Sonys expanded XDCAM line-up delivers flexibility and higher performance for production, news reporting and documentaries

Already an established production standard for ENG, sports, and reality TV, Sony has announced a number of workflow enhancements to its XDCAM line-up in response to the increasing requirements of video professionals.

The XDCAM series has proven its flexibility through its ability to record and play a range of formats, including MPEG-2 HD422, and its support for efficient MXF-file-based workflows. The technology has adapted and grown while maintaining its core benefits, with significant new developments including: new efficient wireless workflows that move footage from the field to the edit suite faster; new codecs and formats to match users storage, bandwidth and quality needs; continued expansion of Professional Disc based products; 4K capabilities; and enhanced audio integration.

XAVC format support

The XAVC format is becoming a worldwide industry standard, with Sony today revealing that more than 65 companies, including hardware manufacturers, already support the format.

In 2012, Sony introduced the XAVC format capable of handling High-Frame-Rate (HFR) HD and 4K content. In 2013, Sony added XAVC Long-GOP encoding as an alternative to the existing XAVC intra-frame codecoffering higher compression and more efficient network-based production. The new codec enables 1080/50p (up from 1080/50i) at 50 Mbps, and supports smooth migration from 25 Mbps DVCAM.

Now, Sony is adding XAVC compliance across its XDCAM line, giving users more choice in selecting a format that best suits their application. The Sony XDCAM models that are XAVC-compliant include:

PXW-Z100, PXW-FS7, PXW-X500, PXW-X200, PMW-400, PMW-300, PXW-X180, PXW-X160, PXW-X70 , XDS-PD2000 , PMW-1000 , PDW-HD1550 and PMW-RX50.

Wireless workflow

XDCAM camcorders support wireless workflows, including wireless control from remote devices and wireless file transfers for networked field production. Sonys newest XDCAM models, PXW-X180, PXW-X200 and PXWX500, have built-in wireless capability, while other XDCAM models support wireless through the addition of an external wireless adapter (model CBK-WA100). Sony plans to add live streaming capabilities to these cameras starting early 2015.

XDCAM New Products

PXW-FS7 XDCAM 4K camcorder

The new PXW-FS7 is the first XDCAM camera to feature a 4K Super35 CMOS sensor and Mount System with support for a variety of recording formats including XAVC Intra/Long GOP recording with 4:2:2 10-bit encoding as well as MPEG HD 4:2:2. It is capable of shooting 4K Quad Full HD in XAVC 4K and super slow-motion in Full HD also in XAVC.

The PXW-FS7s unique ergonomic design is highlighted by its hand-grip, grip-arm, view finder construction and round-shape body design. The camcorders Mount System supports auto exposure, auto focus and SteadyShot stabilization during shooting. A new 28-135mm FE PZ 28-135mm F4 G OSS (SELP28135G) E-Mount powered zoom lens that is supplied with the PXW-FS7K features independent rings for Iris, Zoom and Focus. The PWX-FS7 camera is designed to give customers more flexibility and expanded format choices in a form factor especially suited to field shoots and documentary production.

PXW-FS7 (Available in Oct. 2014)

PXW-FS7K with new E-Mount Lens (Available in Dec. 2014)

PXW-X200 1/2-inch type XDCAM handy camcorder

Sony is introducing the PXW-X200 XDCAM solid state memory camcorder for videographers and broadcasters looking for outstanding operating performance. The PXW-X200 incorporates an improved 1/2-type Exmor 3CMOS sensor, a new 17 times zoom lens and XAVC Intra/Long GOP recording with 4:2:2 10-bit encoding as well as MPEG HD 4:2:2. The results are high quality Full HD (1920x1080) pictures, high sensitivity (F12 at 1080/59.94i, F13 at 1080/50i), low noise (S/N ratio of 58dB), and a wide dynamic range essential for professionals shooting under challenging lighting conditions.

PXW-X200 (Available in November, 2014)

PXW-X500: the ultimate XDCAM 2/3-inch shoulder camcorder

The new PXW-X500 offers superior picture quality with its sophisticated three-chip 2/3-inch type new CCD image sensors and multi-format recording capability in MPEG2 HD 4:2:2, XAVC Intra/Long GOP 4:2:2 and MPEG-4 SStP 4:2:2 Lite for efficient workflows. ProRes and DNxHD codecs will be able to be added as chargeable options too. The PXW-X500 is designed to be a 1080p acquisition tool for a broad range of HD production applications such as ENG operations, sports, live productions and documentaries.

PXW-X500 (Available in October, 2014)

PMW-RX50 XDCAM SxS mobile recorder

The PMW-RX50 recorder features a compact and lightweight design, and is capable of SxS recording and playback. It supports the XAVC Intra 4:2:2 1080/59.94p and XAVC Long 4:2:2 1080/59.94p formats, as well as traditional formats such as MPEG HD 4:2:2, 4:2:0, MPEG IMX and DVCAM. It is designed as a field deck companion for XDCAM camcorders, especially in applications like field shoots and on-site location shoots.

PMW-RX50 (Available in October, 2014)

High-Speed ingest solutions

The Sony XDCAM workflow now links shooting with recording and editing to deliver effective on-site ingest and backup. High-speed ingest solutions are now available using SxS cards capable of 3.5Gbps (440 MBps) transfers (models SBP 64C and -128C, and SBS-32G1B, -64G1B, and -128G1B) together with supporting card reader/writers (models SBAC-US30, SBAC-UT100). These solutions more than double the speed of current SxS cards and card reader/writers . The SBAC UT100 drive also provides two SxS card slots, and has both USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt interfaces. The unit offers excellent connectivity with editing devices, and supports file transfers from up to six cascade-connected SBAC-UT100.

SBAC-UT100 (Available in January, 2015)

Sony will continue to expand and advance the XDCAM line-up, offering new solutions that meet customers needs from the field to the studio to

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