-- -- At NAB 2018, Sony is focused on new workflows for new types of customers. The company is showcasing technologies and products for HD, 4K, 8K, High Dynamic Range and IP, enabling more creative options and greater flexibility for professionals.
Taking center-stage on the stand is Sony's ultimate big-screen bezel-less Crystal LED display system, delivering huge 8K x 4K visual images with stunning picture quality. Ultra-real contents including unprecedented 8K 120fps video shot by 8K system camera UHC-8300 with 1.25-inch three 8K sensors are replayed to impress visitors. Sony's exhibit will also feature new models and updates to solutions and services proposing the right mix for professionals' needs to achieve their long-term success.
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A combination of changing consumer viewing habits, unexampled industry consolidation and new business models has created a sea change in the media industry, according to Katsunori Yamanouchi, president of Sony's Professional Solutions Americas group.
Media customers need to deliver content anytime to any platform, in a range of different formats, and in high quality, Yamanouchi said. Often they need to do all this with fewer resources. Sony is continually adapting to meet our customers' changing needs, helping them develop practical workflows to help them meet their technical and financial goals.
Yamanouchi added that increasing acceptance of cloud technology has seen more companies move content and their operations into the cloud. Additionally, media companies need to maximise and monetise the global distribution of their content, while also balancing capital and operating expenses.
Sony's Media Solutions Division
Sony's Media Solutions Division formed in December last year is harnessing the power of cloud collaboration and automation to develop and bring to market customised technologies for content owners/creators, distributors and platforms. The group combines many of Sony's technology resources designed to drive efficiencies at every stage of the media production lifecycle from content acquisition to distribution to archive. Sony is continually expanding its professional solutions offerings, enhancing and developing options for real-time and non-real-time production such as XDCAM air, Media Backbone Hive, Media Backbone NavigatorX, Memnon digitisation and the Ci cloud platform. Ven.ue strengthens OTT and cloud-based content distribution and management capabilities. Sony acquired Crispin Corporation in April in 2017, adding master control automation and asset management.
Sony's NAB 2018 New Products
At NAB 2018, Sony is highlighting its comprehensive and growing line of cameras and camcorders, with 4K and support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) available at every level.
Cameras and camcorders
Sony is expanding its XDCAM line of professional camcorders with its new flagship handheld PXW-Z280 and a 4K compact camcorder PXW-Z190.
PXW-Z280 equips the world's first 4K three 1/2-type Exmor R CMOS image sensors, delivering high sensitivity of F12 (59.94p), long zoom ratio and deep depth of field, ideal for news gathering. In addition, 4K 4:2:2 10-bit adds vivid imagery and delicate colour gradation. The PXW-Z280 also supports 4K 50p/60p recording capability and 12G-SDI output, good for live event production. The enhanced network enables direct-to-air workflow featuring Sony's Quality of Service (QoS) for live distribution of high-quality broadcast content using a Dual Link connection multiplexing two cellular networks. Versatile formats and interfaces also support the workflow. A 17x zoom lens and three independent control rings with end-stop allow manual control of focus, zoom, and iris for quick and precise adjustment.
PXW-Z190 carries newly developed three 1/3-type Exmor R CMOS image sensors capture RGB light independently and deliver 4K 50p/60p imagery with high resolution and a wide range of gradation. 4:2:2 10-bit ensures vivid and rich colour content in HD. The new model incorporates a 25x optical zoom lens to cover a wide focal range for multiple shooing requirements, with three independent lens rings to support intuitive operation.
Both models have Advanced Face Detection Autofocus (AF) including Face Priority AF and newly added Face Only AF, and Sony's Electronic Variable ND filter ensures greater exposure control by smoothly varying the density of the ND filter during shooting while maintaining resolution and depth of field.
Sony is expanding its Large Format Sensor category with the new XDCAM handheld camcorder FS5 II. Complete with 4K HDR and 120fps performance and RAW capabilities, the new Super 35 mm camcorder combines outstanding image quality with an ergonomic modular frame. In addition to S-Log 2/3, the FS5 II supports Sony's Instant HDR Workflow to produce HDR content for quick post-production without the need of grading. The FS5 II features an all-new look with a refined picture tone to capture natural highlights, subtle, alluring and well rendered facial tones and a softer tonal look emphasising portrayal of a person.
IP Live Production Solution
Sony's IP Live production solution offers an alternative to the separate infrastructures of SDI for live production and IP for file-based production; creating a single, unified IP network. It lowers equipment costs and lays out a logical upgrade path to 4K, HFR, 8K and beyond. Broadcasters worldwide are embracing IP. Sony is a pioneer in this area with its Networked Media Interface. Sony is also investing in the future of IP Live interoperability with industry standards such as SMPTE ST 2110.
Sony is building SMPTE ST 2110 into its legacy and new products, making it among the first manufacturers to bring its entire portfolio of IP products into ST 2110 compliance.
