Check out this review by Hybrid Camera Revolution comparing the 2 mini form factor camera systems.

http://www.hybridcamerarevolution.com/2015/11/blackmagic-ursa-mini-4k-vs-sony-a7s-ii.html

First Look at the New AG-DVX200

The AG-DVX100 was a revolutionary camera when it was released in 2002.  It was the first camera to bring native 24p recording to its price range, and bred a new standard in quality for film students, independent videographers, wedding videographers, and video journalists.  The AG-DVX100 was light, had a fixed power zoom lens, and recorded a high quality picture.  At Digitron, we have repaired hundreds of these cameras and we know them well.

Panasonic hopes to relive the success of the AG-DVX100 with the new 4k AG-DVX200.  This camera should be a hit with the market of videographers who prefer the built in, integrated lens design.  It’s a strong alternative and where the GH4 camera competes with the Sony alpha cameras and Canon 5D cameras, the Panasonic AG-DVX200 offers a lot of first in class features.  Expect to see these cameras at a wedding near you soon.

B&H Photo has the AG-DVX200 for $4,195 and an October 7th launch date.  Below is the first official footage released by Panasonic.  Watch it full screen at 4k resolution.

As an authorized service partner for Panasonic professional cameras, we are committed to providing a quality experience and exceptional service where possible.

Authorized Repairs for Martin Lights

With recent changes in the Harmon Pro Service network, we are proud to announce that Digitron Electronics is an authorized service center for Martin Professional lighting.  In the last few weeks, our technicians have attended training sessions to better support the full range of Martin Lighting products including the Moving Head Martin MAC series lights and washes, Rush series lights, Fog Machines, and lighting controllers like the Lightjockey2 and M2GO.

Consolidated A/V Repairs

We are authorized to cover the full range of Martin lights under warranty, and out of warranty, solidifying our pledge to customers to help consolidate all pro A/V repairs in one location with simplified accounting.  Adding Martin Lights to our portfolio of covered products rounds out an offering of pro audio repairs, including amplifier repair, microphone repair, keyboard repair, mixing console repair, and lighting repair.  This comes in addition to our support for projectors, camcorders, and other pro A/V equipment.

About Digitron Electronics

Since 1992, Digitron has supported industry leaders like Guitar Center, Encore Event Productions, PSAV, & others, working hard to simplify the job of inventory management, and lower the Total Cost of Ownership for pro A/V equipment.

Soundcraft, Crown, & AKG Repairs

Harmon International has informed us that they will be outsourcing a more significant amount of repair operations for Soundcraft mixing boards, Crown amplifiers, and AKG mics in the region to our repair depot.  This means that we will continue to offer industry leading support for both in-warranty and out-of-warranty repairs on popular items like the AKG C414, Crown XLS series amps, or Soundcraft Si digital mixing boards.

For the last 24 years, we have been in the business of Audio Mixer Repair, Amplifier Repair, and Microphone Repair.

Reverse Logistics & Repair Depot Services

Digitron Electronics strives to be the industry standard for professional level A/V repair services, and this agreement comes two years after we took on TEAC & TASCAM’s Factory Service Operations.  We specialize in Reverse Logistics products like repair depot operations, RMA, refurbishment, & modification, all with the intention to save manufactures on the cost of Product Lifecycle Management.

Business as Usual

It might be the day before a long weekend, but we’re hard at work here at Digitron Electronics getting a few last minute rush repairs out the door.  Check out this 48 channel Mackie Mixer which came to us with sticky sliders, distorted channels, and bad inputs:

This HD Sony VTR Deck had been guilty of eating tapes.  Seen here, our tech is replacing the mechanical loading assembly, guides, and cracked cables:

This Panasonic PTDZ6710U projector from Ohio State University’s Wexner Center for the Arts comes to us with power issues:

We wish our customers, employees, and all of our Veterans a Happy Memorial Day.  We especially thank our Veterans for everything that they do and have done to protect our freedoms.

For Part 1 of our NAB Highlights, Click Here

Lasers & 4K Resolution Projectors at NAB 2015

Projectors have always been a superior choice for ultra large format screens.  This year we saw evolutionary improvements from Christie Digital, Panasonic, Sony, Canon, Epson, and others that increase projector reliability, color accuracy, and projector size with the help of laser light sources, reflective lcd chips (on home theater models) and lighter 3 chip DLP projectors.

Epson Projectors showed strong resolve to enter the higher lumen and digital whiteboard space with an impressive booth.  On the business and professional side, their touch-screen Brightlink Pro technology paired with short throw projectors attracted big crowds while demonstrating the quality of image between 3LCD and DLP projectors.  On the cinema side, Epson showcased their new line of Powerlite laser cinema projectors, like the LS9600e and LS10000 (4k resolution).

Christie Digital was also at the show in full force with a 30,000 lumen 3 chip DLP projector called the Boxer 4k30.  At less than 150 pounds, the Christie Digital Boxer 4k30 positions itself at the forefront of rental and fixed applications including projection mapping like the show at the Air Canada Centre.

Panasonic’s PTRQ13K is the lightest and brightest laser 4k projector on the market

Traditionally, projector limitations such as low lamp life, noise, heat, and low resolution have given way to LED walls and other flat panel type displays for commercial applications such as digital signage and exhibition showcases.  This year saw the introduction of lightweight, high brightness, and high resolution laser projectors.  Laser optical engines are considered to be more reliable light sources, and up until this year, were only available in low brightness or low resolution modules.

