Visitors to IBC 2013 Treated to Sony's Live 4K Production Solutions, and More

At IBC 2013 in Amsterdam today, Sony demonstrated a variety of new value-creating video production solutions. Visitors to the Sony booth will see live 4K production solutions, highly usable IT-driven systems and services and an HD product line positioned at the core of today’s media industry.

Live 4K Production Studios

Following the launch of the Sony PMW-F55 CineAlta camera, and the new XAVC video format, capable of handling both 4K and HD data streams efficiently, Sony is pushing the envelope further with new solutions for live 4K broadcasting for sports and events. Moreover, while solutions by Sony are breaking new technological ground in 4K, they are also allowing broadcasters and producers to follow familiar HD workflows and continue using existing HD systems, lenses, and other assets. They can move easily into live 4K with a relatively small investment and amount of 4K equipment.

Since 4K captures content at four times the resolution of HD, it can be used to film slow motion HD and replay it at up to 240/200 fps. Another approach is to use two 4K cameras to cover an entire playing field, while utilizing the PWA-4KS 4K stitching software to extract and replay HD video from any area on the field, and the PWA-TS1 telestrator software to add player information and graphics. These capabilities can significantly raise the entertainment value of a live sports broadcast. Sony successfully conducted 4K live production trials in a joint project with FIFA TV at the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 in June with the aim of driving 4K technology further into the forefront.

Sony has also announced the PXW-Z100, a professional 4K handheld XDCAM camcorder featuring a 1/2.33-inch Exmor R CMOS sensor, which will be showcased at IBC. The 16-megapixel sensor is able to acquire 4K content at 50p or 60p. 

4K Viewing

Technology Exhibit: Multiview

On the Sony stand at IBC is the Multiview technical exhibit which demonstrates how a segmented high resolution display, such as a monitor or projector, can be used to present impressive video entertainment and presentations by showing a combination of camera inputs (from multiple sources), movie files, presentation files, Web pages, and more.

New 4K “SXRD” Projector

Sony also wowed attendees with a full demonstration of its newest 4K digital projector, the soon-to-arrive SRXT615. Engineered to provide an optimal visual experience for visualization and simulation applications, Sony demonstrated the projector’s ability to edge blend native 4K content.

Technology Exhibit: Real-time IP Live Production Technology

At IBC, Sony is also demonstrating a live broadcast production system that improves on this technology by integrating the industry-standard SDI (high-definition serial digital interface) with IP network transmission technology. It enables transmission of HD or 4K video, audio, and control/reference signals between devices over a single network cable. Multiple high-resolution video and audio, including HD and 4K, can be synchronously transmitted to multiple points, and the source video can be switched smoothly with no switching noise. The system allows for easy conversion into current and future formats and is easily extendible. Sony is actively developing this technology, with the launch of an IP Interface Module, SDI-IP Converter, Network Manager software and various other broadcasting equipment that uses IP technology as it moves into 2014.

Wireless Adaptor

Sony wireless adaptors can generate proxy data onboard and rapidly relay results to a broadcast station, or be uploaded to a cloud server, via 3G/4G LTE or Wi-Fi. Working at a Wi-Fi mobile terminal, you can quickly and easily check your video content, set up your devices, and view the status of content. Moreover, because this setup can be used together with existing camcorders and decks, it fully supports a wide range of video applications.

Optical-Disc Archive Systems

Sony’s optical-disc archive is a low-cost high-volume storage system that holds 12 optical discs in each compact cartridge. The company has strengthened the line-up, adding high speed drive units and library products, ODS-D77U USB-3.0 drive and ODS-D77F fiber channel drive, both can run at speeds of up to a maximum of 1 Gbps; Sony’s PetaSite series, ODS-L30M, -L60E, and -L100E are modular based library units ideal for building large archiving systems.

News Production

Back in August, Sony has made available the PMW-400 shoulder-mount camcorder with a 2/3-inch Exmor 3CMOS sensor; and in October the company will follow up with the PMW-300 handy-type camcorder with a 1/2-inch sensor of the same type becoming available. Both units will deliver high image quality, high sensitivity, and high cost-performance, and will prove themselves as ideal solutions not only for news but also for the production of TV shows, events and more.

Cinematography

Sony announced major updates to its PMW-F5, PMW-F55 and F65 CineAlta cameras. The next updates, version 2.0 for PMW-F5 and PMWF55, in October will allow high frame rate recording up to 240 fps in 2K along with an Optical Filter providing the best picture quality and the LA-FZB1 new Lens Mount Adapter through a simple firmware upgrade.

Live Production

The new HSC-300R/RF and HSC-100R/RF studio cameras implement the Sony’s unique signal-processing technologies and 16-bit 60-dB S/N specifications while delivering even better image quality together with new support for optical-fiber transmission systems. Additionally, Sony’s new MVS-3000A switcher delivers significantly stronger functionality than earlier models, at a reasonable price. The availability of both 24 and 16 XPT panels gives customers wider choice in designing their operating environments.

Sony also introduced its first SSD and HDD portable storage range as well as its new NXCAM camcorders. Read on for more information.

SSD & HDD Portable Storage

Sony is also offering new SSD and HDD portable drives that are designed by professionals for professionals with the speed and toughness necessary for safe, reliable storage.

The drives are compatible with a multitude of hardware including Sony’s PMW-50 and PMW-1000 recording decks and can transfer content at up to 400MBps for SSD and 120MBps for HDD via USB 3.0. Also, they are compliant with MIL-STD-810G standard used by the United States Department of Defense.

The PSZ-SA25 SSD drive, PSZHA50 and PSZ-HA1T HDD drives come backed by a three-year warranty, and will be available in APAC from September 2013.

New NXCAM Camcorders

Also announced are two new professional NXCAM camcorders, the NEXFS700RH and the NEX-FS700R.

Both models feature Sony’s E-mount lens system and a 4K Exmor Super35 CMOS sensor, and now come with Version 3.0 firmware pre-installed, enabling 4K/2K RAW recording on an external compatible recorder. The firmware update also includes the popular S-log2 gamma mode which gives a wider dynamic range, even for HD productions.

The NEX-FS700RH comes with the motorized SELP18200 (f=18-200mm, F3.5-6.3) zoom lens. The inbuilt zoom control on the camera grip enables users to combine smooth zooming effects with stunning shallow depth of field control offered by the large format sensor.

The NEX-FS700R/FS700RH also offers 4K/2K RAW super slow motion when used together with the optional HXR-IFR5 interface unit and AXS-R5 RAW recorder. This combination allows up to 120fps 4K RAW recording (four seconds) and unlimited continuous 240fps 2K RAW recording on the AXS-R5 recorder.

The NEX-FS700R/FS700RH will be available in APAC in October 2013 and come with a two-year warranty only through authorized Sony dealers.

Sony is exhibiting at the IBC Show 2013 in Amsterdam, Hall 12, stand 12.A10 in the Elicium building at the RAI Convention, from 13-17 September 2013.

All images accredited to Sony.

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