Kantana Group Expands Equipment Inventory with Sony’s VENICE

Asia Pacific, 28 September 2018 – Kantana Group Public Company Limited (Kantana) announces its recent acquisition of Sony’s next generation motion picture camera system – VENICE. Working in collaboration with SWS Group (SWS), the appointed distributor and authorised service centre of Sony’s professional solutions business in Thailand, Kantana’s purchase of the VENICE will strengthen its services and offering to its audiences.

With more than 65 years in the Thai entertainment industry, Kantana started from radio dramas to films, television dramas, variety programs, and eventually moved on to become an integrated entertainment company. The media giant has since expanded its wings across international waters, and now has many trusted professional global partners worldwide.

“Sony is the epitome of innovation and never fails to surprise the industry with its groundbreaking products and solutions. Our collaboration with Sony started with a shared goal – to raise the content creation skills and knowledge in Asia – and resulted in a series of HD and CineAlta training courses since 2006,” said Mr. Jareuk Kaljareuk, President of Kantana. “At this moment, we’re seeing more content produced in 4K and higher resolutions in Asia Pacific. We are confident that with the newly acquired VENICE, we can challenge ourselves by pushing boundaries in content creation, bringing truly immersive picture quality to our audiences.”

Sony’s VENICE is furnished with an impressive full frame image sensor that can capture stunning visuals in almost any format, including full-frame 24x36mm, Super35 and Anamorphic. Offering complete production flexibility, the digital motion picture camera together with the AXS-R7 external recorder, is capable of achieving 16-bit linear RAW and 16-bit X-OCN (eXtended tonal range Original Camera Negative). Offering significant file size reduction, X-OCN allows content creators to work with full resolution content from VENICE’s 6K sensor effortlessly in terms of file transfer speed and storage requirements. In addition, the VENICE has an exceptional 15+ stops of latitude alongside low noise for extraordinary performances, delivering phenomenal images in conditions from searing sunlight to almost low light.

Pilot projects in the pipeline for the VENICE include upcoming drama and TV productions, targeting to release in Thailand later this year. Further, Kantana has purchased three sets of the PVM-A170 TRIMASTER EL™ OLED high grade picture monitors. Offering the industry’s widest viewing angles of any professional flat-panel monitor in the market, the PVM-A170 fulfills the demand for an affordable HD monitor in a 4K production systems.

“Sony’s VENICE continues to generate remarkable interest within the global cinematography community,” said Mr. Suchart Tantimekabut, President of SWS. “It signifies a new era in filmmaking, drama and commercial productions. We are excited to be able to bring this powerhouse from Sony to the Thai media community and look forward to remarkable content from Kantana through the lens of VENICE.”