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News Sony Unveils Full Range of High Definition Products in its XDCAM Profesional Disc System (10/2/2006) Combination of Proven Optical Disc Technology with HD Resolution Provides Powerful New Production Tools to Cinematographers, Broadcasters and Programme Producers The next generation of Sony's XDCAM(TM) Professional Disc(TM) system offers European cinematographers, broadcasters and video professionals a complete toolkit of flexible, digital production options. The Sony XDCAM HD family of optical products now includes two camcorders and two decks. The same Professional Disc media used in the standard definition version of the XDCAM system is also compatible with the new HD version. Professional users can now record up to two hours of high definition content on the versatile optical media, maintaining their workflow continuity by combining HD resolution with the same IT-based benefits made possible by XDCAM technology since its initial launch in 2004. "The introduction of a high-definition version of our XDCAM system marks the continuing evolution of optical technology as users shift from tape-based, standard definition production," said Olivier Bovis, product manager at Sony Europe. "This new XDCAM line-up completes Sony's range of HD production tools, filling an important gap between Sony's entry-level and high-end formats." The two XDCAM HD camcorders models PDW-F330 and PDW-F350 both offer the production features that professional users need, such as true 24P recording in SD or HD, interval recording, and slow shutter. In addition, the PDW-F350 offers true variable frame rate recording capabilities; also commonly known as "over-cranking" and "under-cranking" or "slow-motion/fast motion" functionality. "This is a much-desired and often critical feature for cinematographers and directors of photography who need the flexibility of changing frame rates to create unique Ślooks' for their productions or to create special effects," noted Bovis. "For digital cinematographers, the ability to shoot at slower or faster frame rates than playback gives them the great motion effects often seen in film cinema." The PDW-F350 enables variable frame rate recording at a range of frame rates from four frames per second (fps) to 60 fps in one frame increments. For example, when viewed at 24 fps, four fps yields motion six times faster than normal. In comparison, 60 fps yields motion at 40 percent normal speed. These effects can be played back in the camera or on a Sony XDCAM HD deck, without the need for any additional special processing through a non-linear editing system or converter. The PDW-F350 also enables true 24P, 25P and 30P image capture, without any additional conversion required. The XDCAM HD products offer the flexibility of recording 1080i video in three data recording rates: 25 Mbps, plus 35 Mbps and 18 Mbps. The system records high-definition content to Sony's existing Professional Disc single-layer media using a HD MPEG-2 Long GOP video compression codec. The camcorders use three half-inch CCD 1.5 megapixel imagers with a variety of lenses from major manufacturers available. In addition, a 2/3-inch to 1/2-inch lens adapter is available. The all XDCAM HD products, camcorders or decks, enable high-speed data transfer between compatible nonlinear devices. Both decks up-convert XDCAM standard definition content recorded in the DVCAM format to 1080i high definition at output, and all XDCAM HD camcorders and decks can down-convert HD material to standard definition in anamorphic, letterboxed or 4:3 format. "In the months ahead, further third-party manufacturers will be delivering new compatible products to market that support XDCAM HD which will further strengthen the adoption of an XDCAM workflow by a broader audience of customers," added Bovis. The XDCAM system's blue-laser technology based Professional Disc media offers unique benefits in terms of split-second random access to footage in the field or during the post process, and multi-format flexibility and flexible record times (approximately 120 minutes or more of HD content at 18 Mbps or 85 minutes of SD DVCAM at 25 Mps). The Sony Professional Disc media is re-usable up to 10,000 cycles. The greater number of repeat recordings possible with the XDCAM disc allows a production crew to re-use it more often than a videotape and without experiencing degradation after multiple uses. Additional features of the new XDCAM HD products include: € Expand function takes a clip that has been initially tagged as a thumbnail and divides it into 12 even time intervals. Each interval also contains its own thumbnail for easy identification. This expand function can be applied up to three times, making it easier to search rapidly for scenes within a long clip, and also an operator to drill down into a clip and quickly locate the desired editing point. € Freeze mix enables a videographer to switch seamlessly between pre-recorded material and live footage by showing these images on the LCD screen or viewfinder. This function also helps adjust the camera's position to set the same framing for the next shot. € Slow shutter allows a maximum of 64 frames to be accumulated. In low light levels this produces clear and noiseless video to be captured, and provides a "fantasy" video effect with a ghost image. Since 2004, the standard definition version of the XDCAM system has been adopted by news organisations, videographers and for television production, especially in the reality TV genre. In addition, corporations, educational and government facilities, houses of worship and major sports teams have also implemented Sony's optical technology. The XDCAM HD products will be available in Europe from April 2006. On purchase, customers receive a supplied Silver Support contract , which offers free telephone hotline support and a guaranteed 7 days repair time warranty or free loan unit. Anyone purchasing either of the new camcorders before February 28th, will receive an additional 5 professional discs with their order. Suggested list prices for the new XDCAM HD range are as follows: € PDW-F330L camcorder 15,200 €
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