Sony Powers Creativity with Enhanced Professional Imaging Products and Solutions
PARAMUS, N.J., April 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Electronics Inc. today unveiled new solutions and products developed in collaboration with the media industry to bring creative visions to life. Key highlights include powerful enhancements to Sony's digital motion picture camera VENICE and full-frame camera FX9, and upgrades to its 4K HDR professional monitors. Sony also expands its portfolio of Ci cloud-based collaboration and content management tools with an enhanced hybrid asset management solution that unifies Ci and NavigatorX, as well as a new Media Analytics Portal.
"Our industry is seeing rapid evolution as the need to develop content for cross-platform distribution has transformed both the creative process and post-production workflows," said Theresa Alesso, Pro Division president, Sony Electronics. "We are driven to provide the industry with essential technologies that enable them to continue efficient operation, even in difficult circumstances. We are also driven by our customers' needs to optimize content for live broadcast, cloud-based management and storage, and OTT on-demand consumption. There is no such thing as single-platform distribution anymore. Our goal is to help customers maximize their return on investment with technologies that enable them to reach the broadest possible audience, across the widest array of distribution channels, and with the simplest production process."
Unlocking new power from industry-leading imaging solutions
For 2020, Sony is expanding its imaging portfolio and product functionality, offering an enhanced range of solutions that maximize content quality and value and enhance the operations of content producers and broadcasters.
Cinema, TV program, commercial and documentary productions
-- VENICE Version 6.0 firmware: Sony expands the capabilities of its
digital motion picture camera VENICE to offer even greater creative
freedom and usability for creators of features, episodic and short-form
content. Launching in November 2020, Version 6.0 firmware supports the
import of a new Advanced Rendering Transform (.art) file including a new
"Technicolor look library," addition of second user frame line and
expanded HFR capabilities, among other new features.
-- FX9 Version 2.0 firmware: The FX9 full-frame camera Version 2.0 firmware
will expand shooting capabilities and improve its user operation.
Launching in October 2020, Version 2.0 supports 4K 60p/50p recording
through oversampling from a 5K cropped area of 6K full-frame sensor,
16-bit RAW external output and more.
Additional new VENICE and FX9 product features are detailed in the announcement, Sony Expands Filmmaking Versatility and Creative Freedom with VENICE and FX9 Full-frame Cameras Upgrades
Supporting News and Live Productions
-- PXW-Z450KC Lens Kit Model: The PXW-Z450 4K 2/3" Shoulder Mount Camcorder
will be available in a production package that will include a 18x zoom
4K lens, viewfinder and microphone. The PXW-Z450KC will be available in
August 2020.
-- PXW-Z190(1) and PXW-Z280: Simple Live Streaming support in early 2021:
Sony's 4K handheld compact camcorders will be enhanced with RTMP/RTMPS
FHD streaming capability, allowing users to live stream and upload to
video content sharing sites and social media platforms quickly, anytime
and anywhere.
-- MSU-3500 and MSU-3000, Master Setup Unit, multi-camera remote control
panel for system camera: The master setup unit is a control panel for
camera configuration and maintenance. Both units are equipped with a new
7" WVGA LCD touch panel for better user visibility. The MSU-3500 is half
rack with vertically orientation, while the MSU-3000 is a full rack
width and is horizontally oriented. Both will be available in summer
2020.
-- PDW-U4 XDCAM Professional Disc Drive Unit: The PDW-U4, to be available
in January 2021, is a portable, easy to use Disc Drive Unit with high
capacity up to 128GB (Write Once), 100GB (Rewritable) and supports
four/three/two/single-layer XDCAM Professional Disc media. Adopting
4-channel DCHS (Dual Channel Head System) drive, the PDW-U4 achieves
file transfer speeds of approximately 2 times (read) / 1.7 times
(write)(2)- faster than the current PDW-U2. The PDW-U4 offers a fast
workflow for ingesting camera record files and archiving the final edit.
Cross-portfolio support for HDR
With the demand for HDR content continuing to grow, Sony is fully committed to supporting HDR across its professional solutions portfolio.
-- SR Live Metadata: SR Live workflow focuses on creating the best Live HDR
and SDR programs simultaneously produced by a single production unit.
Sony HDC camera settings are captured by the camera and sent throughout
the production process. This allows the SDR production to be perfectly
replicated, as intended by the shading craftsperson. Only the HDR
signals need to be switched and routed, eliminating the need to add
separate production staff to handle the SDR. SR Live Metadata is already
supported by the HDRC-4000 HDR production converter unit and PWS-4500
production server. In summer 2020, Sony's live production systems, such
as HDC-series system cameras with in-CCU recording capability, will also
be supported. In addition, file-based production systems, such as the
PXW-Z750, PXW-Z450 and PXW-X400(3) professional camcorders, will support
SR Live Metadata with the application software Catalyst Prepare by the
end of 2020.
