Colorado church invested in four VariCam LTs as well as an AK-UC3000 4K/HD camera system for in-house IMAG and live streaming
Eastern Hills Community Church, a Christian Reformed Church located in Aurora, CO, has upgraded to Panasonic VariCam LT cameras with CineLive for live production of weekly worship services. In partnership with technology integrator Diversified, the church invested in a total of four VariCam LTs as well as an AK-UC3000 4K/HD camera system in a large-scale replacement of its video system.
Eastern Hills is utilizing the Panasonic cameras for IMAG and streaming of its Saturday evening 5:00 p.m.service, as well as its 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 am Sunday morning worship services. Services are live streamed on the church’s web site (https://ehills.churchonline.org/) as well as on Facebook Live.
Zach Radabaugh, Eastern Hills’ Production Manager, said, “Our video upgrade was driven by two main criteria: to give our in-service worshipers—who can number up to 1,600—greater accessibility to see and hear effectively, and, second, to have a broader outreach to our online viewers.”
“Our stylistic objectives were the best-available clarity and artistic imagery,” he continued. “With its Super 35 sensor, the VariCam LT delivers a beautiful cinematic image. Also, we can switch frame rates in-camera, with sermons using the 1080/59.94p format for a lifelike teaching experience, then an easy switch to 23.98p for music segments.
“Pairing the VariCam LTs with Panasonic’s AK-HRP1000 Remote Operating Panels affords a ton of flexibility. We now have a single shader remotely controlling all the cameras, which is a huge benefit.”
The VariCam LT and AK-HRP1000 combination is referred to as CineLive and allows complete control and shading of the camera from the control room. While the CineLive system is capable of 4K internal recording and live HD output, Eastern Hills currently utilizes the 1080p output to interface with two 16’ by 9’ LED screens and streaming services.
In terms of camera placement in the worship space, one VariCam LT and the AK-UC3000 are permanently placed on tripods 80-feet from the stage for stage-wide shots; two VariCam LTs are
used handheld on the stage for action and close-ups; and the fourth VariCam LT is currently being used on a dolly track house right.
The VariCam LTs (handheld) are outfitted with Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 telephoto zoom lenses and (tripod and dolly) Sigma 120-300 F2.8 high-action zooms. The AK-UC3000 uses a Fujinon broadcast lens.
Radabaugh said that, during the week, he will often use a VariCam LT in the field for pre-produced content. He noted that he sometimes acquires in 4K for flexibility and extra resolution in posting these segments.
“Since we installed the cameras earlier this year, we’ve achieved a completely new, film-like presentation in live production, and—unlike with our prior gear—I feel there are no technology limitations,” he added. “Our congregants now participate and interact more with the people on stage, and our online engagement—both live and post-services—has increased.”
For more information about Eastern Hills Community Church, visit http://ehills.org/.
About CineLive
The CineLive system is the unique combination of the VariCam LT Cinema Camera and the AK-HRP1000 Remote Operating Panel. Through an Ethernet connection, the HRP1000 interfaces with the VariCam LT to adjust the camera’s menus and imaging controls. Production-style LUTs and CDLs can be used, or broadcast-style RGB controls for live grading. Scene Files can be utilized for presets and quick switching of modes and looks, including switching between sensor frame rates for different looks. The CineLive system allows multiple outputs from the VariCam camera so that the camera operator can view a display with focus tools while an engineer sees menu controls and a clean image is fed to a switcher for live output. Equally at home in 4K or HD environments, the CineLive system can output in either resolution and also record a 4K or HD signal internally for later use. The internal recording can be color graded to match the live output or left “flat” for later adjustment. A 4K image can be recorded while an HD live signal is output, allowing for future archive use. Remote record, tally, callback and return video features allow the engineer at the HRP1000 to communicate with the camera operator at the VariCam LT.For more info on the CineLive system, go to https://info.panasonic.com/varicam-LT-firmware-update.html.
About the VariCam LT
The VariCam LT camcorder inherits the same super 35mm sensor and superb imaging capabilities that distinguish the award-winning VariCam 35, but with significant reductions in size, weight and price.Incorporating this identical imaging “DNA” in a more compact rendition, the VariCam LT delivers 14+ stops of dynamic range with V-Log, and the esteemed cinematic VariCam image quality and color science, as well as the VariCam 35's breakout innovation, dual native ISOs of 800/5000.Weighing just under six pounds, the VariCam LT is the ideal camera for handheld, SteadiCam, jib, crane, drone, gimbal and overall cinema verité work. The VariCam LT offers a host of new features including an EF lens mount, hot swappable batteries, IR shooting capability, a 23.98 PsF output, cinema style file naming, and image presets such as scene files.
About the AK-UC3000 4K Camera System
Targeted at studios and productions requiring high-end functionality at an affordable price, the UC3000 (with the AK-UCU500 CCU unit) outputs a UHD signal (3840 x 2160 at 59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 29.97PsF, 25p, 25PsF, 23.98p, 23.98PsF), while also delivering superb picture quality in HD. High dynamic range (HDR) is also possible for either HD or UHD images and there are no additional licensing fee requirements for UHD or HDR. The camera’s B4 mount accommodates the gamut of existing 2/3-inch lenses to maximize customers’ return on their investment in existing lenses, and allows a wider and more economical choice of glass for sports, concerts and similar applications.
For more information about Panasonic professional video products, visit us.panasonic.com/broadcastor contact Panasonic at 877-803-8492.
About Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America
Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America, a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, delivers game-changing technology solutions that deliver customized experiences to drive better outcomes—for our customers and our customers’ customers. Panasonic designs and manufactures reliable, flexible and dependable products and solutions to help create, capture and deliver information of all types, especially where, when and how it is needed. The complete suite of Panasonic professional solutions for government and commercial enterprises of all sizes addresses unified business communications, mobile computing, security and surveillance, retail point-of-sale, office productivity, audio and visual systems (projectors, displays & digital signage) and professional video production. To learn more and Panasonic’s business products and solutions visit https://na.panasonic.com/us/audio-video-solutions.
About Panasonic Corporation of North America
Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is committed to creating a better life and a better world by enabling its business-to-business customers through innovations in Sustainable Energy, Immersive Entertainment, Integrated Supply Chains and Mobility Solutions. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation. One of Interbrand’s Top 100 Best Global Brands of 2018, Panasonic is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region. Learn more about Panasonic’s ideas and innovations at www.na.panasonic.com/us.