Panasonic is aiming for the studio drama market with its latest broadcast camera, the AK-HC3500A. It not only features various progressive modes (1080 at 25p, 23.98p or 29.97p) but also cine gamma and various other improvements to take it beyond the existing AK-HC3500.
The AK-HC3500A has three 2/3-inch 2.2 million pixel IT CCDs with high sensitivity of F10 at 1080/59.94i and F11 at 1080/50i. It also boasts 60dB signal to noise, and uses spatial pixel shift technology and a newly developed 16-bit A/D Digital Signal Processor (with 38-bit internal processing) for improved picture quality. Like the AK-HC3500, it features Dynamic Range Stretch functions, plus scene file settings and various picture quality adjustment functions. The Cine Gamma modes include: Film-like 1/2/3, Video-Rec and Film-Rec, which Panasonic claims will make it “a formidable tool for producing dramas.”
Studio camera options combine the AK-HCU355A Camera Control Unit with the AK-HRP935A Remote Operation Panel to form a high-end studio camera system. Non-compressed HD signals can be sent via fibre up to 2km between the camera and the CCU. The CCU supports four line return signals (HD/SD-SDI) and two line intercom input, and can supply power to the camera. Also new is a compact, lightweight 7in LCD viewfinder with a variety of assist functions.
“The low-cost AK- HC3800 [launched at IBC2012] and the revamped AK-HC3500A offer greater picture quality with the latest 16-bit A/D-attached DSP, allowing us to meet the needs of the diverse users of Panasonic’s studio camera systems,” said Kunihiko Miyagi, the director of Panasonic’s Imaging Business Division. “In the future we will expand our line up of remote camera systems and switchers, and strengthen camera portability to provide more convenient live video production solutions.”
9.C45, 9.D40
