Sony Media RoadShow: the latest in technology at the service of creativity

The MPE-200 stereoscopic processor, the new PMW-F3 and SRW-9000PL camcorders that open up a whole world of creative possibilities for lovers of cinematography in the purest 35 mm style, the PMW-500 camcorder (XDCAM 4:2:2 capture based on solid state memory) and the range of professional monitors including the new series based on OLED technology are just some of the new features that Sony is showing these days at your Creatology Media RoadShow.

Sony Professional It is organizing its Creatology Media RoadShow on February 8 and 9 in Madrid in which it is showing audiovisual professionals its extensive range of solutions.

Among the latest, the MPE-200 stereoscopic processor stands out, the new PMW-F3 and SRW-9000PL camcorders that open a whole world of creative possibilities for lovers of cinematography in the purest 35 mm style, the PMW-500 camcorder (XDCAM 4:2:2 capture based on solid state memory), and the range of professional monitors including the new OLEDs.

In terms of capture, in the exhibition area we can see latest generation camcorders such as the PMW-500 (Sony's first professional XDCAM HD422 camcorder with solid state recording), PMW-320 (the new shoulder camcorder of Sony's tireless EX1).

Notably, Sony's high-end XDCAM HD422 series is being adopted around the world thanks to its file-based recording capabilities using high-capacity and reliable Professional Disc media. Thanks to the MPEG HD422 codec, this series provides high-quality audio and video recording capabilities, with an image resolution of 1920 x 1080 and 24-bit, eight-channel uncompressed audio.

A good example of this flexibility of use is found in the PDW-HR1 XDCAM HD422 portable station, which we can see at the Sony Media RoadShow and which incorporates an extraordinary number of functions and a large 9-inch WVGA LCD screen.

Media and monitored

As far as media recording is concerned, it is clear from the exhibition organized by Sony that stereoscopy is demanding greater capacities and transfer speeds. On tape, the HDCAM SR remains the quality limit up to 444, while the Professional Disc support opens new frontiers with four-layer technology that will allow reading and writing at 128 GB (instead of the current 50).

As for the SxS cards, the new SxS-1 also extend the transfer bit rate from 800 to 1.2 GB.

Sony está dando a conocer también en este evento un interesante servicio de recuperación de datos en cualquier soporte (no cinta) que ayudará a los profesionales a recuperar ese material dañado en cualquier disco o tarjeta.

En monitorado, el Sony Media RoadShow exhibe los PVM-L2300 y PVM-L1700 (Trimaster) así como los LMD-1530, LMD-2110, LMD-2341 y LMD-1541. Destaca en este área el nuevo PVM-740, un monitor portátil de alta resolución (960 x 540 píxels) de 7,4 pulgadas que incorpora un panel OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) con la exclusiva tecnología Super Top Emission de Sony. Ofrece una extraordinaria imagen con un altísimo contraste y unos degradados totalmente naturales y mucho más suaves entre las partes oscuras y más luminosas de cada escena.

El mundo en 35

Atendiendo a la cada día mayor demanda para la captura digital con sensor Super 35mm, no sólo en el mercado de las grandes producciones cinematográficas, sino también en el de series televisivas de prime time, Sony cuenta con
la cámara SRW-9000 PL.

El sensor de CCD de S-35 mm y la montura PL, combinadas con la flexibilidad de su grabadora HDCAM SR que está integrada al cuerpo de la cámara, da a los directores de fotografía una increíble y versátil herramienta para la creación del imágenes en movimiento.

The SRW-9000PL offers full RGB image capture (no color sub-sampling), expanded dynamic range (up to 12 T-stops), variable speed (SR Motion) with speed ramping, S-Log and HyperGamma capabilities, as well as ISO800 and S-Log 800EI values. The camcorder is capable of recording 4:2:2, 10-bit at 1080/23.98PsF, 24PsF, 25PsF, 29.97PsF, 1080/50i, 59.94i and 1080/50P in its standard configuration.

