Panasonic has announced free firmware upgrades for the VariCam 35, HS, LT, and Pure cinema cameras that include several new features and added functions.
Firmware upgrades include Ver. 7.5 for the VariCam 35/HS, Ver. 5.5 for the VariCam LT, and Ver. 7.5 for the VariCam Pure. All firmware upgrades can be downloaded now at http://pro-av.panasonic.net/en/varicam/index.html.
“Panasonic offers these firmware updates on all models of VariCams at no charge to our customers,” said Mitch Gross, cinema product manager. “The added functionality comes from customer requests and our striving to offer the most useful tools in the industry. The VariCams are some of the finest cameras in the world, and now they’re even better.”
For the VariCam LT, one of the most exciting new features is a High Speed menu mode that enables 240p RAW output for 2K (2048 x 1080) or HD (1920 x 1080). Utilizing this RAW output, Convergent Design’s Odyssey 7Q/7Q+ will soon let you record 2K/HD-cropped, uncompressed Cinema DNG files. Also, new for the LT, there is a faster and more efficient software reboot that is completed with the use of the control panel rather than turning off the physical power switch of the camera.
For the VariCam 35, HS, and LT, there is a new Rec Check function that allows you to check the first five seconds of the latest clip and the last five seconds of the latest clip for tail slate marking. You can assign these two options to User SW.
For all VariCam cinema cameras (35, HS, LT, and Pure), there is now an expanded frame rate range in High Speed mode down to 1-fps, allowing capture from 1 – 240p. For VariCam wide-screen capture, Anamorphic Desqueeze is now available in play back as well as when recording. A horizontal desqueeze of 1.3x or 2.0x is available for SDI Out or VF SDI. Also for all VariCam cinema cameras, there is an option to apply grading data recorded with clip on play back. The LT can set Play Back Grading menu from Play display on GUI.
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