Asia Pacific, 23 May 2017 – At BroadcastAsia (BCA) 2017, Sony continues to thrill the industry with innovations and solutions that will transform operations in 4K Production, High Dynamic Range (HDR), and IP Live. The comprehensive line-up showcases the endless possibilities in creating dynamic content with powerful value and workflow efficiencies for a range of applications and productions.
The constant evolution of technology coupled with the exciting and competitive media landscape has created dramatic challenges for content creatives and broadcasters. There is an urgent need to create compelling content in order to capture a wider audience alongside simplified workflows and more efficient preparation and delivery of content to multiple platforms.
“At Sony, imaging extends beyond the camera to the total production and distribution workflow. Our commitment to support customers’ businesses at every stage is accompanied by our passion to always exceed their expectation in every way,” said Hiroyuki Takahama, Assistant General Manager, Content Creation Solutions Marketing, Professional Solutions Company (PSAP), Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Limited. “This year at BroadcastAsia, Sony is showcasing our unique and powerful solutions that offer a compelling value proposition combining technology, solutions and services that support our customers and partners today, and ignite the vision for future together.”
Content Value
Sony will be displaying a wide array of products that are equipped with 4K, HDR, High Frame Rate (HFR) technologies at BCA 2017, adding powerful value to content, from the smallest scale productions to major live events. Further, the technology innovator is promoting the wider usage of X-OCN (eXtended Tonal Range Original Camera Negative), an optimized video format that caters to the fine balance between picture quality and data size. The new format is ideal for HDR image grading as it retains everything that sensors see, delivering tonal gradation with 16-bit precision. Recording in X-OCN format is a breeze with the combination of the AXS-R7 portable memory recorder and PMW-F55 or F5 motion picture cameras, providing content creatives unprecedented flexibility for every HDR production.
A major key highlight at BCA this year would be the display of Hawk-Eye technology, a world leader in the field of sport vision processing for more than a hundred different sporting events each year. The technology provides officiating, production, video-management, broadcast and digital solutions that make the game fairer, safer and more engaging. The officiating replay system of Hawk-Eye makes it possible to give a definitive answer in cases where it’s difficult to determine what happened with the naked eye or even a standard video recording. it improves the experience for fans, coaches and players by adding new dimension to the live viewing experience and life-like simulations for training purposes.
Workflow Efficiency
In July 2016, the International Telecommunication Union published ITU-R HDR-TV Recommendation, BT.2100-0. The HDR broadcast standard presents two options for producing HDR image – Perceptual Quantization (PQ) and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) – and paves the way towards a wider adoption of HDR broadcasting.
Sony will be showcasing the Instant HDR workflow for the first time in Asia Pacific. Live event producers are paying more attention to added-value of HDR as they require quick delivery with no compromise on imaging expression and quality. To meet the demand, Sony now offers HDR capability for entry-level handheld XDCAM camcorders – e.g. PXW-FS5 or PXW-Z150 – that will support HLG recording function1 for easy and instant file-based workflows. It is incredibly simple and enables users to shoot, edit and view HDR contents in HLG without the need of color grading.
Increasingly, content creatives and broadcasters are making forays into IP technology in order to future proof their systems and businesses. At BCA 2017, visitors will catch a glimpse of the range of IP equipment by Sony that can be integrated seamlessly into existing SDI infrastructures, creating an end-to-end IP workflow that allows for resource sharing, increased efficiency and scalability. In particular, the NXL-IP4F SDI/IP converter unit is ideal for any 4K/HD standalone source or destination to integrate with an IP-based Production System. It further enhances the IP Live Production System offering and provides a simple conversion for legacy SDI equipment, inheriting the benefits of Sony’s NMI technology.
Sony continues to spearhead advancement in IP technology, working with all major industry alliances to develop a unified interoperable IP workflow while remaining open to upcoming future standards. To further the IP conversation, Sony will be presenting at the Broadcast IP Theatre during BCA 2017. A part of the Broadcast Inter-Op Lab, the presentation is a great platform for Sony to share with attendees, deeper insights as well as the exciting interoperability with Sony’s solutions. Details of the Sony session can be found here.
