PANASONIC’S NEXT generation 4K product is delayed until the AVC Ultra codec comes to market next year. “[The time] has given us an opportunity to sit back and think very seriously about the future of cameras and our strategy,” said Rob Tarrant, European product manager at the show. “Everyone is talking about 4K
so we are gathering feedback from our customers about exactly what they want because when you dig into 4K you realise that there are many different variants. There is a 4K JVC camcorder at one end and cameras at the top end like the Sony F65 and differences in trade-off between resolution and dynamic range.
“Anyone can do a 4K camera
so we are now asking what’s next — what is the next big leap?” For feedback Panasonic was trailing the idea of a 4K version of Varicam using the AVC Ultra code, which at its top range is claimed to achieve 4K 4:4:4 12 bit. “The camera will have a cinema fixed sensor and a modular design so you are able to have just the camera section or a camera section with an IO port, or a camera section with recorder and I/O so it becomes a camcorder. Modular means it can be built up, or you can add features to it.”
One clue to this philosophy lies in the new AG-HPX600 camera, which is the first in a new series of P2 units. “The camera has been designed from the ground up as a
modular, upgradeable camera. For example, when AVC Ultra comes out the camera will accept the new codec. Our approach is to produce a basic platform of cameras that you can mould and change to your needs.” The HPX600 weighs 7lb, sports
a 2/3 CMOS sensor, and is capable of recording by proxy currently in a 10-bit, 4:2:2 AVC-Intra format. It will cost $16,000 and use a new storage format, microP2, similar in design to an SD card but optimised for the specific uses of high-level camcorders. Panasonic previewed a concept model of a 20-inch 4K monitor (4K 2K IPS Alpha) which is 3.5mm thick and dubbed ‘the world’s highest resolution and thinnest.’ http://panasonic.net/
By Melanie Dayasena-Lowe
MATROX VIDEO Products Group introduced Matrox MicroQuad, a 4-channel SDI-to-HDMI multiviewer. The device enables users to monitor up to four SDI inputs on a single HDMI display in quadrant view, or toggle to a full-screen view. Inputs can be 3G, HD or
SD, and all controls are on the unit itself; no computer is required. Matrox MicroQuad ensures artefact-free monitoring, thanks to its
MicroQuad ensures artefact-free monitoring, thanks to its 10-bit scaling engine with filtering
Matrox Video Products Four SDI on one HDMI
10-bit scaling engine with filtering and de-interlacing. “Broadcast engineers and
A/V professionals often encounter situations in which they need to monitor multiple SDI feeds,” said Alberto Cieri, senior director of sales and marketing at Matrox. “The new Matrox MicroQuad multiviewer lets them use an affordable HDMI display to view up to four SDI signals, and we are offering the unit at a breakthrough price.” www.matrox.com/video