Panasonic Introduces Full Line-Up of Pro Cameras With NDI Support

Panasonic Media Entertainment Company has introduced the full line-up of professional integrated cameras with built-in Network Device Interface (NDI) support: the AW-HN38, AW-HN40, AW-UN70 and AW-HN130. This fully integrated support of NDI version 3 with a new High Efficiency Mode allows users to connect these Panasonic professional PTZ cameras directly to an NDI network, with automatic detection by the NewTek TriCaster and NewTek’s IP Series of professional video switchers, as well as integrates the hundreds of other NDI-capable products in the marketplace, enabled on millions of NDI-capable computer systems.

With NDI, Panasonic PTZ cameras become immediately available for use in NDI-based video production workflows without any additional configuration. NewTek has just announced NDI version 3, improving greatly on an already simple workflow with SDK enhancements that improve encoding performance, multicast support with FEC (Forward Error Correction), standardized PTZ control commands and tally, and the addition of the High Efficiency Mode, NDI|HX, which allows hardware converters and cameras to enter the NDI world.

The AW-HN38, AW-HN40, AW-UN70, and AW-HN130 join Panasonic’s market leading existing PTZ models (non “N” model), and will be available in both black and white colors. The AW-HN38 enters the Panasonic professional PTZ line-up as a high-value, premium quality model with a powerful feature-set similar to the AW-HN/HE40, but with 22x Zoom, HDMI and native IP connectivity.

The “N” cameras will feature an NDI mode within the camera menu that reconfigures the camera settings for best performance and full compatibility on an NDI network. Simply connect from the network (NDI) connector to the network switch and the video source is immediately available on any NDI-capable software application or production system. Full control of a remote PTZ camera with full tally support is also immediately available and requires no additional menu configuration due the tight collaboration between NewTek and Panasonic on NDI version 3. NDI forms the “single” cable workflow with Panasonic, enabling very low latency video, audio, PTZ control, tally and power all over one cable.

“With NDI Version 3, NewTek is making IP Video a complete end-to- end offering for customers,highlighted by our relationship with Panasonic and their next generation products. We have collaborated closely with Panasonic over a period of years to bring its de facto industry standardfor robotic PTZ control and image quality to the millions of end users who have NDI-enabled products,” says Dr. Andrew Cross, NewTek President and Chief Technology Officer. “Panasonic PTZ cameras with NDI built-in are the realization of the dream of a more efficient and better way to produce a show.”

Among the hundreds of NDI-capable devices is the Panasonic AV-HLC100, introduced by the company in April 2017 (shipping in Fall 2017). NDI integrated into Panasonic PTZ cameras in conjunction with the AV-HLC100 will provide a unique next generation workflow, offering full end- to-end IP connectivity from capture, live production right up to end-user delivery and streaming.

Simply by selecting an automatically detected camera on the network and naming the source, a user will immediately have video, audio, tally and PTZ control without any configuration required. Compared to traditional baseband, serial and analog workflows, NDI dramatically cuts down on set-up time and labor and works on existing infrastructure, meaning that almost any network is now ready to produce and distribute video.

“Panasonic has innovated with its professional remote production cameras and systems from the very first generation,” says Delix Joseph T. Alex, Product Manager for PTZ Camera and IP Networking Systems, Panasonic Media Entertainment Company. “The original vision of simple yet truly remote production from almost anywhere is now achieved with built-in NDI support in Panasonic award-winning professional integrated PTZ cameras and switchers.”

Customers who have purchased or will purchase the “standard” AW-HE40H/S, AW-UE70, AW-HE130 can visit NewTek’s website (new.tk/ndi_panasonic) in Fall 2017 to upgrade and enable NDI capabilities for these camera models. The NDI Panasonic camera line-up in addition to the NDI upgrade path for current cameras and the AV-HLC100 switcher will be available in Fall 2017.