Well, it's increased the value of 1/2 lens now! Mal
Nice one Sony - Puts to bed the 1/3" challengers for time being.


SONY REDEFINES THE CAPABILITIES OF SOLID-STATE
PRODUCTION WITH NEW XDCAM EX CAMCORDERS

Shoulder-mount models now Available with ½-inch and 2/3-inch
Imagers to Address Specific Needs of Production Community

LAS VEGAS (NAB Booth #C11001) April 11, 2010 – The expanding family of Sony’s XDCAM EX™ video products now includes two shoulder-mount camcorders that deliver new levels of creativity and flexibility for solid-state digital production.

The products include Sony’s 2/3-inch CMOS memory camcorder, the PMW-350, and now a ½-inch version, the PMW-320.

“Since it was first introduced, Sony designed the XDCAM EX series to be flexible enough to grow and expand as our customers’ production needs change,” said Bob Ott, vice president, Sony Electronics’ broadcast and professional audio/video products business. “These new products redefine solid-state production, with improvements achieved in features, performance, and ergonomics.”

Both camcorders have three Exmor™ full HD 1920x1080 CMOS imagers, and are studio-configurable, with timecode in/out, genlock in, and HD-SDI and HDMI out. The PMW-350 camcorder features a DVCAM recording and playback as an option; with both features offered as standard on the PMW-320.

Users can choose between the lens-packaged models, PMW-350K and PMW-320K, or versions without lenses, PMW-350L or PMW-320L. To enhance editing interoperability with Sony’s XDCAM HD 422 camcorders, both the PMW-350 and PMW-320 camcorders feature 1440x1080 recording mode at 35Mbps.

Both camcorders can also be used in studio configurations, using the optional 50-pin adapter CBK-CE01, as well as the camera adapter, XDCA-55, and camera extension unit, XDCU-55.

Sony is also delivering new solid-state memory choices to complement these new camcorders. An affordable series of Sony’s SxS™ memory cards, SxS-1™ (model SBS-32G1, 32 GB) offers compact and high speed transfer and supports a wide range of motion.

The cameras are also available with an adapter, MEAD-MS01, for using Sony’s Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX Series media, which can be used as an “emergency” recording option. An adapter is also available for SanDisk Class 10 SDHC card use (MEAD-SD01). Current owners of Sony’s PMW-EX1, PMW-EX1R as well as PMW-EX3 can use the MEAD-MS01 or MEADS-D01 by upgrading the camera’s firmware.

A hard-disk recording unit, model PHU-120R, offers a recording capacity of 120 GB. The new PXU-MS240 mobile storage unit can be used to transfer data from SxS memory cards to the unit for nearly continuous back-up or off-load of video clips. The unit stores content on a removable hard disk drive (HDD) cartridge, model PXU-HC240, which can store up to 240 GB of data or up to 17 hours of content in SP mode.

The following is suggested list pricing ($US) and planned availability for the new products:
• PMW-320K, $14800, availability in August
• PMW-320L, $12800, available in August
• MEAD-MS01, $120, now available
• MEAD-SD01, $110, now available

...Sanders explains that because he's constantly on the move, he has to find good shots wherever he can, as well as giving the viewer a sense of what it's like to travel by motorbike. This means “I ride with one hand on the bike throttle and my left arm supporting the camera, and I'm buffeted by winds of up to 90 mph.”
Read more at Sonybiz Eu

For Australian and NZ members:
Shot on location in Turkey with my EX-3 with Fujinon 3.3mm "Faith Of The Anzacs" airs on the Seven Network on ANZAC Day at 1230PM Sydney and Brisbane, 0630AM on all other capitals. Mal
Teaser can be found HERE.

A doorstopper no longer



PDW-U1 - Firmware Package V2.45 + U1 Utility + VFAM V2.3.0 (Windows + Mac)
Sonybiz Download

PDZK-P1 - XDCAM Transfer Package V2.12.0 + FAM Driver V2.3 (Mac)
Sonybiz Download

PDZK-LT1 - XDCAM EX Log and Transfer Plug-in V1.1.0 (Mac)
Sonybiz Download

PDZ-1 - Proxy Browser V2.70 + FAM Driver V2.30
Sonybiz Download

XDCAM Windows FAM Driver v2.3
Updated to include 64 and 32-bit versions of Windows 7.
Sonybiz Download

The PDW-U1 has such little use (from me) this year, so I thought I'd try a few practical ideas.

Introducing Sony's new Doorstopper.

Only use with cushioned end, due to the fragile nature of the product.
Promised software update using Snow Leopard was due in March 2010.

Let's hope it comes before Santa arrives.

Happy Easter all

Cheers,
Mal (the easter bunny)

CUSTOM USER MENU for the PDW-700 and PDW-F800.

One of the most powerful features of Sony's PDW-700 and PDW-F800 camcorders is the ability to create your own custom USER MENU system. As anyone who has used either of these camcorders knows, the organization and structure of the default menus can be confusing and hard to navigate.

Like other Sony camcorders, the menus were clearly designed, labeled, and organized by engineers – not camera operators. The F800/700 has more than 500 menus spread over about 80 menu pages. And although each one of those menus is very important, how many do you really need to change on a regular basis? Maybe a couple dozen? That’s why Vortex Media has crafted a streamlined menu system that looks nothing like the camera’s original USER MENU.

Read more about it on: Vortex Media

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/