Technological Features
In addition, highlights from the Sony booth at this year’s BCA include:
The FS7 II camcorder is built on the original FS7’s strength by adding advanced features such as Electronic Variable ND technology, a level lock type E-mount, support for the XQD memory card format, and a new mechanical design for faster and easier set-up. Designed for long-form shooting and production applications, the new camcorder is extremely suitable for documentaries and independent filmmaking.
HXR-NX5R
Superseding the popular NX5 and NX3 solutions, the HXR-NX5R NXCAM camcorder offers network functions and a greater shooting performance. Superb colour imagery and high sensitivity is achieved with the three 1/2.8-type Full HD Exmor CMOS sensors and 40x Clear Image Zoom function to double the optical zoom without losing image quality. The camcorder is equipped with multi-format recording to satisfy wide range of shooting applications and environments such as live events, including weddings or corporate productions.
HDC-P43
The 4K point-of-view camera is based on the HDC-4300 platform, with a light and compact body as well as low power consumption. The HDC-P43 supports a variety of applications and greatly expands 4K shooting capabilities for production teams: it can be used as large studio camera systems, including the PMW-F55 and CA4000, as stand-alone 4K camera for setup in limited space, as well as for shooting on a crane and shooting overhead views of hall and event venues. The HDC-P43 is also highly configurable using optional software licenses. Licenses are available for 4K and HFR capture, allowing for a customizable solution for HD, 4K, HDR, and HFR live productions.
MCX-500
The multi-camera Live Producer is an ideal all-in-one switcher for multiple camcorders that offers a wide range of functionality along with an easy-to-use interface, allowing operators the flexibility to cover different types of productions effortlessly. The 4-channel video switcher offers users the option to select from 9 inputs with other features including both PinP and Keyer overlay functions, a range of transition effects, and 4-channel video and 5-channel audio inputs for maximum versatility. Premium features such as the broadcast-quality chroma key algorithm of Sony’s flagship broadcast video switcher – MVS series – are also included in the MCX-500.
BVM-E171/E251
The successors to its award-winning BVM-E series professional monitors, the BVM-E171 and BVM-E251 TRIMASTER EL™ OLED HD master monitors are equipped with enhanced features for 4K production, delivering outstanding performance, a quick response time with virtually no motion blur and a wide color gamut. The new HD master monitors are targeted largely at content creation sphere including broadcast, post-production and rental houses, as well as for research and development purposes for government, enterprise and laboratory.
LMD-B240
The stylish LMD-B240 is a 24-inch Full HD IPS LCD production monitor equipped with a lightweight and slim body for easy installation and natural ventilation (no cooling fan). The monitor is a cost-effective choice for a wide range of applications, from desktop editing to in-the-field production. Slim, light and energy efficient, it shares many of the same imaging innovations with Sony’s flagship reference monitors. The LMD-B240 features a unique Sync-Free Side by Side function. SDI and HDMI inputs, as well as HD, SD, different frame rates, interlace, PsF, and progressive can be configured. The monitor delivers low signal processing latency, and focus assist that works with the main image.
XDCAM Air
XDCAM Air is a cloud-based workflow service for news production which satisfies today’s internet-first audience. It uses Sony’s QoS technology to provide superior picture quality over WiFi and LTE, opening up a world of exciting new possibilities that allows for a secured and seamless wireless workflow between field-based camcorders or smartphones and studio infrastructure. The workflow orchestrates the seamless exchange of live video, media files and project metadata. Content creatives and broadcasters can now focus on storytelling efficiently with shorter turnaround time and reduced system costs.
Join us at the Sony booth 4L4-01, Level 4, Suntec Singapore from 23 to 25 May for another exciting journey that will put you ahead of the curve in content creation and personally experience Sony’s technological innovations and solutions that will bring you Beyond Definition, where 4K is within your reach.
1PXW-FS5, PXW-Z150; 4K: XAVC 4:2:0 8-bits, HD: XAVC 4:2:2 10-bits