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Sony

HDCAM-SR High Definition Digital VTR Recorders/Players

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Sony HDCAM-SR High Definition Digital VTRs & Players

Special Notes:  HDCAM SR is a different tape format than HDCAM with a different tape stock, and in general it has two different modes that depend on the machine itself - SQ for Standard Quality (in YUV or RGB at 440Mb/s or YUV "stereo 3D" at 880Mb/s), or HQ for High Quality in RGB at 880Mb/s.  Depending on the machine itself,   additional 880Mb/s modes are available, such as 422x2 mode YUV playback functions pertaining to slow and quick motion SRW1 captures, 422 fast frame rates of 1080P50/59.94/60, and 422DBL playback for high speed transfer to supporting servers.

HDCAM-SR is unique to Mastering in that it supports both RGB (if optioned) and a significantly high bit rate recording suitable for supporting a 10-bit practical Digital Intermediate workflow, and essentially lossless compressed digital imaging. 

The SRW-1 can record in some modes that are not achieved in the studio recorders, depending on how it is configured and optioned, or directly docked to a supporting camera head.  The SRW-1 is limited to using Small cassettes only.  The SRW-5000/5500 units record at 440Mb/s only and play back the SQ mode only.  None of the HDCAM-SR tapes are supported in current Sony HDCAM VTRs or HDCAM Camcorders.

The Panavision Genesis system, and the Sony F23 and F35 camera heads dock to the SRW-1.  When you see the CineAlta Logo, it refers only to the use of 23.98 or 24 frame high definition "cinema alternative" recording, not compatibility of modes or media formats between different devices or across device families. VTP is an Authorized Sony CineAlta Broadcast Reseller for the continental United States.

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Sony
SRW-5500
Edit Rec/Player
HDCAM-SR SQ Mode (only)
S or L (Large) Cassettes
12 Ch 24-bit Audio
Pre-Read Capable
HDCAM Rec/Playback

Optional Boards:
See Below Right

Purchase from VTP

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Sony
SRW-5000
Edit Rec/Player
HDCAM-SR SQ Mode (only)
S or L (Large) Cassettes
12 Ch 24-bit Audio
Pre-Read Capable
HDCAM Playback

Optional Boards, Accessories:
See Below Right

Purchase from VTP

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Sony
SRW-5800
Edit Rec/Player
HDCAM-SR SQ/HQ Modes
S or L (Large) Cassettes
Data Mode Future Option
12 Ch 24-bit Audio
HDCAM Playback Option

Optional Boards, Accessories:
See Below Right

Purchase from VTP

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S or L (Large) Cassettes
for Studio VTR Models:
SRW-5000
SRW-5500
SRW-5800


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Sony SRW-1/SRPC1
Dockable Rec/Player
HDCAM-SR SQ/HQ Modes
S (Small) Cassettes

Optional Boards, Accessories:
See Right Column and Below

Purchase from VTP

S (Small) Cassettes
for Dockable VTR SRW-1
:
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Sony HDCAM-SR Approach.
In the digital image acquisition and post production processes, the opportunity to capture, preserve, view, and manipulate the original RGB spectrum image channel bandwidth was generally reserved for the use of film media itself, or for disk-based digital record and file playback systems.  Sony Electronics has presented to the film and television industries a unique new family of advanced magnetic tape media recording technologies as part of the HDCAM-SR videotape mastering system. 

Using advances in Sony metal particle tape structure, the half-inch antioxidant base formulation HDCAM-SR media provides for the industry's highest real-time compressed video recorded data rate to tape of up to 880 Mb/s for active picture in the optioned SRW-1, and optioned SRW5800.  The HDCAM-SR video mode formats utilize 10-bit video recording with mild compression rates, advanced wavelength channel coding, and a self-aligning data track architecture. The SRW series of products uses intra-frame MPEG4 Studio Profile Compression for progressive recording modes, and intra-field for interlaced recording modes. 

Proven, Popular Acceptance, and RGB workflow.
In the RGB spectrum, optioned HDCAM-SR VTRs have provided archive quality compressed high definition digital videotape recordings for Digital Intermediate applications.   HDCAM-SR Studio video mode recording has proven to be a fast and reliable internal and external facility to facility method for RGB master quality content interchange, including (in the SRW-5000 and SRW-5500 and SRW-5800) the use of associated ancillary metadata, and 12 channels of 24-bit PCM audio, proven to be ideal for multi-language applications, and discreet audio elements. 

Audio tracks are also capable of accommodating non-audio AES/EBU data.  HDCAM-SR tapes are widely accepted and often specified for a variety of specialized archive and general master quality applications, including SMPTE production standard 4:2:2 HD formats applicable to feeding broadcast encoders for 4:2:0 ATSC DTV.


Future SRW-5800 data mode option for file exchange.

A future HKSR-5804 data mode record and playback option for the SRW5800 will facilitate the opportunity to exchange uncompressed data through a network interface as 10-bit formatted DPX or 16-Bit formatted Targa files.

