Sony 900P, MSW-900 User Manual

MSW-900/900P

NTSC/PAL

TM

MPEG IMX CAMCORDER

Ever since the launch of the Betacam® system concept 20 years ago, Sony half-inch camcorders have
set distinctive milestones in the evolution of news reporting and program production operations.
The analog Betacam and Betacam SP™ formats introduced a new freedom for mobile acquisition in
ENG (Electronic News Gathering) and EFP (Electronic Field Production), and the Digital Betacam
format was the subsequent innovation that brought true 4:2:2 digital recording into the field. Today,
both analog and digital formats remain in service in virtually every type of program origination,
offering a level of reliability and performance that only Sony Betacam technology provides.
The wide acceptance of the Digital Betacam format paved the way to the subsequent development
of a digital replacement for the analog Betacam format in the broadcast newsgathering world, with
the unique advantage of using MPEG technology for data rate efficiency and high quality video
capture. This was the Betacam SX® format series equipment, which is now known as the ‘digital
workhorse’ for use in the arduous environment of ENG operations.
The rapid success of Betacam SX gear used in ENG applications, together with the advent of DTV
distribution and transmission, was the motivation behind the development of a higher bit-rate MPEG
4:2:2P@ML format for use in broadcast studio operations. Through close collaboration between key
manufacturers and research centers, the prime goal of achieving seamless interoperability between
equipment to provide an open, end-to-end, MPEG-based solution was achieved. The conclusion was
to utilize an I-frame only, MPEG 4:2:2P@ML infrastructure to provide the highest level of efficiency
throughout the entire programming chain. Sony indicated its commitment to the MPEG-based
infrastructure with the introduction of a range of I-frame only, MPEG 4:2:2P@ML equipment,
represented by the MPEG IMX™ studio VTRs, Video Servers, XPRI™ NLE, and MPEG transcoders.
To complete this picture, Sony has now introduced the MSW-900 MPEG IMX camcorder. The
MSW-900 originates 50 Mb/s 4:2:2 digital video with four channels of digital audio by combining all
the benefits of I-frame only, MPEG 4:2:2P@ML recording with the two decades of Sony experience
with

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2-inch broadcast camcorders. It inherits the proven advantages of the Betacam format series,

providing the same level of reliability, mobility and operability for which they are famous. In addition,
new and unique camera and recording features are also part of the MSW-900 design.
The MSW-900 is poised to play a vital role as the primary acquisition tool for a complete 50 Mb/s
MPEG-based system solution.

*Two models of the MSW-900 are available: the MSW-900 for NTSC and the MSW-900P for PAL.

The entrance to the open
MPEG world

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Innovative performance
in an MPEG IMX camcorder

High picture quality using MPEG 4:2:2P@ML
50 Mb/s I-frame compression

The MSW-900 employs MPEG 4:2:2P@ML recording, which uses a bit rate of 50 Mb/s to provide
outstanding picture quality. Using MPEG technology, the MSW-900 integrates directly with other
MPEG devices. Combining this high picture quality with MPEG interoperability, the MSW-900
seamlessly works in a wide range of applications including ENG and EFP.

Newly developed Power HAD™EX CCD

The latest Sony development in CCD technology, the Power HAD EX, is incorporated in the
MSW-900 camcorder. This CCD realizes an incredible pixel count of one million picture elements,
a high signal-to-noise ratio of –65 dB (NTSC)/–63 dB (PAL) and an extremely low smear level
(–140 dB, typical). Furthermore, the remarkably high sensitivity of f11 ensures pictures of the highest
quality – even when shooting under low lighting levels.
The MSW-900 can output both 525 (NTSC version) or 625 (PAL version) interlaced and progressive
scan signals to suit emerging programming needs.

New high-performance DSP LSI

The MSW-900 employs a newly developed high-performance
Digital Signal Processing LSI. This device provides comprehensive
and precise control over the high quality images produced by the
camcorder. It builds on the sophisticated DSP technology
developed for Digital Betacam camcorders, making available the
many attractive features of these camcorders such as accurate
tonal reproduction and colorimetry, the storage of complex
parameter setups, and a reduction in power consumption.

Versatile interfaces

The MSW-900 provides an analog composite output as standard, with an SDI output board
(the MSDW-902) available as a plug-in option. An optional composite input board (the MSDW-904) is
also available for pool feed applications. These optional boards install within the camcorder chassis to
eliminate the need for an external camera adaptor unit, maintaining the compactness and balance of
the camcorder.

4

Push REC button

Max. 8 sec

Cameraman's action

Tape recording

(

the decisive

moment

)

Compact, lightweight, and low power consumption

The MSW-900 is designed to be extremely compact and lightweight, providing a high level of mobility in
the field. It weighs approximately 5.3 kg (11 lb. 10 oz.) including a viewfinder, microphone, BP-L60A Li-ion
battery and BCT-60MX cassette tape.
With its new-generation LSI, the camcorder achieves a low power consumption of just 27 W.

Extended recording times

The MPEG IMX camcorder provides long recording times, up to 60 minutes for NTSC signals and 71
minutes for PAL. These are achieved by the efficient MPEG compression algorithm, which provides the
optimum balance between image quality and recording time.

Loop/interval recording

The MSDW-903 Picture Cache Board allows two new and extremely useful features to be incorporated
into the MSW-900.
Loop recording is a useful function that allows audio and video signals to be buffered in a memory until
the Record button is pressed. The signals buffered in the memory are recorded to tape at the instant
the REC button is pressed. This capability can avoid the loss of important scenes that may occur
before the operator has time to press the Record button. It is especially helpful for news gathering
applications where a vital, one-off shot, would otherwise be missed. Up to eight seconds of data are
always buffered for recording.
Interval recording is also a unique feature of the MSW-900 camcorder, and operates in a choice of two
modes. In manual mode, up to eight frames are recorded every time the Record button is pressed. In
auto mode, the camera records frames at predetermined intervals over a predetermined time. In both
modes the frames are initially stored in the Picture Cache board and when this is full its contents are
copied to tape. This allows recordings to be made over very long time periods on a single tape and
minimizes wear of the tape drive mechanism.

5

Push REC button

Max. 8 sec

Cameraman's action

Tape recording

(

the decisive

moment

)

❚ Loop recording ❚ Auto interval recording

Total Time

Recorded Time

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