Press Releases

Panasonic: More Info on Firmware Ver 4.0 Update (July 6, 2015) at No Cost for VariCam 35 4K & VariCam HS Professional Camera/Recorders: New Features Include Uncompressed RAW Capture with New Codex V-RAW Recorder & Anamorphic Lens Support for VariCam 35; Support for Apple ProRes 4:4:4:4 Codec in Both Cameras

The following video presents NAB 2015: Codex Updates:

Megan stopped by the Codex booth today to chat with Sarah Priestnall, VP Market Development, about their new VariCam V-RAW Recorder. Designed specifically for the Panasonic VariCam 35, the unit attaches directly to the back of the camera. The V-RAW Recorder captures uncompressed Varicam-RAW (V-RAW) 4K at up to 120 fps using the new 1TB or 2TB Capture Drive 2.0 media. These Codex Capture Drives offer 52 minutes or 1 hour 45 minutes of run time at 24 fps respectively and easily accommodates higher frame rates. The V-RAW Recorder uses the standard Codex workflow, including the Vault Platform and Vault Review, which now run on Mac OS.

This is an update to the previous blog, Panasonic: New Firmware Ver 4.0 Update (July 6, 2015) for VariCam 35 & VariCam HS Professional Cameras is Now Available: New Features Include Support for AU-VEXT1 Extension Unit .

The press release below provides more info about the recently released FREE firmware upgrade for Panasonic VariCam 35 4K and VariCam HS professional camera/recorders

Panasonic VariCam 35 4k workflow

Panasonic VariCam 35 4k workflow

If specific post / grading software or software versions does not work with certain VariCam codecs, Panasonic P2 Viewer Plus v2.3 can bridge the gap by converting the camera original content to RGB 4:4:4 DPX files, which are commonly used by major grading tools.

Also, for more information about the VariCam 35 and VariCam HS, please visit http://info.panasonic.com/varicam-models.html or contact Panasonic at 877-803-8492.

PRESS RELEASE

Panasonic Perfects Varicam 35/Hs Production and Workflows with Latest Firmware Upgrade

NEWARK, NJ 07/21/2015

Panasonic has announced a free firmware upgrade for its VariCam 35 4K and VariCam HS camera/recorders that expands recording options and enables a multiplicity of post-production workflow scenarios. Improvements encompass uncompressed RAW capture for the VariCam 35 with the new Codex V-RAW recorder, support for the Apple ProRes* 4444 codec in both the VariCam 35 and VariCam HS, and anamorphic lens support for the VariCam 35.

panasonic-varicam-35-4k-crop

This firmware upgrade Version 4.0 is immediately available for downloading at the Panasonic service support website, http://eww.pass.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/support/content/download/EN/ep2main/soft/upgvaricam_e.htm.

varicam-hs-logo-front-left-crop

“We have largely developed these new features based on numerous set visits as the VariCam 35/HS have gained traction in commercial, narrative and documentary production,” said Steven Cooperman, Senior Product Manager, Panasonic System Communications Company. “We’ve listened closely to the real-world requirements and observations of cinematographers, DITs, rental and post houses and other VariCam partners.”

Combining the ultimate in high-performance, with ease-of-use, the Codex V-RAW recorder adds uncompressed RAW capture to the VariCam 35 camera platform by enabling the recording of 4K RAW at up to 120fps, greatly bolstering the camera’s suitability for high-end cinema applications. The Codex V-RAW recorder directly connects with the VariCam35, eliminating cabling completely to facilitate greater efficiency, superb reliability and higher mobility.

(For complete information on the newly-available V-RAW recorder, visit http://www.codexdigital.com/products/recorders/v-raw-recorder.)

