Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/837213
www.postmagazine.com 33 POST JUNE 2017 SPECIAL REPORT: CAMERAS JVC PROFESSIONAL JVC Professional Video (http://pro.jvc.com), a division of JVCKenwood USA Corporation, an- nounced its Version 4.0 firmware upgrade for its popular GY-LS300CH 4KCam Super 35 handheld camcorder. The new upgrade increases color resolution to 4:2:2 in 4K mode recording and expands Ultra HD (3840x2160) output to include 60/50p. Version 4.0 provides 4:2:2 (8-bit) 4K recording at 24/25/30p onboard to SDXC media cards. In addition, IP remote function will now allow remote control and image viewing in 4K. When using 4K 4:2:2 recording mode, the video output from the HDMI/SDI terminals is HD. The Version 4.0 firmware upgrade is free of charge for all current GY-LS300CH owners and became available in late May. With the upgrade, the GY-LS300CH will also now have the capability to output Ultra HD at 60/50p via its HDMI 2.0b port. Through JVC's partnership with Atomos, the GY-LS300CH will operate seamlessly with the new Ninja Inferno and Shogun Inferno monitor recorders, triggering recording from the camera's start/stop operation. Plus, when the camera is set to J-Log1 gamma recording mode, the Atomos units will record the HDR footage and display it on their integrated, seven-inch monitors. "The upgrades included in our Version 4.0 firmware provide performance enhancements for high raster recording and IP remote capability in 4K, adding even more content creation flexibility to the GY-LS300CH," said Craig Yanagi, product marketing manager, JVCKenwood. "Seamless inte- gration with the new Ninja Inferno will help deliver 60p to our customers and allow them to produce outstanding footage for a variety of 4K and UHD productions." Designed for cinematographers, documentarians and broadcast production departments, the GY- LS300CH features JVC's 4K Super 35 CMOS sensor and an industry standard Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mount. With its unique Variable Scan Mapping technology, the GY-LS300CH adjusts the sensor to provide native support of MFT, PL, EF and other lenses, which connect to the camera via third-party adapters. Other features include prime zoom, which allows shooters using fixed-focal (prime) lenses to zoom in and out without loss of resolution or depth, and a built-in HD streaming engine with Wi-Fi and 4G LTE connectivity for live HD transmission direct- ly to hardware decoders as well as JVCVideoCloud, Facebook Live and other CDNs. THE VR EXPERIENCE Z CAM & ASSIMILATE Creators of VR experiences just got a big boost in ease-of-use from Z Cam (www.z-cam.com) and Assimilate (www.assimilateinc. com), who are also lowering the threshold to entry, making VR a vi- able media for all content creators. Z Cam and Assimilate have part- nered to offer the first complete, integrated VR workflow with the Z Cam S1/Scratch VR Z Bundle: from image acquisition with Z Cam's S1 professional VR camera, and stitching with its WonderStitch software, through to a streamlined VR post production workflow with Assimilate's realtime Scratch VR Z tools. Stream live 360 from the Z Cam S1 through Scratch VR Z and easily use advanced, realtime features like inserting/ composting graphics/text overlays, including anima- tions, and keying for elements like green screen — all then streaming live to Facebook Live 360. Users can switch back and forth between the S1 functions and the Scratch VR Z tools. Scratch VR Z can be used to do live camera preview, prior to shooting with the S1. During the shoot, Scratch VR Z is then used for dailies and data management, including metadata. Stitching of the imagery is done in Z Cam's WonderStitch, now integrated into Scratch VR Z, then follow on with traditional editing, color grading and compositing with finishing and publishing to online or standalone 360 platforms. GOPRO In keeping with the rest of the camera segment, GoPro (https://gopro.com) announced a pilot pro- gram for GoPro Fusion, its 5.2K spherical camera, designed to be the ultimate capture device for both fully immersive virtual reality content, as well as conventional non-VR video and photo formats. Starting immediately, professional content creators can apply to participate in the pilot program, which is expected to roll-out this summer. "Fusion is just that, the ability to capture every an- gle simultaneously…as though you had six GoPro cam- eras fused into one," said GoPro founder and CEO, Nicholas Woodman. "Whether filming for VR or tradi- tional fixed-perspective content, Fusion represents the state-of-the-art in versatile spherical capture." In addition to high-performance spherical cap- ture for fully immersive VR experiences, Fusion's 5.2K resolution enables a new OverCapture creative solution that gives content creators the flexibility to produce conventional non-VR video and photos in HD-quality, "punched out" from the spherically cap- tured angles. Not just a VR capture solution, Fusion ensures that traditional content creators will get the shot, while also capturing the unexpected. Fusion is compatible with a broad range of GoPro's mounts and handheld accessories. This summer, GoPro will be working closely with a selection of pilot partners — including brands, agencies and content professionals — to further refine the user experience and produce inspiring content that demonstrates the creative potential of Fusion. GoPro plans a limited commercial release of Fusion by the end of 2017. NOKIA OZO Nokia (www.nokia.com) was showing OZO+, and OZO Creator's newest update with completely updated VR image processing and stereo- scopic stitching software now including mixed reality en- ablement. Also demonstrated were enhancements to OZO Live, a scalable 3D 360-livestream solution with spatial audio mixing. In addition, OZO Deliver was shown, serving as the backbone of the OZO Reality Platform, which enables real-world delivery of 360 video and mixed reality experiences. INSTA360 PRO Insta360 (www.insta360. com) offered attendees a look at its Pro, which fea- tures six 200-degree lenses with realtime 360 video stitching (4K at 30 fps with H.265/H.264 or 4K 3D at 25 fps with H.264). Professionals can use Insta360's post-pro- cessing software or third-party tools (8K video at 30 fps, 4K slow-motion at 100 fps, 4K 3D at 30 fps), and the content can be stored on an SD card or external storage via USB 3.0 (Type-C port). On the audio side, the Pro packs four microphones, but you can also plug in an external mic. Stills can go up to 60 megapixels (7,680x7,680) in 3D with an optional timelapse mode. The company's Pro also comes with Wi-Fi, Ethernet plus HDMI connectivity to enable realtime 360 preview and even direct live-stream- ing — either 6K 3D or 4K 3D — to Facebook, YouTube, Insta360 server or others. Pro has an optional 4G network card, and a 5,000 mAh removable battery.