Asia-Pacific Broadcasting (APB) December 2016 Volume 33, Issue 11 | Page 11

December 2016 NEWS & VIEWS 11

A total of 38,047 visitors thronged the halls of the Mukuhari Messe convention centre in Tokyo for Inter BEE 2016 .

behind Japanese public broadcaster NHK ’ s push to offer full-scale 8K transmissions by 2020 , when the Olympic Games will be hosted by Tokyo . In a number of high-profile trials , NHK is shooting 8K content with the SK-UHD8060 Super Hi- Vision 8K camera .

Developed jointly with NHK , the SK-UHD8060 features a single 33-million-pixel CMOS sensor and can transmit simultaneous 8K , 4K / UHD and 2K format signals at 60fps .

One of the main draws for another camera manufacturer is the Panasonic AG-UX180 camera , which will begin shipping this month . Designed for professional 4K / UHD video production needs , the AG-UX180 is equipped with a newly designed compact lens featuring a wide 24mm angle and 20x optical zoom , as well as a 1.0- type high-sensitivity MOS sensor . The AG-UX180 supports 4K 24p , UHD 60p / 50p , FHD 60 / 50p multiformat recording and HD super slow-motion .

Also to be launched this month is the VariCam Pure , a smaller RAW recorder variant of Panasonic ’ s VariCam 35 camera . Developed in conjunction with Codex , the HDRready VariCam Pure is equipped with the new Codex V-RAW2.0 recorder . This allows the VariCam Pure to record 4K RAW up to 120fps , and will also be available separately as an option for the VariCam 35 .

For Leader Electronics , the integration of HDR into its test and measurement products started last year , reported Masahiro Sawa , general manager , Leader Electronics .

One key product the company is now offering is the LV5490 waveform monitor , which offers 4K / UHD , 3G , HD and SD test and measurement features in a compact portable unit . It allows waveform , vector and picture display to be viewed simultaneously on the instrument ’ s front-panel 9-inch LCD monitor , which comes with full 1920 x 1080 HD resolution . To feed a large monitor 1920 x 1080 HD DVI and HD-SDI rasterised outputs are also provided .

Other highlights include Roland ’ s VR-4HD A / V mixer . Designed with single-person operation in mind , the VR-4HD enables easy switching and mixing of sound and video using advanced video and audio digital signal processing ( DSI ).

Along with dedicated hardware controls faders , buttons and a touch-screen interface , it also integrates a digital audio mixer , video switcher , multi-viewer touch screen and USB video / audio streaming interface into a standalone device . Designed for schools , churches , corporate events , sports and other live events , the VR-4HD begins shipping next month .

Building on the success of the TP500 pneumatic pedestal ,

Shotoku Corporation highlighted the recently released TP500 Compact Handle . While incorporating many of the best features of the original TP500 , the new model ’ s handle diameter is cut by 23.9cm , making it easier for electronic field production ( EFP ) and electronic newsgathering ( ENG ) users to work in more creative ways than ever .

Yori Kato , regional sales manager , Asia , broadcast sales division , Shotoku Corporation , elaborated : “ The TP500 base model is ideal for situations where camera operators need the handle to be right in front of them , as is the case in most studio set-ups .

“ For the Compact Handle TP500 , it allows cameramen to get right up next to their camera while still making use of a perfectly balanced air column for smooth rising shots , as well as smooth rubber lines for dolly shots . It combines the stability and versatility of a tripod with the creative capabilities of a high-end pedestal into one product .”

Weighing 27kg with Shotoku ’ s TZ-63 High Hat adaptor attached ( column = 18kg , dolly = 9kg ), the TP500 Compact Handle can also be used alongside Shotoku ’ s 100mm ball-type pan-and-tilt heads — the SH100 and SH120 .

Inter BEE will return to the Makuhari Messe convention centre next year from November 15-17 .

Making a first foray into the broadcast business is Jector , a Nekojarashi company that started out as a cloud storage provider for video makers and professionals . “ As IP technology becomes more common in the broadcast industry , we will continue to develop our cloud storage solution to create more cost-effective and efficient workflows for broadcast customers ,” said Jector ’ s Mizuki Kataoka .

Yori Kato , Shotoku Corporation ’ s regional sales manager , Asia , showing off the new TP500 Compact Handle , which still retains all of the best features of the company ’ s TP500 pneumatic pedestal .