Panasonic LUMIX BS1H Gets Netflix-Approved Certification

Netflix Approved

by Francesco AndreolaMarch 17^th, 2022

The Panasonic LUMIX BS1H has recently been Netflix-approved. The streaming platform and production company released a specific Camera Production Guide for this Panasonic camera model. Let’s take a look at their suggestions.

Released in the last quarter of 2021, the Panasonic LUMIX BS1H is essentially a box-style version of the company’s flagship full-frame mirrorless model, the S1H. If you haven’t seen what this camera is capable of yet, then check out the sample footage my colleague Johnnie captured while testing out the SIRUI 50mm T2.9 1.6x lens on the field.

Now, almost half a year after its initial release, the camera joins the Varicam (35, LT, and Pure), the AU-EVA1, the S1H, the BGH1, and the AK-UC4000 in the list of Netflix-approved Panasonic cameras.

Panasonic LUMIX BS1H is now Netflix-approved

With the Panasonic LUMIX S1H already on the list of cameras certified by the streaming giant, it was quite obvious that the BS1H would soon follow. In fact, the two models share almost exactly the same recording modes, although they differ in their form factors.

The box-style Panasonic LUMIX BS1H is an extremely capable camera. It offers 5.9K recording up to 30fps in full-frame mode, all sorts of H.265 and H.264 flavors, internal 10bit 4:2:2 recording as well as support for 12-bit RAW output over HDMI. Its compact form factor and video-centric I/O make it a very flexible tool, from handheld to drone applications.

As with every approved camera, Netflix released a specific Camera Production Guide for the Panasonic LUMIX BS1H. The document contains a series of settings and best practices to follow when shooting sharp 4K Netflix Originals.

Personally, I think this guide is always a good starting point if you’re renting or using the camera for the very first time and have no clue where to put your hands. The BS1H Camera Production Guide is divided into 7 brief sections:

• Capture Settings
• Stabilization Settings
• Anamorphic Production
• Image Filtration and Compensations
• High Speed | 4:2:2/10-bit Uncompressed HDMI Output
• Maintenance Procedures
• Time Code/Genlock

Recommended settings

Among the most important settings, Netflix reasonably suggests the following in order to obtain the maximum image quality and flexibility in post:

• A resolution of 4096×2160 or 3840×2160
• Full-frame or S35mm modes with 1:1 pixel sampling
• Use of V-Log, with 18% middle gray exposed at 42 IRE
• 4:2:2 chroma subsampling
• 10-bit color depth (Netflix only accepts 12-bit RAW or 10-bit Log footage)
• ALL-I recording
• A bitrate of 400Mbps
• Turn off diffraction compensation, noise reduction, sharpening, and vignetting compensation

Finally, although Netflix always aims for the highest quality possible, keep in mind that these settings aren’t necessarily the best ones for your specific project. Taking some time to study your camera’s manual to learn more about the tool you are holding in your hands is always the best practice.

Have you shot on the Panasonic LUMIX BS1H yet? Are you happy with the image quality? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!