Panasonic AV-HS410 HD / SD Multi-Format Live Switcher

This Panasonic AV-HS410 Live Switcher is a compact, high-end performance unit designed for live events. It offers plenty of connections and plug-in compatibility. 

Features:

• (9) Standard Inputs: (9) SDI and (1) DVI
• (6) Standard Outputs: (5) SDI and (1) DVI
• Built-in 7" (178 mm) multi-mode color LCD monitor displays versatile menus, image monitor, waveform/vectorscope, etc.
• Featuring High-quality Primatte®* chroma keying and Versatile transitions, including DVE functions
• Enhanced MultiViewer Display with up to 16 splits enables nine screen variations, clock, level meter and 4:3 marker display
• Video Memory function allows playback of two channels of still or moving images
• Memory Preview function provides previews of shot memory and event memory image effects
• Supports Plug-in API function for external control, external camera control, output of status data, etc.
• Control panel with additional direct button control, numeric keypad, etc., achieves enhanced ease of operation

I/O Connectivity 

The AV-HS410 comes standard with:

• 8x SDI (HD/SD) Input
• 1x DVI-D Input
• 5x SDI (HD/SD) Output
• 1x DVI-D Output

In addition, (2) expansion slots accommodate either input or output optional boards to provide a maximum of (13) inputs and (10) outputs.

Check out Panasonic's PDF Block Diagram showing inputs, outputs, and option slot workflow.

HD/SD Multi-Format Support

The AV-HS410 supports standard HD/SD multi-format, including 1080/24PsF. System frequency is 59.94 Hz/50 Hz/24 Hz switchable. This makes the system ideal for digital cinema production and worldwide operation. A wide range of optional boards also allows the input and output of analog component and various other signals.

Video Signal Details:

SDI - 480/59.94i, 576/50i, 1080/59.94i, 1080/50i, 720/59.94p, 720/50p, 1080/24PsF, 1080/23.98PsF

DVI Digital (PC) @60 Hz/50Hz – XGA (1024x768), WXGA (1280x768), SXGA (1280x1024), UXGA (1600x1200), WSXGA+ (1680x1050), WUXGA (1920x1200)

DVI Digital (Video) @60 Hz/50Hz – 1080/59.94i, 1080/59.94p, 1080/50i, 1080/50p, 720/59.94p, 720/50p

NOTE: DVI Analog, (XGA, WXGA, SXGA), Analog Composite (NTSC, Pal) and Analog Component are only available with an optional board added.

User Interface Functionality

Various switching functions and high image quality are achieved using the intuitive User Interface.

Built-in Frame Synchronizer for All Input Channels

All input channels feature a built-in frame synchronizer for use in switching unsynchronized video signals. A gen-lock function also supports synchronizing systems based on external sync signals (black burst or tri-level).

Up-Converter, Dot by Dot, and Video Processing

The AV-HS410 is equipped with an SD/HD up-converter function for four inputs, and a dot by dot function for eight inputs. Dot by dot input can be used for P-in-P display of HD images from SD footage without degradation. A video processing function with color correction is also provided for eight inputs.

(4) AUX busses and (2) P-in-P

Two P-in-P buses and four Aux buses are provided. Borders and software effects can be applied to the P-in-P buses. In addition to a Cut transition, the bus transition function (P-in-P bus and Aux bus switching effect) also enables a Mix transition (Aux 1 only). Flexible operation is achieved by combining Aux buses and M/E sections.

Transitions and Effects

In addition to standard wipe, mix and cut effects, DVE transition patterns using (2) channels, such as reduce, slide, squeeze and 3D wipe are included.

New Video Memory Function for (2) Inputs

Two inputs for still (STILL) or moving (CLIP) images can be saved in Video Memory, and selected as bus footage. Moving pictures can be recorded and played with key signals (for a maximum of approximately 20 seconds/600 frames with 59.94i). Moving picture and still files can also be transferred from an SDHC/SD Memory Card or PC by a LAN network.

NOTE: The software of the camera recorder may need to be upgraded depending on the version of the AV-HS410. Please refer to the "service and support" on the Panasonic Website (http://pro-av.panasonic.net/).

Media

Video memory, shot memory, event memory and set-up data can be saved to SDHC/SD Memory Cards.

