NAB 2019: Panasonic 8K System Offers Pan/Tilt/Zoom of Four HD Cut Outs

Panasonic (Booth C3607) has developed an 8K ROI (Region of Interest) multi-camera system that uses high-resolution 8K cameras to improve operating efficiency and reduce operating costs in live events and sports applications. Showcased here at NAB, the product is scheduled for market release in July 2019.

The AK-SHB800GJ 8K multi-purpose camera allows for up to four different HD videos can be cropped from a high-resolution, wide-angle 8K image.

The AK-SHB800GJ 8K Multi-Purpose Camera is a compact, box-type camera and features an 8K full-size CMOS image sensor and EF lens mount. An 8K ROI multi-camera system can be configured by connecting the AK-SHB800GJ to an AK-SHU800 Image Processing Unit and a PC installed with Framing Control Software.

Up to four different HD videos can be cropped from a high-resolution, wide-angle 8K image, and each cropped image can be panned, tilted and zoomed individually, enabling the single 8K ROI camera to serve as four HD cameras. A multiple of 8K Multi-Purpose Camera units (maximum of eight units) can be connected and operated as one integrated system.

By linking a crop area in one camera to multiple crop images in other cameras, pan, tilt and zoom on the multiple crop images operate in link with the panning, tilting and zooming on the main frame. The automatic wide-angle distortion correction function achieves natural-looking images even in the videos cropped from the frame periphery. The camera control unit is alternately capable of outputting the full 8K image (as 4x 12G SDI feeds) usable for 8K ROI replay systems such as those provided by Fletcher Chicago at Super Bowl LIII.

The 8K ROI multi-camera system improves operating efficiency and reduces operating costs in live events and sports recording or broadcasting. The system helps to reduce camera setup, relocation and transport costs. It also eliminates the need to take up audience seats for the setup of multiple cameras.

Panasonic has been developing 4K/8K equipment and systems toward practical applications in 2020. The company continues to contribute to the further development of the broadcasting industry by helping broadcasters and video producers to acquire high-quality images and improve operating efficiency.