Sony have released software for EX SxS import plug in for FCP X as well as updating to V2.1 of the XDCAM Browser.
It would appear both software releases were delayed till V2.04 of FCP X.
Please read the 'Known Issues' paragraphs of the following link.
from fcp.co
Download site.

Sony introduces smallest and lightest XDCAM camcorder
new PMW-100 XDCAM HD422 handheld camcorder delivers on performance and mobility

Sydney – 3 April, 2012: Sony introduces the full-featured yet light and compact PMW-100 handheld camcorder. The PMW-100 joins the ever popular XDCAM HD422 line-up - making it the smallest and lightest camera in the XDCAM family.

Advancement in digital imaging technology has enabled professional journalists and videographers to cover stories by using portable devices such as cell phones, DSLRs, and consumer camcorders. However, when compared to mainstream shoulder mount camcorders, there is still a significant gap in image quality, ease of editing and data management. The PMW-100 achieves the best of both worlds, by recording full broadcast quality MPEG HD422 video within a hand-held form factor.

Equipped with a newly developed 1/2.9-inch “Exmor” CMOS sensor, it delivers excellent picture performance and also achieves a minimum illumination of 0.08lx. Featuring a 5.4-54mm (40-400mm in 35mm equivalent) zoom lens, the versatile PMW-100 allow users to work in virtually any production environment where mobility and flexibility is highly valued.

“The PMW-100 combines exceptional picture fidelity with portability and outstanding manoeuvrability based on the proven XDCAM workflow, taking professional users to a whole new level of productivity. The development of the PMW-100 is a natural step in the progression of the XDCAM range, and is a direct response to our customers’ and long-time XDCAM users’ requests for a light and compact camera that will not only work seamlessly on its own, but also alongside other XDCAM cameras such as the acclaimed PMW-500,” said Anthony Kable, Product Manager at Sony Australia and New Zealand.


The PMW-100 supports full HD video at 1080i, 1080p and 720p up to 50 Mbps, MXF record and playback based on the MPEG HD422 codec using standard MPEG HD422 Long GOP compression technology. It is also switchable to MPEG HD420 35/25Mbps or DVCAM 25Mbps. The PMW-100 can also record high quality uncompressed 24-bit four-channel audio at 48kHz.

It offers the utmost flexibility with the ability to utilise a variety of recording media including the range of high speed SxS memory cards as well as Memory Stick, SD card and XQD as emergency secondary media options.

The new application software "SxS Memory Card Management Utility"* will provide additional operational convenience with SxS memory cards, such as a data back-up function and the life time indication of the card in use.

Focusing on your subject and reviewing recorded footage is a breeze with the full colour 3.5-inch WVGA (852x480) LCD. The Slow & Quick Motion function enables users to create artistic fast and slow-motion footage from 1 fps to 60 fps in 720p mode and from 1 fps to 30 fps in 1080p mode.

The camera also incorporates HD/SD-SDI output, HDMI output, Composite output, Genlock input, time code in/out, i.LINK (HDV/DV) in/out, and A/V Out.

The PMW-100 will start shipping in May 2012.

* "SxS Memory Card Management Utility" will be available through download from May 10th.

Sony expands NXCAM line with new full-HD super slow motion
Super 35mm camcorder

- NEX-FS700/K delivers high quality, flexible and creative shooting
- options for workflows of today . . . and tomorrow

Sydney - 2 April 2012: – Sony is pushing the creative boundaries once more with the new NEX-FS700/K Full-HD Super Slow Motion camcorder, the latest in Sony’s line-up of NXCAM interchangeable E-Mount camcorders. The new Super 35mm model is designed for high-speed shooting, capable of capturing foot-age at up to 960 frames per second. The camera also features a range of capabilities such as 3G HD-SDI output and built-in ND filters. Additionally, it also offers several creative options, shooting styles, and en-hanced ergonomics – all based on customer feedback -- to deliver a flexible production tool that can fit seamlessly into a variety of shooting applications.

