XDCAM HD Sony

Sony XDCAM High Definition Optical Media Systems

Special Notes: The MPEG HD "codec" used to create or read the compressed video media is also independent of the XDCAM Media itself, such as in allowing for a seamless transfer through a network architecture, mounting media in a non-linear application, or, XDCAM HD device depending, for recording, selecting the original formatting of the Single Layer PFD23 or PFD23A disks to be MPEG-2 MP@HL1440 4:2:0 35 Mb/s (60 minutes of recording), 25 Mb/s (90 minutes), 18 Mb/s (120 minutes), or DVCAM 4:1:1 525/59.94, 4:2:0 625/50 (85 minutes) (e.g., in the versatile PDW-F335L XDCAM HD 1/2" 3-CCD Camcorder). In all cases other than proxy audio (which is compressed A-law 4ch/2ch 8-bit 8kHz), production audio is 2 or 4 channel selectable and uncompressed (Linear PCM). Now, as dual layer technology is available, the first of the PFD-50DLA Dual Layer XDCAM HD products introduced is the PDW-F75 recorder, which basically doubles the recording capacity of the Single Layer media. The newly introduced 4:2:2 Profile for HD allows for 50Mb/s recording (device support depending) at the full 1920x1080 raster. The new PDW-HD1500 will support this new 4:2:2 HD Profile (see frame rates below).

Although XDCAM Media discs may at first glance look inside the casing physically the same general size as Consumer Blu-ray Media, the XDCAM HD recording choices will require a professional XDCAM HD supporting device to record or play back. The XDCAM HD Cameras (PDW-F355L, PDWF335L), the Recording Deck (now model PDW-F75, and the initial "viewing" deck (PDW-F30), do not support the XDCAM SD IMX codec, however the new PDW-HD1500 will, if it is optioned with the SD Rec/Play Software (price and functionality still to be determined).


