Press Release:
Convergent Design Announces Beta Firmware for its nanoFlash Recorder/Player Providing 8-Channel Audio and Variable Frame Rate Support (8/3/2010)

Convergent Design posted new beta firmware for their popular nanoFlash recorder/player which includes 8-Channel audio, variable frame rate (over/under crank), loop recording and expanded XDCAM Optical support. This new firmware marks the 4th major upgrade to the nanoFlash since its introduction last August 2009.

Doug Jensen, director, cameraman and owner of Vortex Media wrote a Field Guide for the Sony PDW-700 and PDW-F800 XDCAM HD422 Professional Disc cameras. You can pre-order and download a some sample pages, including the full Table of Contents, from the 320 page full color book (Offset Printed) on his website. Shipping starts between 3/25/2010 and 4/1/2010.

More information about this and other guides on:
Vortex Media's XDCAM Field Guides

Apart from use of the new media card from Sony there's a few menu changes. The Sony press release is here in full.
More info and download links from Sonybiz EuMal


Enabling a wide selection of solid-state media

Downloading this new firmware allows you to choose the recording media that best suits your requirements from the widest selection of applicable solid-state media, to ensure you never miss an opportunity to capture your footage.

Developed in response to demand from users for an affordable, high-capacity card, the 32GB SxS-1 is just as fast as a standard SxS card and just as robust and reliable. It provides an average lifetime of five years based on daily use, making it a cost effective alternative to SxS-PRO media.

What’s more MEAD-MS01 & MEAD-SD01 adaptors allow users to make use of readily available consumer Memory Stick & SD Card media respectively - perfect for situations on location where additional media is required, or for cost-conscious users where ultimate performance is less important.

With so many recording media options and improved functionality, the XDCAM EX range continues to go from strength to strength.
Convenient, user-upgradable firmware

To minimise the inconvenience to you there is now no need to return your camcorder for this firmware upgrade. With the new PMW-EX1R and PMW-350 this firmware can simply be uploaded onto the camcorder via the SxS card. For the PMW-EX1 and PMW-EX3 there is a simple firmware version-up upgrade tool which allows user to upload the firmware via the service USB port.

IMPORTANT! Before attempting to upgrade your firmware please read the installation instructions carefully. Failure to follow the instructions may result in damage to your camcorder. If you don’t feel confident to upgrade the firmware yourself, contact either PrimeSupport, your Sony Accredited Dealer or Authorised Service Centre*

*There may be a charge incurred.
This firmware upgrade applies to the following products in our XDCAM EX range:

PMW-EX1 features:
Useable media – SxS-1 memory card added, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX added (with the optional MEAD-MS01 Media Adaptor) and also SDHC card added (with the optional MEAD-SD01 Media Adaptor)
New Menu options – Version information available on the OTHERS menu
Download new firmware for PMW-EX1
PMW-EX3 features:
Useable media - SxS-1 memory card added, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX added (with the optional MEAD-MS01 Media Adaptor) and also SDHC card added (with the optional MEAD-SD01 Media Adaptor)
New Menu Options - Version information available on the OTHERS menu

Download new firmware for PMW-EX3
PMW-350L & PMW-350K features:
Useable media – SDHC card can be used (with the optional MEAD-SD01 Media Adaptor)
Clip name – A maximum 46 characters can be set for the title. Checking a long clip name on the CLIP INFO screen enabled (Long-Display mode)
Filter position – The electrical filter position can be indicated when the function that switches the electrical CC filter is assigned to an assignable button.
Download new firmware for PMW-350
PMW-EX1R features:
Useable media – SDHC card (with the optional MEAD-SD01 Media Adaptor)
Clip name – A maximum 46 characters can be set for the title. Checking a long clip name on the CLIP INFO screen enabled (Long-Display mode)
Download new firmware for PMW-EX1R
Please Note: The PMW-EX30 can only be upgraded by returning to PrimeSupport, your Sony Accredited Dealer or local Authorised Service Centre*

*There may be a charge incurred.

