Panasonic Upgrades AK-UC4000
The latest free firmware update adds V-Log output, bringing the camera up to Netflix Post Alliance standards.
Panasonic has announced a free firmware upgrade for its AK-UC4000 4K/HD HDR-capable camera system that adds V-Log output, incorporating the colorimetry of the VariCam and AU-EVA1 cinema cameras and making the camera useful for post workflows.
With the inclusion of V-Log, the AK-UC4000 has been approved by the Netflix Post Alliance for creating Netflix-approved content, joining the VariCam 35, VariCam LT, VariCam Pure and Eva1 on that list.
V-Log delivers a very flat image (if observed on a standard monitor) while maintaining all of the camera imager’s color and contrast information. The sensor of the AK-UC4000 achieves a wide color gamut and a color palette that is wider than BT.2020.
With the AK-UC4000 in the V-Log mode, the AK-UCU600 Camera Control Unit will output 4K and HD signals as V-Log so that they can be recorded as V-Log or run through an appropriate LUT box to be shown live to a display. Meanwhile, the camera-head outputs and viewfinder will show a standard ITU 709 Image suitable for standard HD displays.
“The AK-UC4000 camera system has now unlocked V-Log to deliver high dynamic range and broad colors for live or near-live productions where the camera contents are recorded for a later post process,” says Michael Bergeron, Panasonic’s product manager for studio/systems cameras. “The ability to deliver accurate colors and rich skin tones is a must, and now that is available with the AK-UC4000.”
With available V-Log, the AK-UC4000 is fully compatible with the CineLive workflow of the VariCam LT and the Eva-Live workflow of the AU-Eva1.
The firmware upgrade for the AK-UC4000 can be downloaded here.
The upgrade for the AK-UCU600 CCU can be downloaded here.
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