June / 2003

What’s New from Sony
The 4:4:4 HDC-F950 camera has two viewfinders, one high-res colour

Sony of Canada Ltd. has been busy before and after the NAB electronic media show in Las Vegas in April, showing off some of the company’s newest technology. Here is a sampling of what’s new from Sony in the world of video imaging:

In a significant expansion to its CineAlta family of cinematic capture and production equipment, Sony has introduced a high-definition camera with uncompressed digital 4:4:4 RGB outputs. The company also announced 4:4:4 HDCAM SR portable and studio recorders and specially formulated BCT-SR series videocassettes capable of recording full-resolution RGB digital HD component video.

Sony says that for HD imaging this will provide the highest level of digital motion picture production, including shooting miniatures in movie making, HD blue/green-screen compositing, motion picture film digital intermediate work, film restoration and recording of high-resolution computer-generated imagery. “While our HDW-F900 HDCAM camcorder continues to set the benchmark for a single-piece camera/recorder, these new CineAlta products will elevate 24P performance to a new level while retaining the practical advantages of cost-effective removable media.”

In accordance with the international high-resolution Common Image Format standard, the new HDC-F950 camera captures a full 1920(H) x 1080(V) digitally sampled image. This image is output as uncompressed 4:4:4 digital RGB high-definition video for direct connection via dual HD-SDI to Sony’s new family of HDCAM SR recorders or third-party hard disk recorders.

A significant system innovation is facilitated by a 3Gbps fiber optic link to the new HDCU-F950 camera control unit using the Society for Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) standardized composite fiber/copper cable system. Alternatively, for special remote applications, a single mode fiber connection can greatly extend the cable length when the camera and CCU are separately powered. The CCU can then interface the RGB video to a recording system via dual link HD-SDI outputs.

The new camera facilitates the same range of picture capture rates as the HDW-F900 camcorder: 23.98P, 24P, 25P, 29.97P, 50i and 59.94i. A new “under-cranking” feature, which is ideal for motion picture directors, allows additional picture capture rates of one to 24 progressive frames per second. The HDC-F950 camera system supports the full range of Sony Digital Signal Processing (DSP) alternatives, including the new User Gamma settings that can help establish a unique look for a given production.

“Digital cinematographers are vitally concerned about `gamma’ — control over grey scale from the scene’s strongest highlights to the deepest shadows. Sony now provides the ‘ultimate’ gamma control.” Optional Windows PC software enables users to visually hand-tailor gamma curves via a graphical user interface on their computer. Up to five distinct gamma curves can be saved onto Memory Stick media for immediate transfer to the camera.

The HDC-F950 camera system supports two viewfinders simultaneously, including the new HDVF-C30W high-resolution colour unit. This viewfinder, which offers a 2.7-inch (viewable area, measured diagonally) display, features a special digital zoom mode providing a unique enhancement for critical fine focusing. An innovative new built-in grey scale display assists in exposure and lighting decisions.

A new high-definition studio camera makes it more attractive than ever for broadcasters and program producers to migrate from standard definition to HD. Sony says three elements combined to realize this cost-effective HD camera system: the ubiquitous deployment of the 1920(H) x 1080(V) HDTV format within 60Hz-based North America and 50Hz-based regions of the world; a breakthrough, lower-cost HD CCD imager, and the utilization of powerful Digital Signal Processing microcircuit technology.

With the new HDC-910 studio camera, high definition has become a feasible alternative for any television production that’s currently using high-end, standard-definition cameras. There is no significant cost premium in moving to HD origination, Sony states. The HDC-910 studio camera joins Sony’s family of DTV-oriented products, which includes the HDC-930 portable camera, the HDC-730 camcorder and the HDW-M series of HDCAM VTRs.

Conforming to a subset of the international ITU 709 HDTV production standard, the new HDC-910 captures HD 1920(H) x 1080(V) interlaced images at 60, 59.94 and 50 frames per second.

Sony’s new professional optical disc system is made up of two new camcorders and three decks. Available in the fall, the system is expected to bring a revolutionary change to the world of broadcast news (ENG) and electronic field production (EFP).

“Our optical disc system will offer an entirely new paradigm in field acquisition and editing, in moving material at high speed from the field to the television station to facilitate editing, and by introducing significant new efficiencies to a station’s overall workflow,” Sony says. “Using the optical camcorder itself, customers will be able to mark their good shots, identify them from a picture-stamp storyboard displayed on the camcorder’s LCD monitor and play them back seamlessly.”

The optical system records both the high-resolution original, and a lower-resolution but frame-accurate version called a proxy video and audio. From the camcorder, or a battery-operated mobile deck, newsgathering teams will be able to transfer the proxy information to laptop editors or back to the studio at up to 30 times faster-than-real-time, so producers can immediately start writing scripts. Based on those scripts, field engineers will be able to transfer the high-resolution footage either as video or as a data file over IP networks, savings precious minutes over the current “bulk feed” approach. In the case of compact decks or studio decks, this proxy material will transfer at up to 50 times faster than real-time.

The optical disc system will offer the choice of recording video with the DVCAM codec at 25 megabits per second or the MPEG IMX codec at 30, 40 or 50 megabits per second.

The optical media consists of a 12-centimeter (5-inch) re-writable disc in a protective cartridge. Blue laser technology for recording and playback allows this new media to achieve far higher-recording capacity and bandwidth than it could with conventional red lasers.

Sony’s new MPEG-based wireless camera transmitter and receiver system significantly expands production capabilities, streamlines operations and improves overall workflow for crews covering sports, concerts and other live events.

The lightweight WLL-CA50 wireless transmitter is a portable system that converts a camcorder’s digital video signal into a DVB-ASI MPEG-2 MP@ML bit-stream and transmits it at 2.4 GHz. Transmission range is up to 2,000 feet from a stationary camcorder or 650 feet from a camcorder moving at 35 mph. The high-quality pictures are encoded into an MPEG-2, 12 Mbps stream and then transmitted using a highly efficient OFDM and error-correcting scheme, which provides a high degree of reliability even in congested RF environments.

The transmitter clips on to the back of nine Sony standard-definition digital camcorders, including the DVW-700 series, 709WS and 790WS Digital Betacam models; all Betacam SX models, and the MSW-900 MPEG IMX camcorder.

The new WLL-RX50 unit receives 2.4 GHz transmissions and outputs DVB-ASI streams to an outboard decoder. To help prevent unauthorized access, only receivers with the proper secure encryption key can decode the transmission. The receiver can be located up to 160 feet from a supplied antenna. The antenna cable can extend to a maximum of 1,000 feet by adding three WLL-BA50 booster amplifiers.

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