Brown Note Productions Recruits Panasonic AW-UE150 4K Cams for New Flypack Systems

Brown Note Productions recently purchased four Panasonic AW-UE150 4K 60p integrated pan/tilt/zoom cameras, four AW-RP150 camera controllers, and three AK-UC3000 4K/HD studio/field camera systems for newly-configured flypack systems. Brown Note specializes in full-service production for concerts, tours, music festivals and special events, as well as system integration and end-to-end show design.

According to Brown Note President Ryan Knutson, the company has extensively rented Panasonic PTZ and field cameras in the past, but given Brown Note’s dramatic growth throughout its 15-year history–as well as its entry into the system integration business—it was an opportune time to invest in its own acquisition gear.

“Panasonic impressed us with its commitment to the rental/staging markets, and it seemed a natural choice to offer a Panasonic platform to our production and integration clients,” says Knutson. “Also, we found the new UE150 PTZ—with its 4K capabilities, large sensor, 20x optical zoom and robust controller — to be quite spectacular.”

“Likewise capable of simultaneous 4K and 1080p output, the UC3000 field camera was the ideal choice for our studio bodies,” he adds.

Brown Note has already scheduled several assignments for the new Panasonic cameras, including national music festivals starting in May and several collegiate commencements. Brown Note will also utilize the UE150s and UC3000s for its touring and event clients throughout the year and beyond.

Knuston said that the projected implementation of the cameras would have the UE150s hung from trusses on stage, with the UC3000s used on tripods or handheld at the front of the house. Typically, the cameras will support IMAG to screens 50-feet or larger.

“We have been capturing about half of our projects in 4K, and I expect that percentage will only increase,” Knutson said. “Beyond live production, we have also been recording events in 4K, with our clients using the footage for promos and archive.

“Altogether, the UE150s and UC3000s represent a significant upgrade in image quality and an improved experience for our customers.”

The AW-UE150 PTZ and Companion AW-RP150 controller
This new flagship model PTZ features 4K/UHD 60p output and a wide horizontally viewing angle of 75.1 degrees (both firsts in their class), plus a 20x optical zoom/32x intelligent zoom (in HD mode). The UE150 is equipped with a large 1” MOS sensor and various 4K interfaces including 12G-SDI, HDMI, optical fiber and IP connectivity. The camera simultaneous outputs 4K and HD, assuring the right output for the production. The camera teams with the AW-RP150, a new touchscreen camera controller. Offering a 7” GUI LCD screen for monitoring and menu settings, the controller offers intuitive, single-hand operability with a joystick (with a seesaw lever for zoom or focus control).

About the AK-UC3000 4K Camera System
Targeted at studios and productions requiring high-end functionality at an affordable price, the UC3000 (with the AK-UCU500 CCU unit) outputs a UHD signal (3840 x 2160 at 59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 29.97PsF, 25p, 25PsF, 23.98p, 23.98PsF), while also delivering superb picture quality in HD. High dynamic range (HDR) is also possible for either HD or UHD images and there are no additional licensing fee requirements for UHD or HDR. The camera’s B4 mount accommodates the gamut of existing 2/3-inch lenses to maximize customers’ return on their investment in existing lenses, and it allows a wider and more economical choice of glass for sports, concerts and similar applications.