“This new camera opens the next door to creative shooting,” said Nick Buchner, senior product manager for Content Creation at Sony Australia and New Zealand. “Users can capture beautiful high speed full HD movie footage, with the creative freedom of a huge choice of interchangeable lenses. The NEX-FS700/K with its super slow motion mode is ideal for music videos, film and TV drama on a budget, commercials and documentaries as well as sports and variety of events shooting.”

The camera delivers full HD quality at 120 and 240 frames per second in a 16 or 8 second burst mode re-spectively. The NEX-FS700/K’s high sensitivity and low noise shooting capability makes super slow motion shooting more convenient without additional bulky and expensive equipment. Its 480 fps and 960 fps at reduced resolution are available for faster frame rate recording.

The NEX-FS700/K camcorder uses a new 4K ExmorTM Super 35 CMOS sensor (total 11.6 million pixels). This high-speed readout chip is optimised for motion picture shooting, giving high sensitivity, low noise and minimal aliasing.

The NXCAM’s E-Mount flexibility is designed to accept virtually all SLR and DSLR 35mm lenses, with the use of simple, inexpensive adapters without optical degradation. NEX-FS series owners can make use of their existing lenses and add more lenses without being forced on a brand or mount.

Users can also capture high-quality still images with the NEX-FS700/K. The camera includes “face detec-tion” and auto focus to help ensure that a subject is always kept in focus.

NEX-FS700/K camera operators can take advantage of the camera’s built-in ND filters, with a newly de-signed ND filter wheel that rotates across the sensor like a turret. The wheel includes positions for Clear, 1/4 (2 Stop), 1/16 (4 Stop), and 1/64 (6 Stop).

The camera is 50/60Hz switchable to give shooters the freedom of working in any geographic region with-out being restricted to only PAL or NTSC recording.

The NEX-FS700/K’s 3G HD-SDI and HDMI connectors can output full HD 50p and 60p, in addition to stand-ard HD 50i, 60i, 24p, 25p or 30p frame rates with embedded time code and audio. 3G HD-SDI can output native 23.98, 25, 29.97 progressive signals; users can elect to output PsF over the 3G HD-SDI. Thanks to flexibility of the digital ports, virtually any external recorder can be paired.

Users can save up to 99 camera profile settings on a memory card, and can copy the same setting to multi-ple cameras. Compatible media includes MS and SD memory cards, and Sony’s HXR-FMU128 flash memory unit that attaches to the camera.

The NEX-FS700/K features include a robust detachable top handle, secured by a pair of screws (a cold shoe, plus two sets of 1/4 and 3/8 inch holes) to allow secure mounting for heavy accessories. The handle is at-tached with a rosette mount.

A key element of the handle is an “active grip” that features four buttons for commonly used functions – expanded focus, auto iris, still capture and recording Start/Stop -- so users can easily operate the camcord-er while holding the camera. Function buttons are also enlarged to make operation easy even while wear-ing gloves.

The camcorder’s enhanced design also includes anchor points for compatibility with third-party accessories and a more durable design than previous models.

Sony is planning a future firmware upgrade that will enable the NEX-FS700/K to output a 4K bitstream data over 3G HD-SDI when used with an optional Sony 4K recorder.

The NEX-FS700/K is planned to be available in June, in two versions – NEX-FS700 is body only, NEX-FS700K is supplied including an E-Mount 18-200mm lens. Suggested pricing (ex GST) is expected to be less than$11,000 (Australia), $14,500 (New Zealand).

Sony expands NXCAM line with new full-HD super slow motion
Super 35mm camcorder

- NEX-FS700/K delivers high quality, flexible and creative shooting
- options for workflows of today . . . and tomorrow

Sydney - 2 April 2012: – Sony is pushing the creative boundaries once more with the new NEX-FS700/K Full-HD Super Slow Motion camcorder, the latest in Sony’s line-up of NXCAM interchangeable E-Mount camcorders. The new Super 35mm model is designed for high-speed shooting, capable of capturing foot-age at up to 960 frames per second. The camera also features a range of capabilities such as 3G HD-SDI output and built-in ND filters. Additionally, it also offers several creative options, shooting styles, and en-hanced ergonomics – all based on customer feedback -- to deliver a flexible production tool that can fit seamlessly into a variety of shooting applications.