Option cards developed for the SRW-9000 (2/3" version) can also be used with the new SRW-9000PL (S-35mm version). The HKSR-9001 HD SDI expansion card adds dual-link HD-SDI outputs and an auxiliary input port, which works as an HD-SDI audio input to provide connectivity through external audio multiplexing devices. This allows users to have up to 12 audio channels on the HD-SDI input. The latest firmware version of the HKSR-9001 will also provide 3G output.

The HKSR-9002 picture cache option offers the ability to capture variable speed images (SR Motion) from 1 to 50 fps (frames per second). With this option, the camcorder can continuously store up to three seconds of images while in stand-by mode. When the record button is selected, the stored images are recorded on the HDCAM SR tape, allowing them to continue recording in real time. With the HKSR-9003 4:4:4 RGB processing option, the equipment offers the possibility of high definition recording with a 4:4:4 RGB digital bandwidth. Additionally, it also offers S-LOG Gamma, essentially a “digital negative” that allows users to modify their images during post-production, in the same way they would in film-based workflows.

PMW-F3

Supplied as standard with 3 fixed focal lenses 35, 50 and 85mm 2.0, and in line with the new trend of standing up to the rise of DSLRs in audiovisual environments, Sony also shows the new PMW-F3. With this addition to the line of Super-35 mm digital cameras, the manufacturer aims to revolutionize the world of film production in terms of price, features and performance. The family, which includes the legendary F35 and the SRW-9000PL, is now completed with the new PMW-F3 camcorder.

Each camera in the line is based on a Super-35mm sensor and PL mount technology, allowing film professionals access to the highest quality image recording tools and the most complete digital production workflows.

Designed for television, advertising, music videos and low-budget projects, the new PMW-F3's price point will put Super-35mm filming within reach of a wider audience.

This, together with the existence of a low-cost model with a PL lens kit that will include 35/50/85 mm optics with T2.0 aperture and fixed focal length, makes it a perfect device to use as a second 35 mm camera unit or as a B camera for the SRW-9000PL.

Stereoscopy

Sony continues its commitment to 3D by presenting numerous solutions at this RoadShow aimed at facilitating stereoscopic production. Among other novelties, the HFDA-200 fiber optic adapter stands out, new software options for the revolutionary MPE-200 equipment, which allow converting 2D format into 3D, an innovative image stitching application by image mosaic ("camera stitching application") and a video effects equipment with 3D capacity for the MVS-8000 family.

In this roadshow, Sony has set up a P+S Technik rig with two HDC-P1 cameras. This new 2/3 “Box” type camera presents all the features of the HDC family (same CCD block and DSP processor). In this 3D rig scheme, the two HDC-P1 are connected by fiber to the same CCU thanks to the HDFA-200 adapter.

On the other hand, this sample is also serving to learn about Vegas 10, the latest version of the well-known editing software, which will provide ingest and editing functions for three-dimensional images. Visitors who come to this demo are able to check out the possibilities offered by Sony 3D monitors in 24” and 42” inch models.

For live production environments, the PDW-HD1500 deck stands out (records in XDCAM HD at 50 Mbps on double-layer discs with numerous AV and IT interfaces), the HDC-P1 multipurpose Full HD camera, the DME DFS-900 mixer or the RM-BR300 remote control unit.

Finally, note that numerous options for wireless microphones; the comprehensive solution for digital signage management Ziris; and the wide range of security and video surveillance solutions iPela are other business areas that can be seen these days at this Media RoadShow.

In parallel with the exhibition area, Sony has organized a series of conferences given by industry professionals and Sony specialists in which to exchange opinions and experiences on the latest technological proposals and trends.

Agenda

Sony Media Road Show

February 8 and 9, 2011
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Eurostars i-hotel Madrid
Virgilio, 4 City of the Image, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid) -map-

Conferences

Wednesday, February 9
11:00 The 35mm within everyone's reach; get to know the new PMW-F3 camcorder in depth
13:00 New Sony developments for quality 3D production
17:00 Fiction series production workshop with XDCAM 4:2:2 – PMW-500