At NAB 2017 Panasonic introduced the HLC100 Live Production Center, a system that facilitates video and audio creation where a limited number of operators is available, such as university sports, webcasting, live streaming, and live event video production. The Center makes one-person operation possible for remote camera shooting to streaming transmission.
   

The HLC100 Center works directly with Panasonic PTZ and systems cameras, discovering and deploying them automatically using IP video transport although SDI may be used as well. In addition, it will work with all NDI-capable video sources. Compatible cameras include AW-HE130, AW-HE40, and AW-UE70 PTZ cameras; AK-UC3000 and AK-HC5000 studio camera systems; and AK-UB300 4K box camera with streaming outputs.

“The Live Production Center is a further demonstration of Panasonic’s commitment with NewTek to define revolutionary IP strategy and video distribution with the NDI protocol, while making it accessible to people using today’s Gigabit network technology, says Delix Alex, product manager, PMEC. “With the HLC100, high-performance professional operation can be realized even in production environments with few operators and no expert staff.”

For remote camera operation, the HLC100’s connection and settings can be easily executed using the Easy IP connection function, and pan, tilt, zoom, and focus operations can be performed with one hand using the large joystick. Output format support includes 1080/59.94p and 50p, and there is also a crossconversion function. Smooth transmission can be achieved since it is possible to mix embedded, line-input, and mic-input audio and add it to the video.

In addition to NDI input/output IP transmission protocol, RTSP input (direct input of the IP video of Panasonic PTZ cameras) and the RTMP network protocol (direct transmission to live-streaming services, such as Facebook or YouTube Live) are supported. Professional interfaces also include 3G-SDI (video input x4, video output x2) and an HDMI out for user interface.

The hardware panel for camera control and switching is complemented with a newly designed software user interface that will enable Multiview monitoring, graphics overlay insertions, media players, audio mixers, and much more.

The AV-HLC100 Live Production Center will be available in the fall, pricing to be announced.