New IT CCD Sensor Delivers High Picture Quality; Switchable 59.94i and 50i Operation Facilitates Worldwide Production
NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2002 - Delivering on its promise to make HDTV production moreviable for broadcasters' day-to-day needs, Sony Electronics today announced twonew high-definition acquisition systems for electronic field production (EFP)and studio applications.Offering high performance in very practical configurations, the new HDW-730HDCAM® camcorder and HDC-930 high-definition (HD) studio camera feature new IT CCD image sensors that offer high sensitivity, high signal-to-noise, and very low vertical smear on severe highlights. Both models also feature switchable 59.94i and 50i operation, which, in line with the ITU internationally standardized 1920x1080 Common Image Format (CIF), facilitates HD production anywhere in the world.
In addition, the new HDCAM camcorder features video cache recording designed to help camera operators capture unpredictable footage in the field. Video cache recording stores seven seconds of digital HD video in a continuous loop on a camera memory chip. When the operator presses record, the stored video is recorded to videotape.
"Our new HD camera systems underscore Sony's commitment to lowering the cost of high-definition acquisition," said Larry Thorpe, senior vice president of content creation for Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Professional Company. "They also underscore our commitment to the spirit of the ITU international HD CIF standard." The new HDCAM camcorder and HD studio camera complement Sony's line-up of digital acquisition tools. In addition to the new HDCAM equipment, Sony today announced the immediate availability of a 525/59.94 MPEG IMX professional camcorder, becoming the first manufacturer to offer a complete, end-to-end MPEG 50-based system, ranging from acquisition to transmission. "This is the year most broadcasters will begin some form of digital broadcasting service, and Sony's comprehensive line-up of digital acquisition tools has been planned to anticipate the diverse needs of DTV, both high-definition and standard-definition television," Thorpe said.
The HDW-730 HDCAM camcorder and HDC-930 HD camera systems both feature high picture quality, with a 2/3-inch IT CCD offering 1920x1080 pixel imaging; high sensitivity and a low smear level of -125dB; Advanced Digital Signal Processing, with selectable gamma curves, adaptive highlight control and knee saturation; and user-friendly operation, including a built-in Memory Stick® media slot for simple operator set-up.
At 8.1 pounds, the HDW-730 HDCAM camcorder is compact and lightweight, or approximately the same size as Sony's MPEG IMX camcorder. It also features a flexible interface with built-in HD-SDI (serial digital interface) output, an optional internal down-converter board and an optional video cache board; a slot-in wireless microphone receiver, and assignable buttons for frequently used features.
The HDC-930 studio camera weighs 11 pounds. It features an optical fiber interface, utilizing an SMPTE standard fiber connector and 1.5Gbps HD-SDI transmission. Both products are planned to be available in June, with prices to be announced at a later date.
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Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Professional Company provides advanced products and systems for a variety of professional markets, including broadcasting, production, corporate, industrial, government, security, medical and educational institutions. Sony offers products and systems designed to facilitate the transition to digital technologies in the emerging broadband network era. Sony products, systems and services include those for broadcast acquisition, production, storage, data management, system integration, digital imaging, digital printing, large and small venue display, and projection applications.
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