The September issue of SCAN is available for viewing from the
Sony Australia website
"In this second issue of SCAN, it’s all about XDCAM deployment, focusing in on Sony’s new PDW-700. We take a look at the worldwide uptake of this cutting edge technology format, which has attributed to the first ever Summer Games being shot and delivered in Full HD; bringing about an all new viewer experience for those of us who couldn’t make it to Beijing."
The multiple award-winning PMW-EX1 Camcorder is now even better thanks to new v1.11 firmware which is standard on all camcorders shipping from mid-August 2008 and is a free* upgrade for older models for a limited period only. * Refers to Eu countries.
Key features;
* Support for new 32GB SxS PRO Card
* Support for PHU-60K Hard Drive Unit
* 24PSf signal output in camera mode
* Shutter speed options increased
* Usability enhancements to menus
* Minor bug fixes
For upgrade contact your local supplier.
Source: Sonybiz EU
The easiest way to detect whether a camera has been upgraded is a slight change in the menu structure - in the old version the word “return” is at the top of each menu tree and in the new version there is an 'arrow' symbol for return at the top of each menu tree.
Oregon Public Broadcasting hosted an AVID new product demonstration Aug 11. This was a demonstration of the new hardware. OPB recently started shooting the American version of Time Team using a combination of XDCam HD 35 and 50 mb/s to be edited on AVID. According to AVID support for 35mb/s will be improved in the new hardware and support for 50mb/s (422) is in beta testing and may (main word main) be available Jan 2009. Until then OPB is treating to XDCam like a tape machine. That's what AVID is telling OPB and we own 7 AVIDs (1 XpressPro, 5 Adrenaline and a Symphony Nitris) all of which are obsolete for XDCam 422 native editing. Go figure.
I'll move this to the forum for comment
IBC 2008: Sony leads market for tapeless and networked production solutions
Visit Stand 9.C10 in Hall 9, RAI
Aug 15, 2008
From XDCAM to SONAPS, Sony unveils industry’s most advanced file-based technologies and workflow capabilities
IT-based workflow dominates Sony’s stand at IBC 2008. From the entry-level HDV family’s latest hybrid recording products and the extension to the XDCAM range’s Meta data management capabilities to Sony’s new high-end HDCAM SR IT interface, visitors will see how Sony is leading the way with its choice of solutions for every budget.
With tens of thousands of XDCAM units in use by major broadcasters and production companies worldwide and SONAPS radically transforming news productions across EMEA, Naomi Climer, Vice-President of Sony Europe, explained why customers trust Sony’s technology leadership: “At Sony, our customers’ needs are at the heart of everything we design and we believe they should not have to compromise in their pursuit of excellence. Through decades of innovation and technology leadership, we know that choice matters to our customers. From news-gathering to high-end documentary productions, we’re number one in the market because our customers know they don’t need to look anywhere else for the most advanced, IT-based solutions.”
PDW-U1 Utility Software Version 2.0
Now supporting:
(1) HD422 50Mbps (1080i and 1080p25) – Windows and Mac
(2) Write back functionality - Windows only
The PDW-U1 is a compact and lightweight disc drive which, when connected to a non-linear editor, enables reading and writing of video and audio data. In combination with a laptop computer it can be used in the field, and together with an NLE it provides an ideal inexpensive video production system.
Sonybiz
New sensor achieves a signal-to-noise ratio of +8 dB
By Michael Grotticelli
August 12, 2008 Source: HD Studio
Sony has announced a new CMOS sensor technology that claims to offer better image acquisition, lower noise, and nearly twofold light sensitivity in future camcorders.
Full Story and Source:
HD Studio
Convergent Flash XDR [in Alpha] Hits the Street
August 12, 2008 Source: HD Studio
The highly anticipated Flash XDR HD recorder/player from Colorado Springs, CO-based Convergent Design has begun hitting the street (at least in the hands of select “alpha” customers).
Independent feature productions using small-format HD cameras are anxious to get their hands on it because it provides native QuickTime files that don’t have to be transcoded before working in Final Cut Studio. This will save significant time in post.
Priced at under $5,000, the unit can be mounted specifically on the Canon XL H1 and G1 as well as the Sony XDCAM EX cameras. Other models will follow.
Full Story: HD STUDIO
Shooting in cold weather has its challenges, but optical disc recording was up to the task
August 12, 2008
At the beginning of the year, Don Bland trekked to the Arctic Circle to shoot interviews at natural gas exploration sites and remote villages for the second season of the History Channel series Ice Road Truckers. That footage, shot with several Sony PDW 355 XDCAM HD camcorders and Canon HD lenses, is currently airing. The show was just nominated for an Emmy Award for cinematography. [Bland has been nominated three times in the last two years in the cinematography category.]
Source for full story: Studiodaily
The Assistant Editor is a workflow tool for long-form documentary editors or producers. The software processes your log notes from logged selects and builds a technically competent edited sequence that tells the story you choose to explore. It creates an edit that will have:
* an opener of your choice;
* a beginning, middle and end;
* no jump cuts;
* appropriate B-roll (with lowered audio volume and crossfades);
* lower thirds (using a Motion Template of your choice) exactly where you'd expect them to be.
A good, FAST First Cut! You can even choose to make an edited sequence that is trimmed down to a duration you want.
The Assistant Editor (Documentary version) will be available late August 2008 priced at $295. It will require Final Cut Studio 2 and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.
Source: The Assistant Editor
