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Sony

XDCAM High Definition Optical Media Systems

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Sony Broadcast (Southern Calif.), Sony Professional

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Check This Out XDCAMHD Cameras

Sony XDCAM High Definition Recorders/Players

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-F330L 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.  

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.
Sony PDW-F75
XDCAM HD Recorder Deck

XDCAM Optical Media;
Uses Professional Disc Dual Layer
or Single Layer Media;

PDWF75.jpg (3729 bytes)
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

XDCAM HD Recorder/Player
Switchable Compression -
Professional Disc Recording
18/25/35 Mb/s MP@HL1440
1080 8-bit MPEG-2 4:2:0
Compressed High Definition
or
XDCAM DV (DVCAM) Playback
525/59.94 4:1:1 or 625/50 4:2:0

PDZ-1 Windows Proxy
Browsing Software for 2Mb/s
MPEG-4 Proxy basic editing
is included with the PDW-F75.

XDCAM HD Dual Layer Media
PFD50DLA.jpg (3345 bytes)
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.
35Mb/s HD = About 145 Min.
25Mb/s HD = About 190 Min.
18Mb/s = About 250 Min.
DVCAM = About 185 Min.


The XDCAM HD Family of "Decks"
Sony offers two unique XDCAM HD Media "decks", the PDW-F75 Dual Layer/Single Layer Recorder, and the PDW-F30 Single Layer Viewer.

HD-SDI 23.98PsF Capability on PDW-F75.
 
The PDW-F75 comes equipped with an HD-SDI interface that supports internal recording and playback of native XDCAM HD 23.98P frame rates as 23.98PsF* for HD-SDI transfer with time code and embedded audio.  This allows interconnectivity through HD-SDI at 23.98PsF fps to an HDW or SRW series VTR for tape-based mastering without the use of pull-down.  This native frame rate support is also available on the PDW-F355L camcorder HD-SDI output.

New Features to the PDW-F75 include: The ability to increase recording time using Dual Layer PFD-50DLA Media, or continue to use Single Layer Media formatted as XDCAM HD or DVCAM; Clip Continuous record Function (for creating a single, large clip with multiple record start & stop orientation, through RS-422A, 232C, or special Record Trigger sent over HD-SDI from HDW-7xx, 900R, PDW HD camcorder only); Downconverter improvement over PDW-F70 to 486 active line select output, versus 480 in the PDW-F70, Image Enhancement mode OFF, Edge Crop/Letter Box/Squeeze can be selected as down convert output while recording HD; REF Lock Mode while in playback can be set via menu; Memory Stick Pro Media (Up to 2GB) is supported.

*Note: optional pull-down add on HD-SDI output is available for the PDW-F75, but there is no pull-down removeal on input.  The HD Analog component outputs on the "monitor" output D-sub 15 pin connector of both the PDW-F70 and PDW-F30 had forced 2-3 pull-down conversion for 23.98 system playback.  Contact VTP and Sony for additinal information regarding the PDW-F75 analog output capability.

Special Optional Boards for Connections.
 
There are four possible optional boards for the PDW-F75 and PDW-F30 decks.  The optional PDBK-101 GigE interface can be installed in one (the first) fixed position in either deck.  Yet only one of the other optional boards can be installed in the second position in the PDW-F75 or PDW-F70: the PDBK-102 (HDV-2 MPEG-2 TS interface board), the PDBK-103 (HD Analog Component/RGB shared connector input board), or the PDBK-104 (SD-SDI interface and SD composite analog input board with up-conversion capability).  Only two optional boards can be installed in the PDW-F30: the PDBK-101 GigE interface as mentioned above, and the PDBK-102 (HDV-2 MPEG-2 TS interface board).

The PDW-F75, and PDW-F30 each provide a 6-pin I.LINKŪ interface for .MXF FAM (File Access Mode), or DV output (with HD downconvert to DV with time code and locked audio).   When the optional PDBK-102 HDV Board is installed in the PDW-F75 Recording and PDW-F30 Viewing "decks", a pre-recorded 25Mb/s XDCAM HD disc can be converted to HDV-2 mode and output on the PDBK-102 HDV board as AV/C HDV-2 transport stream to allow HDV connectivity to compatible HDV-2 1080i tape recorders and editing systems such as the optional HVR-M15U and HVR-M25U HDV-2 VTRs.  Additionally, both the PDW-F75 and PDW-F30 can record HDV-2 compliant transport streams through the optional PDBK-102 HDV Board.

Thumbnail Search and Scene Selection.

The 16:9 3.5" diagonal color LCD screen on the "decks" enables thumbnail search and scene selection functionality. These functions 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 AV.

Both the PDW-F75 and the PVW-F30* can 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.   Metadata is also supported (including date/time/location and edit list "scripts").

*Note: but in the PDW-F30, his is only available when in HDV-2 record mode with the optional PDBK-102 HDV-2 MPEG-2 TS I/O board and with compliant HDV-2 constant bit rate streams being input).

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-F30
XDCAM HD Player
Single Layer PFD Media only

pdwf30smtr1.gif (8184 bytes)
RS422A (limited) Control
and selective optional record capability
on Single Layer PFD media only
(see optional boards at the right).
Note: The IMX Codec choices that
XDCAM standard definition products
are using is not supported in this model.
Purchase from VTP

XDCAM HD Single Layer Media
professionaldiscbox.jpg (3190 bytes)
PFD23 (now the PFD23A)
23.3 GB Storage Capacity

Uses 405 nm (blue-violet) Laser
72 Mb/s (per optical head)
120 mm (4 5/8") Disc Diameter.

XDCAM Media is highly resistant
to shock,
scratches, heat, humidity,
and the affects of X-Rays.


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Updated 03/31/08