New Nonlinear
Recording Media, SxSPRO - For Greater Efficiency, Operability, and Reliability
The
XDCAM
EX series adopts the SxSPRO
memory card for its recording media, which Sony and SanDisk Corporation
jointly developed specifically for professional content creation applications.
The SxS
PRO memory card is an ultra-compact nonlinear medium that uses flash memory
with a number of key features:
-
Compatible with ExpressCard3/4
interface slot which is common on modern Windows PCs and Macs
-
Uses
PCI
Express interface and achieves an extremely high "read" speed of 800 Mb/s*
-
Large storage capacity: SBP-8 (8 GB)
and SBP-16 (16 GB) memory cards are available. One SBP-8 (8 GB) memory card
is supplied with the PMW-EX1
-
Can record up to 70 minutes of HD
video and audio (using one 16-GB memory card)
-
Compact size: approx. 75 � 34 � 5 mm
(excluding the projecting parts) - half the size of the older PC Card
standard
-
Low power consumption
-
Highly reliable: can resist shocks
(up to 1500 G) and vibrations (up to 15 G)
*This data-transfer speed is a
theoretical value. Actual data-transfer speed depends on the file type and the
performance of the PC.
1920 x 1080 HD Recording Using the
"MPEG-2 Long GOP"
Codec
The PMW-EX1 camcorder records 1920 x
1080 HD images using the "MPEG-2 Long
GOP"
codec, which conforms to the MPEG-2 MP@HL compression standard. "MPEG-2 Long
GOP"
is a mature codec - also adopted by the
XDCAM
HD and HDV
1080i series of products - which enables users to record stunning-quality HD
video and audio with highly efficient, reliable data compression.
Selectable Bit Rates
The PMW-EX1 camcorder offers a choice
of bit rates - either 35 Mb/s (HQ mode) or 25 Mb/s (SP mode) - depending on
the desired picture quality and recording time. The HQ mode supports both 1920
x 1080 and 1280 x 720 resolutions. The SP mode supports 1440 x 1080 resolution
at 25 Mb/s, which provides compatibility with
HDV
1080i products.
Footage recorded in this SP mode can
be seamlessly integrated into
HDV-compatible editing systems
by transferring the stream from the camcorder via the
i.LINK�
(HDV�)
interface. It can also be recorded on
XDCAM
HD's optical disc through the use of the supplied Clip Browser software.
Long Recording Time
Utilising a mature and highly
efficient compression format together with high performance
SxS
memory cards, the PMW-EX1 can record superb quality HD images for an
exceptional 70 minutes* on a single 16Gb
SxS
card. As the PMW-EX1 features two memory card slots, this recording time is
easily doubled to 140 minutes (with two 16Gb cards) and when recording across
two cards, the transition is seamless without any frame loss. This feature
makes the PMW-EX1 an ideal camcorder for a wide variety of content production
applications, including wedding and event shooting, that require a long
recording time.
*When recording in HQ (35 Mb/s) mode, recording time may be more than the
above specified figure depending on the actual bit rate that is adopted during
VBR
encoding.
Multiple-format Recording - 1080/720
and Interlace/Progressive
Switchable Operation
The PMW-EX1 camcorder offers a wide
array of recording formats for multiple content creation applications.
Scanning mode is switchable
between 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, and 1440 x 1080 resolutions. Frame rate is
also selectable from interlace and progressive - 59.94i, 50i, 29.97P, 25P, and
native 23.98P*.
In addition, 59.94P and 50P
progressive recording is available in 1280 x 720 mode. The
SxS
memory card can simultaneously hold multiple files of any of these recording
formats, allowing for flexible use of the memory card.
*In 1440 x 1080/23.98P (SP) mode,
images are handled as 23.98P and recorded as 59.94i signals through means of
2-3 pull-down.
High-quality Uncompressed Audio
Recording
In addition to HD video recording,
high-quality audio is an equally significant feature in the
XDCAM
EX system. The PMW-EX1 camcorder records and plays back high-quality,
two-channel 16-bit, 48-kHz linear
PCM
uncompressed audio.
IT Friendly
With the
XDCAM
EX series, recordings are made as data files in the "MP4" format, which is
widely used in a number of recent electronic portable devices and has been
standardized by ISO.
