Archive - February 2021

Panasonic Releases Firmware Update for the RZ-S500W and RZ-S300W

Panasonic will release a firmware update for the RZ-S500W and RZ-S300W true wireless headphones along with an application to enhance functions and usability. All programs will be available on February 25, 2021. The major functions to be updated are as follows:

Firmware Version:

RZ-S500W JMS1ZY 02.50
RZ-S300W JMS1ZX 02.00

  • Added touch sensor customisation option
  • Improved voice transmission quality during phone calls
  • Added explanation of how to wake up the headphones from the “auto power off” mode

More details on the firmware improvements are included below.

Added touch sensor customisation option

Users can now customise the controls for the left and right touch sensors through the application.

List of Touch Sensor Controls

General operations

Play back / stop
Back a track
Forward a track
Volume : reduce
Volume : increase
RZ-S500W: Switching the ambient sound control mode
RZ-S300W: Switching the ambient sound control mode
RZ-S500W: Noise Cancelling*
Ambient Sound
Turn off Ambient Sound Control
Start voice assistant
No function

Telephone

During a call

Volume : reduce
Volume : increase
End call
No function

When receiving a call

Take call
Reject call
No function
*Noise Cancelling function is only available for the RZ-S500W.

How to Setup

Tap the settings button to display the settings screen.
Tap “Customising the touch sensor,” and choose from the available control options.

Improved voice transmission quality during phone calls

During phone calls, users’ voices are transmitted even more clearly than before to the other end of the line.

Improvements:
(1) Reduced clipping and distortion with low-pitched voices.
(2) Voices have been made clearer, with sound reproduction close to the speaker’s actual voice.
(3) Even high-pitched whispers have been made clearer, with sound reproduction close to the speaker’s actual voice.

Sound Collection

Added explanation of how to wake up the headphones from the “auto power off” mode

Users can now see how to wake up the headphones from the “auto power off” setting through the application.

About the “auto power off” setting

If no sound comes through the headphones for a specified amount of time, the headphones are automatically turned off. Users can choose from “Always on,” “5 minutes,” “10 minutes,” “30 minutes,” and “60 minutes.”

How to wake up the headphones from the “auto power off” mode

Hold down both the left and right touch sensors until the LED light turns on (approx. 2 seconds). If the headphones do not turn on, please ensure they are fully charged.

*Photo shows the RZ-S500W.

How to Update

Before you start

Charge both the left and right sides of the headphones to more than 70%. The update process will take approximately 15 minutes* to complete. The file size is about 1.8 MB.

*The update may take up to an hour depending on the device and internet environment.

Checking the firmware version and updating

You can use the free “Panasonic Audio Connect” app* to update the firmware of the connected headphones.

*Compatible with smartphones and tablets that are equipped with Android™ 6.0 or higher and that support Google Play™, or an iPhone ®, iPad ® and iPod Touch ® equipped with iOS9.3 or higher.
*Images below are of the app on an Android™ device. The user interface will differ slightly on iOS, but the procedure is the same.

When the latest version of the firmware is detected, tap “Update”.

When you tap “Update”, the firmware is transferred to the headphones and the update will begin. Transfers may be interrupted or slowed down if music is being played or there is a call during the transfer. Start the transfer with the headphones outside of their charging cradle, set them down close by and do not operate them.

Wait until the update completes, without operating the headphones or the app.
After the firmware has been updated, the headphones will automatically restart and reconnect with the handset. The app will not work properly until the update is complete. Do not try to operate the headphones or the app while the update is in progress.


The update is complete when the main screen appears.

[NOTICE]

Functions, function names, and specifications are subject to change without notice.

TRADEMARK NOTICE:

iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Google, Android, Google Play, and other related marks and logos are trademarks of Google LLC.

The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Panasonic Corporation is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

Panasonic Releases Firmware Update for the EAH-AZ70W

Panasonic will release a firmware update for the EAH-AZ70W true wireless headphones along with an application to enhance functions and usability. All programs will be available on February 25, 2021. The major functions to be updated are as follows:

Firmware Version:
JMS1ZY 02.50

  • Added touch sensor customisation option
  • Improved voice transmission quality during phone calls
  • Added explanation of how to wake up the headphones from the “auto power off” mode

More details on the firmware improvements are included below.

Added touch sensor customisation option

Users can now customise the controls for the left and right touch sensors through the application.

List of touch sensor controls

General operations

Play back / stop
Back a track
Forward a track
Volume : reduce
Volume : increase
Switching the ambient sound control mode
Noise Cancelling
Ambient Sound
Turn off Ambient Sound Control
Start voice assistant
No function

Telephone

During a call

Volume : reduce
Volume : increase
End call
No function

When receiving a call

Take call
Reject call
No function

How to setup

Tap the settings button to display the settings screen.
Tap “Customising the touch sensor,” and choose from the available control options.

