AI is seemingly everywhere. Globally, companies are on pace to spend $375 billion on AI in 2025, and that number is projected to rise to $500 billion in 2026. The International Monetary Fund estimates that 40% of global jobs will be affected by AI, with that number reaching 60% amongst advanced economies. While businesses specializing in “information services” lead in AI adoption, the technology's reach extends across industries, including AV technology.
When it comes to implementing AI in AV, many professionals have been rightfully wary of use cases such as generative AI used to create “AI slop” videos. However, smart AI implementation can help creators maximize their resources to continue producing worthwhile, high-quality video content.
Panasonic is always on the cutting edge of new technology. The company is integrating AI intentionally into existing AV offerings, creating tools that make video production easier and simplify the creation of professional-quality video projects.
AI in AV Technology is Making Our Award-Winning Media Production Suite Even Better
Panasonic’s Media Production Suite was already a powerful tool for producing high-quality videos, even when shooting in non-traditional settings such as lecture halls or outdoor events. By centralizing the management of Panasonic cameras, the Media Production Suite streamlines operations regardless of setting. This is why it was named one of the 2024 NAB Show products of the year.
This year, new AI features have been added to the Media Production Suite to further improve the award-winning software and offer more options for creators.
Video Mixer Plug-In Adds AI Features for Easier Video Compositing
An add-on to the Media Production Suite, version 2 of the Video Mixer Plug-In has integrated AI to help implement video effects. This makes the tools of professional AV systems more accessible to creators, regardless of the shooting environment:
- AI Keying: Virtual backgrounds used to be limited to only certain types of studio shoots. Without a green screen or similar chroma key shooting setup, extracting a subject from their background was nearly impossible without the results appearing rough and amateurish. However, AI Keying uses automatic image recognition to accurately extract a subject from its background. This eliminates the need for a traditional chroma-key setup and allows AI background replacers to be used even in non-studio setups.
- AI Effect Filter: Using AI facial recognition and detection, customized filters can be applied to faces in the frame in real time. Even during live productions, filters can be automatically applied to up to 25 individuals.
- AI Face Crop: Thanks to AI, picture-in-picture (PiP) overlays have never been easier to add. AI face detection and recognition technology is used to identify and track specific individuals for face PinP. Additionally, a single camera can be used for multiple face PinP overlays at the same time, lessening equipment needs.
- Smart Switching: Dynamic videos that utilize diverse materials are now easier to produce. Smart Switching allows creators to register, select, and compose a multitude of composition patterns. Videos containing subjects, backgrounds, written materials, captions, and PinP from multiple sources can be composited into pre-registered patterns with a simple click. This streamlines the process of creating dynamic, layered videos.
Create More Efficient On-Site Workflows with Advanced AI Auto Framing
Another plug-in for the Media Production Suite, Advanced Auto Framing, pairs with Panasonic PTZ cameras to enable hugely efficient on-site workflows. AI offers advanced human-body detection and camera control, allowing for professional-level auto framing options for one or more subjects. This helps achieve stable shooting angles and consistent headroom even while subjects are moving. Thanks to a reference camera, even out-of-frame subjects can be added to the auto framing group on the fly.
Advanced Auto Framing supports up to 20 framing presets, including group shots with up to 10 subjects in a single frame. What used to require multiple cameras and switchers can now be accomplished with minimal equipment and production requirements, saving time and money.
Automatically Keep Subjects in Frame with AI-Powered Auto Tracking Plug-In
PTZ cameras can also be paired with the AI Auto Tracking plug-in. Similar to Auto Framing, this plug-in is also powered by AI human-body detection. Auto Tracking will recognize and follow subjects even in the most challenging shooting environments, keeping them in frame while they’re on the move. If, for some reason, the speaker is lost, cameras will default to a wide-angle view until they can reconfirm the subject and resume auto-tracking.
AI-Powered Smart Routing Eliminates Hardware Limitations in Live Video Production
Panasonic’s KAIROS Live Video Production Platform was designed to make live productions easier and more intuitive. However, as live productions grow to integrate multiple setups and more equipment, more inputs/outputs are needed, and, eventually, production becomes restrained by hardware limitations.
At least that was the case until KAIROS version 1.7. AI-powered Smart Routing eliminates hardware limitations and provides creators access to their entire ST2110 network. Smart routing also simplifies switching between inputs down to a single layer of latency: the time it takes to press a button.
AI in AV Tech Lets Creators Focus on Creativity Without Limitation
Video productions can often be complicated endeavors involving large crews, non-traditional shooting settings, and massive hardware requirements. By implementing AI-powered solutions into production software, Panasonic is creating ways for productions to be leaner and more cost-efficient without sacrificing quality. These AV solutions open up a world of opportunities for creators, allowing them to focus on their creative vision without worrying about budget or equipment limitations.
