Sony HDW-750, HDW-730, HDW-750P User Manual

High Definition Video System

TM

Sony Digital Camcorder

HDW-750

HDW-750P

HDW-730

1/2-Inch Platform Advances to Greater Heights

2

Since introducing its first models, Sony has continually enhanced the BETACAM

™

Series of products, each offering the highest possible performance and always
preserving a consistent half-inch platform. The excellence of the analog
BETACAM
to ENG and EFP, while the use of digital processing in the Digital BETACAM
BETACAM SX

™

/BETACAM SP™formats introduced an entirely new set of opportunities

™

, and MPEG IMX™formats brought standardized 4:2:2 digital

™

,

recording into both news gathering and field production. Today, each format is in
service in a multiplicity of programming applications, offering the pinnacle of
reliability and performance that only BETACAM technology provides.

In 1997, Sony revolutionized HDTV program origination with the introduction of
the HDW-700 camcorder based upon the 1/2-inch recording platform. This was
soon followed by the HDW-700A camcorder, which operates according to the
updated 1080/60i production standard. This camcorder, in association with its
editing VTR the HDW-500, extended the BETACAM format tradition into the realm
of mobile HD program creation. In 1999 the HDCAM™ format was dramatically
broadened to include the new multi-frame rate camcorder the HDW-F900 and its
companion VTR the HDW-F500 – both responding to the breakthrough new ITU
709 global standard for international HD program origination. The pivotal
inclusion of the new 24-frame progressive format in this standard constituted a
central design imperative for the HDW-F900/F500 system and introduced to the
world the first 24-frame digital motion picture capture system.

With the HDW-F900/HDW-F500 Series squarely addressing the needs of
movie-making and high-end prime time television program and commercial
production, Sony returned to the central agenda of a mainstream High Definition
production system in support of the emerging broader DTV broadcasting agendas
around the world. This is based upon the SMPTE 274 HD production standard.
The new generation HDCAM camcorders have been developed for
feature-enhanced operations specifically to streamline the worldwide migration to
DTV at affordable price levels. The spearhead to this new HD acquisition family
was the introduction of the HDW-750 camcorder operating exclusively in the
1080/60i format and intended to service the active DTV agendas in the 60 Hz
regions of the world. Today Sony’s HD acquisition product line has been broadened
with the two frame rate switchable camcorders, the HDW-730 (1080/60i and
1080/50i) and the HDW-750P (1080/50i and 1080/25P) to support many
1080-based DTV services and international co-productions for 50 Hz regions.
A central design strategy was to more firmly incorporate this new HDCAM system
into the totality of Sony’s 1/2-inch editing platform. Accordingly, this HD system’s
studio VTRs -- the HDW-2000 Series -- offers not only full HDCAM recording and
editing functionality, but also includes both the all-important legacy playback of
all standard definition Betacam formats (analog and digital) and internal
up-conversion of that playback to the 1920 x 1080 digital sampling format for play
out in this HDTV format.

The HDW-750*/730 camcorders have been designed to provide optimum system
and economical balance with the HDW-2000 series of studio VTRs. They offer
the choice of 1080/60i, 1080/50i, or 1080/25P HDCAM recording capability.
Their extremely compact, lightweight and robust designs are direct results of
Sony’s charter of maintaining compatibility with the Betacam format legacy.

Meta-data handling capability and unique accessories have been added to the
product line to meet the ever-changing requirements in the field. These additions
contribute to further enhancing the high performance but economically
well-balanced solutions that HDCAM equipment will provide for next generation
ENG and EFP programming.

Hereafter, the HDW-750 refers to both the HDW-750 and the HDW-750P.

*

3

Technical Innovations –
Enhance Shooting
in the Field

The compact and stylish body of the HDW-750/730

contains many technological innovations. They are

brought together to enable the creation of some of

the most versatile and outstanding

in-the-field visual experiences of the new century,

while ensuring durability and ease of use for the

challenging conditions of field shooting.

HAD Sensor Technology

The well-established innovations of CCD technology already
incorporated in Sony’s HDC-900 Series cameras and
HDW-F900 camcorders are also used in the HDW-750
camcorder. Inheriting Sony HAD sensor technology and
on-chip lens structure of the latest Power HAD™ sensors,
this imaging device is based on the 1920 x 1080 CIF
(Common Image Format). With its light collecting capability
dramatically improved, this 2/3-inch type, 2.2-million-pixel
FIT CCD, boosts the sensitivity to an industry-leading f10 at
2,000 Lux, thus enabling image capture in extremely low
light conditions. The signal-to-noise ratio is 54 dB and vertical
smear is less than –135
dB*. The cost effective
2/3-inch type 2.2
million-pixel IT CCD
used in the HDW-730
provides equivalent
performance as the FIT
version CCD excluding
the vertical smear level
which is provided at
–125 dB*.