With newly added support for HD recordings in the Apple ProRes 4444 industry-standard codec, VariCam 35/HS users will enjoy the advantages of well-established workflow options as well as premium HD image capture. The addition of 1.33:1 and 2.0:1 anamorphic lensing support for the VariCam 35 is enhanced by the simultaneous recording of squeezed and de-squeezed images in the VariCam 35’s main and sub-recorders, eliminating cut-out operations during post. Anamorphic lens support also enhances on-set monitoring by displaying de-squeezed images in the viewfinder and HD monitor outputs.

Broad Software Support for AVC-ULTRA Codec
The powerful versatility of Panasonic’s scalable AVC-ULTRA codec is on full display in the VariCam 35, with AVC-Intra4K422 providing 4K recording up to 60fps, AVC-Intra4K444 12-bit recording up to 30fps for the highest-quality field production and graphics flexibility, and AVC-Intra4K-LT optimized for high-speed capture up to 120fps.

The following products and versions support all the above formats:

Assimilate    Scratch 8.3
AVID            Media Composer 8.4

Blackmagic     DaVinci Resolve 11.3.1
Colorfront        Express Dailies, On-Set Dailies, Transkoder 2015
Digital Vision   NuCoda 2015.1
Filmlight          BaseLight, DayLight 4.4m1
GrassValley    EDIUS 7.5

Additional AVC-Intra4K422 support is provided by:

Adobe             Premiere Pro CC 2015.1 (4k422 and 4k444 are both supported)
Apple              Final Cut Pro X 10.2.1
Autodesk         Flame/Smoke 2016 (4k422 and 4k444 are both supported)
Quantel            Pablo Rio v2.0

If specific post / grading software or software versions does not work with certain VariCam codecs, Panasonic P2 Viewer Plus v2.3 can bridge the gap by converting the camera original content to RGB 4:4:4 DPX files, which are commonly used by major grading tools.  For a free download of P2 Viewer Plus v2.3, visit http://pro-av.panasonic.net/en/sales_o/p2/p2viewerplus/index.html

* The Apple ProRes format is licensed from Apple Inc. The Apple ProRes codec is under license from Atomos.

For more information about the VariCam 35 and VariCam HS, visit www.us.panasonic.com/varicam or contact Panasonic at 877-803-8492.

Panasonic Solutions for Business
Panasonic delivers reliable business technology solutions that connect data with decision makers to drive better outcomes—for our customers and our customers’ customers. Panasonic engineers reliable products and solutions that help to create, capture and deliver data of all types, where, when and how it is needed. The complete suite of Panasonic professional solutions for government and commercial enterprises of all sizes addresses unified business communications, mobile computing, security and surveillance, retail point-of-sale, office productivity, visual communications (projectors, displays, digital signage) and HD video production. Panasonic solutions for business are delivered by Panasonic System Communications Company of North America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation.

All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic solutions for business can be obtained by calling 877-803-8492 or at us.panasonic.com/business-solutions.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America
Panasonic Corporation of North America provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products and solutions for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. In Interbrand’s 2014 annual “Best Global Green Brands” report, Panasonic ranked number five overall and the top electronics brand in the report. As part of continuing sustainability efforts, Panasonic Corporation of North America relocated its headquarters to a new facility, adjacent to Newark Penn Station in Newark, NJ. It is the first newly constructed office tower in Newark to earn both LEED Platinum and Gold certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Learn more about Panasonic at us.panasonic.com/news.


The following video presents VariCam Live Color Grading: Camera Setup (Part 1):

One of the great features of the Panasonic VariCam 35 is its built in color management. The camera can record in VariCam Log while applying look up tables (LUTs) to all outputs, including the viewfinder. The camera can load in both 3D LUTs for full color adjustment, as well as CDLs (Color Decision Lists) for basic Lift, Gamma, Gain and Saturation adjustments. While these LUTs and CDL files can be loaded in via an SD card, what really makes this camera unique is that it can also be live graded.

Watch Part 2: Live Color Grading with the VariCam: Part 2 – Working with Pomfort at https://youtu.be/N7nSWxc826g .