At NAB 2016, Sony is showcasing new technologies and workflows for HD, 4K, high dynamic range, storage and IP, providing the tools to drive professionals’ creativity. Sony’s exhibit will feature new models and updates to widely used products — camcorders, cameras, monitors, switchers, storage/archiving, and wireless transmission for broadcast, production, sports, live events and more.
“Sony’s goal is to create and deliver the best possible tools for professionals — from HD to 4K to HDR and everything in between,” said Deon LeCointe, Senior Manager, Sports and IP Solutions, Sony Electronics. “At our NAB exhibit we will be highlighting our most popular and proven models, alongside the latest new advancements, so a trip to our booth will be a one-stop shop showcasing a wide range of products, solutions and services to meet our customers’ diverse needs.”
At NAB, 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, high dynamic range studio and motion picture cameras.
Cameras and camcorders
Sony cameras are used in every production genre at every budget level: feature films, news, documentary, episodic television, sports, commercials, OTT and more.
Sony’s new HDC-4800 camera system combines 4K resolution with enhanced high frame rate capabilities — 8x at 4K, and up to 16x in full HD. This power is combined with HD cut-out and zoom capabilities for sports and live event production. The new 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 to capture high resolution, crisp images for live sports shooting. HDR support is under development and will be available in the near future.
Sony also delivers 4K through its XDCAM family. The newest addition to the XDCAM shoulder-mount camcorder lineup, PXW-Z450, captures 4K (3840 x 2160) picture quality from a new 2/3-type Exmor R™ CMOS sensor, with exceptional weight balance and low power consumption alongside networking features. Another addition is the PXW-Z150 with 1.0-type sensor that delivers low-light performance and networking features for fast turn-around workflows.
IP
Sony is enhancing its fully interoperable IP Live Production system with Networked Media Interface (NMI). The new suite of solutions has 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 continued 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 of Grass Valley, now grown to 49 vendors across the live production space, and support is continuing to grow as more broadcasters adopt IP Live.
Storage
Sony is unveiling the second generation of its Optical Disc Archive 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 Optical Disc Archive System also introduces an 8-channel optical drive unit, doubling the read/write speeds of the previous generation, helping to meet the data needs of real-time 4K production.
Optical Disc Archive technology is designed for use as a near-line, deep archive storage or disaster recovery systems, ranging from large scalable robotics down to stand-alone archive systems. Sony is also embracing an open platform approach for broad compatibility, providing technologies and support to encourage other manufacturers to develop complementary products for the technology. Currently, 42 companies have announced their support for Optical Disc Archive.
High Dynamic Range
At NAB 2015, Sony introduced its first 4K OLED reference monitor for critical viewing – the BVM-X300. Already, it’s 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 TRIMASTER EL™ 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 PVM-X550 is a quad-view OLED monitor, which allows customized individual display settings across four distinct views in HD. It is equipped with the same signal-processing engine as the BVM-X300, providing a 12-bit output signal for picture accuracy and consistency. It also supports industry standard color spaces including the wider ITU-R BT.2020 for Ultra High Definition.
Technology Upgrades
Sony is helping customers extend the life of their current Sony technologies by continually introducing new upgrades, enabling new features and performance. These include:
- BVM-X300 — update for support of both Hybrid Log-Gamma formats, safe and aspect markers, XYZ color modulation and 1.5G dual link inputs.
- F55 – version 8 adds support for XAVC 4K class 480, for professionals that need higher quality picture performance
- FS7 — adds center crop functionality, a feature traditionally found on higher-end models like the F55, flexible spot focus and true 24P.
- FS5 — adding RAW external recording and auto variable ND filters, among several other features
Rounding out the total workflow for professionals, Sony’s NAB 2016 exhibit also highlights 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 — 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 only 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 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 from SDI to IP, from HD to 4K.
- 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 functionality is included for blending 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 – a 17-inch, lightweight, compact Full HD LCD monitor, incorporating features and designs from Sony’s PVM-A Series OLED and LMD-A Series 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. Interfaces include SDI, HDMI and composite video with stereo analog audio as standard. The monitor also has 2W+2W front stereo speakers, more powerful than a monaural speaker or a rear speaker system.
For more information on Sony’s professional technologies at NAB 2016, please visit www.sony.com/professional.