Panasonic AV-HS450 Multi-Format HD/SD Live Switcher with Multiviewer

This Panasonic AV-HS450 Live Switcher features a separate mainframe and control panel. It comes standard with (16) SDI inputs, (4) SDI outputs, and (2) DVI outputs. It also includes a variety of standard effect functions, including luminance and chroma keying, plus (2) DSK channels, (2) P-in-P buses, and (2) DVE channels. Multiple 3D functions are available with the AV-HS450. 

The panel includes direct control functions described below with (16) crosspoint buttons and pattern select buttons.

The AV-HS450 is ideal for medium-scale, multi-camera, on-air transmission and recording for broadcast studios, OB vans, or image production applications. 

Features:

• 1/ME
• 16x SDI inputs
• 4x SDI outputs
• 2x DVI-D outputs
• 1x Keyer
• 2x DSK
• 2x Picture-in-Picture (P-in-P)
• 2-channel Multiviewer
• 4x AUX buses, one with mix transition funtionality
• 6x user-assigned buttons
• Redundant power supply

Recording Formats

HD - 1080/59.94i, 50i, 24PsF*, 23.98PsF*, 720/59.94p, 50p

SD - 480/59.94i, 576/50i

* NOTE: AV-HS04M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M7D, and M8 cards do not support 1080/24PsF or 1080/23.98PsF.

Signal Processing details:

• Y:CB:CR 4: 2: 2, 10 bit (8-bit for frame memory)
• RGB 4:4:4, 8 bit

I/O

The AV-HS450 comes standard with (16) HD/SD-SDI inputs and (6) outputs: (4) HD/SD-SDI and (2) DVI-D.

(2) expansion slots accommodate either input or output optional boards, providing a maximum of (20) inputs,* and (10) outputs.*

* NOTE: When using (2) AV-HS04M1, M2, M6, or M8 Input Boards.

** NOTE: When using(2) AV-HS04M4 or M7 Output Boards.

HD/SD Multi-Format Support

The AV-HS450 supports a variety of HD/SD formats, including 1080/24PsF,* as standard. System frequency is 59.94 Hz/ 50 Hz/ 24 Hz switchable. This makes it 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. 

* NOTE: 1080/24PsF (or 23.98PsF) input signals are supported only by the standard input terminals of the AV-HS450. These signals are not supported by the optional AV-HS04M1/M2/M3/M4/M5/M6/M7/M7D/M8 boards.

Addition of an optional AV-HS04M7D 3D SDI Output Board enables 3D compatibility for switching effects such as wipes and mixes. And it features a number of display functions for 3D camera assist use.

Integrated Frame Synchronizer

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

Up-Converter, Dot by Dot, & Video Processing

The AV-HS450 is equipped with an SD/HD up-converter function for (4) standard inputs, and a dot by dot function for (16) 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 (8) inputs.

AUX & P-in-P

(2) P-in-P buses and (4) AUX buses are included. Borders and soft-edge 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.

* NOTE: Embedded audio on SDI input signals can be passed through PGM, PVM, and MV.

Transitions & Effects

In addition to standard wipe, mix, and cut transitions, powerful 2D and 3D DVE effects, such as squeeze, slide, rotation and page turn, are available. Dual channel DVE effects are also available for dramatic key effects and other creative transitions, like circle wipe. Useful new effects include: variable mosaic and selectable defocus.

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 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.

(2) DSK channels are provided to add borders, shadows, and other edge effects.

Shot Memory

Up to (10) 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-HS450's Effect Dissolve function enables smooth switching from a current image to one of the images or operations registered in the shot memory.

Up to 20 Windows, Dual-Monitor Multiviewer Display

The AV-HS450 comes with a standard dual-monitor MultiViewer Display function. A maximum of (20) channels, including program (PGM), preview (PVW), and an input video signal can be simultaneously displayed on (2) screens. The exclusive feature lets you work comfortably with only (2) monitors, even at large-scale events. You can select from 4, 9, 10, and 16 split-screens.

MultiViewer Display Possibilities:

• 4 Split
• 9 Split
• 10 Split
• 16 Split
• With a Dual-Monitor Multiviewer display: 10 Splits (monitor A) + 9 Splits (monitor B)

Superior PTZ Camera System Control

The AV-HS450 offers advanced control of Panasonic pan-tilt camera systems,*¹ including AW-HE120/HE50S/HE50H*² HD Integrated PTZ Cameras. You can control one camera via direct serial connection, or up to five in conjunction with system controllers.*³ Up to (10) preset positions can be stored or recalled for each camera.

*1: Compatible models: AW-PH400/AW-PH405/AW-PH360.
*2: An HDMI/DVI-D conversion cable is required.
*3: Compatible models: AW-RP655/AW-RP555.

Redundant Power Supply

The standard redundant power supply increases reliability at live events.

3D Compatibility

With the AV-HS450 you can switch up to nine 3D image inputs when you add the optional AV-HS04M7D 3D SDI Output Board provides 3D compatibility. Eight pairs of 3D images standard, and a maximum of nine pairs of 3D images, can be input by dual SDI from 3D cameras and other sources, with two-channel bus switching. Transitions include cut, dissolve and wipe. Ideal for 3D sports acquisition, TV commercial production, and event recording.

Here are the specifications for the AV-HS450 when used with the optional AV-HS04M7D Board.

Compatible Video Formats in 3D Mode:

• 1080/59.94i
• 1080/50i
• 720/59.94p
• 720/50p

Primatte® Chroma Keying

Primatte® chroma keying supports 3D images (one channel each, left and right). This enables real-time, high-precision chroma keying on-site.

(3) LR Mix Outputs

The LR mix image output function allows the left and right channels of stereo 3D images to be checked on a 2D monitor.

LRMIXa (LR mix a): The L channel and R channel images are mixed.

LRMIXb (LR mix b): Magenta is mixed within the L channel image and green is mixed within the R channel image.

LRDiff (LR difference display): The luminance components of the L channel and R channel images are compared, and the difference between them is displayed using a gray scale. This makes it easier to see the differences between the L and R channels.

Rig-Type 3D Camera Correction Assist

Vertical/horizontal reversing and position correction are possible for all 16 channels of SDI standard inputs. This helps to adjust the optical axis of a rig-type 3D camera when producing 3D footage.

3D Video Signal Status Monitor Displays

This function overlays 3D video signal status monitor (brightness, RGB distribution, LR difference, grid) on 3D image onto the PGM output and PVW output (1/4 size only) of the MultiViewer Display. Being able to check the differences in the leaping effect and depth of the PGM and PVW without having to wear 3D glasses makes 3D switching easier and smoother. Even when 3D assist information cannot be displayed on the monitor or viewfinder of a rig-type or other 3D camera, this function will feed back PVW output to the camera so you can correct the brightness and horizontal/vertical positioning right on the camera.

Workflow & System Configuration

Please see the images attached to this item to inspect detailed workflows for the two production systems described below.

HD/SD Production System

This system features a large number of channels and functions, making it optimal for multi-camera recording in broadcast studios and image production applications, and for medium-scale production in studios and OB vans.

3D Production System

Mounting the optional AV-HS04M7D 3D SDI Output Board makes this system 3D compatible. Each of the (2) SDI outputs (LR pairs) also feature an HD/SD Down-Converter funtion.

The combination of AG-3DP1G/AG-3DA1 Integrated Twin-Lens 3D Camera Recorders and BT-3DL2550 3D LCD Monitors results in a high-level 3D production system. In addition to switching dual 3D images, it also has a number of correction assist functions for rig-type 3D cameras. The right chart system is an excellent example of an HD SDI configuration that requires no Genlock.

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.