News

Panasonic released new firmware updates for its P2HD camcorder line, incl. PX230, PX270, and PX5000 models. New firmware v14.70 (here) for the PX230 model fixes problems with defective SD cards, while the v35.94 firmware for the PX270, and v39.92 for the PX5000 camera, respectively, add several improvements and new features, including:

New Features

• High-speed transmission by bonding equipment is supported.
• Securing the frequency band for streaming, displaying the information on the OSD sent from the bonding equipment, communicating the equipment information to P2 Cast, etc.
• A menu is added to take GPS information from external equipment and put it into the Metadata (XML) of the contents.
• Menu Item: GPS: INTERNAL / EXTERNAL / OFF
• The following LTE USB Modem is supported: K5160 (UK?
• Setting values for Skin Tone Effect are changed from 32 steps to 64 steps.

Improvements

• The following problems, which occur when using AJ-WM50 wireless module, are fixed.

1. – When executing a web app in Direct mode between an Apple device (Mac, portable terminal, etc.) and P2 equipment, they may get disconnected.
2. – When performing FTP transfer, the GUI does not work correctly.

• When 4G/LTE is enabled, HDSDI_REMOTE (menu item) cannot be selected. This problem is fixed.
• Regarding the information display on P2 Cast screen, the following problems are fixed.

1. – The status of the camera is displayed as offline.
2. – The status information of Play List Export is not updated.

• Regarding the streaming in P2 Cast mode, the following problem is fixed. If the camera is set to the settings below, incorrect streaming is performed.?

1. – StreamingMode?AVC-G(QoS?
2. – QoS Max/Min Rate: 6Mbps

• Regarding the function to transfer log files to P2 Cast, an unnecessary message is displayed. This problem is fixed.

Panasonic has also released a „P2 Cast Mobile” software for iPhones (iOS 9/10 supported) enabling to send videos taken with your iPhone to P2 Cast and P2SS networks. This allows users to record sudden news items using their smartphone.

Panasonic is renewing four LUMIX G digital interchangeable lenses to gain higher performance and mobility:

LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm / F2.8 II ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. (H-HSA12035)

LUMIX G X VARIO 35-100mm / F2.8 II / POWER O.I.S. (H-HSA35100)

LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm / F4.0-5.6 II / POWER O.I.S. (H-FSA45200) and

LUMIX G VARIO 100-300mm / F4.0-5.6 II / POWER O.I.S. (H-FSA100300).

All of these new lenses comply with the advanced functions of the latest LUMIX G digital cameras, incl. LUMIX GX8, LUMIX GX85, and LUMIX GH5. In addition to the POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) in each lens, they work with Dual I.S. (LUMIX GX8), 5-axis Dual I.S. (LUMIX GX85), and 5-axis Dual I.S. 2 (LUMIX GH5 and G85) systems when mounted on an applicable Panasonic LUMIX DSLM (Digital Single Lens Mirrorless) camera.

The LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm / F4.0-5.6 II / POWER O.I.S. (H-FSA45200) and LUMIX G VARIO 100-300mm / F4.0-5.6 II / POWER O.I.S. (H-FSA100300) boast dust/splash-proof durability. A total of nine lenses in the full LUMIX G lens lineup now feature a rugged design to withstand use under harsh conditions.

Notably, the new lenses excel in video recording performance. In addition to the silent operation achieved by the inner focus drive system, the micro-step drive system in the aperture control section helps the camera to smoothly capture the brightness changes when zooming or panning. The AF tracking performance when zooming is also improved thanks to high-speed frame analysis for focus control.

The LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm / F4.0-5.6 II / POWER O.I.S. (H-FSA45200) and LUMIX G VARIO 100-300mm / F4.0-5.6 II / POWER O.I.S. (H-FSA100300) now complies with the sensor drive at max. 240-fps to take full advantage of cameras with high-speed, high-precision Contrast AF.

The LUMIX G VARIO 100-300mm „A” and LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm „A" will be available this February, while the LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm „A” and LUMIX G X VARIO 35-100mm „A” models will come in March.

Lightweight and compact zoom lenses featuring the Interchangeable Mount System (PL, EF, F, MFT, E), and designed for professional cinematography. The lenses feature full-frame coverage (36 x 24 mm), no focus shift over the zoom range, robust cine-style housing, circular shape of iris, great flare suppression, calibrated focus scale, 8K capability, and are color-matched with all ZEISS Prime lenses.

Panasonic has released an update to its new 4K camcorder UX90. Version 1.04 resolves an issue in 4K mode, where a colored band may appear for a few minutes in low light conditions. This problem is now corrected. Get the new version here.

HDMI Forum, Inc. announced the upcoming release of Version 2.1 of the HDMI Specification. This latest HDMI Specification supports a range of Higher Video Resolutions and refresh rates including 8K60 and 4K120, Dynamic HDR, and increased bandwidth with a new 48G cable. Version 2.1 of the HDMI Specification is backward compatible with earlier versions of the Specification, and will be available early Q2 2017.



HDMI Specification 2.1 Features Include:

• Higher Video Resolutions support a range of higher resolutions and faster refresh rates including 8K60Hz and 4K120Hz for immersive viewing and smooth fast-action detail.
• Dynamic HDR ensures every moment of a video is displayed at its ideal values for depth, detail, brightness, contrast, and wider color gamuts—on a scene-by-scene or even a frame-by-frame basis.
• 48G cables enable up to 48Gbps bandwidth for uncompressed HDMI 2.1 feature support including 8K video with HDR. The cable is backwards compatible with earlier versions of the HDMI Specification and can be used with existing HDMI devices.
• eARC supports the most advanced audio formats such as object-based audio, and enables advanced audio signal control capabilities including device auto-detect.
• Game Mode VRR features variable refresh rate, which enables a 3D graphics processor to display the image at the moment it is rendered for more fluid and better detailed gameplay, and for reducing or eliminating lag, stutter, and frame tearing.