NAB 2015: Manufacturers including Sony, Panasonic, Grass Valley and Canon launched kit for shooting live Ultra High Definition content at the NAB trade show in Las Vegas as the range of equipment suited to studio and sport productions begins to mature.

To plug a gap in its line-up of UHD cameras, Sony debuted the HDC-4300 - a 2/3-inch sensor 4K camera for sport and live events that can output HD and UHD at the same time.

The B4-mount lens device has the same control surfaces as Sony’s HDC-2000 camera and is compatible with the existing HDLA-1500 lens adapter.

“This camera provides 4K capabilities and a workfl ow that content producers are instantly familiar with,” said Norbert Paquet, strategic marketing manager, Sony Professional Europe.

A software licence, sold separately as a weekly, monthly or permanent option, will be needed to use the 4K capabilities.

An additional licence will enable the camera system to shoot 1920 x 1080 HD at up to 479.52/400 frames per second.

The HDC-4300 is expected to be available by the summer.

Also on show for the first time in Las Vegas was another B4-mount lens device: the Panasonic AK-UC- 3000 system, which produces a UHD signal up to 3840 x 2160/60p.

Grass Valley launched a 4K camera and replay system for “extreme speed” action replays and highlights.

The LDX 86 Universe was described by Grass Valley senior vice-president of strategic marketing Mike Cronk as the “flagship” of its LDX range.

It shoots 4K footage and can capture 6x speed footage in HD. Canon demonstrated its 4K prototype box lens for use with 4K-capable 2/3-inch sensor broadcast cameras.

It will be the first lens in the company’s UHD-Digisuper lineup.

Canon is working with manufacturers of 2/3-inch broadcast cameras on the lens, which it expects to release at the end of this year.