-- CBKZ-SLHL1- Optional HD HDR License for the PXW-X400: The PXW-X400 is an
advanced 2/3" Shoulder Mount Camcorder that records a variety of
broadcast quality formats. With optimal weight balance, low power
consumption and flexible networking features, the PXW-X400 is a
versatile workhorse for field production. Coming in July 2020, the
CBKZ-SLHL1 optional software license will add 1080 60p/50p HDR
capability to the model.
-- PVM-X2400 and PVM-X1800 - update: Announced earlier this year, the
PVM-X2400 (24") and PVM-X1800 (18.4") next-generation 4K HDR picture
monitors with TRIMASTER technology support an all-white luminance of
1,000 cd/m(2) and match 100 percent of the color gamut of the
industry-leading BVM-HX310 TRIMASTER HX master monitor, ensuring color
accuracy from production to post. After an official launch scheduled in
July 2020, a future optional upgrade is planned in March 2021 that will
enhance the monitors further by adding internal conversion of HDR to SDR
and 4K-HD.
-- XVS series production switcher update and new option board: In order to
meet the growing demand for 4K HDR production, the XVS series switcher
newly supports HDR conversion. Sony will also offer two new mix effect
boards: the XKS-8215 for the XVS-9000/8000 switcher, and XKS-7215 for
the XVS-7000 switcher. The new boards offer four fully functional keyers
per 4K ME, with resizers, chroma key, and key priority. The HDR
conversion support and these new boards will be available in early 2021.
Pushing the boundaries of efficiency with IP Live Production
As pioneers in IP, Sony has delivered IP Live production systems to more than 100 live studios and OB trucks as of April 2020, to customers such as Groupe TVA and NFL Network. Updates to several IP Live solutions will offer new efficiencies and ROI for broadcasters across the globe.
-- Further Enhancement of Open Standards based production systems:Sony has
been making significant contributions to the development of Open
Standards based production systems. For example, at the latest Joint
Task Force on Networked Media (JT-NM) event that took place in March
2020, Sony confirmed that its IP Live production ecosystem conforms to
the latest SMPTE ST 2110 and AMWA NMOS standards to truly enable
interoperability for its customers to build the most advanced and
future-focused systems using IP technology.
-- SDI-IP Converter Boards update: The NXLK-IP50Y/IP51Y follow SMPTE ST2110
standards, capable of video signal conversions of HD, 4K, SDI and IP.
Compatible with ST 2110-20/30/40 streaming formats and offering very low
latency signal conversion, it is ideal for integration in real-time IP
Live production environments. In September 2020, SDR/HDR and Up/Down
Conversion licenses will receive an enhancement to add color correction.
New licenses to support audio delay capability will be available at the
same time.
Transforming operations with the cloud
Sony has developed a variety of services that leverage the cloud to streamline production, editorial and delivery workflows. The latest updates to the services include:
-- Enhancement of Ci Media Cloud Platform: Designed to bring disparate
systems and redundant file transfers into a single unified platform, Ci
plans to have updates in May 2020, including launch of Ci Catalog. Ci
Catalog streamlines asset management for large media enterprises and
enables better management of finished assets, streamlining work for
marketing, sales, distribution and archive teams.
-- Enhanced hybrid operation of NavigatorX and Ci: Sony will provide a
world-class hybrid asset management solution from June 2020, unlike
anything the industry has seen. Customers will be able to manage content
in any facility or in the cloud.
Integrating Artificial Intelligence into media workflows
-- Media Analytics Portal: Sony's newly launched cloud-based solution
supports content creators with its diverse AI analytics models and
services, including object recognition and speech-to-text through a
single Web-based portal. It also seamlessly integrates with Ci Media
Cloud Services, XDCAM air and Media Backbone NavigatorX. Whether used
for sports content management or program production, Media Analytics
Portal enhances media workflows by augmenting metadata and automating
media processes for greater efficiency and productivity. Expected
availability begins fall 2020.
For more information about the latest professional technologies from Sony, please visit pro.sony
About Sony Electronics Inc.
Sony Electronics is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America and an affiliate of Sony Corporation (Japan), one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world, with a portfolio that encompasses electronics, music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming, robotics and financial services. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Sony Electronics is a leader in electronics for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, engineering, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service. Sony Electronics creates products that innovate and inspire generations, such as the award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary high-resolution audio products. Sony is also a leading manufacturer of end-to-end solutions from 4K professional broadcast and A/V equipment to industry leading 4K and 8K Ultra HD TVs. Visit http://www.sony.com/news for more information.
(1 )CBKZ-SLNW1 optional license is required.
(2 )Write Speed depends on PC proxy creation speed.
(3)( )CBKZ-SLHL1 optional license is required.
View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-powers-creativity-with-enhanced-professional-imaging-products-and-solutions-301050125.html
SOURCE Sony Electronics Inc.
