Sonys NAB Press Conference Wrap-Up

Sony BVM-L230

Las Vegas, NAB, April 15, 2007 - Sony unveiled a new line of professional video products at their NAB press conference in Las Vegas today, including a new dual-layer disc media format, professional flat screen monitoring system, and switchable stereo/monaural microphone.

New Dual-layer Professional Disc Media for XDCAM System

Sony announced a new professional dual-layer disc media format for their next generation XDCAM products. The PFD-50DLA disc features faster transfer rates, has a storage capacity of 50GB and is capable of recording HD in the following quality modes: 4 hours and 30 minutes in MPEG HD 4:2:0 mode at 18 Mbps; 3 hours and 20 minutes at 25 Mbps; 2 hours and 30 minutes at 35 Mbps; and 3 hours and 10 minutes in DVCAM mode.

The new disc media more than doubles the storage capacity of Sony’s original single-layer optical media and provides high density recording of more than 10 times the capacity of a consumer DVD (4.7GB). Users can expect minimum of 1,000 read/write/erase cycles and 1,000,000 read cycles per disc and an approximate archival life of over 50 years.

Sony’s new dual-layer technology challenges Panasonic’s P2 flash format found on professional models like the Panasonic AG-HVX200. P2 cards hold a minimal amount of footage—8 minutes on an 8GB card—and are highly expensive. However, they are fast and certain cameras can hold numerous P2 cards at once for seamless recording. Sony’s disc media will most likely take a significant amount of time to record over, and time is a major factor in the field.  

The new dual-layer disc media will be available in September with the next generation of Sony’s XDCAM equipment, including the PDW-F355L camcorder, PDW-F75 deck, and PDW-U1 drive unit. Sony’s new PDW-F355L MPEG HD 4:2:2 camcorder features 2/3 inch sensors, native 1080i, 1080P, and 720P, and recording of up to 1920 x 1080 resolution.

Professional Master Monitoring with New LCD Technology

Sony revealed a new line of master monitors with innovative LCD technology. The introductory 22.5” BVM-L230 LCD video reference monitor rivals Sony’s BVM CRT monitors by implementing flat screen technology, which has a lower weight, power consumption, and heat load.

The BVM-L230 LCD includes Sony’s Trimaster technology, which produces higher levels of color accuracy and reproduction and a wide color gamut panel. Trimaster technology also supports full HD resolution at 1920 x 1080 and high gray-scale gradation.

Sony’s new flat screen LCD is equipped with a new color space selection function, advanced picture-and-picture display, and a true interlace display mode, which helps to accurately reproduce interlaced signals.

Connectivity is limited to a DVI-D input. Optional inputs consist of an HD-SDI/SDI SDI (4:2:2 10 bit and 4:4:4 10 or 12 bit), composite, Y/C, RGB/YPBPR/XYZ, and dual-link HD-SDI.

The BVM-L230 can display SD and HD formats up to 1080/60P.  The BVM-L230 supports an array of signal formats, including 2048 x 1080/24P for digital cinema applications and VGA-WUXGA (1920 x 1200) PC signals.

The BVM-L230 LCD video monitor will be available this fall for $25,000 (MSRP). A 42” model will be soon to follow next year.

New Switchable Stereo/Mono Shotgun Microphone

Sony has announced a new switchable shotgun microphone that is capable of stereo and monaural operation. The new ECM-680S mid-size electret microphone is a professional component that features newly developed capsules for high sensitivity, low inherent noise, and a flat-and-wide frequency response. The ECM-680S boasts sensitivities of -28 dB (stereo), 32 dB (monaural), and extremely low inherent noise of less than 20 dB SPL (stereo/monaural). Stereo and Monaural modes are also switchable for EFP and ENG applications. The new microphone also has a built-in low cut filter, windscreen, microphone holder, stand screw adaptor for boom poles, short 5-pin to 5-pin XLR cable, and a carrying case.

The ECM-680S should be available in August and will retail for $960. 

Also announced was the XDCAM EX camcorder, Sony's first broadcast camcorder to use flash memory. For a full article, click here.