Sony announces the XDCAM EX

Geoff Murrin · May 7th, 2007, 03:59 PM

I wonder if this new cam can use any brand/after-market express card, or if it has to use the Sony SxS card?

Bill Pryor · May 7th, 2007, 05:10 PM

All the Sony literature has said it will use any off-the-shelf card. Something new: It's not proprietary. That's reason enough to buy it.

David Saraceno · May 9th, 2007, 09:29 AM

I didn't see a reference here, but does this shoot HDV in 4.1.1?

Is this a Long GOP cam?

Heath McKnight · May 9th, 2007, 09:52 AM

I believe it's either 4:2:0 or 4:2:2. NTSC DV is 4:1:1.

heath

Chris Hurd · May 9th, 2007, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Saraceno

does this shoot HDV in 4.1.1?

Since it's not a tape-based camcorder, by definition it's not shooting HDV.

HDV is a tape-based format. Don't confuse it with XDCAM EX or other formats just because they have similar data rates.

David Saraceno · May 9th, 2007, 10:16 AM

Sorry for the mis type.

I meant 4:2:0

However, is this shooting Interframe or Long GOP, or something else?

Thanks

Addendum:

I guess it does shoot mpeg2: "The planned camcorder is based on MPEG-2 compression technology with three, ½-inch imagers."

Gabe Strong · May 9th, 2007, 10:59 AM

Important also to note that although it uses an MPEG-2 compression technology, it has a different (higher) data rate than HDV as well as using VBR instead of CBR. From what I've heard this cam will use at least 35 Mbit VBR instead of HDV's 25 Mbit CBR. So all MPEG-2 compression schemes are NOT equal....this one is already being used in Sony's current HD XD cams and is said to be quite a bit better than HDV, at least from what I've heard.

David Saraceno · May 9th, 2007, 11:03 AM

Gabe:

Thanks.

One issue that took us away from HDV based cams such as the Z1U was how well the footage held up on post.

A secondary issue was the whole conforming process which was lengthy.

Finally, HDV footage didn't look particularly good when taken to either SD and HD DVDs.

Steve Connor · May 9th, 2007, 03:07 PM

Having released a couple of commercial SD DVD's shot at 35mbit HD I can assure you there are no problems with dropping to SD.

35mbit is NOT HDV, although it's Mpeg2 and that scares some people, it's a different codec.

From what I've seen, the EX will slot in perfectly with the XDCam HD cameras. You also have to remember it's a purely Sony Professional product, it's not developed with the domestic market in mind at all.

Heath McKnight · May 9th, 2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Saraceno

One issue that took us away from HDV based cams such as the Z1U was how well the footage held up on post.

A secondary issue was the whole conforming process which was lengthy.

Finally, HDV footage didn't look particularly good when taken to either SD and HD DVDs.

I've had no issues with HDV in post, on any DVDs. I'm using Final Cut Pro. Many tend to convert their footage to an Intermediate Codec to edit.

heath

Bill Pryor · May 9th, 2007, 04:06 PM

My HDV stuff is looking good too, editing with FCP. I keep it 24p all the way. DVDs look great. "Conforming" time is about 2:1--ie., a half hour program takes about an hour to render out.

Brian Standing · May 10th, 2007, 02:33 PM

Sony keeps advertising this as the first of the XDCAM-EX "series" of cameras.

Here's hoping the next in line is a compact, streamlined hard-disk based XDCAM with professional features. An XDCAM version of the SR1, perhaps?

Chris Luker · May 10th, 2007, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Pryor

All the Sony literature has said it will use any off-the-shelf card. Something new: It's not proprietary. That's reason enough to buy it.

The Sony rep at NAB said any card that is fast enough will work. They had 2 different manufacturers cards there on display (including their own). That means that 32 or 64 gb and higher cards should be out sooner rather than later (looking at you P2!).

Craig Hollenback · May 21st, 2007, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Saraceno

Sorry for the mis type.

I meant 4:2:0

However, is this shooting Interframe or Long GOP, or something else?

Thanks

Addendum:

I guess it does shoot mpeg2: "The planned camcorder is based on MPEG-2 compression technology with three, ½-inch imagers."

I believe it's long and 4:2:2, also, I hear release may be early Sept.

Greg Boston · May 21st, 2007, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Standing

Here's hoping the next in line is a compact, streamlined hard-disk based XDCAM with professional features.

Interesting comment. What 'professional features' do you think the camera is missing? Frankly, for a handheld design, this camera is LOADED with professional features including the fully manual Fujinon lens. Other standard switches are located in the right places as well.

Or maybe I misunderstood and you want the camera to change form without losing its professional features.

-gb-

May 9th, 2007, 09:52 AM	#199
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	I believe it's either 4:2:0 or 4:2:2. NTSC DV is 4:1:1. heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

May 7th, 2007, 03:59 PM	#196
Geoff Murrin Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 46	I wonder if this new cam can use any brand/after-market express card, or if it has to use the Sony SxS card?

May 7th, 2007, 05:10 PM	#197
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	All the Sony literature has said it will use any off-the-shelf card. Something new: It's not proprietary. That's reason enough to buy it.

May 9th, 2007, 09:29 AM	#198
David Saraceno Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Inland Northwest Posts: 490	I didn't see a reference here, but does this shoot HDV in 4.1.1? Is this a Long GOP cam?

May 9th, 2007, 10:16 AM	#201
David Saraceno Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Inland Northwest Posts: 490	Sorry for the mis type. I meant 4:2:0 However, is this shooting Interframe or Long GOP, or something else? Thanks Addendum: I guess it does shoot mpeg2: "The planned camcorder is based on MPEG-2 compression technology with three, ½-inch imagers."

May 9th, 2007, 10:59 AM	#202
Gabe Strong Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Juneau, AK Posts: 814	Important also to note that although it uses an MPEG-2 compression technology, it has a different (higher) data rate than HDV as well as using VBR instead of CBR. From what I've heard this cam will use at least 35 Mbit VBR instead of HDV's 25 Mbit CBR. So all MPEG-2 compression schemes are NOT equal....this one is already being used in Sony's current HD XD cams and is said to be quite a bit better than HDV, at least from what I've heard.

May 9th, 2007, 11:03 AM	#203
David Saraceno Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Inland Northwest Posts: 490	Gabe: Thanks. One issue that took us away from HDV based cams such as the Z1U was how well the footage held up on post. A secondary issue was the whole conforming process which was lengthy. Finally, HDV footage didn't look particularly good when taken to either SD and HD DVDs.

May 9th, 2007, 03:07 PM	#204
Steve Connor Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK Posts: 383	Having released a couple of commercial SD DVD's shot at 35mbit HD I can assure you there are no problems with dropping to SD. 35mbit is NOT HDV, although it's Mpeg2 and that scares some people, it's a different codec. From what I've seen, the EX will slot in perfectly with the XDCam HD cameras. You also have to remember it's a purely Sony Professional product, it's not developed with the domestic market in mind at all.

May 9th, 2007, 04:06 PM	#206
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	My HDV stuff is looking good too, editing with FCP. I keep it 24p all the way. DVDs look great. "Conforming" time is about 2:1--ie., a half hour program takes about an hour to render out.

May 10th, 2007, 02:33 PM	#207
Brian Standing Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 621	Sony keeps advertising this as the first of the XDCAM-EX "series" of cameras. Here's hoping the next in line is a compact, streamlined hard-disk based XDCAM with professional features. An XDCAM version of the SR1, perhaps?