Sony is demonstrating a variety of new video production solutions at IBC2013. In line with the companys beyond definition concept, Sony is continuing to develop exciting and innovative business opportunities that revolutionise the industry. Visitors to the Sony booth will see live 4K production solutions, highly usable IT-driven systems and services and an HD product […]
Sony is demonstrating a variety of new video production solutions at IBC2013. In line with the companys beyond definition concept, Sony is continuing to develop exciting and innovative business opportunities that revolutionise the industry.
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 todays media industry.
Live 4K production solutions
The use of 4K content for movies, TV shows, adverts and documentaries is growing rapidly, boosted by the launch of the Sony PMW-F55 CineAlta camera in February and the new XAVC video format, capable of handling both 4K and HD data streams efficiently. At IBC2013, Sony is pushing the envelope further with new solutions for live 4K broadcasting for sports and events.
And 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.
For example, the following components will construct a practical live 4K camera system: the PMW-F55 4K camera; the LA-FZB2 Lens Mount Adaptor** that accepts existing 2/3-inch HD zoom lenses; the CA-4000 Camera System Adaptor; the BPU-4000 Baseband Processor Unit; and the HDCU-2000 Camera Control Unit. This setup enables fine real-time adjustment of the cameras 4K image, together with the remote control of intercom, tally and a viewfinder interface that are all required to support live filming. For a complete 4K live shooting and viewing system, you just need to add the PWS-4400 Multiport AV Storage Unit capable of 4K and HD recording, the MVS-8000X Multi-format Switcher for real-time 4K signal processing with a new optional 4K upgrade software, the PVM-X300 Professional 4K LCD Monitor, and a SRX-T615 4K SXRD projector.
A 4K live camera system can also add value to HD video productions. Because 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 utilising 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*. This capability 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 also announced the PXW-Z100, a professional 4K handheld XDCAM camcorder featuring a 1/2.33″ Exmor R CMOS sensor. The sensor has total of 16 million pixels and is able to acquire stunning 4K content (4096×2160) at 50p or 60p. The camcorder marks Sonys latest step in expanding the 4K world to everyone, from high-end cinema to corporate and event productions. IBC2013 was also an opportunity for Sony to introduce its first SSD and HDD portable storage range. The drives are compatible with a multitude of hardware including Sonys PMW-50 and PMW-1000 recording decks and can transfer content at up to 400MB per second for SSD and 120MB per second for HDD via USB 3.0. With this speed, approximately 30GB of content can be transferred in less than a minute and a half onto the SSD drive via USB 3.0. The PSZ-SA25 SSD drive, PSZ-HA50 and PSZ-HA1T HDD drives will be available from September 2013.