The file-based recording allows material to be handled with great flexibility
in an IT-based environment - easily available for copying, transferring,
sharing, and archiving. All these operations are accomplished without any
"digitizing" process required.
File-based data copying allows for degradation-free dubbing of AV content,
which can be performed easily on a PC. The file-based recording system also
allows for material to be viewed directly on a PC - simply by inserting the
SxS
memory card into the
ExpressCard slot on a PC or
Mac, or by linking a PC/Mac to the
XDCAM
EX unit via a USB2 connection. This works in just the same way as a PC reading
files on an external drive. The file-based operation can dramatically improve
the efficiency and quality of professional video applications.
Immediate Recording Start and No
Overwriting Footage
By virtue of recording on flash memory
card, the XDCAM
EX can start recording virtually the instant the camcorder is turned on.
Moreover, the XDCAM
EX system automatically records on an empty area of the card - there's no
danger of overwriting existing content.
This is extremely convenient, as camera operators do not have to worry about
accidentally recording over good takes, and they don't have to search through
footage for the correct position to start the next recording. In short, it
means the camera is always ready for the next shot!
Instant-access Thumbnail Search with
"Expand" Function
Each time a recording is started and
stopped on the XDCAM
EX camcorder, the video and audio signals are recorded as one clip. During
playback, users can cue-up to the next or previous clip simply by pressing the
'Next' or 'Previous' button, as you would do on a CD or DVD player.
Furthermore, thumbnails are automatically generated for each clip as a visual
reference, allowing operators to cue-up to a desired scene simply by guiding
the cursor to a thumbnail and pressing the 'Play' button.
For further convenience, the 'Expand' function allows one selected clip in the
Thumbnail display to be divided into 12 even-time intervals, each with their
own thumbnail identifier. This is useful if you want to quickly search for a
particular scene within a lengthy clip.
1/2-inch type Three
Exmor�
CMOS
Sensors
The PMW-EX1 is equipped with three
newly developed 1/2-inch type
Exmor�
CMOS
Sensors, each with an effective pixel count of 1920 (H) x 1080 (V), which
delivers excellent picture performance with full HD resolution. This 1/2-inch
type image sensor, using Sony's advanced accumulated sensor technologies,
allows the camcorder to provide an excellent sensitivity of F10, a remarkable
signal-to-noise ratio of 54 dB, and a high horizontal resolution of 1000 TV
lines*.
In addition, this large 1/2-inch type image sensor can capture images with a
shallower depth of field than smaller-size image sensors, giving users more
creative freedom of expression. What's more, the
Exmor
CMOS
sensor is a unique design that deploys an A/D converter to each column of
pixels, resulting in a much lower clock speed than conventional
CMOS
sensors. This makes it possible to greatly reduce power consumption of the
camcorder.
*In 1920 x 1080/59.94i mode
Wide-angle
Fujinon
14x Zoom Lens
The PMW-EX1 is equipped with a superb
Fujinon
14x zoom lens specifically designed for the PMW-EX1 to offer optimum picture
performance. It offers a wide angle of view of 5.8 mm (equivalent to 31.4 mm
on a 35 mm lens), and many other convenient features for diverse shooting
situations.
Unique Focus Operation ? Professional
Manual Focus and Auto Focus
The lens adopts a newly developed and
unique focus ring mechanism, which offers two types of manual focus, plus an
auto focus operation. The PMW-EX1 camcorder is equipped with two independent
focus wheel mechanisms, which can be switched by sliding the focus ring itself
back and forth.
When the focus ring is in the front
position, the lens works in the same way as a typical auto focus lens on a
handheld camcorder. In this case, either manual or auto focus mode can be
selected by the AF/MF switch on the lens. On the other hand, when the focus
ring is set to the back position, the lens has an absolute focus position, and
works in the same way as interchangeable-lens cameras, which professional
users are familiar with.
Three Independent Rings
In addition to the unique focus ring,
the PMW-EX1 camcorder is equipped with independent rings for zoom and iris
adjustment. These are located adjacent to the focus ring, in the same layout
as is common on shoulder-type camcorders. This gives users a high level of
operational comfort and control.