Typical numbers.

*

4

10-bit A/D and Advanced Digital Signal
Processor

The HDW-750/730 uses the 10-bit A/D converter and
Advanced Digital Signal Processing (ADSP) proven in their
predecessor, HDW-700A. They ensure low-power operation
and superb picture quality. A 600 % wide dynamic range and
excellent tonal reproduction, combine with creative
manipulation of picture parameters for “in-camera effects”,
which were pioneered by Sony and are now widely accepted
among Digital Cinematographers. The well known
Memory Stick™ setup system allows various setup
parameters to be stored and recalled as required. These
include all factors relating to colorimetry and tonal
reproduction adjustment, so that at any time (such as a scene
re-shoot) these settings can always be readily accessible.
To help maximize the camera image-making capabilities,
special attention has been paid to the careful design of the
camera menus so that access to certain image parameters is
user-friendly and intuitive.

New Ergonomics

Sony has been continually improving camcorder body design
over many years, always trying to make them more user
friendly and practical as well as stylish and appealing.
Another important factor, especially for the challenging
conditions of ENG shooting, is the attention to physical
robustness as well as maintaining a compact and lightweight
camcorder. To meet these conditions, the body design of the
HDW-750/730 is totally new, but all switches, meters and
indicators are in the most logical places and are positioned
for optimum functionality and ease of use. This has been
achieved through meticulous consideration of the human
physiology and the application of fundamental ergonomic
principles. The operation of every single switch and button
reflects our thorough understanding of the operator’s needs
and working practices. Sony has been making professional
cameras for over 20 years, and during that time we have
listened very carefully to suggestions that users have
contributed to ongoing refinements to camera body design.
The superb weight distribution and balance combined with a
low optical axis make the HDW-750/730 particularly suitable
for hand-held shots. It also sits comfortably on the shoulder
and can be easily carried with minimum fatigue. Even with
the viewfinder, battery, cassette, microphone, the total weight
is only 5.4 kilograms (less than 12 pounds). This astonishingly
compact and lightweight camera opens new possibilities for
handheld creative camera work while delivering
uncompromising picture quality. This new, compact and
stylish body of the HDW-750/730 houses some very highly
innovative technologies.

5

Technical Innovations – Enhance Shooting in the Field

Dual Optical Filter Wheels

For the optical picture treatment, two independent filter
wheels, one is for Neutral Density (ND) and the other
is Color Correction (CC), are installed. An optional
servo filter drive unit, the BKDW-701, can also be
fitted allowing filter settings to be changed with the
RM-B750/150 Remote Control Unit.

Tu rbo Gain

The inherent sensitivity of the HDW-750/730 is high
enough to capture images under various low light
conditions, but in some situations it is necessary to
image in unusually low light conditions. The Turbo
Gain function immediately boosts up the gain level to
an incredible +42 dB at the touch of the button.
Thanks to this function, it is possible to capture critical
scenes down to around 0.3 lux of incident scene
illumination – somewhat exceeding the color sight
capability of the human eye.

Slot-in Wireless Microphone Receiver
(Built-in UHF Synthesizer Receiver Unit)

The optional WRR-855A/855B Wireless Microphone
Receiver can be fitted directly to the HDW-750/730
camcorder using a slot-in mechanism that gives a cable
less interface between the camcorder and
the receiver. This system increases
mobility by maintaining
compact overall dimensions
even when the receiver is
attached to the camcorder.

*WRR-855A/855B is an option.

Two Assignable Buttons

You can assign two required functions to these
functions which are frequently used in the field,
instance to be operated with a single action of
a button, such as Viewfinder Return, Record etc.

switches,

for

touching

Dual Earphone Output

The HDW-750/730 is equipped with two earphone
outputs, one is output from the front side of the
camcorder body, and the other is from rear side. These
two outputs can be used simultaneously.

LCD Status Panel and
Diagnostic System

All the main operational controls
and switches are located on the
left-hand side of the camcorder.
The LCD panel is on the same side,
and shows a wide range of status
and diagnostic displays such as
Tape Remaining, Battery Level,
Audio Levels, etc.

Stereo Audio Output

A stereo audio line output is available from the 5-pin

Tally Lamp

Newly added is the Bottom Tally light located in the
connector panel section of the rear of the camcorder body.

XLR connector on the rear of the camcorder. This
provides two analog audio output channels, which can
be selected to be either Channel-1/2 or Channel-3/4.

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