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Sony expands CineAlta acquisition line up with launch of F23 camera at NAB 2007 (27/3/2007)

Film-user friendly, durable system to deliver 4:4:4 1920 by 1080 imaging for high-end digital production on location

Sony today launched its latest innovation for creating high-end digital production, the F23 camera. A versatile production tool, the newest member of the CineAlta(tm) range of digital 24P systems supports 4:4:4 1920 by 1080 RGB imaging.

"Developed for cinematographers, the F23 has been specifically designed to provide the technical and mechanical flexibility they require, along with a compact and rugged design to endure the challenging conditions of location filming," said Richard Lewis, Chief Engineer of Sony Professional Solutions Europe.

Following feedback from production professionals in digital television and motion picture content creation, the F23 has been adapted to be more "film user-friendly." The camera body is compatible with a variety of film camera accessories, including bridge plates, matte boxes and follow focus units which can be attached to the unit without modification. The F23 has also been built with a harder material for its lens mount (B4), offering increased durability and reliability, useful for the numerous lens changes that happen on location.

The system's control surface layout, indicators and menu system have also been redesigned to give film camera users a familiar and intuitive interface. In addition, the system can now operate remotely with the "Assistant Panel" remote controller which connects to the camera with a single cable and allows users to execute basic camera and VTR operations, such as REC/STOP, changing frame rates and shutter angle.

When partnered with Sony's SRW-1 VTR, the F23 can capture and record variable speed images from 1P to 60P (1P to 30 FPS at 4:4:4 and 1P to 60 FPS at 4:2:2) at the full HD resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. This allows for quick or slow-motion functionality, also known as "undercranking" or "overcranking," to produce special motion effects commonly used in high-end production. The variable speed images can then be played back immediately by the SRW series of VTRs.

The F23 includes three 2.2 megapixel 2/3-inch type progressive CCD imagers and a 14-bit A/D converter and supports 1080/23.98P, 24P, 25P, 29.97P, .50P, 59.94P, 50i and 59.94i formats.

The SRW-1 digital 4:4:4 recorder conveniently docks directly to the top or tail of the new system, eliminating cumbersome cable handling between the camera and recorder. If more mobility is required, the recorder can be tethered with a "dual-link" cable connection to make the camera as small and light as possible. CVP File Editor, the Windows(r) PC running gamma creation software, is also supported.

The F23 is scheduled for delivery in Europe in early summer.

www.sonybiz.net/nab

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