Improved voice transmission quality during phone calls

During phone calls, users’ voices are transmitted even more clearly than before to the other end of the line.

Improvements:
(1) Reduced clipping and distortion with low-pitched voices.
(2) Voices have been made clearer, with sound reproduction close to the speaker’s actual voice.
(3) Even high-pitched whispers have been made clearer, with sound reproduction close to the speaker’s actual voice.

Sound Collection

Added explanation of how to wake up the headphones from the “auto power off” mode

Users can now see how to wake up the headphones from the “auto power off” setting through the application.

About the “auto power off” setting

If no sound comes through the headphones for a specified amount of time, the headphones are automatically turned off. Users can choose from “Always on,” “5 minutes,” “10 minutes,” “30 minutes,” and “60 minutes.”

How to wake up the headphones from the “auto power off” mode

Hold down both the left and right touch sensors until the LED light turns on (approx. 2 seconds). If the headphones do not turn on, please ensure they are fully charged.

How to Update

Before you start

Charge both the left and right sides of the headphones to more than 70%. The update process will take approximately 15 minutes* to complete. The file size is about 1.8 MB.

*The update may take up to an hour depending on the device and internet environment.

Checking the firmware version and updating

You can use the free “Technics Audio Connect” app* to update the firmware of the connected headphones.

*Compatible with smartphones and tablets that are equipped with Android™ 6.0 or higher and that support Google Play™, or an iPhone ®, iPad ® and iPod Touch ® equipped with iOS9.3 or higher.

*Images below are of the app on an Android™ device. The user interface will differ slightly on iOS, but the procedure is the same.

When the latest version of the firmware is detected, tap “Update”.

When you tap “Update”, the firmware is transferred to the headphones and the update will begin. Transfers may be interrupted or slowed down if music is being played or there is a call during the transfer. Start the transfer with the headphones outside of their charging cradle, set them down close by and do not operate them.

Wait until the update completes, without operating the headphones or the app. After the firmware has been updated, the headphones will automatically restart and reconnect with the handset. The app will not work properly until the update is complete. Do not try to operate the headphones or the app while the update is in progress.

The update is complete when the main screen appears.

[NOTICE]

Functions, function names, and specifications are subject to change without notice.

TRADEMARK NOTICE:

iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Google, Android, Google Play, and other related marks and logos are trademarks of Google LLC.

The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Panasonic Corporation is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

New Telephoto Zoom Lens for the LUMIX S Series with Macro Capability: LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. (S-R70300)

Panasonic is proud to announce the release of a new interchangeable telephoto zoom lens, the LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. (S-R70300) based on the
L-Mount system and designed for LUMIX S Series full-frame mirrorless cameras.

The new LUMIX S 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. boasts high descriptive performance and beautiful bokeh at the entire zoom range, which makes it possible to render exceptionally impressive stills and video. It also provides high-speed, high-precision AF and Dual I.S. for agile mobility, allowing it to be used in wide-ranging shooting situations including sports, animals, portraits, aircraft and vehicles.

This telephoto zoom lens with macro capability is compact and lightweight for excellent versatility. The rugged dust/splash-resistant[i] design withstands use under harsh conditions down to a temperature of -10 degrees Celsius. In addition, the fluorine coating on the front element repels water and oil.

With a minimum focusing distance of 0.54m[ii], the S-R70300 achieves maximum magnification of 0.5x (at 300mm) for macro photography and videography. A circular aperture with an 11-bladed iris diaphragm provides beautifully rounded bokeh effects.

With an O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabiliser) in the S-R70300 lens and Body I.S. in LUMIX S Series cameras, the LUMIX Dual I.S system powerfully compensates for handshake in telephoto shooting, making it possible to use a 5.5-stop slower shutter speed[iii]. Focus control with a maximum 480 fps high-speed sensor drive achieves fast, high-precision AF.

The optimum alignment of 17 lens elements in 11 groups including 1 UED (Ultra Extra-low Dispersion) lens, 2 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lenses and 1 UHR (Ultra-High Refractive Index) suppresses both axial chromatic aberration at tele-end and chromatic aberration of magnification at wide-end. The UHR lens achieves uniform image quality from the centre to the edges of the image while contributing to the downsizing of the lens unit. The lens excels in video recording performance with a mechanism that minimises focus breathing, and focus shift is suppressed during zooming with an exceptional zoom tracking performance so that the subject is always in clear focus.

The S-R70300 is priced at $2199 RRP, and will be available in April 2021 from leading photographic specialists.

For further information, please visit www.panasonic.com.au or call 132 600.

[i] Dust and Splash Resistant does not guarantee that damage will not occur if this lens is subjected to direct contact with dust and water. To avoid damage when using the camera under these conditions, it must be used in accordance with associated instructions in the manual.
[ii] At wide-end
[iii] Based on the CIPA standard [Yaw/Pitch direction: focusing distance f=300mm, when LUMIX S5 is used].