Panasonic’s PT-RQ13K is a 3-chip DLP laser projector with 4k resolution that has the potential to make waves in the projection industry.  At less than 100 pounds, it is the lightest in class and at 12,000 lumens brightness, it is the brightest in class. With an ultra-short throw lens, it is capable of casting a 150 inch image at just 4 feet away from the screen, making the projector a strong candidate for digital signage and advertising, particularly in indoor spaces.  Its twin laser light source is rated for continuous use, up to 20,000 hours, and its liquid cooling system means virtually no noise.

What does this mean for the projector industry?

The introduction of liquid cooling will mean less noise and better circulation for incredibly hot projector components, meaning less breakdown and maintenance.  Laser light sources mean longer projector life with no painful bulb replacements and 4k resolutions mean larger and sharper displays, all at a cheaper price.  Ultimately, the crux of these developments will lead us to high brightness displays that can project onto any surface to create lifelike, 3 dimensional projections in any light conditions.

Conclusions

Nothing at this year’s NAB caught us off guard, but there were a number of pleasant surprises in the industry.  While reliability and affordability of products negatively affects our company’s profitability as a repairs depot, we believe that the industry is making strong steps that will ultimately lower the barriers to entry for broadcast quality production, and we think that this ultimately benefits all of us consumers.  After all, doesn’t your life look cooler in 4k shot from an aerial drone?

Clear Trends for Pro A/V Equipment at NAB 2015

This year’s National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) conference brought together 1,789 exhibitors and over 100,000 guests at the Las Vegas Convention Center to see the latest and greatest in broadcast hardware and software.  Exhibitors brought their latest and greatest Audio/Visual technology to showcase, some evolutionary and some revolutionary.  While we can’t cover all of the exhibitors, we will do our best to share some of the show highlights that we found relevant to our industry and readers.

The Freefly Alta UAV is an industry leader, capable of carrying a 15 pound payload like the RED Dragon

Broadcast Robotics (UAV Drones & PTZ Camera Systems)

By taking a step into this year’s NAB, it should be obvious that automation and robotics are taking over the broadcast industry.  The first five or so booths in central hall were of companies specializing in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) type drones.  These companies seemed to specialize in the production and sale of the drones, as well as the specialty gimbals used to create smooth panning shots.  Drones ranged from $1000 with built in GoPro type cameras, to $50,000 plus for drones designed for heavy payloads like the Red box cameras with detachable lenses.  DJI was present with their well-known Phantom drones, and Yuneec Aviation technology was showing off its new Yuneec Tornado designed to support the Panasonic GH4 camera system.  On the higher end of the spectrum, Freefly was showcasing the Alta drone capable of a 15 pound payload, which is enough for a RED Dragon with lens.  At $8,495, the Alta isn’t cheap, but it can rival shots from actual helicopter ride shots.

Panasonic ak-ub300 at NAB 2015 is a prototype box camera that can be fitted on a standard Panasonic Pan and Tilt head

Replacing camera operators with robotics, isn’t a new trend.  Panasonic has long dominated the robotic camera for broadcast space with its line of Pan Tilt Zoom systems.  The AW and AK series cameras, heads, and controllers have been a favorite among churches, broadcasters, and sports networks due to their reliability, programmable pans and tilts, and ease of use.  This year, Panasonic introduced a new 4k box camera, the AK–UB300 which can be mounted on any of their Pan Tilt heads.  The AK-UB300 is controlled externally and is capable of using 2/3” lenses, recording at 4k resolution at 60 frames per second.  This could mean incredible leaps in the way we stream sporting events.  Combined with media servers like the CANVAS from Immersive Design Studios, we could see real-time streaming events on absolutely massive displays.

In addition to standard all-in-one broadcast PTZ systems like the ones from Vaddio, Sony, and Panasonic, we are seeing 3^rd party companies emerge that specialize in just the robotics.  Mark Roberts Motion Control is a British company making its debut in the US with their line of robotic heads and studio automation tracking software. Models like the AFC-100 and the AFC-180 offer super precise tracking for studio and outdoor applications.  Sometimes a production requires tracking too.  For this type of project, there’s BlackcamSystem which offers a movable track with multiple camera mounting options.  These types of solutions can be incredibly appealing over traditional PTZ options as they provide a camera and lens agnostic solution.

The AG-DVX200 is a throwback to Panasonic’s AG-DVX100 that started the Digital Revolution in Camcorders

Camcorders, 4K, & Beyond

4k resolution this year was an absolute minimum for camcorders.  Both Sony and Panasonic had strong additions to their 4k Lineups.  Replacing the PMW series for Sony is the PXW series including the detachable lens PXWFS7 and the prosumer PXWX70 and PXWX180.  For broadcasters, the PMW320 and PMW500 have been upgraded to the PXW320 and PXW500, respectively.  Sony has also added a 4k, ultra high framerate camcorder for sports broadcasters called the HDC4300.  (Note: in order to shoot 4k on the HDC4300, you need to install the optional SZC-4001 software)

For Panasonic, we saw the resurrection of a legend, the Panasonic AG-DVX200 (a throwback to the legendary AG-DVX100 which started the handheld camcorder revolution ten years ago).  This camera is sure to be a crowd pleaser with its ability to record 4k/60p to an SD card and 13x optical zoom with built in Leica lens.

The Panasonic Varicam 35 simulates the warm feel and lowlight capabilities of film

Panasonic had additional improvements to its varicam lineup, including the varicam 35 which uses a 35mm sensor to replicate the feel of film and users should see massive improvements in low light performance.  In their demo, Panasonic’s Varicam 35 was able to handle a candle-lit scene incredibly well.

Red Digital Cinema also made waves with their new 8k sensor: The Weapon.  This modular box camera just keeps getting better and better, and the ability to upgrade the camera offers some serious upside when comparing the Red to Sony and Panasonic’s competition.

For Part 2 of our NAB Highlights, Click Here