197 replies to this topic

[freediver]

According to Simon Wyndham, a SONY XDCAM user and SONY Vegas Evangelist, SONY has announced at NAB a handycam form factor XDCAM camera. I have posted his announcement on UWDV here

Finally - professional tapeless shooting comes to the masses. Now we need someone to develop a serious housing for this camera - imagine - no more tapes to batch capture.

[DeanB]

Holy cow..

Is this the cam we've been waiting for...Is this the answer to our underwater, lightweight, lowlight questions..Lets wait and see...

So glad I waited...Or not..It will be 2008 before the housings get aired...

Dive safe

DeanB

Edit: apparently it is a prototype...and will not be available in the U.S until late this year or early 2008...Bugger.

[freediver]

Holy cow..

Is this the cam we've been waiting for...Is this the answer to our underwater, lightweight, lowlight questions..Lets wait and see...

So glad I waited...Or not..It will be 2008 before the housings get aired...

Dive safe

DeanB

Edit: apparently it is a prototype...and will not be available in the U.S until late this year or early 2008...Bugger.

According to Simon's posting on his website here it appears that this is pretty much set in stone.

This is the official SONY announcement:

SONY CONTINUES THE EVOLUTION OF XDCAM TAPELESS ACQUISITION TECHNOLOGY

New Additions to XDCAM Family Include High-performance HD 4:2:2 Capable Models and Flash Memory Recording in a “Handy” Camcorder

LAS VEGAS, NAB Booth# SU906, April 15, 2007 �" Sony is continuing the evolution of its XDCAM® line of tapeless acquisition by unveiling new technologies at NAB. These include recording to ExpressCard high-speed flash media, as well as 50 Mbps 4:2:2 optical disc recording.

Sony is also unveiling new optical-disc based XDCAM products, including the PDW-F355 camcorder, PDW-F75 deck, and the PDW-U1 external drive. These models join the growing family of XDCAM products. Since its introduction, 21,000 XDCAM units have been delivered worldwide.

Future versions of the XDCAM system are planned to include a camcorder and deck with multi-format 2/3-inch HD progressive CCDs (1920 by 1080), recording bit-rate of 50 Mbps, 1080 and 720 native recording and eight channels of audio. The camcorder, deck and drive will support both single- and dual-layer versions of Sony’s Professional Disc™ media for the XDCAM system, which enables recording up to approximately 100 minutes at 50Mbps HD 4:2:2.

“These new MPEG-based 4:2:2 products, including a camcorder and companion deck, will support the same media, the same proxy A/V, the same metadata, and the same file format as existing XDCAM gear,” said Bob Ott, vice president of optical and networked systems for Sony Electronics.

Adding Flash Memory Capabilities to the XDCAM Family

The planned XDCAM EX unit will expand upon Sony’s XDCAM line of tapeless acquisition technologies, using flash memory technology: the SxS™ memory card specification, with high-speed transfer technology compliant to the ExpressCard™ industry standard.

“Sony will be able to adopt an appropriate technology for each application according to the needs of our customers,” Ott said.

According to Ott, ExpressCard’s higher speed and smaller form factor will make Sony’s evolution to flash media a natural progression and open the door to a broader range of applications for tapeless production.

“The XDCAM EX camcorder will make the most sense in small production systems, where the shooter and editor is often the same person,” Ott said. “In this type of production environment, you can easily control the flash media as it cycles between shooting and feeding the NLE.”

The planned camcorder is based on MPEG-2 compression technology with three, ½-inch imagers. It will be switchable between 1080/60i and 720/60P, and be capable of recording 1080/50i/30P/25P/24P and 720/50P. The camera will also have slow and quick motion functionality.

The camera will feature two card slots, and users will be able to record approximately 120 minutes of content on two16 GB card. Sony is planning to introduce both 8GB and 16GB flash memory media initially.

“Our XDCAM series of products will continue to evolve to meet the needs of the industry and continue to offer flexible, more capable and more affordable production systems,” Ott said.

