Colombia. AVCOM, distributor of Grass Valley for Colombia, made the launch of the new LDX81 4K camera, which among its main features offers exceptional image performance, superior light sensitivity, in addition to having the ability to use standard lenses in high definition.
To get a clearer picture of the benefits of the new Grass Valley camera, the advances of 4K technology and the projection of this technology in Latin America, TV AND VIDEO spoke with Camilo Aranguren, director of AVCOM for Latin America.
TVyVideo: What are the expectations with this camera, which segments will benefit besides sports?
Camilo Aranguren: The camera has two natural fundamental uses, which are sports broadcasts and production of live programs. Grass Valley's proposal is also aimed at the dramatized market, which is currently served by other workflows that make life quite complicated for producers.
This launch proposal has had a good acceptance from people, who should start thinking about the proposed workflow that is basically the traditional HD, brought to 4K.
TVV What is the panorama that you have in relation to 4K recording, in terms of applications and development today and in the future?
Camilo Aranguren: As for the penetration of reception devices, the increase in the sale of televisions and the increase in the bandwidths available in Latin American countries, we believe faithfully that in about 24 0 36 months we will begin to see product produced in 4K available through different mechanisms.
Traditional transmission does not accept 4K, so these productions will have to reach final subscribers through satellite television or OTT systems. But it seems that the final consumer is increasingly acquiring products with 4K reception capacity and the channels to carry 4K content are available but through other windows than traditional television.
TVV In the sports field, to which areas are transmissions with 4K technology most applied?
Camilo Aranguren: At the moment, in 4K there have been tests of transmissions at the football level. We want 4K to be used first as a resource to enrich the technical production of an event.
Whoever makes the production using this technology will be able to have the availability of images in a resolution such that it allows them to make virtual approaches and camera movements in the 4K space, but always working in HD, because that is the space in which we can transmit.
TVV In 4K production in Latin America, how have we advanced?
Camilo Aranguren: The two main markets that have already been working on 4K products for a year are Brazil and Mexico. Colombia is starting to produce 4K since the previous year, they manage 4K flows producers such as FoxTelecolombia, RCN and Caracol, with dramatic products.
Television commercials have also been made for quite some time, but in terms of serials and long-term products, the main productions of the country are venturing into it, although not all of their productions in 4K. It is developing little by little, because the workflow in this technology is not only the capture, it also includes all the post-production, the colorization, the audio, it is necessary that everything has that level of quality.
TVV In terms of quality standards at the production level, how does the growth of 4K technology arise?
Camilo Aranguren: 4K is still evolving, in fact standards have yet to evolve. There is an agreement that sets certain rules, but it seems that there are still things that must be defined, with the current standard there is an agreement to be able to produce and transmit, but in this aspect we are working.
