New 4K/IP Camera Control Unit to Offer Robust IP Connectivity and new KAIROS addition for increased redundancy

Bracknell, UK. 18th October 2023 – Panasonic Connect Europe today announced a new camera control unit (CCU) to support a wide range of IP migration paths for the company’s existing 4K studio camera systems. As the live-production industry migrates to IP-based systems, this new AK-UCU700 series offers 4K and HDR operation, flexible IP migration of existing operation systems, seamless migration from conventional CCU-based baseband systems, and a 3.5” LCD touch panel for easy operation.

The AK-UCU700 supports the new SMPTE ST 2110 IP-transmission standard as well as JPEG-XS to compress 4K video by a factor of 10 without degrading quality. It’s also the industry’s first studio camera system to support the Dante network audio standard as well as the NDI® (High Bandwidth NDI®) and SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) IP transmission standards.

Expanded KAIROS

In addition, Panasonic Connect Europe today also announced the Kairos Core 2000 (Main Frame) new series, AT-KC2000S1, one of the KAIROS IT/IP platforms for professional live-video production and distribution. The AT-KC2000S1 can support a flexible number of inputs and outputs to suit customers’ video production, alongside ST 2022-7 redundancy for broadcasting and event distribution using a network. This series is ideal for customers broadcasting or live streaming events and sports using a network, and supports unlimited and more stable video production.

The AT-KC2000S1 is a mainframe equipped with the same functions as the second-generation Kairos Core 2000 (AT-KC2000) announced in August of this year and can be used without halving the number of inputs and outputs when operating with redundancy. 

    AT-KC2000 AT-KC2000S1
During normal operation 4K 16 inputs x 10 outputs* 16 inputs x 10 outputs*
HD 64 inputs x 40 outputs* 64 inputs x 40 outputs*
When redundancy is secured 4K 8 inputs x 5 outputs* 16 inputs x 10 outputs*
HD 32 inputs x 20 outputs* 64 inputs x 40 outputs*

*All input/output are from “KAIROS version V1.6” or later. “KAIROS version 1.6” is scheduled to be available from the fourth quarter of FY2023.

“Demand for hybrid video production is growing and viewing habits are rapidly diversifying,” explained Andre Meterian, Director of Professional Video Systems for Panasonic Connect Europe. “It’s driving a need for the industry to support various resolutions and aspect ratios as well as simultaneous distribution to multiple media. These two latest IP-based systems help organisations transition to the new production reality and Panasonic Connect Europe is leading this charge.” 

The AK-UCU700 series is scheduled for release in the first quarter of CY2024. The KAIROS AT-KC2000S1 will be available from December 2023.

 

About the Panasonic Group

Founded in 1918, and today a global leader in developing innovative technologies and solutions for wide-ranging applications in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, industry, communications, and energy sectors worldwide, the Panasonic Group switched to an operating company system on April 1, 2022 with Panasonic Holdings Corporation serving as a holding company and eight companies positioned under its umbrella. The Group reported consolidated net sales of 8,378.9 billion yen (ca. 59.4 billion Euro) for the year ended March 31, 2023. To learn more about the Panasonic Group, please visit: https://holdings.panasonic/global/

 

About Panasonic Connect Europe GmbH

Panasonic Connect Europe began operations on October 1st, 2021, creating a new Business-to-Business focused and agile organisation. With more than 400 employees and led by CEO Hiroyuki Nishiuma, the business aims to contribute to the success of its customers with innovative products and integrated systems and services – all designed to deliver its vision to Change Work, Advance Society and Connect to Tomorrow.

Panasonic Connect Europe is headquartered in Wiesbaden and consists of the following business divisions: 

  • The Mobile Solutions Business Division helps mobile workers improve productivity with its range of Toughbook rugged notebooks, business tablets and handhelds.
  • The Media Entertainment Business Division incorporating Visual System Solutions offers a range of high brightness and reliable projectors as well as high quality displays; and Broadcast & ProAV offers Smart Live Production solutions from an end-to-end portfolio consisting of PTZ and system cameras, camcorders, the Kairos IT/IP platform, switchers and robotic solutions that are widely used for live event capture, sports production, television, and xR studios.
  • Business and Industry Solutions delivers tailored technology solutions focused on Retail, Logistics and Manufacturing, using its unique Gemba Process Innovation approach. Its purpose is to increase operational efficiency and enhance customer experience, helping businesses to perform at their best, every day.
  • Panasonic Factory Solutions Europe is helping to make smart factories a reality with its wide range of automated solutions including electronics manufacturing solutions, robot and welding systems and software solutions engineering.

For more information please visit: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com

Please visit Panasonic Connect Europe’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/panasonic-connect-europe/