Panasonic Connect Expands Production Lineup with the AK-UCX100 4K Studio Camera

The new IP-based camera gives live event and rental and staging professionals the flexibility and versatility to streamline workflows for seamless productions

Panasonic Connect North America today introduced the new AK-UCX100 4K studio camera to give operators the flexibility to create unique, engaging content while streamlining operations. Rental and staging environments have grown more complex in recent years, requiring extra equipment. Managing these tools requires additional time and bandwidth, which isn’t always feasible.

Now more than ever, production crews need versatile technology that streamlines operations and boosts efficiency, from logistics and setup to rehearsal and overall event management. The AK-UCX100 gives event professionals the flexibility to capture engaging, high-quality content in these dynamic environments.

Superior Image Quality to Capture Every Moment

Capturing clear, high-quality content in live event environments can pose challenges with shifting lighting conditions and dynamic backgrounds. The AK-UCX100 supports strong image quality right out of the box. The new imager offers high sensitivity and dynamic range, easily adapting to both a darkened auditorium and venues with dazzling lighting effects. Its colorimetry has also been optimized to account for any new challenges with LED lighting and large display walls while the camera's HD low-pass filter helps manage the effect of moiré in LED walls. This allows venues to easily create the same experience for fans whether they are in-person or tuning in from home.

With improved resolution and 4K capabilities, the AK-UCX100 achieves a resolution of 2000 TV lines both horizontally and vertically, capturing detailed, ultra-high-definition images of the subject from any angle. Plus, the wide dynamic range and color gamut of HLG/BT.2020 lets content creators capture colorful, immersive stage performances for the most advanced display technologies.

A Simple, Versatile Design

Designed for easy operation as part of the Panasonic studio camera family, the AK-UCX100 streamlines on-site workflows. Content creators have the freedom to choose the best operation with or without a Camera Control Unit (CCU). The UCX100 supports 3G and 12G SDI outputs from the camera head and direct connection of the Remote Operation Panel Sync and tally so it can be operated as a standalone. Standalone operation is full featured when using 25Gb ST2010 connectivity to the camera head. Panasonic’s new Camera Fiber Adapter (CFA100) can insert camera power into a standard ST 311 hybrid fiber cable for standalone camera operation or local power operation when used with the CCU. Users can take advantage of either mode as production requirements demand.

When producing content in a traditional studio with a CCU, the camera pairs with Panasonic’s recently released AK-UCU700 Series Camera Control Unit, which provides all traditional points of connectivity. The UCX100 can easily pair with any Panasonic camera, including the AK-UE160 PTZ camera, to ensure consistent, cohesive production quality.

Flexibility to Future-proof to IP

The AK-UCX100 supports everything from simple studio applications to IP-based live production. The UCU700 CCU gives content creators a full range of production format options, including 4x high speed 1080p and 2x high speed UHD & HDR. Inputs and outputs include 12G-SDI, as well as NDI High Bandwidth, SRT, and SMPTE 2110 at 25 Gbps. This enhances flexibility from baseband to IP operations at HD & UHD.

ST 2110 can either be connected via the AK-UCU700 or directly to the camera for CCU-less operation. When using the UCX100 in an all-IP environment, including ST 2110 for transport and sync, the CCU is not necessarily required as all the points of communication input and output can be addressed on the same network connections. Both direct-camera-connected or CCU-connected ST 2110 support ST 2022-7 network redundancy and SMPTE ST 2110 (JPEG-XS) for sub frame latency compressed feeds of HD and UHD on the ST 2110 network.

Powering Seamless, Dynamic Productions

The AK-UCX100 gives content creators the power to capture the excitement of live events, ensuring efficient production workflows and high-quality content. The camera will become available in December 2024 and will be on display at NAB NY (October 9-10).

About Panasonic Connect North America

Established on April 1, 2022 as part of the Panasonic Group’s switch to an operating company system, Panasonic Connect North America is a B2B company offering device hardware, software and professional services to provide value to customers across the public sector, federal government, education, immersive entertainment, food services and manufacturing industries. With the mission to “Change Work, Advance Society, Connect to Tomorrow,” Panasonic Connect North America works closely with its community of partners, innovators and integrators to provide the right technologies to address customers’ ever-evolving needs in today’s connected enterprise.

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