Sony XDCAM HD Dual Layer Sony PDW-700 XDCAM HD Camcorder; 2/3" 3CCD XDCAM Optical Media; Uses Professional Disc Dual Layer or Single Layer Media; Switchable Compression, also the new 4:2:2HD Profile for full HD 1920x1080 raster recording. Sony PDW-F355L XDCAM HD Camcorder;1/2" 3CCD XDCAM Optical Media; Uses Professional Disc Dual Layer or Single Layer Media; Switchable Compression Purchase from VTP PDZ-1 Windows Proxy Browsing Software for 2Mb/s MPEG-4 A/V Proxy basic editing is included with the PDW-F355L and the PDWF75. Note: The photos above show options such as a lens, and battery, and wireless microphones, which are not included in the base price. They are only available at additional cost. XDCAM HD Dual Layer Media PFD50DLA (now Dual Layer) 50GB Storage Capacity Uses 405 nm (blue-violet) Laser 72 Mb/s (per optical head), 2.4x 120 mm (4 5/8") Disc Diameter. 50Mb/s HD422 = About 95 Min. 35Mb/s HD = About 145 Min. 25Mb/s HD = About 190 Min. 18Mb/s = About 250 Min. DVCAM = About 185 Min.	New XDCAM HD Dual Layer Media Family. Sony now offers the PDW-700 2/3" 3-CCD Dual Layer Media Camcorder, with special new capabilities like 4:2:2HD profile at 50Mb/s for full raster 1920x1080 recording and playback, and a new companion supporting recorder/player, the PDW-HD1500. The still current PDW-F355L and PDW-F335L 1/2" 3-CCD High Definition Dual Layer Media camcorders are available for legacy XDCAM HD 4:2:0 1440x1080 MP@HL1440 Profile. Also offered is another Dual Layer Media "deck", the PDW-F75 Recorder/Player. All of these Dual Layer Media products have certain similarities and certain differences* in performance and in the codec choices available to play or record, but are all able to use new 50GB Dual Layer XDCAM Media PFD-50DLA, effectively doubling video recording capacity over the predecessor PFD-23 and PFD-23A Single Layer Media, or, you can continue to use Single Layer Media. XDCAM Media is highly resistant to shock, scratches, heat, humidity, and the affects of X-Rays. The PDW-F75 recorder/player may require a version update to record/play 50GB Dual Layer Media, depending on the age of the unit. For example, XDCAM 4:2:2HD Profile 1920x1080 is not supported on the PDW-F75/PDW-F70/PDW-F30, PDW-F335L, PDW-F330L, PDW-F335L, and PDW-F330L products. The PDWF700 camcorder supports 4 channels of 24-bit audio in the 4:2:2HD Profile Mode, the PDW-HD1500 supports up to 8 Channels of 24-bit audio in the 4:2:2HD Profile Mode. The new PDW-HD1500 recorder/player will require a future optional version update at additional cost to record in the XDCAM IMX codecs, and 18Mb/s XDCAM HD record will not be supported in this unit. Neither the PDW-HD1500 nor the PDW-700 currently support 23.98P or 23.98PsF. Contact VTP and Sony for additional details. The XDCAM HD Single Layer Media Family includes the now discontinued PDW-F70, the discontinued PDW-F30 Viewer, and the discontinued PDW-F350L/PDW-F330L camcorder units, which currently remain incompatible with Dual Layer Media, as they are Single Layer PFD-23 and PFD-23A recording and playback devices only. XDCAM HD Imaging based on Proven Industry Standards. The compression system for XDCAM HD 4:2:0 utilizes 1080 MPEG-2 Main Profile at High Level-1440 long-GOP encoding choices in variable bit rates (18 and 35 Mb/s) or 25Mb/s constant bit rate recording. The 1/2" 3CCD Progressive capable PDW-F355L offers a choice of 59.94/50i or true progressive 23.98P/25P/29.97P capture in HD to internal XDCAM media without pulldown, the camcorder can be Genlocked, and the HD-SDI output can be native 23.98PsF. Special Recording Capability on PDW-F355 Camcorder.* Selectable special frame rates from 3.9 to 59.94 fps are also available on the PDW-F355L Camcorder, in 1 fps increments in the 18 and 35 Mb/s compressed HD rates. Slow shutter is also available for beautiful blur effects (up to a 64 frame accumulation). Interval Recording can be set for time lapse effects. Thumbnail Search and Scene Selection. As part of the overal utility of XDCAM, thumbnail search and scene selection functionality is an important part of the Media access. Built-in functions for thumbnail search and scene selection on the PDW-F355L and PDW-700 enable quick random access to each clip and the capability of creating a scene selection list. Selected clips can be played back seamlessly out of the camcorders and decks according to the list, in a non-linear, or random fashion. Proxy A/V. The PDW-700, PDW-F355L and the PDW-F75 create and store low-resolution 2Mb/s MPEG-4 standard definition video/audio proxy stored into disc media along with the high-resolution video/audio essence recording as part of the .MXF file format system. Metadata is also supported (including date/time/location and edit list "scripts"). Each provide an I.LINKŽ interface for .MXF FAM (File Access Mode) or DV output (with HD downconvert to DV). The PDW-F75 can support an optional PDBK-101 Gig Ethernet Board for network based file transfer. When the optional PDBK-102 HDV Board is installed in the PDW-F75, the 25Mb/s HD PDW-F355L recording choice is supported on output and converted to HDV-2 mode to allow HDV connectivity to compatible HDV-2 1080i tape recorders and editing systems. Additionally, the PDW-F75 can record HDV-2 compliant transport streams through the optional PDBK-102 HDV Board. XDCAM's Uncompressed Digital Audio. Because there is up to 72Mb/s processing power per optical head (some future devices will probably support 2 head read and write), robust optical recognition phase change recording code, and ample room on the single layer and dual layer Professional Disc Media, the PDW-700, PDW-F335L and PDW-F355L camcorders offer some other unique features as well. This includes 4 channel 48 kHz uncompressed PCM digital audio at 16-bit in either the DVCAM mode or the 25Mb/s and 35Mb/s MPEG-2 HD modes. Additionally, the PDW-700 offers 4 channel 24-bot 48kHz uncompressed PCM digital audio in the 4:2:2HD Profile modes. XDCAM USB External Drive for PC or MAC A New Access Mode in the Optional PDW-U1 USB Dual Layer Drive for PC or MAC (application dependant) allows for access* to either the proxy audio or the uncompressed audio. The PDW-U1 also allows for support of the 4:2:2HD 50Mb/s profile. The new version 2.00 software update applies to certain serial numbers or higher, and to conditionally enable some write functions for PC (MAC write back has been pushed back to Spring 2009), read and limited PC write are still highly applications dependant as of this date. The PDW-U1 unit does not ship with a power cord, which must be ordered separately at additional cost. Pure Sony with VEGAS Pro8 XDCAM Enhanced Workflow.* Optional Vegas Pro 8 software enhances the existing FAM (File Access Mode) and all current modes of HD and SD import and render are supported, with native .MXF editing.
Sony PDW-HD1500 XDCAM 4:2:2HD Recorder Deck XDCAM Optical Media; Uses Professional Disc Dual Layer or PFD23A Single Layer Media; (No 23.98 Operations) HD-SDI, AES/EBU, TC I/O, AC/DC with RS422A (limited) Control Note: The IMX & DVCAM Codec choices that XDCAM standard definition and XDCAM HD products are using are supported in this model with Optional Software for SD Rec/Play at additional cost. Purchase from VTP Sony PDW-F75 XDCAM HD Recorder Deck XDCAM Optical Media; Uses Professional Disc Dual Layer or Single Layer Media; (No 4:2:2HD; No IMX SD) HD-SDI, AES/EBU, TC I/O with RS422A (limited) Control Note: The IMX Codec choices that XDCAM standard definition products are using is not supported in this model. Purchase from VTP Sony PDW-U1 (Limited initally) XDCAM HD/SD Reader; USB 2.0 Dual Layer Read Drive Purchase from VTP PDZ-1 Proxy Browsing Software (for Win) PDZ-VX10 XDCAM Viewer (for Win) PDZK-P1 XDCAM Transfer (for MAC) Utility/Firmware Upgrade(s) may be required to initially install or use this product. This PDW-U1 unit reads IMX SD Codec formatted PFD media as well as XDCAM HD, XDCAM 4:2:2HD, and DVCAM Codecs, in both Single Layer and Dual Layer form. Version update


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	Updated 08/12/08


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