Panasonic has announced the addition of the AK-UC4000 studio camera to its system camera line, joining the current AK-UC3000 4K HDR capable-camera and the AK-HC5000 1080p 4x high-speed HDR capable-system. It brings together the features of both and raises the bar for 4K HDR performance and future-proof infrastructure.
The current UC3000 utilizes Large Single Sensor Internal Expansion Lens (LSSIEL) optics to ex-pand the standard image from broadcast 2/3” B-4 mount lenses to a 1” cine-style 4K sensor, ena-bling cinema camera performance with broadcast optical behavior and lenses. The UC4000 utiliz-es LSSIEL optics with Panasonic’s new, larger, advanced super 35mm imager, capturing 4.4K na-tive resolution improving the UHD resolution (more than 2000 TV lines, both horizontal and verti-cal), dynamic range and S/N ratio (62dB) over the UC3000. It maintains the same broadcast lens compatibility and operation and keeps the same camera form factor--matching or surpassing the best performing 4K HDR B-4 mount cameras on the market.
The UC4000 is designed for live sports production and high-end event broadcasts, with potential customers including pro sports broadcasters and production rental companies, stadium and venue owners (pro sports teams) and collegiate sports video departments, as well as broadcast studios and call letter TV stations, houses of worship, high-end corporate video departments and eGaming broadcasters.
“The oversampling of the UC4000's new 4.4K imager helps sports production crews avoid potential moiré issues caused by the ubiquitous LED screens," said Michael Bergeron, Studio/Systems Cameras Product Manager, Panasonic Media and Entertainment Company. “Also, the future 12G 4K output feature will enhance the capability of an integrated stadium wireless system--like the system Panasonic has developed with Wave Central--so even wireless cameras can feed 4K to the high-resolution scoreboards."
Future Proof Systematization with New AK-UCU600 Camera Control Unit
The new AK-UCU600 camera control unit provides power up to 6600 feet over hybrid fiber and possesses the same form factor and all of the powerful features found in the existing AK-UCU500 CCU including: simultaneous multiple format output with simultaneous 4K, 1080p and HD outputs possible; simultaneous HDR and SDR output with HDR/SDR offset adjustment to enable SDR shading of HDR content; multiple data and video trunk lines and IP control; and compact 2U de-sign. The UCU600 will also include: selectable 12G-SDI / quad SDI for 4K outputs; accommodation for future SMPTE 2110 MoIP connectivity option board; TICO compression capable output for 4K transport over 3G HD-SDI; and future 2x, 3x or 4x HD output capability for slow motion shooting when the UC4000 is used in HD or 1080p mode. (The UCU600 will provide the same connectivity features when used with the existing UC3000.)
The UC4000 will be compatible with the same accessories as the UC3000 and HC5000 cameras including: the AK-HVF100 studio viewfinder; the AK-HRP1000, AK-HRP1005 and AK-MSU1000 camera controllers; the AK-HBU500 studio build-up kit; SHAN-HC5000 shipping case and all ca-bling.