[DeanB]

Not saying it isn't reality, just that its a prototype for people to view..Production will start later this year..

Then again i read that on another forum..So who cares...

BRING IT ON..

What no Drew comments

Dive safe

DeanB

[jonny shaw]

Looks wicked!!!!!

However won't be in the water until end of 2008 with all the messing about!!!

Who was getting the RED? That must be due out soon?

Jon

[DeanB]

That would be the, Leading the way down the "Im skint" path Camdiver... They called it 'Red' for a reason..It puts you well in it..

But hey he's cutting edge and willing to do the dream..So extreme kudo's

Dive safe

DeanB

[freediver]

The folks at DVuser have a pretty in depth article on the SONY XDCAM roadmap.

Looks as though the EX series is being positioned for the users of the FX7/V1U cameras when released. The additional photo's and information is enough to satisfy my urge to buy until it is released. Full article is here

Looks like november 2007 is the expected release date for the EX

[Mike L]

I had the opportunity to check the camera out and talk with a Sony rep while at NAB. It looks to be an amazing camera, however it is priced for the Professional at approximately $8,000...leaving it out of the range for the average consumer. The big question is definitely whether or not a housing will be made for it.

And lets just hope...that by NAB next year, Sony brings a tapeless camera out in the price range of the FX7. After spending a lot of time with the HVX200, tapeless is definitely the way to go, and it definitely makes editing less time consuming!

[DeanB]

This looks like a totally different cam than the first piccy..

It looks like a Z1 conversion with the screen on the side.. the first pic had the screen on the top..

Or am I mad..

Is there a LUX rating yet...If its 1 or 2 I'm in...

Dive safe

DeanB

[ronrosa]

This looks big. To my eye, definitely bigger than the Z1.

[jonny shaw]

Looks completely different to first picture!!!

[DeanB]

The first pic was obviously a prototype...

This new one looks like the Z1...But hopefully it will be the size of the V1 or optimistically the A1...

Come on lets have a lux rating..its one of the main features for any shooter...

Dive safe

DeanB

[videodan]

Some pictures of this cam available at: http://www.dvinfo.ne...ead.php?t=91612. The LCD looks like it would be awkward to integrate into a housing, but looks like it will be a very good camera overall.
Dan

[Nick Hope]

Looks like a good step forward but I was hoping (while floating down the stairs on a giant cornflake) they might pull tapeless 1080/50p/60p (or even better 1080/24p/25p/48p/50p/60p) out of the hat at this price point.

Now wouldn't it be great to have a camera that captured 1080/24p (or 48p) and 1080/60p in a single stream so you've got your film look if you want it from your 24p but also TV format and slowmo from your 60p.

[videodan]

The XDCAM EX is going to have 3 chip (1/2") 1080 I and P, 720P and much more. Yes it does have 1080P24 and 720P24. This is much more than an upgraded Z1, and also will have a 35mbps type of MPEG that is readily accepted by all broadcasters, it is not the same as HDV. The memory cards are also going to be much cheaper than P2, and also much faster. I couldn't believe all the news regarding this camera as it is almost too good to be true for under $8,000 US. Need the housing manufacturers to get on the ball on this one soon. Start saving your money, I am.
Dan

[shawnh]

I met with the Sony team at NAB in Vegas this past week. The cam is very similar in size to the Z1 but fatter (like the HVX200). It will not be out till late this year. Price about 8K. Also, larger cards (16gig or perhaps even 32gig) will be available for the 2 slots on the cam. I'll be posting a NAB brief summary shortly.
shawn

[wagsy]

Great...more money..... I don't think I would be allowed to buy another one for a while.

[MikeVeitch]

thats more than i make in a year.. sigh

[DeanB]

Don't worry gents, I'll treat you to one each for Xmas....

Dive safe

DeanB

[Drew]

All I have to say is wait for the Panny response