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Well one of the big NAB announcements was the intention by Sony to release a compact 35mm equipped camera. A prototype unit was briefly shown at the press event but little details were given. I’ve been trying to find out more but Sony are being very tight lipped. It was announced that it will be available prior to next NAB, so that means that there is likely to be some other launch event in, at my guess 6 to 8 months time, of course there may be more news before then. Last year Sony announced the PMW-350 at Satis which this year is October 19th/20th, so I would expect more news by then. What I would say is that the prototype appears to be more than just a simple mock up as it shows some new switch and control designs that I’ve not seen on a Sony camera before. It has also been stated that this new unit is just part of Sony’s 35mm road map so perhaps there will be more than one new camera. As for pricing, well all that Sony will say is “affordable”. My guess is it will be in the XDCAM EX1 price area depending on lens options. If it uses DSLR lenses and can be purchased without a lens, my guess is that it would be cheaper than an EX but more expensive than a Canon 5DMk2, my guess would be £4k.

So what features can we expect to get? The sensor should have large pixels so it should be good in low light and offer high dynamic range. As it has a 35mm sensor I expect it will shoot 24P, 25P, 30P plus I would hope over-cranking at up to 60fps. It would be really nice if it did 1080P60. It should have decent audio controls and it’s going to need a really, really good viewfinder. I would imagine that you will have a number of different lens options via some form of adapter, possibly being supplied with a Sony Alpha lens mount. The prototype was shown with a PL mount lens and very few users will be able to afford to use them, so there will have to be a lower cost option.

These are exciting times. In the next 12 months we will see a huge change in the tools available for video production. The new 35mm and 4/3″ cameras from Sony, Panasonic and Canon will change the way TV is made forever. They won’t be ideal for some applications such as news or run and gun, where you don’t want the focus problems that a big sensor will bring, but for drama, documentary and low budget movies I think we will see a dramayic change in the way things are done.

Panasonic HPX-370

Well silly season is upon us an over the next 4 or 5 days we’ll hear what each camera manufacturer has up their sleeves. Panasonic have already announced their new HPX-370, which is a slight upgrade to the HPX-300. How big the upgrade really is I’ll have to wait and see as the main change is to the sensors. The HPX-370 has new MOS sensors that use something Panasonic call U.L.T or Ultra Luminance Technology. What that means.. I have no idea but it looks like there is a pretty respectable improvement to the noise level (which it does need) compared to the HPX-300 and much reduced skew. Certainly these are welcome improvements as noise really was the Achilles heel of the 300. The HPX-370 uses 1/3″ sensors as do the new Canon cameras, which is a big shame because if these cameras had 1/2″ sensors they would tick all the BBC and Sky boxes for HD aquisition. The Canon’s have the ability to record 4:2:2 mpeg2 at 50Mb/s to compact flash card, which is impressive in a small form factor camcorder and certainly gives Sony something to think about.

Canon XF300 4:2:2 HD Camcorder

The new Canon XF305 (with HDSDi) and XF300 (No HDSDi) both have 18x Canon (fixed) lenses with proper manual control and full raster 1920×1080 CMOS sensors, so the pictures should look very good. The reason 1/3″ sensors are not popular with broadcaster is that if you stop the lens down more than f5.6 you get diffraction limiting  which softens the picture, not good on an HD camera! So you have to work with ND filters etc to keep you exposures between f5.6 and f2.8 for best results. You can read the full canon press release here. The pricing of these cameras seems a bit on the high side. While you can record 4:2:2 MXF’s and over-crank and under-crank (much like an EX) the list prices of $8000 for the XF305 and $6800 for the XF300 seem expensive compared to the EX1R. That said they do have Genlock in and timecode in and out, so are good candidates for a low cost 3D rig using a pair of XF300′s. As the cameras can record internally at 50Mb/s the need for HDSDi out is reduced and HDMI can be used for both monitoring and recording if needed. The recording modes are remarkably similar to those available on the XDCAM camcorders, They can record 25Mb/s CBR, just like HDV, plus 35Mb/s 4:2:0, just like an EX1 and 50Mb/s 4:2:2 just like an XDCAM HD camcorder. Is this just co-incidence or are Canon simply piggy backing on the Sony standards to make edit suite integration easier. At the end of the day this can only be good as it will strengthen the mpeg 2 HD codecs market position. The ability to use low (ish) cost compact flash cards is a smart move by Canon as owners of their 5D and 7D stills camera will only need one type of media for both the video and stills cameras. It also makes the HPX-370 from Panasonic a more expensive proposition as with that you have to factor in the cost of P2 cards that will be chewed through twice as quickly due to the 100Mb/s I frame codec. Sony’s XDCAM EX cameras are designed primarily for the ultra reliable SxS cards but since the recent release of new firmware these seem much happier working with adapters and SD cards or memory sticks that they used to be.

