If you've ever watched the news or seen footage of an outside event, there's a good chance that it was captured on a Panasonic broadcast camera. Panasonic has long been one of the biggest players in the broadcast market, but until now, hasn't had a foothold in the studio camera side of the picture in South Africa. This is despite having a big presence in the market internationally, particularly in Japan.
Now, Pansolutions has changed all that, securing a deal to supply a number of high-end AK-HC3800 broadcast studio cameras to Business Day Television.
Business Day Television broadcasts on Channel 412 on DStv, and is available to over 10 million viewers in nine countries across southern Africa. The channel has a strong investor focus, with a number of weekly specialist programmes dealing with management, entrepreneurship, leadership, health, retirement, business, law and technology.
Mpho Mtsweni, Technical Manager for BDTV, explains that the studio wanted to invest in equipment to position the channel for the future. He says: "Currently, the channel broadcasts in standard definition (SD), but as the demand for high-definition content increases, we wanted to future-proof our capabilities. The AK-HC3800 met these requirements while still being considerably more competitive than other similar products."
The AK-HC3800 is an HD studio camera system that features three high-sensitivity 2/3 type 2.2-mega pixel IT CCD sensors and a next-generation 38-bit DSP (Digital Signal Processor) with 16-bit A/D converter, delivering excellent video in a wide range of shooting and lighting conditions.
Sean Loeve manages Pansolutions' Broadcast Division, and he explains that the Panasonic AK-HC3800 is an attractive option because it is a high-spec camera with a more cost-effective price tag. This makes it ideal for a whole range of studios wanting to improve the quality of their content.
Loeve says: "Since many broadcasters are already making use of Panasonic's field broadcast cameras, the manufacturer already has a great reputation. Up till now, though, it has been difficult to break into the studio market, because many facilities are using other products and it is simpler to stick with one camera type across the studio. However, since BDTV wanted to upgrade its entire system, it was an opportunity for Pansolutions to outfit them with a very cost-effective solution, with excellent quality and features."
Mtsweni comments that while the product meets all the requirements of his operation, it was also his relationship with Pansolutions that persuaded him to go with their solution.
"I've worked with Sean in the broadcast industry for many years and we've been using Panasonic products for some time. So, I know the quality of the product and due to my relationship with Sean, I felt confident that I would receive the right kind of assistance and expertise should I need it. That also played a big role in our decision."
Panasonic's entry into the studio camera market signals a broadening of options for the broadcast industry. A well-respected manufacturer offering an affordable product with excellent specifications is making it easier for more participants to enter the game, or for established players to improve the quality of their content more cost-effectively than ever before.
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