Panasonic Connect announces new Kairos Core mainframes
Panasonic Connect Europe has unveiled the next generation of Kairos, its state-of-the-art live production platform. The new release grows the Kairos ecosystem by adding two new Core mainframes, expanding the platform’s GPU processing to support larger and more complex productions and enabling it to deliver rich content to a higher quantity of larger screens than ever before.
Designed for productions ranging from broadcast studios to remote production and streaming of live sports, Kairos virtualises traditional switcher functions eliminating many legacy switcher hardware constraints with CPU/GPU architecture and utilising a multi-format agile I/O feature to remove the one-to-one input constraints of SDI-only switchers.
The current entry level KC100 delivers a more flexible platform to support productions that might utilise a 3ME broadcast switcher and the KC1000 doubles that processing capacity for bigger and more complex displays. The latest versions are the AT-KC200 and AT-KC2000.
The KC200 expands connectivity options and processing power beyond the KC100, offering the most capacity yet, doubling the number of sources and outputs, and increasing processing performance by at least 30% and clip player capacity by 500% totaling 900GB.
The new 4RU chassis for both models features high airflow at lower fan speeds, reducing noise and allowing the platform to be placed directly next to the action. The Kairos platform natively supports the transition to IP and cloud workflows with simultaneous SDI, ST2110 and streaming support. ST2110 support streamlines the connection to Panasonic’s latest ST2110 compatible cameras, the AW-UE160 PTZ and the AK-PLV100GJ Cinelive studio camera, for multicamera productions.
Both Cores will be available in 2023 and the associated new software will deliver many additional features and increased functionality, including enhanced audio support, third-party alliance integrations, deeper system log support and GUI operational improvements.
“This latest generation takes Kairos to the next level and further underlines our commitment to continue to expand its already broad range of functionality for the benefit of our broadcast and media users, as well as the rental and staging market with advances such as improved quietness,” said Andre Meterian, director of professional video systems for Panasonic Connect Europe. “Kairos is the ideal solution for those looking to move to a next-generation IT/IP centric platform for unlimited production creativity, regardless of format or content destination.”
These latest introductions build on other recent ecosystem developments such as Kairos Compact Control to provide easy control of multiple scene/multiple output production with 12XPT style operation, control of Ross XPression graphics and the release of new Kairos software control modules.