BVE 2018: Panasonic EVA1 Firmware 2.0 and Varicam LT Firmware 6.0

As in prior years, Panasonic had a large presence at BVE 2018 and, of course, the latest Panasonic EVA1 camera got the most interest out of show attendees, at least in my opinion. The Lumix GH5S was also demoed at the Holdan and Atomos stands, which was cool to see as well. The EVA1 may be the latest S35 camera from Panasonic, but the Varicam LT is yet another model that has been garnering lots of attention in the production world over the past couple of years.

For those of you who’ve planned to use the Varicam LT for any form of live event productions, Panasonic has some good news for you as the upcoming firmware upgrade v6.0 for the Varicam LT will make the camera ready for live events, concerts, TV shows and other multi-cam productions.

Firmware version v6.0 is said to feature a shading mode alongside tally and return video management as well as full control of multiple Varicam LTs thanks to Panasonic’s AK-HRP1000 remote control panel. The upcoming firmware (March 2018) will give camera operators extended control from the Remote Control Panel, which includes full paint features – from standard ‘shading’ processes to LUT and CDL management – as well as scene file selection, remote REC control and call function.

Panasonic Varicam LT Media Production Show 2017

Initially, firmware v6.0 for Varicam LT was supposed to be released at the end of February, but there has been a slight delay in the release, as you’ll learn from the interview with Rob from Panasonic below.

Firmware 2.0 update for the Panasonic EVA1 is a major upgrade to the camera adding, 4K and 5.7K raw output via SDI, high-bit rate codecs, and lots of other functionality.

Panasonic EVA1 Firmware update 2.0

Panasonic EVA1 Firmware 2.0 Details:

Raw data output via 6G-SDI:

  • 5.7K Raw up to 30p (S35)
  • 4K Raw up to 60p (Four Thirds Crop)
  • 2K Raw up to 240fps (Four Thirds Crop)

New ALL-I intra-frame codecs:

  • 4K 10bit 4:2:2 400Mbps – 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p
  • UHD 10bit 4:2:2 400Mbps – 29.97p/25p/23.98p
  • 2K/Full HD 10bit 4:2:2 200Mbps  – 59.94p/50p
  • 2K 10bit 4:2:2 100Mbps – 29.97p/25p/24p/23.98p
  • 1080p 10bit 4:2:2 100Mbps – 29.97p/25p/23.98p

4K/UHD VFR 400MBPS 10bit 4:2:2 1-30fps
2K/FHD VFR 200MBPS 10bit 4:2:2 1-120fps

Interlaced Recording Format

  • 1920 x 1080 – ALL-Intra 100Mbps 10bit 4:2:2 @59.94i/50i
  • 1920 x 1080 – LongGOP 50Mbps 10bit 4:2:2 @59.94i/50i

Interval Recording Timelapse in LongGOP and ALL-I

Remote Operation Support

Additional Sigma ART Lenses Supported:

  • 12-24 F4 DG HSM
  • 24-70 F2.8 DG OS HSM
  • 14mm F1.8 DG HSM
  • 30mm F1.4 DC HSM
  • 85mm F1.4 DG HSM
  • 135mm F1.8 DG HSM

Both firmware updates will be free of charge and released later this month.

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