NAB 2018: 8K, new cameras and the HDR backstory of The Week Of

4 Minutes

A little-known fact about Adam Sandler’s upcoming Netflix comedy featuring Chris Rock is that it represents the most talked about trend in the industry. At NAB 2018, Panasonic, Light Iron and Netflix will highlight the current state of high-dynamic-range imaging through a step-by-step production and post breakdown of Sandler’s upcoming Netflix feature, The Week Of, which focuses on the week leading up to a big wedding. Other NAB technology and content highlights include cinematographers Ben Kufrin, Ben Meredith, and Brian Luco Pena, who will discuss their recent projects shot on VariCam cinema cameras.

Running from April 9 – 12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, NAB (National Association of Broadcasting) is the largest broadcast trade show in the world and represents industries such as film, radio and TV, digital media and sports. Over 100,000 media and entertainment professionals, as well as the trade press, flood Sin City from over 160 countries. On the trade show floor, over 1,700 exhibitors allow hands-on evaluations of gear and provide valuable information to attendees.

Like previous years, Panasonic’s booth will be in the Central Hall, and feature cutting-edge tools and technology.

8k is here

Panasonic recently announced a new 8K sensor that offers high-resolution (36-megapixels) imagery and up to 60fps. With the groundbreaking sensor, it is possible to capture images at 8K resolution, even in high contrast scenes, such as a basketball court under strong house lights and the shaded spectator seats that are unlit. We will be showcasing the technology with our 8K ROI prototype camera that recently captured a Duke vs. Syracuse college basketball game.

New cameras and updates

Other new products that will be showcased in the booth include the new AK-UC4000 4K/HD high-speed studio camera, Ver. 6.0 firmware upgrade for the VariCam LT 4K camera, Ver. 2.0 firmware upgrade for the AU-EVA1, and our line-up of PTZ cameras with built-in Network Device Interface (NDI) support.
Designed for live sports production and high-end event broadcast with high-speed 240fps capability, the AK-UC4000 raises the bar for 4K HDR performance. The all-in-one UC4000 employs a new, larger, advanced 4.4K Super 35mm sensor to improve resolution while maintaining the same broadcast lens compatibility and operation, as well as keeping the same camera form factor – potentially the best overall performing 4K HDR camera utilizing 2/3” lenses available.

The VariCam LT’s Ver. 6.0 firmware upgrade, which has been dubbed CineLive, sets the cinema camera up for live and “near live” multi-cam uses for events, concerts, television shows and corporate productions. “Everyone marvels at the VariCam LT’s beautiful cinematic look,” said Mitch Gross, PMEC Cinema Product Manager. “Now with the Version 6 firmware, the Super-35, wide dynamic range, high sensitivity image with those great VariCam colors can be seamlessly brought to live and near-live multi camera applications. The VariCam LT’s imaging capabilities can improve the look of any multi camera shoot while lowering costs.”

We recently released a free firmware upgrade for the compact 5.7K AU-EVA1 cinema camera that enhances the camera’s recording capabilities, including ALL-Intra frame recording formats, RAW data output, time-lapse recording, HD 4:2:2 interlaced formats and more. The additions expand the camera’s abilities so greatly that we are referring to the upgrade as “EVA 2.0.”

Also on display will be Panasonic's entire NDI PTZ camera line-up – the AW-HN38, AW-HN40, AW-UN70 and AW-HN130 – that can be connected to an NDI network. And stop by to view the AV-HLC100 Live Production Center, also with NDI, that combines a 1 ME switcher, remote camera controller and audio mixer functions to enable easy live streaming with one-person operation.

Learn more about cinematographers, broadcast specialists, technologists, filmmakers and business leaders sharing their insights from the Panasonic Presentation Stage at NAB 2018.