Sony have a press event at NAB on Sunday afternoon, so we’ll have to wait a little longer to see what new toys they will have at the show.

Well NAB is just over a week away  (If your going please drop by the Convergent Design booth and say hello). I’m expecting a few surprises as well as some more predictable product launches. Right now, I’m trying to work out where I’m going with my camera kits. I’m traveling more and more and baggage restrictions are getting worse and worse. I’m shooting a lot of 3D as well. Looking in to my crystal ball I see DSLR technology maturing and the issues the current DSLR cameras have being resolved, so some time in the future the value and usefulness of the traditional video camera (as we know it) is going to reduce. The idea of a small camera body with a large sensor that permits the use of the plethora of low cost stills camera lenses is also highly attractive.

So what to do? I currently have a couple of EX’s, a PDW-700 and a 550D as well as minicams and other stuff. I can shot pretty much anything I want with the kit I have, but the lease payments are eating up my profits, after all I can’t use them all at once. Ideally, I would like to have just two cameras (so I can do 3D) that are small and portable, yet with the best quality I can get. I’d really like them to be CCD and with big sensors for shallow DoF, high sensitivity and good latitude. They must meet broadcast HD specs (adding a NanoFlash is acceptable). Hmmm sounds like I might be describing a pair of Scarlet’s, but at the moment they are vapourware, the s35 version is also a bit on the expensive side. These are exciting times, big sensor video cameras are coming to the masses, maybe some clever company will bring out a camera that will work with 35mm photography lenses and then use a windowed part of the sensor to use 2/3″ video lenses, bringing the best of both worlds.

This NAB will be very interesting, the broadcast industry is changing faster now than it has ever changed before.

Sony have just released a whole raft of software updates and firmware updates for the XDCAM HD range.

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

NEW FEATURES & IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) This version has been improved to add greater stability when writing to the Professional Disc using an unstable USB connection.

2.) The operating systems which are supported has been expanded to include the following:

Apple
- Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later
- Mac OS X 10.6.2 (32-bit version) or later.

Windows
- Windows XP Professional, Service Pack 3 or later
- Windows Vista Business 32-bit and 64-bit versions, Service Pack 2 or later
- Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit and 64-bit versions, Service Pack 2 or later
- Windows 7 Professional 32-bit and 64-bit versions
- Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit and 64-bit versions
http://support.sonybiz.net/software/…G&model=PDW-U1

PDZ-1 : Proxy Browser V2.70 + FAM Driver V2.30
NEW FEATURES & IMPROVEMENTS:

1.) Support for Live Logging of HD422 products including Wi-Fi.
2.) Support for Microsoft Windows Vista 64bit.
3.) Support for Microsoft Windows 7 32bit and 64bit.
4.) FAM Driver V2.30.
(a) Support for Voice-over recorded Disc.
Note: In PDZ-1, reference, playback and editing of Voice-over material is not possible.
(b) Support for Microsoft Windows 7 32bit and 64bit.
(c) Integration of installer for 32bit and 64bit.
http://support.sonybiz.net/software/…GH&model=PDZ-1

PDZK-P1 : XDCAM Transfer Package V2.12.0 + FAM Driver V2.3 (Mac)
NEW FEATURES & IMPROVEMENTS:

(1) Support for Mac OS X 10.6 of Professional Disc material.
(2) Support for XDCAM HD422 series V1.6.
(3) Support for Mac FAM Driver V2.3:
(a) Support for Mac OS X 10.6 (32 bit and 64 bit).
(b) Support for Voice-over recorded Disc.
Note: In PDZK-P1 (XDCAM Transfer), the use and reference of Voice-over material is not possible.
http://support.sonybiz.net/software/…&model=PDZK-P1

XDCAM Windows FAM Driver v2.3
This FAM Drivers allows computers to interact with XDCAM Camcorders and Deck. FAM Driver v2.3 now has been updated to include support for 64-bit and 32-bit versions of Windows 7.

