Since its debut in 2004, Sony’s XDCAM™ Professional Disc system – an optical disc-based video production system – has been widely adopted for use by a large number of broadcast stations, production companies, sports teams, corporations, houses of worship and government and educational facilities around the world. Users have been enjoying the tremendous benefits of its disc-based operations, such as instant random access and network capability to name just two. At the same time, video productions have been moving rapidly toward HD acquisition and programming, and accordingly they are looking for a wider choice of tools that can meet many different requirements for picture quality and ease of operation while still meeting their budget.
To address this growing demand, Sony introduces the XDCAM HD lineup – an HD version of the successful XDCAM products – to further enhance its HD lineup that currently consists of the HDCAM-SR™ and HDCAM™ products for high-end video production including broadcast and movie-making, and the affordable HDV™ products for entry-level HD production.
This new XDCAM HD lineup includes the PDW-F330 1/2-inch-type three-CCD camcorder, the PDW-F70 recording deck, and the PDW-F30 viewing deck. They are capable of recording 1080i video lines of multiple frame rates at a high bit rate of up to 35 Mb/s using the “MPEG HD” codec based on MPEG-2 MP@HL compression. The XDCAM HD products also provide four channels of high-quality uncompressed audio.
Another distinct advantage of the XDCAM HD lineup is that the camcorder offers HD/SD dual-format recording capability with support for the new “XDCAM HD” format and the well-proven DVCAM™ format, providing users with an SD to HD migration path. Up- and down-conversion capabilities are also incorporated into each product*, further increasing operational flexibility.
With its outstanding HD picture quality, high level of versatility, and significant workflow efficiencies achieved by the disc-based recording, the XDCAM HD lineup will be an ideal choice for all video professionals looking for an HD solution to meet today’s and tomorrow’s requirements.
HD 1080 Recording at Selectable Bit Rates
The XDCAM HD products record video signals in 1080/59.94i, 50i, 29.97P, 25P, and native 23.98P using the “MPEG HD” codec that adopts the industry standard MPEG-2 MP@HL compression. Users can select desired bit rates either from 35, 25, or 18 Mb/s depending on their requirements for picture quality and recording length. Choosing the highest bit rate of 35 Mb/s results in the highest-quality pictures over a long recording time of over 60 minutes, while choosing the 18 Mb/s bit rate provides a recording time of over 120 minutes, which is the longest recording time offered by any current HD camcorder.
High-quality Audio Recording
The XDCAM HD products can record four-channel, 16-bit, 48-kHz uncompressed audio, delivering high sound quality.
Easy Migration from SD to HD – DVCAM Recording and Up/Down Conversion
The XDCAM HD camcorder provides the powerful capability to record in DVCAM format with NTSC/PAL and 16:9/4:3 switchable modes, as well as the MPEG HD format. What’s more, both camcorder and decks incorporate a down-conversion capability that allows material recorded in the MPEG HD format to be converted to DV signals and output via the i.LINKTM* port, enabling users to edit the material using compatible DV-based nonlinear editors. The PDW-F70 recording deck also has the up-conversion capability to allow material recorded in the DVCAM format to be converted to HD signals and output via its HD-SDI or HD analog component connector. These capabilities allow users to easily and flexibly migrate to HD-based operations at their own pace.
* i.LINK is a Sony trademark used only to designate that a product is equipped with an IEEE1394 connector. All products with an i.LINK connector may not communicate with each other. Please refer to the documentation that comes with any device having an i.LINK connector for information on compatibility, operating conditions, and proper connection.
File-based Disc Recording
As a recording medium, the XDCAM HD products use a nonlinear optical disc, the PFD23 Professional Disc, which Sony has developed specifically for professional recording applications. Recordings are made on a file basis, allowing easy integration into other IT-based equipment such as PCs and nonlinear editors. The recorded files on the disc can be directly accessed by a compatible PC connected via the i.LINK (File Access Mode) interface, and furthermore can even be sent through a standard Ethernet network. This file-based operation enables new networkbased workflows that have never been available for HD-based production. The XDCAM HD system also features the Scene Selection function that allows simple cuts-only editing to be instantly performed within the camcorder or decks.
Outstanding Operational Convenience by Disc Recording
Because the XDCAM system records video and audio as files on a disc, the XDCAM HD products offer a range of tremendous benefits, especially instant random access to footage. Another significant advantage of disc recording is that new footage is always recorded onto an empty area of the disc, eliminating the worry of accidentally overwriting valuable existing footage.
These two major benefits will bring users a high level of efficiency, ease of use and peace of mind each time they operate their XDCAM system.
Powerful Proxy Recording – Enhancing Your Workflows
The XDCAM HD products record low-resolution AV data concurrently with its high-resolution data on the same disc. This low-resolution data version – called “Proxy Data” – is much smaller in size than high-resolution data (1.5 Mb/s for video and 0.5 Mb/s for audio), and its format is identical to that of the current XDCAM products. The data can be conveniently used for a variety of applications, such as immediate logging on location, off-line editing, daily rushes of shooting on location, client approvals and more. Proxy Data can be browsed and edited on a standard PC using the PDZ-1 Proxy Browsing software supplied with all XDCAM HD products or other compatible editing software offered by other industry-leading manufacturers.
High Level of Reliability
The XDCAM HD products adopt the same platform as the XDCAM SD products that are widely in use around the world today. Having the advantage of no mechanical contact between recording media and recording heads of tape based camcorders and decks, a high level of durability and long media life have been achieved. XDCAM HD products also offer the same high resistance to shock and vibrations provided by current XDCAM products.
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