NAB Product News
Sony XDCAM HD makes leap to 4:2:2
By
Apr 9, 2008 - 5:11:29 PM

Booth: SU906

A new XDCAM HD camera system from Sony that will make its debut at NAB is slated to be used in Beijing for the 2008 Summer Olympics. The PDW-700 camera can capture full-resolution 1920x1080 4:2:2 images at 50 Mbps and works hand-in-hand with the PDW-1500 recording deck.

The camera records MPEG-2 4:2:2@HL images on dual-layer 50 GB Sony’s XDCAM discs (PFD50DLA). Three 2/3-inch Power HAD FX progressive CCDs, a 14-bit A/D converter, and advanced digital signal processing and ensure the 4:2:2 images are up to snuff. Hugo Gaggioni, Sony Electronics VP and CTO, says 4:2:2 has been a bit of a misnomer in HD as previous systems that claimed 4:2:2 did not offer 1920x1080 resolution. “4:2:2 is as much about full-resolution images as luminance and chrominance,” he explains. The equipment also provides multi-format (1080i/720P) recording flexibility as well as HD/SD conversion and cross-conversion during playback between 1080i and 720P.

Pricing for the new camera and deck is $30,000 and $20,000 each. The 50 GB dual-layer disc is available for a street price of $60.

The PDW-HD1500 is a half-rack recording deck with a tilt-up front panel that supports a range of interfaces, including HD-SDI, SD-SDI, i.LINK (IEEE-1394), and Ethernet. It delivers high-quality eight-channel, 24-bit audio recording, and has a dual optical pick-up for higher-speed file transfer.

The first shoulder-mounted HDV cameras will also hit the market in the form of the HVR-270. The hybrid-media camcorder can record on HDV or also solid-state flash cards.

Also the Sony BVM-L Series of LCD master monitors is going big time, literally, with the new BVM-L420, a 42-inch display (viewable area measured diagonally). The display’s larger size and design enhancements meet the needs of sports broadcasters and others that require critical monitoring such as in program and preview monitoring in broadcast master control rooms or in OB trucks.   The new monitor is also well-suited for use high-end post production, telecine, color grading and digital intermediate work.

Sony’s LUMA professional LCD lineup is also expanding, with two new models, a 17- and a 42-inch display (viewable areas measured diagonally), set for display at NAB. The 42-inch version, model LMD-4250W, will offer single/quad/multi-viewing capability and has a full HD resolution of 1920 by 1080, a 16:9 aspect ratio, and a high contrast ratio. The 17-inch version, model LMD-1750W, is ideal for rack-mount, desktop and portable applications and has a resolution of 1280 by 768 (WXGA).