“This new camera opens the next door to creative shooting,” said Nick Buchner, senior product manager for Content Creation at Sony Australia and New Zealand. “Users can capture beautiful high speed full HD movie footage, with the creative freedom of a huge choice of interchangeable lenses. The NEX-FS700/K with its super slow motion mode is ideal for music videos, film and TV drama on a budget, commercials and documentaries as well as sports and variety of events shooting.”

The camera delivers full HD quality at 120 and 240 frames per second in a 16 or 8 second burst mode re-spectively. The NEX-FS700/K’s high sensitivity and low noise shooting capability makes super slow motion shooting more convenient without additional bulky and expensive equipment. Its 480 fps and 960 fps at reduced resolution are available for faster frame rate recording.

The NEX-FS700/K camcorder uses a new 4K ExmorTM Super 35 CMOS sensor (total 11.6 million pixels). This high-speed readout chip is optimised for motion picture shooting, giving high sensitivity, low noise and minimal aliasing.

The NXCAM’s E-Mount flexibility is designed to accept virtually all SLR and DSLR 35mm lenses, with the use of simple, inexpensive adapters without optical degradation. NEX-FS series owners can make use of their existing lenses and add more lenses without being forced on a brand or mount.

Users can also capture high-quality still images with the NEX-FS700/K. The camera includes “face detec-tion” and auto focus to help ensure that a subject is always kept in focus.

NEX-FS700/K camera operators can take advantage of the camera’s built-in ND filters, with a newly de-signed ND filter wheel that rotates across the sensor like a turret. The wheel includes positions for Clear, 1/4 (2 Stop), 1/16 (4 Stop), and 1/64 (6 Stop).

The camera is 50/60Hz switchable to give shooters the freedom of working in any geographic region with-out being restricted to only PAL or NTSC recording.

The NEX-FS700/K’s 3G HD-SDI and HDMI connectors can output full HD 50p and 60p, in addition to stand-ard HD 50i, 60i, 24p, 25p or 30p frame rates with embedded time code and audio. 3G HD-SDI can output native 23.98, 25, 29.97 progressive signals; users can elect to output PsF over the 3G HD-SDI. Thanks to flexibility of the digital ports, virtually any external recorder can be paired.

Users can save up to 99 camera profile settings on a memory card, and can copy the same setting to multi-ple cameras. Compatible media includes MS and SD memory cards, and Sony’s HXR-FMU128 flash memory unit that attaches to the camera.

The NEX-FS700/K features include a robust detachable top handle, secured by a pair of screws (a cold shoe, plus two sets of 1/4 and 3/8 inch holes) to allow secure mounting for heavy accessories. The handle is at-tached with a rosette mount.

A key element of the handle is an “active grip” that features four buttons for commonly used functions – expanded focus, auto iris, still capture and recording Start/Stop -- so users can easily operate the camcord-er while holding the camera. Function buttons are also enlarged to make operation easy even while wear-ing gloves.

The camcorder’s enhanced design also includes anchor points for compatibility with third-party accessories and a more durable design than previous models.

Sony is planning a future firmware upgrade that will enable the NEX-FS700/K to output a 4K bitstream data over 3G HD-SDI when used with an optional Sony 4K recorder.

The NEX-FS700/K is planned to be available in June, in two versions – NEX-FS700 is body only, NEX-FS700K is supplied including an E-Mount 18-200mm lens. Suggested pricing (ex GST) is expected to be less than$11,000 (Australia), $14,500 (New Zealand).

Didn't expect this one.
Check it out at CVP
and at VariDoF.com
Oh...are those 'sitting ducks' on the examples of shots!

Sony has released a new XDCAM HD camera, the PDW680.
It appears to have most of the features of bigger brother PDW-700 with the exception of progressive recording formats.
The camera is due for release in early May.
Some more details here

Sony Professional Media Back In Business Following Natural Disasters
- offering a full range of media and customer reward plan

Sydney – March 13, 2012 – Sony Professional Media is pleased to announce it is once again able to offer customers a full range of media including Betacam SR, Digital Betacam, XDCAM Professional Disc, SXS & LTO.

