SONY ELEVATES PROFESSIONAL VIDEO PRODUCTION WITH
FIRST SOLID-STATE COMPACT CAMCORDER
September 20, 2007
Source: Sony Professional
Sony today conducted its first full-scale demonstration
of a new solid-state compact camcorder for professional video
production.
The new PMW-EX1 model expands Sony’s
XDCAM® line-up of high-definition tapeless production
and acquisition systems, which also includes optical disc-based
camcorders and decks. The camcorder’s distinction is
that it records and stores content to ExpressCard™ high-speed
media, offering greater workflow flexibility with selectable
bit rates in addition to an extensive list of editing and
effects capabilities.
“The XDCAM EX series – with its
full HD picture quality and system flexibility – is a
powerful tool for boosting quality and efficiency in an array
of HD production applications,” said Bob Ott, vice president
of optical and network systems for Sony Electronics. “It’s
also compatible with a broad range of non-linear editing systems.
“Combined with the ability to
capture and transfer footage using ExpressCard technology,
the new standard of PC card interface, I believe this new
camera will prove to be a very reliable and flexible compact
camcorder for HD video production.”
The camera uses Sony’s newly developed
SxS PRO™ solid-state memory as its recording medium.
The SxS memory card, which currently delivers up to 800 Mbps
of high-speed data transfer, enables non-linear capabilities
like instant random access and file-based operation. Equipped
with two SxS memory card slots, the camcorder can record up
to 100 minutes of high-quality HD footage at 35Mbps, or 140
minutes at 25Mbps using two 16-GB SxS memory cards.
The imaging devices used in the camcorder
are three newly designed 1/2-inch type Exmor™ CMOS sensors,
each with an effective pixel count of 1920 x 1080. This 1/2-inch
type image sensor, allows the camcorder to provide an extremely
high sensitivity of F10, a signal-to-noise ratio of 54 dB,
and horizontal resolution of 1000 television lines.
“This large 1/2-inch type image sensor
can capture images with a shallower depth of field than other
hand held camcorders’ smaller-size image sensors, allowing
for more creative freedom of expression,” Ott said, adding
that the low-light capabilities of this new sensor will be
of particular interest to those professionals who need to
capture footage in challenging lighting applications.
The camcorder is switchable between 1080p,
1080i and 720p, with a multiple frame recording capabilities
of 59.94i, 50i, 29.97P, 25P and native 23.98P.
It offers a choice of bit rates -- either
35 Mb/s (high-quality mode) or 25 Mb/s (standard-play mode)
– depending on the desired picture quality and recording
time.
The HQ mode supports both 1920 x 1080 and
1280 x 720 resolutions.
The SP mode supports 1440 x 1080 resolution
at 25 Mb/s, which provides compatibility with HDV 1080i products.
As a result, footage recorded in the SP mode can be seamlessly
integrated into HDV™-compatible editing systems by connecting
the camcorder through an i.LINK® (IEEE-1394) digital interface.
The PMW-EX1 camcorder is equipped with a
high-quality, high-definition Fujinon 14x zoom lens. According
to Ott, this lens was specifically designed to work with this
camcorder and to deliver optimum picture performance and unprecedented
functionality. The lens offers a wide angle of view of 5.8
mm (equivalent to 31.4 mm on a 35 mm lens), and many convenient
features for diverse shooting situations.
The new camcorder offers a “Slow and
Quick Motion” capability -- also commonly known as “overcranking”
and “under-cranking” in the traditional film world
-- for creating unique “looks” or special effects
of slow and fast motion. Other creative capabilities include
Slow Shutter, Interval Recording, a Picture Profile™
feature, and a histogram indicator, as well a 3.5-inch color
LCD screen (viewable area, measured diagonally).
To increase interoperability, a range of
non-linear editing manufacturers are developing compatible
interfaces, including Adobe Systems Incorporated, Adobe Premiere
Pro with MainConcept MPEG Pro, Apple Inc. Final Cut Pro Studio,
Dayang Technology Development Inc. D3 Edit 3000 Series, Matrox
Electronic Systems Ltd. Matrox Axio and Matrox RT.X2, MOG
Solutions Toboggan MediaTransfer, Newauto Silicon Valley Video
Technology CO.,LTD.’s Himaraya 1000/A1200/A1500 series,
Sobey Digital Technology Co., Ltd. E7 and E2000, Sony Creative
Software Vegas® Pro 8, and Thomson Grass Valley EDIUS™
Pro and Grass Valley EDIUS Broadcast.
The PMW-EX1 camcorder is expected to be
available in November at a suggested price of less than $8,000.
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