SONY GOES BEYOND DEFINITION

Sony has released a raft of new products at IBC in keeping with its theme of Beyond Definition – a marketing handle, yes, but nevertheless delivering enhanced visuals and workflow solutions. Here are some of the key products that caught our attention.

PXW-FS7 XDCAM Super35 Camcorder

The latest addition to Sony’s XDCAM range of solid-state memory camcorders is a successor to Sony’s well-received PMW-200. The new PXW-X200 takes its operating performance to the next level, combining its improved sensors with a new 17x zoom lens and XAVC Intra/Long GOP recording with 4:2:2 10-bit sampling. The results are high quality Full HD (1920×1080) pictures, high sensitivity (F13 at 1080/50i), low noise (S/N ratio of 58dB), and a wide dynamic range – essential for professionals shooting under challenging lighting conditions.

Other enhancements include new wireless near-field communications functions, simultaneous recording on two SxS media slots, a multi-interface shoe and GPS data recording, boosting workflow efficiency for news-gathering, broadcast and video production.

PMW-F55 & F5 Camera Updates

The CBK-55BK shoulder mount dock enables one-person operation of Sony’s PMW-F55 and PMW–F5 cameras, making it easy to achieve a shooting style to suit a variety of needs while maintaining the familiar, easy-to-use operational and interface features of traditional shoulder camcorders. In December the company will also release a new option board (CBK-55PD) to enable these cameras to record in Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD.

BVM-X300 30-inch 4K OLED Monitor

The BVM-X300 30-inch 4K OLED master monitor is the flagship model in Sony’s professional monitor line-up. It offers DCI-standard 4K (4096 x 2160 pixels) and Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels) picture resolution for reference monitoring of high-end cinema and TV production applications such as colour grading and quality control in the 4K production workflow. Sony’s Super Top Emission OLED technology provides users with a huge contrast ratio and wide colour reproduction close to the ITU-R BT and 2020 colour space standard. In addition, the BVM-X300 provides a High Dynamic Range mode with excellent image reproduction – the black is black, and peak brightness can be reproduced more realistically with colours that are typically saturated in a conventional standard dynamic range.

Catalyst Browse & Prepare Software Support

Sony’s development of Catalyst Browse follows industry momentum around the XAVC codec to place it alongside Raw as a recording format. The new platform combines the capabilities of conventional Raw viewers and content browsers, with upcoming support for a wide range of formats including Raw, MPEG4 SStP, XAVC, MPEG 2 and AVCHD, Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD. Catalyst Browse will work with Sony CineAlta and XCDAM lineups (PMW-F55 PXW-FS7, PXW-X500, PXW-X200 and other cameras), and will come as standard on Sony NXCAM units.

The new Catalyst Prepare software package enables secure and efficient management of recorded assets, enabling smooth workflows from shooting through editing. This package includes Catalyst Browse capabilities, and adds verifiable copying, file conversion and EDL output support.

PXW-X200 XDCAM Handheld Recorder

The PXW-X200 is the latest handheld member of the XDCAM family of memory camcorders. Suited to broadcasters as well as corporate and event film makers, the model features a new 1/2 inch Exmor 3CMOS sensor, 17x zoom lens and XAVC Intra/Long GOP recording with 4:2:2 10-bit sampling as well as MPEG HD 4:2:2. The results are high quality Full HD (1920×1080) pictures, high sensitivity (F13 at 1080/50i), low noise (S/N ratio of 58dB) and a wide dynamic range – essential for professionals shooting under challenging lighting conditions.

Source: media releases

Sony Australia: 1300 720 071 or pro.sony.com.au