Sony touts range at NAB 2016

 

SYDNEY, 18 April 2016 – At NAB 2016, Sony is showcasing new technologies and workflows for HD, 4K, high dynamic range (HDR), storage and IP transmission, and providing the tools to drive professionals’ creativity. Sony’s exhibit will feature new models and updates – camcorders, cameras, monitors, switchers, storage/archiving, and wireless transmission for broadcast, production, sports, live events and more. 

 

“Integrated solutions continue to evolve and develop into new business opportunities,” said Mr. Anthony Kable, Senior Product Manager, Sony Australia. “NAB 2016 is the perfect platform for Sony to showcase our latest offering in the core enabling areas of image, IP and workflow, accelerating the momentum for Sony to go Beyond Definition.”

 

Sony will highlight its comprehensive and growing line of cameras, with 4K available at every level from full-frame interchangeable lens cameras and compact professional camcorders to high frame rate (HFR), HDR studio and motion picture cameras.

 

Cameras and camcorders

 

Sony cameras are used in every production genre at every budget level: high-end feature films, low to mid-budget feature films, news, documentary, episodic television, sports, commercials, OTT and more.

 

Sony’s new HDC-4800 camera system combines 4K resolution with enhanced HFR capabilities – 8x in 4K, and up to 16x in full HD. This is combined with HD cut-out and zoom capabilities for live sports and event production. The new camera, HDC-4800, is complemented by the BPU-4800 combination baseband processor unit/replay server, creating a fully networked, 4K live ultra-high speed production workflow.

 

The HDC-4800 uses a new Super 35mm 4K CMOS sensor and wide color space (BT.2020 and BT.709). It supports PL mount lenses that can capture high resolution, clear and crisp images for live sports shooting.  HDR support is under development and will be available in near future.

 

Sony increases its 4K line-up in the XDCAM family. This includes the latest XDCAM shoulder-mount camcorder, PXW-Z450. Capable of capturing superb 4K (3840 x 2160) picture quality with the new 2/3-type Exmor R™ CMOS sensor, the PXW-Z450 achieves exceptional weight balance and low power consumption alongside excellent networking features. Another addition is the PXW-Z150 featuring the 1.0-type sensor that delivers low-light performance and networking features for fast turnaround and high quality workflows.

 

IP Transmission

 

Sony further enhances its fully interoperable IP Live Production System with Networked Media Interface (NMI). The new suite of solutions have been developed to help broadcasters make the most of IP technology, allowing them to deliver on the increasing demand for 4K live content while addressing the cost and scalability issues associated with conventional SDI live production workflows.

 

Sony will be demonstrating its continuous commitment to delivering IP interoperability among a wide range of compatible live production products through its IP Live Alliance. The alliance has, with the recent participation by Grass Valley, now grown to 49 vendors across the live production space. Further, support continues to grow as more broadcasters adopt IP Live.

 

Storage

 

Sony is unveiling the second generation of its Optical Disc Archive (ODA) system which adopts new, high-capacity optical media developed jointly by Sony and Panasonic. This affordable new media is rated with a 100-year shelf life and doubles the capacity of a single cartridge to 3.3 TB. The Generation 2 ODA system also introduces the 8-channel optical drive unit[1], doubling the read/write speeds of the previous generation to meet the data needs of real-time 4K production. 

 

ODA technology is designed as a near-line, deep archive storage or disaster recovery system, ranging from large scalable robotics down to stand-alone archive systems. Sony is embracing an open platform approach for broad compatibility, providing technology and support to encourage other manufacturers to develop complementary products for the technology. Currently, 42 companies have announced their support for ODA.

 

High Dynamic Range

 

At NAB 2015, Sony introduced its first 4K OLED reference monitor for critical viewing – the BVM-X300. The monitor has since become the de facto reference standard for 4K and HDR grading.