“We apologise to our customers and thank them for their patience following the tsunami in Japan, which forced the closure of our factories. We can now provide customers with a complete range of product as our Australian and New Zealand operations return to full stock levels,” said Luke Simpson, National Sales Manager for Sony, Broadcast and Production.

"Perhaps the biggest encouragement that any of us received was the faith and support that our partners and customers have shown us,” added Takemura Takayuki, Head of Recording Media Energy, Asia Pacific. “The strong, spirited will of our colleagues at the Tagajo factory has resulted in the damage being cleared and production approaching full capacity.”

“To mark this event and say thanks to our customers for their support, we are launching a Order Rewarder incentive programme that offers a 7.5 percent reward on the value of their purchases,” revealed Simpson.

Available from 15 March the initiative will run for six months. Customers will receive Sony Style vouchers that can be redeemed or put toward any Sony product. For details of the Sony Rewarder programme contact your authorised Sony Professional Media Dealer.

“I can now reassure the market that we are a reliable source of quality professional media. Not only do we offer the most affordable products for production, data collection, storage and duplication, we've also expanded our range of SXS, XDCAM and Professional Hard Disc,” said Simpson.

New Products:


PFD128QLW Quad Layer Pro Disc
A new version of the XDCAM Professional Disc is a quad (four) layer version with a 128GB capacity. The new disc is ideal for long-form recording and archiving and can store more than four hours of XDCAM HD422 50Mbps content.

PHU-220R Professional Hard Disk Recording Unit - 220GB
The PHU-220R offers more than 12 hours of HD continuous recording to enhance the XDCAM EX workflow capabilities.

64GB SxS Pro Memory Card
This card can record 120 minutes of HD422 50Mbps recording in the MXF mode or 200 minutes in the HQ (35Mbps) mode using Sony XDCAM solid state memory card camcorders.

TWO GREAT OFFERS ON SONY’S PMW-F3 DIGITAL CINEMATOGRAPHY CAMERA

Until the end of March, Sony have two great deals on offer for the acclaimed PMW-F3 Super35mm Digital Cinematography Camcorder....

· Buy a PMW-F3 and get the CBK-RGB01 option for external RGB/S-Log output, free of charge!

Fitted with this option and an external 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 capable recorder, the PMW-F3 represents a formidable and extremely cost-effective system. The camera’s 10-bit 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 output, with or without industry accepted S-Log, delivers maximum dynamic range and flexibility in post-production, capturing the highest quality images for the most demanding productions, including VFX work. For users who aspire to higher picture quality on a modest budget, the PMW-F3 is the clear choice!
Existing PMW-F3 camcorder owners interested to purchase the CBK-RGB01 option should contact their Sony Authorised Content Creation Dealer for a specially-priced offer.


· Buy a PMW-F3 together with the SCL-Z18X140 Power Zoom Lens, and save $2,500 on the bundle!

This powerful combination offers a 14x 18-252mm lens range with manual or servo zoom control, manual/auto focus, manual/auto iris and image stabilisation. With operational handling never before available on a Super35mm camcorder, this is the ideal large sensor set-up for on-the-go shooting in documentary and fast-moving production.

Note, the above offers may be combined.

See http://pro.sony.com.au for more details, email to production.au@ap.sony.com or contact any Sony authorised Content Creation Dealer.

The US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Apple that revealed their intent to add a new teleprompter feature to both iMovie and Final Cut Pro.
Full details: Patently Apple

TRADE UP TO A NEW SONY XDCAM EX SHOULDER-MOUNT CAMCORDER

During February and March, Sony are offering great trade-in deals on purchase of a new PMW-350K or PMW-320K camcorder.

The PMW-350K offers a 2/3” sensor and standard B4 lens mount, while the PMW-320K offers a ½” sensor and mount. Both models record HD or SD to SxS memory cards and feature a full professional feature set, including a supplied Fujinon 16X zoom lens.

Trade-in any 3-chip professional camcorder, working or not, and purchasers are eligible for:
- $2,500 trade-in value on a new PMW-320K

- $3,000 trade-in value on a new PMW-350K + bonus SD Record/Playback option (valued at $990 ex GST)

See http://pro.sony.com.au for more product details, email to production.au@ap.sony.com or contact any Sony authorised Content Creation Dealer.