XDCAM HD Sony

Sony XDCAM High Definition Optical Media Systems

Special Notes: Sony designed and introduced a revolutionary new tapeless optical disc recording system of special camcorders, and supporting devices for production and post-production applications, based on a Blu-ray optical laser professional wavelength and professional Blu-ray DVD media called "XDCAM". Back in 2006, XDCAM HD was introduced to offer users unprecedented advantages over tape-based media for high definition raster content, such as non-linear access, proxy and metadata handling, robust recording and playback with inexpensive re-useable professional optical disc media, and a longer projected shelf life.

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 XDCAM HD Dual Layer Sony PDW-F355L XDCAM HD Camcorder; XDCAM Optical Media; Uses Professional Disc Dual Layer or Single Layer Media; Switchable Compression 18/25/35 Mb/s MP@HL1440 1080 8-bit MPEG-2 4:2:0 Compressed High Definition or DVCAM on Professional Disc 25Mb/s DVCAM Codec 8-bit MJPEG DV Compressed 525/59.94 4:1:1 or 625/50 4:2:0 Purchase from VTP PDZ-1 Windows Proxy Browsing Software for 2Mb/s MPEG-4 Proxy basic editing is included with the PDW-F355L and the PDWF75. Note: The photo above shows options such as a lens, and battery, which are not included in the base price of the PDW-F355L. 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. 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-F355L High Definition Dual Layer Media camcorder, and a new XDCAM HD Dual Layer Media "deck", the PDW-F75 Recorder. These new products are able to use new 50GB Dual Layer XDCAM Media PFD-50DLA, basically 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. For XDCAM HD Dual Layer work flow, you should be aware that the only XDCAM HD Dual Layer devices currently introduced are the PDW-F355L camcorder and PDW-F75 recorder. The XDCAM HD Single Layer Media Family, which included the now discontinued PDW-F70, the PDW-F30 Viewer, the PDW-F350L, and PDW-F330, currently remain incompatible with Dual Layer Media, as they are Single Layer PFD-23 and PFD-23A recording and playback devices only. Contact VTP and Sony for additional information. XDCAM HD Imaging based on Proven Industry Standards. The PDW-F355L XDCAM High Definition Camcorder incorporates three 1/2" Progressive 1.5M SuperHAD™ CCDs for image capture. This innovative camcorder uses a traditional BVFV20 2.0 inch monochrome viewfinder and has a built-in 3.5 inch color LCD monitor as well. The compression system for HD 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 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, and the camcorder can be Genlocked. 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. The color LCD screen on the camera and select "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-F355L and the PVW-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. Metadata is also supported (including date/time/location and edit list "scripts"). Connectivity. HD-SDI output is standard on the PDW-F355L camcorder and HD-SDI is a standard input/output on the PDW-F75 (both native 23.98 camera frame rates are actually supported at the HD-SDI interface on the PDW-F75, as 23.98 PsF, and the PDW-F355L). The PDW-F355L, and PDW-F75 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, these camcorders offer some other unique features as well, such as 4 channel 48 kHz audio at 16-bit in either the DVCAM mode or the 25Mb/s and 35Mb/s MPEG-2 HD modes. XDCAM's New USB 2.0 HD/SD Dual/Single Layer Drive. Because there is a need for flexibility in reading both IMX SD codec formatted XDCAM Media, as well as HD formatted Dual Layer Media, the PDW-U1 USB 2.0 drive has been introduced, for connecting to NLE systems with special OEM functions like SAM Simple Access Mode, and VFAM Virtual File Access Mode (note: in first implementation, read only is supported, and write back functionality with the SAM or VFAM or any modes will be supported by select Sony alliance partners in the future, but for now remains root protected, and will probably not be available until approximately May of 2008). The PDW-U1 unit does not ship with a power cord, which must be ordered separately at additional cost. 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-F75 XDCAM HD Recorder Deck XDCAM Optical Media; Uses Professional Disc Dual Layer or Single Layer Media; 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 Note: This PDW-U1 is initially shipping as a Read-only device, as the Sony root protected write functions (folder permissions cannot be changed) are probably not going to be available until approximately May of 2008. 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 and DVCAM Codecs, in both Single Layer and Dual Layer form.


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	Updated 03/31/08


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