Sony announces the XDCAM EX

[Steve Connor]

I got to see the EX briefly yesterday and had a very intriguing chat with a Sony guy who hinted there is a LOT more to be announced with this camera, especially in terms of price, lens and chip set. I was very impressed with the look and feel of it - all will be revealed at IBC apparently.

[Alex Leith]

Originally Posted by Steve Connor

...all will be revealed at IBC apparently.

I can't wait that long... ;-D

[Piotr Wozniacki]

Originally Posted by Steve Connor

I got to see the EX briefly yesterday and had a very intriguing chat with a Sony guy who hinted there is a LOT more to be announced with this camera, especially in terms of price, lens and chip set. I was very impressed with the look and feel of it - all will be revealed at IBC apparently.

Steve, can you tell us how much bigger and heavier than the Z1 the EX really is?

[Steve Connor]

I wasn't allowed to handle it but it looked a little bigger but not much.

[Gabe Strong]

"I got to see the EX briefly yesterday and had a very intriguing chat with a Sony guy who hinted there is a LOT more to be announced with this camera, especially in terms of price, lens and chip set. I was very impressed with the look and feel of it - all will be revealed at IBC apparently."

I've heard similiar hints and suggestions. I think Simon knows!! But he probably can't tell us. O well, I can wait. If this camera is what it sounds like......let's just say it will probably be the one to convince me to upgrade from the world of SD. I'm excited to see what they announce in September.......

[Steve Connor]

I'd be very surprised if Simon knows knows!

[Heath McKnight]

I got to pick it up at the Sony conference and it reminded me of the HVX in size and dimensions, and weighed about the same as the Z1.

heath

[Gabe Strong]

Well, from what I understand the DVD on how to use the EX is going to be released in September and Simon is one of the people shooting for the DVD. And I think they are using the EX to shoot all of the material for the DVD....that's ONE of the reasons I think he may have some info on what the final camera will look like:
(see here)
http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=159

[Paulo Teixeira]

Originally Posted by Gabe Strong

Well, from what I understand the DVD on how to use the EX is going to be released in September and Simon is one of the people shooting for the DVD. And I think they are using the EX to shoot all of the material for the DVD....that's ONE of the reasons I think he may have some info on what the final camera will look like:
(see here)
http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=159

I’ve read that earlier today and if you click on the link after “more info can be found at” you’ll read this: “Using three 1/2" pickup devices with a native resolution of 1440x1080 (subject to change)” I think Sony’s main goal is to have 1920X1080 imagers with much better lowlight capabilities than the PD170 but they’ll stick with 1440X1080 if it’s not good enough.


It’s true that this camcorder will obviously have a bit rate of around 35mbps in one of the modes but the only surprise that it may have that worth any news is announcing that it’s also going to use the nearly developed 50mbps codec. I also think the Ferrari F355 I mean Sony F355 might use the 50mbps codec as well even though Sony may deny it. Anything’s possible until these cameras are released.

[Theodore McNeil]

Connected to "DVD guide to the Sony XDCAM EX" site, there is a pretty good "Ten reasons why the XDCAM EX makes sense"

my favorite is #2

"The cost of the SxS Express Cards are much cheaper than other solid-state options and they can be bought over the counter in high street stores. ExpressCard is not a Sony invention, it is the PCMCIA industry standard that has replaced the older PCMCIA PC card. This is likely to ensure that prices will come down even faster in the future."

http://www.xdcamex.co.uk/aboutex.php

[Harm Millaard]

It now appears Sony has decided on CCD's and not on CMOS chips. The one thing still unclear, at least possibly until the IBC in September, is whether these CCD's will use a Bayer RGB filter or a more efficient CMY filter, which would drastically improve low light capabilities and provide a better signal to noise ratio. This year's IBC will be interesting......

[Piotr Wozniacki]

Is the XDCAM HD 24/25/30p written as PsF, or full discrete frames?

[Alex Leith]

I believe it's PsF.

[David Heath]

Originally Posted by Harm Millaard

The one thing still unclear, at least possibly until the IBC in September, is whether these CCD's will use a Bayer RGB filter or a more efficient CMY filter, which .........

A couple of posts up, the spec is given as “Using three 1/2" pickup devices with a native resolution of 1440x1080 (subject to change)” , so I don't think it will be either Bayer or CMY filtering - these only apply to single chip sensors.

[Aidan Wynne]

Is this camera coming out in November???