Primatte® High-Quality Chroma Key

Linear, luminance and chroma keying are provided. Chroma keying employs the Primatte® algorithm, which is widely used as a plug-in for nonlinear editors. The same excellent Primatte® image quality that is used worldwide for movies, TV programs, music videos and commercials is achieved by the AV-HS410's real time processing. Superior blue-spill processing naturally combines translucent objects, such as thin cloth and glass, with background colors. Extremely fine objects, such as individual strands of hair, are faithfully reproduced. One DSK channel is also provided to add borders, shadows, and other edge effects.

Shot Memory

Up to 100 image effects, such as background transition patterns, P-in-P sizes and border widths, can be registered in shot memory for instant retrieval. The AV-HS410's Effect Dissolve function enables smooth switching from a current image to one of the images or operations registered in the shot memory.

Event Memory

Up to 64 of the image effects that are registered in the shot memory can be sequentially registered in the event memory for instant retrieval. This allows highly expressive consecutive effects to be easily and smoothly executed. Up to 100 event memories can be registered.

New Memory Preview

This new function lets you preview the shot memory and event memory content. It allows image effects to be easily confirmed while on-air with this 1 M/E switcher. This is particularly convenient for live operation.

NOTE: The resolution of images output from memory is slightly lower than the usual resolution.

Integrated 7" (178mm) Color LCD Monitor with Multi-Mode Display

A 178 mm ( 7 inches) color LCD monitor with WVGA (800 x 480) resolution is built into the control panel. It can be switched to a wide variety of display modes, including setting menus, image monitoring and waveform/vectorscope. (See the table below.) It also supports the MultiViewer and Memory Preview functions. AV-HS410 provides comfortable operation eliminating the need to view multiple displays in different locations.

Enhanced MultiViewer Display

The MultiViewer function lets you split the screen to display PVW, PGM and all source images on a single screen. It enables 4/5/6/9/10/16 split screens. The input signal name, audio level meter and 4:3 marker can also be overlaid onto each screen, and a clock can be displayed. This makes it possible to efficiently operate a multi-channel system with a single monitor.

MultiViewer Display Possibilities

• 4 Split
• 5 Split A
• 5 Split B
• 6 Split A
• 6 Split B
• 9 Split
• 10 Split A
• 10 Split B
• 16 Split

Easy-to-Use Panel Layout

Features such as a total of (12) crosspoint buttons in each A bus and B bus (for a maximum of 22 with the Shift function) allow direct control with this simple panel layout. Function settings and registrations are made quickly and intuitively with the LCD monitor's matrix menu and rotary switches. Various functions can also be assigned to eight user buttons for one-touch operation. This level of easy operation supports speed and accuracy in live-relay operation.

Expanded Functionality

You can expand your functions with optional Plug-In Software and Option Boards (sold separately).

Analog Input (Option Board) - SD / HD analog component Y/PB/PR (1.0 V [p-p], 75 Ω); 4 signal lines, maximum: IN A1, IN A2, IN B1, IN B2 when 2x AV-HS04M2 boards are used.

Analog Output (Option Board) - SD / HD analog component Y/PB/PR (1.0 V [p-p], 75 Ω); 4 signal lines, maximum: OUT A1, OUT A2, OUT B1, OUT B2 (when 2x AV-HS04M4 boards are used): 2 signal lines (OUT A1, OUT B1) when 2x AV-HS04M5 boards are used.

DVI-I Input (Option Board) - Analog / digital RGB: XGA (1024 x 768), WXGA (1280 x 768), SXGA (1280 x 1024); Vertical frequency: 60 Hz. 4 signal lines, maximum: IN A1, IN A2, IN B1, IN B2 when 2x AV-HS04M3 boards are used.

DVI-I Output (Option Board): Analog / digital RGB: XGA (1024 x 768), WXGA (1280 x 768), SXGA (1280 x 1024); WSXGA+ (1680 x 1050), UXGA (1600 x 1200), WUXGA (1920 x 1200); Vertical frequency: 60 Hz. 2 signal lines, maximum: OUT A2, OUT B2 when 2x AV-HS04M5 boards are used.

Software

Plug-ins allow flexible expansion of software-based functions. A Software Development Kit (SDK) is provided so that third parties or SI enterprises can freely develop the software to add new functions to the AV-HS410. This will enable the system to meet an even wider range of needs, such as controlling the AV-HS410 with an external controller or PC, operating cameras and other devices from the AV-HS410, and outputting status data related to the live switcher or image sources.

* NOTE: Primatte® is a registered trademark of IMAGICA DIGIX Inc. The copyrights of Primatte® belong to IMAGICA DIGIX Inc. The patents for Primatte® belong to IMAGICA DIGIX Inc.