Celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year, Ikegami USA will introduce four new additions to its range of broadcast-quality production equipment at the 2024 NAB Show in the Las Vegas. These will comprise the HDK-X500 HD portable camera system and OCP-500 operation control panel plus two new video monitors – the mains-powered HLM-2460WA and mains/battery HLM-1860WR. Exhibit highlights on the Ikegami booth will also include the UHK-X600, UHK-X700, UHK-X750, HDK-99, UHL-43 and UHL-F4000 cameras.

“Our emphasis at NAB 2024 will be on the advance to 2160p 4K-UHD as the globally preferred standard for producing high-value television content,” says Alan Keil, Vice President and Director of Engineering at Ikegami Electronics (USA), Inc. “Latest-generation Ikegami solutions offer a budget-friendly license-key way to add new tools or meet new standards as or when required: higher resolution, high dynamic range, wide color gamut and high frame-rate production as well as from SDI to SDI/IP hybrid or full IP connectivity.”

NEW: Ikegami HDK-X500 HD portable camera system

The Ikegami HDK-X500 is designed for use across a wide spectrum of applications including pedestal-mounted studio operation, tripod-based sports coverage and shoulder-mounted location production. Features include three latest-generation 2/3-inch CMOS global shutter sensors plus automatic optical vignetting correction throughout the range of OVC-compatible B4 bayonet mount zoom lenses. Back focus of RBF-compatible lenses can be adjusted even when the camera head is in a remote location. Optimal control of ambient lighting, studio or outdoor, is supported by the same neutral-density and color-compensation dual filter system used in Ikegami’s high-end cameras. The camera’s integral digital processor provides 16-axis color correction allowing precise scene matching or to create specific effects. HLG HDR is fully supported, allowing detailed image reproduction across the entire dynamic range from bright highlights through to deep shadows. HDK-X500 performance parameters include 1000 TVL typical center resolution at 5% modulation, 62 dB typical signal to noise ratio and F11 sensitivity (1080i/59.94). The HDK-X500 is also capable of high-frame-rate capture at 1080i 119.88 Hz.

NEW: Ikegami OCP-500 operation control panel

The Ikegami OCP-500 operation control panel allows the HDK-X500 to be controlled fully remotely. Designed for integration into an outside broadcast hub or studio control gallery, its 3.23 inch width offers space-saving efficiency without compromising on functionality. Up to five OCP-500 panels fit in the space of four OCP-300 control units. Illuminating silicone rubber control buttons tested to over 100,000 key presses contribute to the OCP-500’s high durability. Power consumption has been reduced to approximately 5 watts. Data can be stored or shared via USB memory sticks.

NEW: Ikegami HLM-2460WA and HLM-1860WR HD video monitors

Building on the features and performance of its HLM-2460W predecessor, the new 24 inch Ikegami HLM-2460WA video monitor reproduces more accurate dynamics of the source images thanks to an IPS LCD panel with 1,800:1 contrast ratio and 400 nits peak brightness. The HLM-2460WA fits into broadcast environments such as edit suites where a computer-friendly WUXGA display resolution is preferred, and for integration into monitor walls.

Also new, the HLM-1860WR features a larger 18.5-inch IPS LCD panel than its HLM-1760WR predecessor – within the same 19-inch rack-width 7 U chassis. The display has a 1,000:1 contrast ratio and, with its 500 nits peak brightness, reproduces clear images even in outdoor environments. The HLM-1860WR can be powered from mains or 12 V DC battery.

Additional features of both models include user-definable onscreen guides (up to 12 lines or boxes) which can be positioned using a USB pointer. Dynamic and static UMD are also supported. Seamless tally integration via Ethernet is made possible using the TSL V5.0 protocol. Optional Windows-based software allows automatic alignment of R/G/B gain to ensure correct white balance using compatible colorimeters from JETI, Klein or Konica.

Ikegami UHK-X600 HD studio/portable camera with UHD, IP, and HFR options

The UHK-X600 is a studio/portable camera with three 2/3-inch oversampling UHD CMOS sensors providing 1000 TVL resolution, minimal aliasing, plus 2000 lux sensitivity at f10 (60p). Standard features include full support for Hybrid Log Gamma HDR with the ability to select between BT.2020 and BT.709 chroma spaces. The UHK-X600 can be pedestal or tripod mounted or operated over the shoulder. Dimensions are 13.4 x 9.6 x 6 inches and weight is just over 11 pounds. Global shutter imagers minimize artifacts when televising LED screen walls or flash/strobe-illuminated stage environments. License-key based options include support for 2x, 3x and 4x high frame rate capture plus optional 4K processing delivering 2000 TVL resolution when operating in 2160p. Plug-in hardware based options include a SMPTE ST 2110 compatible media-over-IP interface board and optional 12G output board. The UHK-X600 accepts a wide range of B4 lenses and supports chromatic aberration correction, vignetting correction, ramping compensation and remote control of back focus (when also supported by the lens). Core of the UHK-X600 electronics is a power-efficient ASIC which encapsulates a wide range of high-grade video processing functions into ultra-compact component dimensions. When combined with the Ikegami BSX-100 base station, the camera optionally supports simultaneous output in UHD and HD video formats.