Options, Accessories for SRW-5500, SRW-5000 Studio VTR models:

HKSR-5001 Format Converter with pull-down Board
HKSR-5002 Digital Betacam Playack Decoder Board
HKSR-5003 RGB Processor Kit
RMM-110US Rack-Mount Kit

Options, Accessories for SRW-5800 Studio VTR model:
HKSR-5001 Format Converter with pull-down Board
HKSR-5802 HDCAM and Digital Betacam Playback Decoder Board
HKSR-5803SQ RGB SQ Processor Board
HKSR-5803HQ RGB HQ Advanced Processor Board
HKSR-5804 File Transfer Processor Board (Future Option)
RMM-110US Rack-Mount Kit

Notes:
For specific performance contributions of individual accessories (or the lack of them), contact VTP and Sony.


Options, Accessories for SRW1 model:
SRPC-1 HD Video Processor Unit with DC Power Dock & I/O
HKSR-101 Optical Fiber Interface Board
HKSR-102 Picture Cache Board
HKSR-103 RGB 1080/60P 4:4:4 Processor Board
RM-B150 Remote Control Unit
RM-B750 Remote Control Unit
Batteries
AC Adapter

Notes:
HKSR-101 is required for optical fiber interface to Sony HDWF950;
HKSR-102 is required for Genesis Slo-Mo, Select FPS Recording Option;
HKSR-103 requires HKSR-102 and to be docked to F23 Head

(The HKSR-101 Interface does not support power).


The SRPC-1 is the HD Digital VTR Adapter for the SRW-1 with detachable control panel (required for stand-alone record or playback, except as built-in to the Panavision/Sony Genesis).  Although one adapter was originally designed to facilitate 2 SRW1 recording operations, this capability was not enabled, and so it remains that one adapter must accompany each SRW-1 when used in stand-alone (non-docking) record or playback.

Some of the Important Distinctions between Studio VTR Models.


The SRW-5000 model is a studio-type Edit Rec/Player, for HDCAM-SR SQ Mode (only), S or L (Large) Cassettes. It supports 10-Bit Video, MPEG-4 Studio Profile, with 12 Ch 24-bit Audio and HDCAM Playback (HDCAM record is not supported on this model and is not an option for this model). The SRW-5000 is Pre-Read Video and Audio Capable. The edit machine ID returns are unique to the model and system settings.

The SRW-5500 model is a studio-type Edit Rec/Player that adds HDCAM Record capability as standard.  The front panel is a slightly different color, and on the back of the VTR, there is an Analog CUE Input for the HDCAM record Mode.  The edit machine ID returns are unique to the model and system settings.

The SRW-5800 model is a studio-type Edit Rec/Player that differs significantly from the SRW-5000 and SRW-5500.  The SRW-5800 adds 880Mb/s SQ or HQ Record Capability with its unique option Board HKSR-5803HQ.  There is also a future data interface capability with an option Board HKSR-5804. Other changes include no DT heads for HDCAM-SR playback (.5 to 1x VAR range only), no V-fade or Cross-Fade Audio capability, No Pre-Read Capability, No Program Play or Pitch Correction Capability (even with the optional HKSR-5001 installed).  There is no DMC Edit mode playback control.  The edit machine ID returns are unique to the model and system settings.  There is likely a different E-E delay through the SRW-5800 depending on system settings, connectivity, and menu selections.  For other differences and detailed information, contact VTP and Sony, and refer to the simplified charts below.

For both HDCAM-SR SQ Mode and HDCAM, the SRW-5500 and SRW-5000 models support DMC Edit mode playback control, and Tele-File functions (Tele-File read/write for HDCAM depends on the model and Tele-File is an option with HDCAM cassettes available at additional cost, whereas it is standard with HDCAM-SR cassettes).

All of the Studio VTR models and the SRW-1/SRPC1 support RS422 control (of some kind).   The SRW Studio VTR models support Ethernet monitoring of VTR Status by SNMP, or for setting/changing settings by HTTP when in Network Remote Control access (a Java scripted interface is shown to a permissible log to facilitate the user changes).   Metadata handling is also supported in the Studio VTR models, as is HD-SD down conversion with 2:3 pull-down capability with the Format Converter Option required depending on system playback and settings.

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*The new version 2.00 software update applies to and is required for certain functions shown above for the SRW-5800.  Other updates are required for the SRW-1/SRPC1 for some of the functions listed above.   Contact VTP and Sony for additional important information, Sony and VTP are not responsible for errors and omissions in these postings.
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*The new version 2.00 software update applies to and is required for certain functions shown above for the SRW-5800.  Other updates are required for the SRW-1/SRPC1 for some of the functions listed above.   Contact VTP and Sony for additional important information, Sony and VTP are not responsible for errors and omissions in these postings.
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Updated 09/07/08