Video production can be challenging, even under the best circumstances. Even in a studio space optimized for shooting, there are several variables that producers need to consider: capturing a variety of camera angles to keep content dynamic, ensuring audio is consistently clear and intelligible, keeping on-camera talent in frame while allowing them freedom to engage with the audience, budgeting, crew staffing, lighting — the list goes on.
And let’s face it, most video production doesn’t happen in perfectly optimized studio spaces. But that doesn't mean the results can't look just as professional when you have the right AV tech tools on hand.
Panasonic’s Media Production Suite (MPS) the power and versatility of a fully equipped studio to any shooting environment. MPS’s new AI and automation tools provide for quicker setups, easier functionality, and greater efficiency. The result? High-quality video production, no matter the location or budget.
Media Production Suite Transforms Video Production Spaces
Panasonic’s Media Production Suite is a video production software solution that simplifies production by centralizing control of all devices. MPS automatically detects and configures all cameras connected to a PC, resulting in easy device management through one source.
The easy-to-use GUI dashboard allows producers to efficiently shoot across multiple locations with limited crew requirements. Remote adjustment of PTZ cameras from the same centralized location creates more dynamic, engaging shooting opportunities even in challenging shooting environments:
- Online lectures: PTZ control and easy device management give lecturers freedom of movement. Multiple shooting angles keep content from becoming stilted or static, improving both the online and in-person experience.
- Small-to-medium broadcast and podcast studios: MPS makes it easier to manage cameras, microphones, and other AV equipment from a single dashboard. Producers can quickly switch between camera angles, adjust framing, and maintain professional audio and video quality.
- Live Events: The ability to quickly scan and switch between multiple feeds and adjust cameras as needed is invaluable for covering live events where many things happen simultaneously.
MPS ensures that any video production space can be set up quickly and managed effectively. This enhanced efficiency opens creative possibilities for producers, leading to more visually interesting results.
Adaptable Video Production Software Meets the Needs of Any Shoot
In addition to its basic functions, MPS offers an array of plug-ins that can be added based on the specific needs of a shoot. These new AI and automation plug-ins help create the functionality of a mobile studio while retaining the authenticity of on-location shooting in real spaces.
Auto Tracking Keeps Your Subject In-Frame and Audible at All Times
When capturing lectures or live events, video should replicate the feeling of being present in the audience. To achieve this, presenters need the freedom to engage naturally with their audience, moving freely without worrying about straying out of frame. However, with limited crew and multiple devices, it can be a challenge to ensure all devices remain trained on a fluidly moving speaker.
MPS’s Auto Tracking plug-in solves this challenge. Leveraging AI facial recognition and human body detection, the system automatically keeps devices focused on the subject, eliminating the need for manual adjustments.
Beyond visually tracking, PTZ cameras can also be paired with Panasonic microphones, so that audio and video work in sync. This ensures that the subject in the frame is also the one being heard. In addition to benefiting producers, this technology also gives presenters confidence and peace of mind, knowing that the equipment will work seamlessly without extra effort on their part.
Visual Preset Focuses PTZ Cameras for Easy Access to Multiple Angles
Since MPS makes it easy to set up and manage multiple devices, it creates the opportunity to capture one subject from multiple camera angles. However, if that subject moves or the focus changes to a different subject, producers will have to adjust multiple PTZ cameras separately.
The Visual Preset plug-in makes adjusting all PTZ cameras as simple as one click. All PTZ cameras will automatically adjust to your chosen subject, ensuring all angles remain available to you. Visual Preset can also be linked to wireless microphones for voice-triggered angle adjustments.
Create Studio Quality VFX with Video Mixer Plug-In
A major advantage of a studio setup is that video production has full control over the environment. This makes it simple to set up for VFX and integrate effects into your final product. This VFX integration can be significantly more challenging on location, where setting up VFX shots may be limited or impossible.
MPS’s Video Mixer plug-in uses AI features to make the functionality of the studio mobile. Multiple VFX options are now available even in locations that wouldn’t naturally be suited to them.
AI Keying
Chroma key effects can be severely limited when shooting on location or when shooting in a setting (such as a panel or lecture) where the use of a green screen would be distracting for live attendees or altogether impossible. AI Keying uses automatic image recognition to separate subjects from background, allowing for easy and precise use of virtual backgrounds without the need for green screens.
AI Effect Filter
Overlay effects on individual subjects (e.g., blurring out the face of a subject who wishes to remain anonymous) are generally not done in real time. After all, video productions don’t want to risk a subject moving through the effect, resulting in the blur transferring to the background and the subject’s face being revealed.
AI Effect Filter uses high-precision AI face detection and facial recognition to ensure effects such as blur, mosaic, or image overlay will be maintained in real time, even as the subject moves. This allows customized filters to be utilized in real time for up to 25 individuals.
AI Face Crop
Another feature that utilizes AI facial detection and recognition is Video Mixer’s AI Face Crop. Perfect for shoots where subjects are in different locations, AI Face Crop tracks subject faces in real time, allowing the use of picture-in-picture (P-in-P) overlays for content such as news programs or remote lectures.
Smart Switching
From sporting events to educational videos to comedy shows, people have become accustomed to videos that incorporate multiple video elements, including:
- Subjects
- Backgrounds
- Materials
- Captions
- P-in-P
Smart switching makes video compositing easy, allowing MPS users to preset composites that incorporate any combination of the video elements listed above. Once presets have been created, compositing only takes a single click, making it simple to create the multi-element material that viewers expect.
Consistent Angles and Simple Switching with Advanced Auto-Framing
Dynamic video production relies on optionality. Having multiple angles of a single subject is one example of optionality. But what happens when you have multiple subjects you need to keep in frame? Advanced Auto-Framing allows for up to 20 framing presets, so you can switch and adjust devices through an array of framing options.
Advanced Auto-Framing allows for up to 10 subjects in a single frame and lets producers add out-of-frame subjects into the group on the fly. It is an invaluable tool for dynamic, multi-person shooting environments.
Panasonic Powers Dynamic Video Production
Clients often expect high-quality video delivered quickly and on a tight budget. This puts significant pressure on producers working with limited crews and equipment.
Panasonic’s Media Production Suite streamlines the entire production process, making it easier to deliver top-tier content to any environment.
Learn more about Panasonic’s video production solutions.