Ikegami reports strong interest in its latest-generation UHD cameras at the CABSAT 2016 broadcast technology exhibition held mid-March in Dubai.
“With consumer 4K UHD displays now available at very affordable prices, broadcasters worldwide are looking very seriously at the creative and commercial potential of advancing to 4K UHD and in the longer term to 8K SHV,” comments Masanori Kondo, President of Ikegami Europe. “As a global leader in the development of advanced imaging and display technology, Ikegami has worked intensively to ensure broadcasters can implement UHD and SHV easily and efficiently at whatever time best suits each channel’s investment strategy.
“Visitors to the Ikegami stand were highly complimentary about the image quality of our new 4K native UHK-430 and 8K SHK-810 8K portable broadcast cameras. We also experienced strong interest in the implementation of high dynamic range standards to match the capabilities of latest generation display technology.
“4K UHD delivers four times more image detail than high definition plus the potential advantages of 10 bit per pixel colour depth using the DVB-UHDTV Phase 1 standard instead of the long established 8 bits per pixel. 4K UHD content is already being offered by some online video content providers and 4K broadcasting is now starting to become a reality.”
First in Ikegami’s next-generation UNICAM XE series, the UHK-430 employs three newly-developed 4K-native 2/3 inch CMOS sensors which provide full 3840 x 2160 ultra-high definition resolution plus the depth of field required for studio and outdoor production. The camera is equipped with a B4 bayonet mount compatible with 2/3 inch HD lenses. An optional SE-U430 expander accommodates large studio or OB lenses. Two piece construction allows the UHK-430’s sensor and lens head to be detached as a compact unit for easy deployment on a support devices such as long-reach manually-controlled camera poles. In this mode, the head can be operated up to 50 metres from the camera body.
The UHK-430 incorporates a new processor allowing it to deliver a wide range of features including a 16-axis colour matrix and new focus-assist for 4K and HD video modes. BT.2020 extended colour space specification is supported in 4K mode. BT. 709 colour space is supported in HD modes and can also be switched in during 4K operation. The processor also contributes to low power consumption. The companion CCU-430 camera control unit supports easy migration from HD to 4K live production. Features include switchable 4 x 3G-SDI 4K output as well as HD output. An optional plug-in board makes 4K video, HD video, and HD cutout from 4K available simultaneously. 12G-SDI and video-over-IP interfaces will be introduced in the coming months. A built-in 40 gigabits per second optical transceiver delivers full bandwidth 4K RGB 4:4:4 component channels from camera to CCU, allowing very high quality chroma keying. Dual HD outputs are provided for teleprompt and talent monitor plus return video lines from studio to viewfinder. The UHK-430 also has a Gigabit Ethernet data port to allow networked control.
“8K SHV offers 16 times more image detail than HD and delivers astonishingly sharp images on screen sizes or 85 inches or more,” Masanori Kondo continues. “SHV has good potential to move eventually into the broadcast market. CABSAT visitors were extremely impressed by the capabilities of our 8K SHK-810 camera which was developed in close co-operation with NHK which is scheduled to start SHV test transmissions this year. Public demand for 8K content is expected to be driven by coverage of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. We are confident that 8K SHV will prove extremely useful across a wide range of applications including broadcasting and healthcare.”
Designed in collaboration with NHK, the SHK-810 is Ikegami’s fourth generation 8K camera. It employs a single 33 million-pixel Super 35 CMOS sensor, achieving 4,000 TVL horizontal and vertical resolution. The sensor allows the tight depth of focus often chosen for high-impact drama programmes. The camera provides 8K, 4K and 2K output. It can be used in a fully 8K production environment or alongside 4K and/or 2K cameras. Regular PL-mount lenses can be used.
“We also promoted the capabilities of the Hi-Motion II camera, showing how easily the it can be used to produce stunning slow-motion imagery for fast-moving sports and documentary programmes. The Hi-Motion II delivers broadcast-quality slow-motion images at up to 20 times slowdown. It employs three-sensor 1920 x 1080 native technology and has a broadcast industry standard B4 lens mount. Features include simultaneous record and replay (96 gigabytes storage capacity), up to 1,000 frames per second 1920 x 1080 capture, integral shutter and full remote control with paint, flicker suppression, and EVS system compatibility via an LSM panel.”
