Building on the success of its AW-HE50 and AW-HE120 series pan/tilt/zoom cameras for remote production. Panasonic has introduced the AW-HE60 full HD integrated camera with innovative features including IP live video monitoring for remote preview and control, and a Night Mode for shooting in extremely low light using IR illumination. Like the HE50 series, the HE60 will be available in two versions, the AW-HE60H with HDMI and component outputs, and the AW-HE60S with HD/SD-SDI and component outputs plus genlock.
The HE60S/H cameras offer a sleek, compact design that combines outstanding image quality, smooth pan/tilt/zoom operation, and easy integration for superb HD and SD production and video communications. The cameras utilize full HD MOS sensors (effective resolution 1920 x1080) and feature Dynamic Range Stretch (DRS) technology to help compensate for wide variations in lighting. Hybrid 2D/3D Noise Reduction processing produces smooth, sharp HD video with up to 850 lines of horizontal resolution in a wide range of lighting conditions and environments. Both IP and RS-422 serial control interfaces are built-in.
Prior to the HE60, remote IP monitoring with production pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras required the use of a stand-alone streaming encoder or distribution via SDI, HDMI or analog component infrastructure. The HE60 cameras, with both remote IP control and live monitoring, afford reduced integration costs, easier remote production and engineering, and lower cost for multiple location systems-making them ideal for sports, education, house of worship, and government uses.
IP monitoring is displayed in 16:9 at up to 30fps in VGA (640 x 480) and QVGA (320 x 240) using either M-JPEG or H.264 encoding. Multi-view monitoring of up to 16 cameras in a single Browser window is available in M-JPEG mode only. Remote IP live video monitoring of HE60 series cameras is also available on mobile devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Android tablets and phones.
The HE60's Night Mode makes it possible to shoot in virtual darkness with the use of an (optional) IR illuminator in the 600nm range. The camera's remote controllable IR cut filter combined with advanced digital signal processing allows the user to switch between normal full HD color video and high-resolution, black-and-white Night Mode video. This greatly simplifies the systems required to shoot both types of video for applications such as reality show production and sleep lab research.
Other improvements in the HE60 series include factory installation of the powerful V2.0 firmware, which was an extra-cost option for the HE50 series. V2.0 feature upgrades include 16-axis color matrix control for precise camera “painting” and matching, R/B gain adjustment, and the addition of 1080/59.94p output (H version only) and 1080/30p (S version only). Finer control of pan/tilt/zoom speeds with the AW-RM50 IR remote control has also been added, as well as improved focus control.
The HE60 cameras incorporate a highly-accurate pan-tilt head that offers precise, fast, fluid movement in all directions, enabling the capture of both slow and fast-moving objects without excessive vibration and bounce. An 18X HD optical zoom plus 10X digital zoom covers use in rooms of all sizes. The cameras deliver many international HD and SD video signal formats including: 1080/59.94p (H version only), 1080/59.94i, 1080/30p (S version only), 720/59.94p, 480/59.94p (H version only), 480/59.94i, 1080/50p (H version only), 1080/50i, 720/50p, 575/50p (H version only) and 576/50i.
Other features include 54dB S/N, three-step gamma correction and seven-step chroma level adjustment for exceptional creative control, up to 100 pre-set memories for rapid and precise shot recall, an electronic shutter (1/100 to 1/10,000 a sec) with synchro scan, and built-in tally light for remote studio use. The cameras' 3.5-lb design and included ceiling mount with simple turn-lock mounting mechanism facilitate quick, easy installation. A ¼-20 mounting thread is also provided in the cameras' base-plate for use with tripods and other mounting systems. The HE60 series cameras can also deliver full IP remote control with live IP video monitoring when used with Panasonic's cost-effective, versatile outdoor housings.
The AW-HE60H and AW-HE60S will be available in December at suggested list prices of $4,700.00 and $5,700.00, respectively.
For more information about Panasonic remote HD cameras and other professional video products, visit www.panasonic.com/broadcast.
Panasonic Solutions for Business
Built on a celebrated engineering foundation, Panasonic architects business technology solutions that help build a better world. Customers in government, healthcare, production, education and a wide variety of commercial enterprises, large and small, depend on integrated solutions from Panasonic to help them acquire, manage and interpret the information that drives innovation. The complete suite of Panasonic solutions addresses unified business communications, mobile computing, security and surveillance systems, retail information systems, office productivity solutions, high definition visual conferencing, projectors, professional displays and HD video production. As a result of its commitment to R&D, manufacturing and quality control, Panasonic engineers reliable and long-lasting solutions as a partner for continuous improvement. Panasonic solutions for business are delivered by Panasonic System Communications Company of North America, which is a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC).
All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic solutions for business can be obtained by calling 877-803-8492 or at www.panasonic.com.