AF Assist
The AF (Auto Focus) Assist function
enables operators to manually change focus positions using the focus ring
during AF mode. This means that AF reference focus positions can be shifted to
manually changed positions.
MF Assist
The MF (Manual Focus) Assist function
helps to precisely focus on the target subject when shooting in MF mode. When
the MF Assist is turned on, auto focus is momentarily activated and finely
focuses on the subject closest to the focal point of the lens at that time.
Expanded Focus
At the touch of a button, the
center
of the screen on the LCD monitor and viewfinder can be magnified to about
twice normal size, making it easier to confirm focus settings during manual
focusing.
Selectable Peaking
The Peaking function can help
operators to adjust the camera's focus more accurately by altering the way
pictures are displayed on the LCD monitor and viewfinder. It can enhance the
outline of the image, which the camera focuses on most, and change its colour
to make it more visible. Enhance levels can be selected from a choice of
"HIGH", "MIDDLE", and "LOW", and the outline colour from "RED", "WHITE",
"YELLOW", and "BLUE".
Optical Image Stabilizer
To minimize the blurring effect caused
by hand-shake, the new lens incorporates an optical image stabilizer function
that provides highly stable images.
23.98P Native Recording
The PMW-EX1 camcorder is the first
handheld camcorder to be a member of the legendary Sony
CineAlta�
family. It offers native 23.98P* recording which, in combination with advanced
creative features such as selectable gamma curves, makes this camcorder ideal
for cinema production.
*In 1440 x 1080/23.98P (SP) mode, images are handled as 23.98P and recorded as
59.94i signals through means of 2-3 pull-down.
Slow & Quick Motion Function
The PMW-EX1 offers a powerful Slow &
Quick Motion function - commonly known as over-cranking and under-cranking in
film shooting - that enables users to create unique 'looks' or special effects
with slow- and fast-motion images.
The PMW-EX1 can capture images at frame rates selectable from 1 fps (frame per
second) to 60 fps in 720P mode and from 1 fps to 30 fps in 1080P mode, in
increments of 1 fps. For example, when viewed at 23.98P, images captured at 60
fps will appear 2.5 times slower than normal. Conversely, images captured at
four fps will appear six times faster than normal.
With the Slow & Quick Motion function of this camcorder, images are recorded
natively without interpolating the frames. This means the quality of the slow-
and fast-motion images is extremely high and incomparable to those created in
the editing process. In addition, these slow- and quick-motion images can be
played back immediately after shooting, without using any converters or
processing on nonlinear editing systems.
Slow Shutter Function
The PMW-EX1 camcorder offers a Slow
Shutter function for capturing clear images in low-light environments. This
allows the shutter speed to be extended to a maximum of 64 frames. The Slow
Shutter function not only increases camera sensitivity but also produces a
special blurring effect when shooting a moving object, for enhanced shooting
creativity. The shutter speed is selectable from 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-,
16-, 32-, and 64-frame periods.
Selectable Gamma Curves
The PMW-EX1 camcorder offers a wide
variety of gamma curves to flexibly handle contrast and give a specific 'look'
to an image. In addition to four types of standard gamma curves, the PMW-EX1
provides four types of CINE Gamma (CINE 1, 2, 3, and 4), which are identical
to those of other CineAlta
camcorders. Operators can select the best-suited preset gamma curve, depending
on scenes.
Interval Recording Function
The PMW-EX1 camcorder offers an
Interval Recording function that records signals at pre-determined intervals.
This is convenient for shooting over long periods of time, and also when
creating pictures with special effects of extremely quick motion.
Frame Recording Function
Frame Recording is a unique feature of
the PMW-EX1 camcorder that is especially useful for stop-motion/clay animation
shooting. Using this function, images for pre-determined frames are recorded
every time the Record button is pressed.
Shutter Angle Settings
In addition to the electronic shutter
speed controls, the PMW-EX1 also has a "shutter angle" control - which is
familiar to film users. By setting the shutter speed to "angle", the PMW-EX1
automatically operates with the proper exposure time, determined by the
selected frame rate and the shutter angle.