Ikegami UHK-X700 top-of-the-line UHD studio/portable camera with IP and HFR options

Ikegami’s UHK-X700 is designed to combine high signal quality with versatile connectivity. The camera can be pedestal or tripod mounted or operated over the shoulder. The front end comprises three 2/3-inch CMOS UHD sensors with a global shutter to minimize artifacts when shooting LED screens or scenes illuminated with flash or strobe lighting. Full HDR/SDR support is included plus the ability to choose between BT.2020 and BT.709 chroma spaces. HFR shooting at up to 2x speed in UHD or up to 8x in HD via the base station is possible as an option. When combined with the Ikegami BSX-100 base station or CCU-X100 camera control unit, the UHK-X700 can output UHD/HD video formats simultaneously. IP interface of video, audio and intercom I/O is available conforming to SMPTE ST 2110 standards as an option at the base station or CCU. UHD video is available as a 12G-SDI feed directly from the camera head, allowing integration into a wireless system. Weighing only 11 pounds, the UHK-X700 comes with a B4 lens mount and has an optical sensitivity of F10 when operating at UHD/59.94p.

Ikegami UHK-X750 full-studio version of UHK-X700

The UHK-X750 is a full studio camera with all of the UHK-X700’s features except those that apply to portable shoulder operation. It offers a lower center-of-gravity and easier staging compared to a portable camera with telephoto lens and supporter. In addition, the Ikegami UHK-X750 full studio camera features a greater design emphasis on ease of service and cool operation.

Ikegami HDK-99 Full-HD HDR studio/portable camera system

The HDK-99 is a docking-style camera for portable and studio applications. It employs three 2.6 megapixel CMOS image sensors delivering high picture quality in HDR at 1920 x 1080 resolution with progressive-scan. Processed 4K can be sourced from the camera control unit. HLG mode maintains the high contrast required for HDR and conforms to the ITU-R BT.2100 international standard. Noise is less than -62 dB and sensitivity is F11. The sensors natively support 1080i /59.94, 1080i/50, 720p/59.94, 720p/50, 1080p/29.97, 1080p/25 and 1080p/23.98. Also supported are 1080p/59.94, 1080p/50, 1080i/119.88, and 1080i/100 3G HDTV formats. A lens aberration correction function minimizes resolution loss and colored edging caused mainly by optical lens deviation. Quick EZ Focus Assist enhances the viewfinder signal, enabling the camera operator to make critical focus adjustments. Area size, area color, edge color and display time on the viewfinder are all adjustable from the camera menu.

UHL-43 4K UHD compact box-style camera

The UHL-43 is a compact box-style camera designed for applications such as robotic studios, live-event broadcasting, parliamentary television and point-of-view image capture. The camera head can be used on practically any support device such as a remote pan and tilt, long-reach arm or overhead mount. The UHL-43 employs three 2/3-inch UHD CMOS sensors in the same workflow and remote control structure as the UHK-X700 and UHK-750. Unlike cameras using a single chip with Bayer pattern for color separation, the integration of three UHD resolution CMOS sensors and a prism block provides true 2000 TVL capture resolution, high quality color reproduction and complete freedom from color aliasing. The UHL-43 is also available as an HD model, UHL-43HD, which can be upgraded by a software license key to deliver 4K-UHD. HLG HDR is supported as standard in HD and UHD. Output options supporting 12G-SDI or 4 x 3G-SDI over electrical cable or optical fiber are available. All control functions are accessible at the camera head or via a choice of Ikegami physical and virtual remote control panels from Ikegami’s OCP-series. The integral Ethernet interface allows easy control from practically any distance, making the camera ideal for remotely supervised field production.

Ikegami UHL-F4000 helicopter-mountable UHD HDR camera

A compact and lightweight UHD HDR camera with low power consumption, the UHL-F4000 is designed for applications such as helicopter-mounted aerial video capture in a wide range of night or day conditions. The camera head has three UHD CMOS global shutter sensors capturing natural images completely clear of geometric distortion and flash band effects. Image adjustment capabilities include noise removal, digital zoom, haze reduction, image sharpening, vertical image reversal and HD-from-UHD segment selection. A duplex optical fiber connection communicates between the ultra compact camera head and small-sized CCU which can be positioned up to 10 km apart. The optical fibers can be integrated into a bidirectional core via optical circulators and passed through a single-core fiber optic rotary joint. 12 volt DC power is the only other required connection to the camera head. Other signals include genlock and remote control interface to the CCU. The CCU is compact and lightweight, simultaneously delivering HDR-compatible UHD and HD video.

Broadcast production monitors

Ikegami will also show examples from its range of broadcast production monitors. These include three 4K/HD models: the 31 inch HQLM-3125X and HQLM-3120W plus the 17 inch HQLM-1720WR and three HD displays: 24 inch HLM-2460W, 17 inch HLM-1760WR and 9 inch HLM-960WR. A key 4K/HD model is the HQLM-3120W, a 31 inch 4K/HD wide color gamut production monitor equipped as standard with two 12G-SDI input channels for efficient configuration with 4K equipment such as cameras and switchers. 3G-SDI, HD-SDI and HDMI inputs are also provided as standard. It employs a 4096 x 2160 pixel UHD LCD panel using LED backlight and can reproduce high resolution 4K and 2K images. The display has a 1500:1 contrast ratio and 178 degree horizontal/vertical viewing angles. Integral features include waveform monitoring, vectorscope and vertical interval timecode display plus closed-caption monitoring. Audio facilities include 5.1-channel surround-sound down-mix output.