production environments. With the growing integration of IP technology in video equipment, this measure seeks to expand the NDI ecosystem, improving efficiency and flexibility in production processes.

NDI is an open standard that allows connect video equipment over IP networks, facilitating the creation of systems on standard IP networks. This simplifies the transition of video production workflows to IP environments, allowing more devices to access all NDI-enabled devices on the network. These devices include mixers, cameras and media servers, allowing various content to be used in video production. Additionally, Panasonic PTZ cameras with NDI supporting PoE – a single-cable solution for power, control and audio/video transmission – significantly reduce installation and cabling costs and complexity.

Panasonic products that support NDI include PTZ cameras such as the AW-UE160W/K, AW-UE100W/K and AW-UE80W/K, studio cameras such as the AK-UCX100, 4K multipurpose cameras AW-UB50 and AW-UB102, compact mixers AV-HSW10 and AV-UHS500, as well as the Kairos IT/IP platform and the Video Mixer plug-in from Media Production Suite. All of these products can be combined to create IP video production systems that are both flexible and efficient, adapting to various needs.

All of these products can be combined to create IP video production systems that are both flexible and efficient, adapting to various needs.