Sony is stepping forward with new products aimed at the 3D production marketplace.
One of these is Sony's new MPE-200 3D Processor, which provides a variety of digital adjustments to the stereo imaging HD cameras, allowing a similar control experience to mechanical servos. The MPE-200 digitally simulates several of the adjustments that are currently performed mechanically on higher-end rigs.
The 3D Processor provides stereographic engineers a means to manage camera and rig parameters in order to deliver high-quality 3D images. MPE-controlled systems can also augment higher-end rigs in complicated 3D-live productions.
Also purpose-designed for 3D production is the company's new HDC-P1 full HD compact multipurpose camera, which combines 2/3-inch CCD technology and a two-disc filter servo in a small and lightweight design.
Sony's 3D technology is fully in view in a 53-foot double Expando 3D-enabled HD video production truck, built by All Mobile Video (AMV). In addition to Sony cameras and MPE 200 3D Processors, it features Sony's MVS-8000G multiformat switcher, capable of switching the two-camera inputs necessary for a 3D image as a single source, SRW recording decks, and Sony monitoring.
Sony is showcasing 1080/60p upgrade kits for the HDC-1500 and 1500R series cameras. The kits enable the 1500 series to transmit 1080/50/60p down a single length of fiber, as well as the ability for a camera control unit to output 1080/60p on a single HD SDI connector.
Sony is also exhibiting the HSC-300 and HXC-100 cameras, which both feature a 2/3-inch Power HAD FX CCD with 2.2 million pixels, and are switchable between 1080i and 720p 50/60 Hz, with downconverted 525i and 625 SD modes available from the camera head and CCU.
Also on the show floor is the new HXR-NX5U, which it launched last fall. Part of the company's new NXCAM line, the HXR-NX5U is designed to bring the benefits of seamless and easy-to-use solid-state production capabilities to professionals and "prosumers and is Sony's first professional camcorder to implement the AVCHD format. It records AVCHD up to 24Mbps on Flash media to deliver 1920x1080 HD images with both interlace and progressive modes along with native 1080/24p, 720/60p and MPEG-2 SD recording. It sports the same 20x optical zoom G lens used in Sony's HVR-Z5U professional camcorder.
Two new XDCAM EX camcorders are also on display — the shoulder-mount PMW-350 and EX1 form-factor PMW-EX1R, both designed to deliver new levels of creativity and flexibility for solid-state digital production. The PMW-350 is Sony's first 2/3-inch CMOS memory camcorder, providing full HD 1920x1080 images.
—Craig Johnston