NAB 2014 – PANASONIC UNVEILS VariCam HS. 1080P HIGH-SPEED RECORDING TO 240FPS

News

by Johnnie BehiriApril 7^th, 2014

From Panasonic press release NAB 2014:

PANASONIC UNVEILS THIRD-GENERATION VariCam HS WITH 1080P HIGH-SPEED AVC-ULTRA RECORDING TO 240FPS

Provides 12-bit 4:4:4 AVC-ULTRA Acquisition for Field Mastering and Archiving, Plus Efficient 4:2:2 10-Bit Recording ForDocumentaries and Sports; Innovative Modular Design Allows Cameras to Dock with Common Recording Module

Panasonic has introduced a third-generation VariCam® camera, the VariCam HS, that incorporates the company’s AVC-ULTRA family of video codecs and high speed 1080p image capture of up to 240fps to produce extraordinary high-definition imagery for the most demanding documentary, sports or SFX slow-motion applications. It also includes Apple ProRes 4444 and ProRes 422 HQ* support for HD recording.(The ProRes codec component is licensed from ATOMOS Global Pty. Ltd., which has shipped ProRes recorders for years.)

Featuring an innovative modular design, the VariCam HS 2/3” camera head docks with the AVC-ULTRA recording module to provide the full functionality and ergonomics of a conventional production camera/recorder. This system flexibility can be expanded with an umbilical cable between the 2/3” camera module (AU-V23HS1) and the recording module (AU-VREC1), providing “box” camera functionality for jibs, cranes and other “remote” camera needs.  This common recorder module is also interchangeable with Panasonic’s new s35mm 4K camera module (AU-V35C1) (see separate news release), enabling professionals to switch between 2/3” and s35mm camera heads to best suit their creative needs.

The VariCam HS utilizes three newly-developed, 1920 x 1080p MOS imagers with an extraordinary 14 stops of latitude, providing full control over a wide range of lighting conditions for unparalleled 1080p native recording/operation.

The VariCam HS will launch fall 2014, with a suggested list price under $55,000, including EVF and shoulder mount module.

You can read the full press release here

For our entire NAB 2014 coverage, click here