Picture Profile� Feature
The Picture Profile feature allows
camera operators to easily call up customized picture-tonal settings to suit
particular shooting conditions, rather than having to readjust the camera each
time - giving users greater operational efficiency. Up to six different
picture-tonal settings such as the parameters of matrix, colour correction,
detail, gamma and knee can be saved in the memory. These settings are
displayed on the LCD monitor at the touch of a button.
Depth-of-field Indicator
A Depth-of-field Indicator can be
displayed on the LCD monitor and viewfinder to help camera operators easily
recognize the depth-of-field of a scene, and thereby produce their desired
images.
Brightness-level Display
The average brightness level of the
centre of a frame can be displayed on the LCD monitor and viewfinder as a
percentage. This is useful when a waveform monitor is not available for
shooting.
Histogram Indicator
The Histogram Indicator can be
displayed on the LCD monitor and viewfinder, allowing operators to easily
evaluate the distribution of brightness on currently captured images. This
enables proper exposure control of iris, gain and gamma.
3.5-inch* Hybrid Colour LCD Screen
The PMW-EX1 is equipped with a newly
developed, large, easy-to-view, colour LCD screen with a high resolution of
1920 x 480 pixels. The LCD screen is located in an easy viewing position on
top of the camera and can be flexibly rotated according to shooting angles -
which is convenient when using it as a viewfinder. When not in use, it folds
underneath the housing for the built-in stereo microphone.
The LCD Screen can also be used to instantly review recorded footage, as well
as access the camera's set-up menus and view thumbnail display status
indications such as audio meters, depth-of-field indicators, and the remaining
memory and battery time. What's more, the Hybrid LCD screen - which comprises
transmissive
and reflective panels - offers clear viewing even in bright sunlight..
*Viewable area measured diagonally.
Easy-to-see Colour LCD Viewfinder
The 0.54-inch colour LCD viewfinder
displays high-resolution colour pictures of approximately 250,000 pixels in a
wide-screen aspect ratio of 16:9. Operators can switch the display mode
between colour and monochrome according to their preference.
Rotary Grip
The grip of the PMW-EX1 can rotate 90
degrees, which allows camera operators to flexibly adjust the angle of the
grip. This gives users greater comfort during low-angle and high-angle
shooting.
Four Assignable Buttons
Frequently used functions can be
programmed onto four assignable buttons, allowing operators to make rapid
changes when working in the field. These can be functions such as
ATW,
Freeze Mix, Rec
Review, Expanded Focus, Depth-of-field and more.
On-handle Zoom Switch and
REC
Start/Stop Button
In order to facilitate zoom control
and recording operation during low-angle shooting, an additional zoom switch
and record start/stop button are located on the carrying handle.
Shot Transition� Function
The Shot Transition function allows
for smooth automatic scene transitions. The operator can program start and end
settings for zoom, focus, and white balance into the A/B buttons and, by
pressing the start button, a smooth transition will take place according to
the set time. It works by automatically calculating the intermediate values
during the scene transition. The start of this function can be synchronized
with the camera's REC
start function.
The transition progress can be checked
using an indicator displayed on the LCD monitor. In addition, a start timer
function is also available for the Shot Transition function, helping to
prevent operators from missing a shot. This function is very useful when
complex camera settings are required during the scene transition - for
example, when shooting subjects moving from the background to the foreground
of a scene.
Long Operating Time
With the supplied BP-U30 battery
attached, the PMW-EX1 can record continuously for approximately two hours,
while the optional BP-U60 battery extends the operating time to approximately
four hours.
Wide Array of Interfaces
The PMW-EX1 camcorder comes equipped
with a wide range of interfaces optimized for a variety of operational needs.
These include an HD-SDI output, down-converted
SD-SDI
output, i.LINK
(HDV)
input/output, USB2 and analogue composite/component output.
Other Features
-
ATW
(Auto Tracing White Balance)
-
Built-in
ND
filter wheel: 1: Clear, 2: 1/8ND, 3: 1/64ND
-
Selectable gain: -3, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12,
18 dB
-
High-speed picture search: x4, x15
-
Freeze Mix function
-
Skin-tone Detail control
-
Low-key saturation
-
IR
Remote Commander� unit
--General--