Archive of the Cameras Category

As with the announcement of the new LED-backlit display (which Dan Ochiva reported about earlier), Sony made a few other exciting announcements that would seem to take the company in new technological directions.

The announcement of the XDCAM HD 4:2:2 format represents logical — but significant — progress for Sony’s current HD MPEG-2 acquisition strategy. But even as it announced a new dual-layer XDCAM disc that records 50GB, Sony also made some noise about a wholly new recording medium that leverages open standards and off-the-shelf technology. more

Nearly five years ago at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival‘s technology gathering, Vince Pace brought a 3D rig that was two Sony F900s–maybe they were F950s–literally taped together…with tape. Since then, Pace and James Cameron have been chasing the 3D dream with a conviction that only deep pockets can enable.

The Sony press conference opened with a far more polished version of Pace/Cameron 3D. It’s called Fusion and it’s had a successful workout by the NBA. So successful that the NBA is considering extending the reach of the All Star games with international 3D broadcasts. The idea that movie theaters could also be used for these types of special presentations has been around since the beginning of digital cinema. Is this progress? Stay tuned, so to speak. more

At its press conference this afternoon, Panasonic unveiled nothing too surprising. Of course, that can be seen as a testament to the prudence of its current direction — namely, nonlinear acquisition via solid-state media in the form of P2 cards. (Not to mention the fact that Panasonic previewed its most prominent NAB product announcements in February.) (Read the press release at The Briefing Room: 2007 NAB Newslink) Indeed, Panasonic’s most oft-repeated announcement during its NAB press conference was the new five-year warranty that will be standard for all full-size P2 camcorders and related field equipment.

So what were the specifics? Well, our editors covered two of the big announcements before the show: the HPX500, a full-size 2/3in. 3CCD P2 HD camcorder with interchangeable lenses (for an agressive $14K) and the tiny HSC1U, a 1.1lb. camcorder that shoots long-GOP AVCHD to SD Store memory (not P2; $2,099). more

Among the slew of cinematographers attending the Digital Cinema Summit today was Robert Primes, ASC. Today was the second time in a week I bumped into Bob. He was among the ASC members who attend a special event at Dalsa‘s Woodland Hills, CA, headquarters last week to offer a look at a prototype of the new Evolution 4k Camera (billed by Dalsa as the “smaller, lighter version of its big brother, the Origin II,” not available until 2008). At the invitation of company president Rob Hummel, Primes and the other DP’s were urged to “think outside the box” and offer Dalsa their criticisms and suggestions for the technology’s direction. Most of the DP’s that evening, including Primes, seemed satisfied with the image quality and creative potential of Dalsa’s cameras, and were instead focused on an ongoing issue–size and ergonomics. Primes was among those who grilled Hummel and his colleagues hard that night. more

I blew into town this morning with an hour‘s sleep, expecting not much more than a slow day of stem-winding Digital Cinema Summit panels perfect for napping. Instead I got a fast day of welcome surprises.

Cooling my jets in the press lounge while a squad of black-clad IT guys tapped at my iBook trying to puzzle out why the friendliest of laptops can‘t connect to NAB‘s wireless network — after a 20-minute session, the verdict: “Your computer and our network don‘t get along.” No point in my pointing out that that every notebook in sight is a Mac — I encountered CML‘s Geoff Boyle, brimming with excitement. (Geoff, a U.K.-based Director of Photography, founded and runs the influential Cinematography Mailing List, an Internet exchange for professional DPs, ACs, DITs, and camera techs.) more

New Additions to XDCAM Family Include High-performance HD 4:2:2 Capable Models and Flash Memory Recording in a “Handy” Camcorder

LAS VEGAS, NAB Booth# SU906, April 15, 2007 – Sony is continuing the evolution of its XDCAM® line of tapeless acquisition by unveiling new technologies at NAB. These include recording to ExpressCard high-speed flash media, as well as 50 Mbps 4:2:2 optical disc recording. Read on at The Briefing Room: 2007 NAB Newslink

* 2.2M 2/3” 3-CCDs Team with AVC-Intra to Delivers Near D-5 HD Quality Images*

LAS VEGAS, NV (April 15, 2007) – Here at NAB, Panasonic revealed its new AJ-HPX3000, a five-slot P2 HD camcorder capable of producing full-raster 1920 x 1080 high definition images, the highest HD recording quality in a one-piece camcorder.

With its built-in AVC-Intra intra-frame compression, the AJ-HPX3000 shoulder-mount camcorder can produce near D-5 HD recording quality, in addition to offering industry-standard DVCPRO50/ HD content compatibility for high-end productions including episodic television, filmmaking and commercial production. Read on at The Briefing Room: 2007 NAB Newslink

Yesterday I blogged that my eyes had seen the glory of the coming of 4K (hum that to the Battle Hymn of the Republic, you won’t get it out of your head) at Filmlight’s demonstration of 4K color grading of 4K Dalsa Origin clips over a Sony 4K SXRD projector. But that was yesterday. Today my eyes have a new hero: NHK’s Ultra High Definition Video, which delivers sixteen times the definition of HD. And seeing is believing. more