In total, the Windows FAM Driver v2.3 now supports the following Microsoft Operating Systems:

- 32-bit versions of Windows XP
- 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista
- 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7
http://support.sonybiz.net/software/…model=PDW-1500

PDZK-LT1 : XDCAM EX Log and Transfer Plug-in V1.1.0 (Mac)
The Log and Transfer plug-in software utility for XDCAM EX allows any resolution of current XDCAM EX file to be easily imported into Apple’s Final Cut Pro using its standard Log and Transfer interface.
Note: Sony recommends to that customer use XDCAM Transfer Software (PDZK-P1)
http://support.sonybiz.net/software/…model=PDZK-LT1

Canon has been keeping quiet for some time now and there has been lots of speculation about their next video camera, including many that had hoped for a 35mm sized sensor. Well this morning Canon posted a press release on their website. The main and most exciting point is that the camera under development will be full 1920×1080 and it will be 50Mb/s 4:2:2 Mpeg 2 MXF. Now this looks on paper to be an extremely similar format to XDCAM HD422. It would certainly make edit suite integration a lot simpler if the MXF files are the same as the Sony XDAM MXF’s.

Mockups of a camera seen in recent months have shown a handycam style, fixed lens camera with two slots for some type of memory card, which could possibly be express card slots. The mockup lens looks like it might be an EX1 style lens with manual and auto focus and might be big enough to accommodate 1/2″ sensors. Is this the camera that the press release refers to, or is there another camera in the pipelines? There is a lot of stuff not mentioned in the press release, like recording media. It says “file based”, this could be solid state or it could be something else, maybe optical disc. Might this be a full size XDCAM HD camcorder from Canon? The release gives no sensor or form factor information which I find a little odd. Having shown mockups of an EX1 sized camera why not a more detailed press release with info on the lens, sensors, recording media etc? (apparently there will be another press release on the 8th of Feb).

Canon make some very good video cameras, I had an XL-H1 and it was a great HDV camcorder. I have no doubt that this new camera will be very good and competitively priced. IF it is the EX1 sized camera and it has 1/2″ sensors then this would tick all of the BBC’s boxes for HD. If it’s CCD (which seems likely) it won’t have skew or flash banding. This is a very significant announcement and could push Canon to the front of the Pro Handycam pack. Here is the full press release from the Canon web site.

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

United Kingdom / Republic of Ireland February 2nd 2010 – Canon Inc. today announces the adoption of 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 colour data of HDV HDV is a standard for the recording and playback of high definition (1,440 x 1,080 pixels) video and audio on DV-format cassette tapes profile formats. File-based recording helps video operations realise greater efficiencies during post-production processing, making it an ideal format for many industry applications such as news gathering, documentary filmmaking and event videography.

MPEG-2 Full HD compression and 4:2:2 colour sampling
The adoption of MPEG-2 Full HD (MPEG-2 4:2:2 HP@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 colour sampling offers twice the volume of colour data, providing double the level of colour resolution.

Maximum 50 Mbps data recording
With approximately twice the total data volume of HDV, the codec supports higher resolution and increased colour data to enable the recording of high-quality video.

Industry-standard MXF file format (see note (II))
MXF (Material eXchange Format) is a widely supported open source file format for the recording of video, audio and metadata, developed to suit the latest editing systems used by broadcasters.

Canon partners with major editing and processing software
With the adoption of the MPEG-2 Full HD (4:2:2) file-based recording codec, Canon is working in cooperation with Adobe Systems Incorporated, Apple Inc., Avid Technology, Inc. and Grass Valley to ensure compatibility with major editing and processing software programs widely used within the video imaging industry. Additionally, at future industry events Canon intends to demonstrate the overall video-production workflow, from initial video capture to clip-trimming and final editing. Video clips stored in a file-based recording system and industry-standard software applications will be used.

(II) A format for professional digital video and audio media defined by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE)

Notes to editor

Advantages of File-Based Recording

File-based recording enables video and audio data to be managed and stored by file, much in the same way as computer data. It supports efficiency throughout the production process, from initial video capture to final editing through the entire workflow. Additionally, file-based recording provides users with the flexibility to utilise different editing environments and workflow solutions without the restrictions associated with some other video recording formats, helping to reduce investment costs.

I’m not going to write much here as if you look under the reviews tab at the top of the page you will see full reviews of both cameras. What I will say is I like them both. The PMW-350 is an excellent camera and I Think a 350 plus NanoFlash will make a very powerful combination.

I’ve added some frame grabs from the EX1R in the forum here.

And a PMW-350 frame grabs here. As soon as I get decent internet access I’ll post some more, Im in Ireland today running an EXperience event for Sony.

The Sony USA XDCAM EX micro site has a rather large headline saying that “Something BIG is coming on 20:10:09″. As this is only on the XDCAM EX micro site it is a pretty strong hint that they are going to launch a new XDCAM EX product. Certainly it will be worth coming back here or checking the Sony UK site for more news on Tuesday.

Hello and welcome to my blog. I hope to bring you all kinds of news and reviews on these pages. More to follow soon!