 

This year, Sony adds a new monitor – the PVM-X550, a 55-inch OLED panel with 12-bit signal processing, perfect for client viewing. The PVM-X550 supports HDR through various Electro-Optical Transfer Functions (EOTF), such as S-Log3, SMPTE ST.2084 and Hybrid Log-Gamma, covering applications for both cinematography and broadcast. The new quad-view OLED monitor allows customized individual display settings across four distinct views in HD. Equipped with the same signal-processing engine as the BVM-X300, the PVM-X550 provides a 12-bit output signal for the best picture accuracy and consistency. It also supports various industry standard color spaces including the wider ITU-R BT.2020 for Ultra High Definition. These all work in tandem with TRIMASTER EL™ technology to ensure that professionals across the broadcast and cinematography industries are provided excellent, vibrant and reliable images.

 

Technology Upgrades

 

Sony continues to support customers by extending the life of their current Sony technologies through the introduction of upgrades, enabling new features and performance. These include:

 

BVM-X300:

Update for support of both Hybrid and Log-Gamma formats; safe and aspect markers; XYZ color modulation; 1.5G dual link inputs.

F55:

Version 8 adds support for XAVC 4K class 480, for professionals who want a higher data rate in XAVC.

FS7:

Center crop functionality, a feature traditionally found on higher-end models like the F55; flexible spot focus; true 24P.

FS5:

RAW external recording; auto variable ND filters; among several other features.



 

Rounding up the total workflow for professionals, Sony’s exhibit also highlight new wireless microphone systems with enhanced diversity features, solutions for media asset management, and more, across its entire product line. These include:

 

HXC-FB75 Camera



HXC-FB75

 

A successor model to Sony’s HXC-D70, the HXC-FB75 is a cost-effective entry-level studio camera. No camera adapter is required for fiber transmission to the CCU, and Sony’s HDVF interface enables smoother and sharper focusing. The lens, viewfinder and microphone packaged model is available in addition to the camera body sole model.

 

XVS Series Switchers, XVS-7000, XVS-6000

 

In response to the growing demand for 4K production and IP interfaces, Sony is adding to its multi-format switcher line-up. Joining the XVS-8000, the new switchers create a family of 4K/IP professional production switcher systems. The XVS Series inherits versatile features from Sony’s widely used MVS Series of switchers including enhanced frame memory, format conversion, multi-viewer capabilities, and a wide range of input and output video formats. The XVS Series also supports HDR imaging. Users can configure SDI and IP option boards in a single processor. This XVS family offers smooth migration not only from SDI to IP, but also from HD to 4K, promising efficient return of investment.

·       XVS-7000 supports: In HD, 6ME operation with 112 inputs; in 4K,3ME operations with 28 inputs.



·       XVS-6000 supports: In HD, 4ME operation with 48 inputs; in 4K, 2ME operation with 12 inputs.



XDCAM Air

Sony’s XDCAM technology is a standard for ENG and field production, evolving from optical disc to file-based workflows. Sony is developing new wireless workflows to support the current requirements of news production, using 4G/LTE networks for media delivery. XDCAM Air is a cloud-based ENG service that integrates existing Sony wireless solutions and adds new features such as a mobile application, live streaming edit integration with NLE and enhanced remote control capabilities.

 

New UWP-D Wireless Microphone System

Sony’s URX-P03D is the first 2-channel portable receiver in its UWP-D series, eliminating the need to attach two receivers on a camcorder, especially smaller models, making them unbalanced and unwieldy. The URX-P03D receiver supports an external input for an additional wired microphone, such as Sony’s BMP type lavalier microphones or conventional plug-in-power supported microphones. 3-channel mixer function is included for switching audio signals in the receiver. A new 2-channel version of Sony’s Multi Interface (MI) shoe adaptor, model SMAD-P3D, is available for the URX-P03D.



LMD-B170

The 17-inch, lightweight, compact Full HD LCD monitor, incorporates features and designs from Sony’s PVM-A Series OLED and LMD-A Series Premium LCD picture monitors to give users a familiar interface, especially when using multiple series of monitors. The LMD-B170 can be wall-mounted for in-house use or used as a field monitor. Standard interfaces include SDI, HDMI and composite video with stereo analog audio. The monitor also has 2W+2W front stereo speakers, more powerful than a monaural speaker or a rear speaker system.