At IBC2013, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Panasonic showed HDPROGUIDE Magazine its new Ultra Wide Angle Camera at IBC 2013. This camera consists of a unique panoramic video shooting system which combines four AW-HE120 cameras. The Ultra Wide Angle Camera is capable of producing panoramic images in HD quality making it ideal for capturing sports games and events.
Panasonic’s Ultra Wide Angle Camera consists of four lightweight AW-HE120 HD integrated remote cameras, assembled into a single compact rig configuration. The camera system stitches the images taken by its four HD cameras (16:9) in real-time to produce seamless ultra wide 180° (64:9) panoramic images. The camera system is great for capturing sports action, such as football games, as it covers the entire field at once. That makes the moves and formations of all players clearly visible to viewers. The HD resolution is sharp enough to make the shirt numbers of all players easily legible even when enlarged.
The compact rig of the Ultra Wide Angle Camera allows the system to be easily transported and installed in stadiums or on location. A PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) automatic adjustment function ensures the camera system is immediately ready for use after set-up by eliminating the need to synchronise viewing angles among the four cameras. The Ultra Wide Angle Camera is operated and controlled via a standard IP connection.
Each of the four cameras in the Ultra Wide Angle Camera has a 20x zoom lens. The included Panoramic Software for PC communicates directly with the cameras via TCP/IP and supports HD SDI capturing for high picture quality. The camera system has four 1/3-type 2.2-megapixel U.L.T. MOS sensors that enable Full HD superior picture quality. Furthermore, the Ultra Wide Angle Camera has four high-performance Digital Signal Processors (DSP) for fine image rendering.
The Ultra Wide Angle Camera will be built to order and will be released within the end of the calendar year 2013. The RRP is still to be confirmed.
A prototype of the camera system was on display at Panasonic’s IBC booth, #9.C45, from 13 till 17 September.
business.panasonic.eu/broadcast-and-proav
Panasonic will be exhibiting in GTC East, ASIS 2013 Expo, and DV Expo West.
For more information, visit business.panasonic.eu/broadcast-and-proav.
Featured image taken by HDPROGUIDE Magazine Senior Editor, Jody Michelle Solis.
