News

Panasonic has introduced P2Cast, a cloud-based news production system that leverages the network features of the company's next-generation P2HD camcorders with AVC-ULTRA recording - the AJ-PX5000G, AJ-PX800 and AJ-PX270. P2Cast integrates these camcorders' network capabilities so content uploaded to the cloud is immediately available for reviewing and editing.

P2Cast dramatically expedites the delivery of news to air, while at the same time expanding the editing function to any device connected to the internet. A major P2Cast advantage is its ability via the cloud to move low bit rate, yet high-quality proxy video off a camcorder in the field, create a video sequence of the desired clips, and then allow newsroom systems to automatically pull back high-resolution video for air from the camera. This high-resolution video can range in quality from AVC-LongG12 through AVC-Intra100, depending on preference and available bandwidth.

AVC-ULTRA cameras in the field are connected with the newsroom through mobile networks (4G/LTE, Wi-Fi, or dedicated connection) and the cloud, making it possible to instantly produce news out of events as it occurs. The service has been tested for several months by major international and domestic broadcasters, including Time Warner Cable NY1 News, the cable network's 24-hour news channel in New York City. P2Cast is immediately available in the United States and Europe on a free trial basis through September 2015, at which time the service becomes chargeable.

The AVC-ULTRA camcorders will require a firmware upgrade that enables the cameras to communicate with P2Cast. The firmware is available for the AJ-PX5000G, and the AJ-PX270, the AJ-PX800 P2Cast-ready firmware will be available in 3Q 2015.

P2Cast Workflow Features:
– Proxy file sharing. Shared storage is prepared on the server. The proxy files uploaded from camcorders can be browsed and played from stations. The proxy file can be downloaded and used for breaking news.

– Highlight editing, high-quality footage transfer. At a station, the editor can highlight edit (In point / Out point) the proxy files that have been uploaded on the server, thus creating and EDL (Edit Decision List) and transfer it to the camera. Based on the EDL, the camera selects just the desired high-quality footage and transfers it back to the server.

– New, efficient workflows using metadata. Cameras and cameramen are pre-assigned IDs and metadata is sent from the newsroom to the camcorders in the field. Metadata can be automatically recorded with footage shot in the field, and the data can then be used in the editing process to dramatically increase the searchability of the raw footage and shorten the time required for archiving and targeting secondary uses.

Panasonic released several updates for their cameras, including Panasonic VariCam 35 / HS, and AJ-PX270. The update 3.01 for VariCams adds support for new formats, including Apple ProRes HQ (HD) VFR 1-120p/1-100p, AVC-Intra444 (HD), AVC-Intra200 (HD), and AVC-Intra2K 444 (2K), the latter being for VariCam 35 only. The new update also adds water mark functionality, false color, noise reduction, fan speed based on codec, MON OUT (4K/2K) aspect selection, Interval / One Shot / PreREC function, and VFR (up to 60p) in SUB recording for both VariCam 35 and HS models. Specifically for VariCam 35, there is also low ISO support, and LDS lens data support. Update version 27.73 for the AJ-PX270 series adds enhanced FTP transfer function for P2 Cast, enhanced streaming function for external servers and for LiveU, support for Direct Mode of USB-N53 (a Wi-Fi adapter by ASUS), and support for SIM-lock-free dongles.

Blackmagic Design has released DaVinci Resolve 11.3.1, available for download from their Support page. DaVinci Resolve 11.3.1 provides the following updates:

– Support for DNxHR in QuickTime wrapper

– Updated color science for Alexa 65 RAW processing

– ALEXA Open Gate and Canon RMF clip resolution improvements

– Support for CUDA 7 and NVIDIA Maxwell GPUs

– Anti-aliasing improvements for title rendering with shadows

– General performance and stability improvements

Panasonic has announced the HX-A1, a wearable camera designed for hands-free, Full HD shooting in harsh, rugged environments.

Waterproof down to 1.5m (5ft) without a housing case, shockproof from a height of 1.5m (5ft), freezeproof down to -10°C (14°F) and dustproof (IP6X) the wearable camera is the perfect device to capture your white water rafting, skiing or even adventure race activity.

The HX-A1 also captures every detail from fast moving scenes at 60fps, which is double regular frame rate, in 1280x720 pixels and at 120fps, four times regular frame rate, in 848x480 pixels enabling action to be played back in slow motion.

See Into the Dark

Ultra compact and lightweight at around only 45g the HX-A1, in combination with a separate infrared light and Glasscover (Night mode), is the ideal tool to shoot into a dark, unexplored cave with no natural light or record nocturnal wildlife hidden in the depths of a forest in a ‘0 Lux Night Mode’.In fact the camera is so compact and light that its weight goes unnoticed next to a heavy headlight.

The Perfect Angle

Using the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi users can effortlessly connect the device to a smartphone or tablet and, via the Panasonic Image app, make sure that the camera is in the right position to capture the action as is intended.This recording can then be shared directly with friends and family using social media sites such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Flickr.

Furthermore the Wi-Fi can be used to connect the HX-A1 to selected models in Panasonic’s 2015 camcorder range to create a wireless twin camera.While recording footage with the HX-A1 the image can be seen in a sub-window on the display of the wirelessly connected camcorder allowing two simultaneously recorded videos to be merged into one.A whole new world of shooting scenarios can be explored such as recording a snowboarder and capturing their point-of view at the same time or seeing the obstacles faced from the perspective of someone taking part in an adventure race as they are filmed from the side of the course.

When connected via USB the camera can even be used as a webcam, and when paired with the Head Mount (VW-HMA1) accessory, gives the user the chance to share what they are seeing with friends from the user’s eye-level.

Panasonic's new P2HD camcorder for ENG applications,AJ-PX380, will be available in September 2015 with a suggested list price under $12,000 US, including supplied Fujinon 17x lens and AG-CVF15 color LCD viewfinder. The PX380 joins the latest series of Panasonic's AVC-ULTRA camcorders with built-in wireless/wired streaming capabilities, and includes dual codec recording, LAN/Wi-Fi/4G/LTE network sypport with QoS, remote control with iPads, high-sensitivity, low-noise 1/3" 3-MOS imagers, and more!