Panasonic has added 4K 60p 10-bit recording to its AU-EVA1 via v3.0 firmware, a just-released free update for the camera.
Recording 4K 60p 10-bit is implemented through the HEVC codec, Panasonic said. HEVC is the successor to AVC, with increased efficiency that means smaller file sizes — 200 Mbps for 4K 60p 10-bit. And 10-bit recording should eliminate color-banding and other artifacts that can appear in 8-bit material. (Note that you may require a beefier system for native HEVC editing; Panasonic recommends computers with 7th-generation Intel Core i7 CPUs.)
Users had been able to get 4K 60p out of the camera previously, but only by recording the camera’s uncompressed raw output via 6G-SDI. Now, the camera is able to record 4K 60p 10-bit to V30-class SDXC cards.
Panasonic AU-EVA1
Photo courtesy Mike Steidley/Panasonic
Other improvements in the new firmware include something Panasonic calls EVA Live, which allows Ethernet LAN adapters to connect to the camera via a rear-panel USB port. That enables hard-wired remote control via CyanView remote controllers. Panasonic said it has worked with CyanView to allow painting multiple EVA1 cameras from a single controller — ideal for camera-matching on a multicam shoot.
A new “Quick Switch” feature allows users to configure camera settings for a number of frequently used shooting modes, and then easily select and switch between them from a menu of presets. Another user button can be used to enable or disable variable frame rate recording.
The new firmware also enables the capture of JPEG still frames to SD card during playback, adds a second memory position for saving auto-white-balance, adds a focus position indicator to the camera’s on-screen display, and allows the camera’s LCD, SDI and HDMI video outputs to be independently set for HDR or SDR when shooting using HLG.
“With its small size and weight combined with great features, the EVA1 represents the best value in its class,” said Mitch Gross, Panasonic’s cinema product manager, in a prepared statement. “New features like 4K 60p 10-bit and hard-wired Ethernet connectivity for remote control expand the use for new clients, while Quick Switch between set-up files is an improvement based on specific requests from current users. Panasonic is committed to continually improving and expanding the capabilities of the EVA1.”
The AU-EVA1 v3.0 firmware is a free download from Panasonic.
Panasonic Pro Video: business.panasonic.com