PMW-EX30 Features:
Useable media – SxS-1 memory card added, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX added (with the optional MEAD-MS01 Media Adaptor) and also SDHC card added (with the optional MEAD-SD01 Media Adaptor)
New Menu options – Version information available on the OTHERS menu

Andy from Videocraft (Australia) would like to invite you to join the Facebook group or Blog for updates on the latest products, services and happenings at Videocraft. Andy will also post notifications for Videocraft's XDCAM training sessions here.

Facebook Group
Videocraft Facebook Group

Blog:
http://videocraftaustralia.wordpress.com/

Withstanding the Moondust of the Desert: PDWF800 and EX1 prove perfect combo

Thierry Humeau, Award Winning DP, documents the war in Afghanistan covering the operations of the Marines's Camp Leatherneck using Sony XDCAM cameras and Pro Audio Wireless systems.

The program will run as a special edition on Nat Geo's weekly one-hour Explorer magazine later this year.

Watch a slideshow and video clips on: Sony | Micro Site - XDCAM

But will it take 'stills' read on:

Canon adopts MPEG-2 Full HD (4:2:2) file-based recording codec for upcoming professional video camcorder

New Canon MPEG-2 Codec chosen for file-based professional video camcorder promises compatibility with industry-standard editing & processing software

TOKYO, February 2, 2010—Canon Inc. announced today the Company has adopted an MPEG-2 Full HD (4:2:2) file-based recording codec for a new professional video camcorder currently under development. The Canon MPEG-2 Codec will enable high-quality imaging and audio performance with up to 50 Mbps data recording and twice the color data of HDV*1 profile formats. File-based recording helps video operations realize greater efficiencies during post-production processing, making it an ideal format for many industry applications such as newsgathering, documentary filmmaking and event videography.

MPEG-2 Full HD compression and 4:2:2 color sampling
The adoption of MPEG-2 Full HD (MPEG-2 4:2:2P@HL compliant) compression enables the recording of 1,920 x 1,080-pixel full high-definition video. Additionally, compared with the 4:2:0 profile format used in HDV and other standards, 4:2:2 color sampling offers twice the volume of color data, providing double the level of color resolution.
Maximum 50 Mbps data recording
With approximately twice the data volume of HDV, the Codec supports higher resolution and increased color data to enable the recording of high-quality video.
Industry-standard MXF*2 file format
MXF (Material eXchange Format) is a widely supported open source file format for the recording of video and audio and metadata, developed to suit the latest editing systems used by broadcasters.

Sony's innovative XDCAM EX professional product range is specifically designed to exploit the ultimate high speed performance and reliability of SxS PRO and SxS-1 media.

However, SxS media is a professional format and not available from retail outlets, so in situations in the field where additional media is required or for cost-conscious users, where this ultimate performance is less important, Sony have developed the MEAD-SD01 adaptor to enable the use of consumer SD Card media.

The MEAD-SD01 adaptor is the same shape as SxS memory cards so as to fit within the media slots on XDCAM EX camcorders, with no protrusions, allowing the media cover to be in place during shooting. The adaptor can accept one high speed SD Card which simply slots inside.

At the time of writing (January 2010), Sony Professional recommends only the latest Class10 SDHC cards. Using 8-, 16-, or 32-GB media, approximately 35, 70, or 140 minutes of recording (in SP mode) can be achieved.

(A firmware upgrade is required for use of the card - downloadable from the internet providing the camera has USB capability.)
More details from Sonybiz Eu

From Braveheart country, the HD Warrior, Philip Johnston gives his impressions of Sony's PMW-350.
Make sure you have a 'cuppa' with you with a dash of JW....it will help sooth the accent
Exposure Room

Again on the Able Cine Technica pages comes this tutorial for XDCAM proxies to USB Stick - great for the client to take away and review.
Check it out here.

Andy Shipsides from Cine Technica gives a quick run down on the 2/3" lens supplied with the PMW-350
Cine Technica