IBC 2015: Panasonic announces a series of VariCam upgrades

Panasonic used IBC 2015 to announce a series of upgrades and improvements to its flagship 4K production camera the VariCam 35, including the introduction of Codex V-RAW recorder playback support. The company launched a 20m extension cable (AU-VCBL20) so that the recorder and camera head can be split apart, making the VariCam suitable for use in helicopters, cranes and cars. Available this month, the cable has an RRP of 2,200 EUR.

Furthermore, a series of firmware upgrades will improve on a camera that has already found a home in natural history, episodic production and cinema. Panasonic announced support for the ProRes 4444 format, allowing up to 60 frames per second in HD, while recording in ProRes also enables a new PreREC function, so that camera is rolling before an operator selects record, particularly useful in wildlife production. Other upgrades include Codex V-RAW recorder playback support, anamorphic lens support (de-squeezed image monitoring on EVF, VF out and MON out and to be recorded on Sub Recorder), image flip-flop functionality, as well as the ability to decrease the ISO setting down from the second native dual ISO 5000.

Also on show on the Panasonic booth was the newly launched glass-free 4K displays aimed at the broadcast market. Available in 98" and 84", the LED LCD panels (TH-98LQ70L & TH-84LQ70L) offer 3840 x 2160 resolution and include Panasonic's new generation of image enhancement technology, for fine, life-like images. For more information on Panasonic broadcast products, visit stand C45 at IBC.