Live From NAB 2018: Sony Intros CCU With IP Support, Two New 4K Camcorders

Live From NAB 2018: Sony Intros CCU With IP Support, Two New 4K Camcorders By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director

Sunday, April 8, 2018 - 10:50 pm

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Sony (Booth C11001) took the wraps off some additional new products for NAB 2018, including the HDCU-3100 camera-control unit, which adds SMPTE ST 2110 support for the HDC and HSC families of studio cameras, and the world's first 4K three-chip camcorder with -in. Exmor R CMOS sensors. The additions join previous announcements as Sony highlights the ways in which its efforts around cloud-based workflows and IP are redefining its traditional reputation as primarily a provider of top-notch production equipment.

We've been working closely with our customers to push out the boundaries as they change their workflows and face new business challenges, says Katsunori Yamanouchi, president, Sony Electronics Professional Solutions America. Content production is one focus. The other is workflow efficiency as the media industry faces massive changes as consumers are changing their viewing behavior. And there are two key elements to the sea change that is happening: first, content is always king, and, second, our customers are transforming their operations to become more efficient.

Sony is launching two 4K camcorders at NAB 2018.

The PXW-Z80 camcorder can record 4K images at 50/60p at 4:2:2 10-bit and with S-Log3 or Instant HDR workflows. It also has Sony's Electronic Variable ND filter and a 17X zoom lens and advanced face-detection auto focus. Users can select Face Priority AF, convenient for automatic face detection and optimization, or the newly introduced Face Only AF for more demanding 4K shooting applications. The 17x zoom lens and three independent control rings with end-stop allow manual control of focus, zoom, and iris for quick and precise adjustment.

The camera (as well as the PXW-Z190) also makes use of Sony's unique Electronic Variable ND filter that allows greater exposure control by varying the density of the ND filter during shooting while maintaining resolution and depth of the field. The camera also supports S-Log3 and Sony's Instant HDR workflow.

The PXW-Z280 includes advanced network features to enable a secure, seamless wireless Electric News Gathering (ENG) workflow and it is planned to be available in July for $6,950 in the U.S.

Based on the technology developed for Sony's cloud-based ENG service, XDCAM air, the new camcorder uses Sony's Quality of Service (QoS) for live distribution of high-quality broadcast content using a Dual Link connection multiplexing two cellular networks, assigning Planning Metadata and browsing and getting clips to and from via the cloud. In addition, an integrated Wi-Fi module and Ethernet connector enable hybrid Wireless/Wired data transfer, remote control and monitoring from devices such as a smartphone, tablet or PC.

The PXW-Z190, meanwhile, offers 4K 50/60p with three 1/3-in. CMOS sensors at 4:2:2 10-bit and with a 25X zoom lens. Its HDR offerings include HLG Instant HDR workflows. The new PXW-Z190 camcorder is planned to be available in September with pricing below $4,000

And, for those looking for a more cinematic look, the FS5II is a 4K Super 35mm compact professional camcorder that literally puts 4K high-frame-rate recording with Instant HDR in the palm of the hand.

Sony's efforts around IP will be front and center, and, according to Deon LeCointe, marketing manager, production switchers, Sony Electronics, the move to the SMPTE ST 2110 standards will be a major focus, with the company continuing to work with standards bodies on finalizing standards around features like device discovery (identifying what model or type of equipment is being connected via IP) and connection management for things like redundant failover.

Our legacy product lines are getting SMPTE 2110 built into the existing camera-control units or baseband processors, says LeCointe. And, by the end of April, the XVS production switchers will support 2110 by virtue of the availability of 40-Gbps board upgrades. Our goal is to have an upgrade from 2110 HD to 2110 4K operations and, for those who need to do 4K today, to deploy a system that is a hybrid of our own NMI standard and 2110, with 2110 handling the HD and NMI the 4K.

The HDCU-3100 brings IP support to a Sony camera control unit.

The HDCU-3100 camera control unit exemplifies the push to IP as it meets the growing industry demand for IP. The 1.5U size of the compact fiber camera control unit brings IP capabilities to Sony's system cameras, from the 4K HDC-4300 with BPU-4000 series, including the new BPU-4500A, to the HDC-2000 series and HSC fiber system cameras. Combined with a new HKCU-SFP30 option board, the HDCU-3100 is able to support SMPTE ST 2110.The essential functionalities required for live production including tally, intercom and return video can all be provided through IP. The support of NMOS IS-04/05 is planned for the future.

IP is fast establishing itself as a cornerstone of modern production infrastructures, says LeCointe. Expanding our IP Live Production ecosystem will offer our customers more choices, while keeping compatibility with existing cameras, which enables them to easily migrate in a cost-effective manner to the benefits of an IP infrastructure.

The HDCU-3100 is equipped with a maximum of eight built-in SDI outputs, including four 3G-SDI outputs. Support of 12G-SDI will also be available for the HDCU-3100 in future updates with the combination of the HKCU-UHD30, 4K/HDR Processor Board and HDC-2000 series system cameras. An LED color indicator shows the status of optical transmission on the front panel with different LED colors to optimize operability.

The HDCU-3100 is planned to be available in April, with the complementary HKCU-SFP30 ST-2110 option board planned

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