Sony XDCAM PDW-U1, XDCAM PDW-530, XDCAM PDW-510, XDCAM PDW-1500, XDCAM PDW-R1 Brochure
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XDCAM Camcorder
PDW-530 / PDW-510
XDCAM Studio Recorder
PDW-1500
XDCAM Field Recorder
PDW-R1
XDCAM Field Viewer
PDW-V1
XDCAM Drive Unit
PDW-U1 / PDW-D1
Sony Professional Disc
™
XDCAM®Series – Changing Workflow Paradigms
In 2003, Sony introduced a new generation of video recording for standard-definition (SD)
video production – the XDCAM™ Series optical disc-based recording system.
The XDCAM Series utilizes optical disc media, otherwise known as Professional Disc™
media, with state-of-the-art blue violet technology for recording. The XDCAM’s disc-based
recording offers users a number of tremendous benefits such as split-second
random-access capability, no overwriting on existing footage, and network capability.
The Professional Disc media itself is highly robust, reliable, inexpensive,
and reusable – ideal for practical day-to-day operations.
This media is also extremely flexible, and overcomes the limitations of proprietary
footprints, thus enabling XDCAM devices to record a wide assortment of data such as
MPEG IMX™ and DVCAM™ format video, metadata, and low-resolution versions of
footage onto a single disc.
Since its introduction, the XDCAM Series of products for SD programming has been widely
adopted by many different users all over the world, from broadcasters and production
facilities to professional sports teams and corporations. Sony has been continuously
enhancing the functions available on its current products, as well as developing new
products to fulfill the customers’ diverse operational requirements. The latest XDCAM
system offers a variety of powerful functions such as enhanced clip operations, high-
resolution clip viewer software, and plug-in software for Apple Final Cut Pro nonlinear
editing systems. Furthermore, optional PDBZ-E1500 software has been added to the
XDCAM lineup, which provides the PDW-1500 deck with an insert/assemble editing
capability. Another new powerful member to the XDCAM lineup is the PDW-U1 drive unit
which can be used for desktop PC viewing and source feeding to nonlinear editing
systems. With these additions, the Sony XDCAM lineup now consists of two types of
2/3-inch type CCD camcorders, three companion decks, two drive units and two cart
systems – all of which meet a diverse range of operation requirements and
budgetary constraints.
As a future-proof, disc-based, nonlinear recording system, the Sony XDCAM system is
unrivaled – and gives you the ultimate solution for today’s and tomorrow’s SD
video productions.
■ DECKS
XDCAM SERIES
PRODUCT LINE-UP
Compact Deck
PDW-1500
2
Field Recorder
PDW-R1
Mobile Deck
PDW-V1
Drive Unit
PDW-D1
Drive Unit
PDW-U1
INDEX
“Nonlinear” Recording Medium –
The Professional Disc
The XDCAM Workflow Innovation
Features and Benefits of the XDCAM
Professional Disc Systems
XDCAM Camcorders
XDCAM Decks / Drives / Carts
XDCAM Application Software
Specifications
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-15
16-23
24-25
26-27
■ CAMCORDERS
Camcorder (MPEG IMX / DVCAM)
PDW-530/530P
*Lens, wireless microphone receiver and battery pack are optional.
Camcorder (DVCAM)
PDW-510/510P
■ CART
Cart
PDJ-C1080
Cart
PDJ-A640
3
“Nonlinear” Recording Medium –
The Professional Disc
The Sony Professional Disc, PFD23A is a single-sided, optical disc that uses state-of-the-art blue-violet
laser technology to enable extremely large-capacity recordings.
The diameter of the disc is a mere 12 cm, equal to that of other optical media such as CDs or DVDs.
Yet, despite its small size, the disc provides an amazing storage capacity of 23.3 GB – a feat made
possible using a 405 nm blue-violet laser, an objective lens with a 0.85 numerical aperture (NA),
and a specially developed recording layer.
Sony has taken great care in selecting the Professional Disc as the next-generation professional
recording medium. The choice is based on Sony experience and technical expertise in developing
and marketing a wide range of professional products that have effectively served users around the
world for several decades.
4
■
Flexible Platform
The Professional Disc system is a very flexible platform
on which an assortment of data in a variety of formats
can reside. The use of optical disc technology
eliminates the restrictions inherent in proprietary tape
footprints, and allows a variety of different video
formats to be recorded as ‘data files’, and is therefore
extremely flexible as to what can be recorded to it. In
addition to video and audio streams, you can record
a variety of metadata, such as date/time information
and comments indicating the material content.
Furthermore, computer files created on Microsoft
Word, PhotoShop, and other application software can
also be stored on a Professional Disc media*.
*Up to 500 MB
■
Largest-Capacity Optical Disc
The superior disc capacity of the Professional Disc
enables you to make high-quality yet long-duration
recordings. Its 23.3-GB data capacity translates to a
recording time of 45 to 85 minutes depending on the
bit rate the camera operator chooses.
■
High Transfer Rate
The Professional Disc’s data transfer rate is 86 Mb/s
from a single optical head unit and 172 Mb/s on a
dual head deck, providing stable recording and
playback of high bit rate data such as a 50 Mb/s
MPEG IMX stream.
■
Highly Reliable, Durable and
Re-usable Medium
Optical discs have a natural advantage since they suffer
no mechanical contact during recording or playback,
making the format ideal for continuous use and re-use.
The Sony Professional Disc is highly resistant to dust, shock
and scratches, and is packaged in an extremely
durable and dust-resistant cartridge.
It is resistant to heat and humidity, and is X-ray resistant
– factors that make the Professional Disc ideal for use
in harsh field environments, and also allows for long
media life and long-term storage.
■
Professional Disc Media (PFD23A)
Specifications
Storage capacity
Laser wavelength
Data transfer (writing) rate
Disc diameter
Cartridge dimensions
(W x H x D)
Weight
Recording format
23.3 GB
405 nm (blue-violet)
86 Mb/s (per optical head)
4 5/8 inches (120 mm)
5 1/8 x 5 1/4 x 3/8 inches
(129 x 131 x 9 mm)
3 oz (90 g)
Phase change recording
■
Quick Random Access
The nonlinear nature of the Professional Disc alone
provides tremendous benefit when
handling audio/video content. When a recording is
played back from the disc, its physical location on the
disc does not impact the time required to access it.
Recordings can be accessed in a fraction of the
equivalent time taken to access information on disc,
making it much easier and faster to locate source
material. This is the beauty of random access, and all
Sony XDCAM products are equipped with powerful
features – delivering innovation to all your programming
operations.
PFD23A
5
XDCAM Workflow Innovation
Sony XDCAM Series of products offer a variety of unique functions are made possible through the use of
optical discs. These functions open up stunning innovations in each area of the production
workflow, whether you use the products individually or as part of an integrated XDCAM system.
■
Instant Random Access and
Thumbnail-Based Search of Material
With all XDCAM products, video and audio signals are
recorded as one clip file each time a recording is started
and stopped. During playback, cue-up to the next or
previous clips is possible by simply by pressing the ‘Next’ or
‘Previous’ button, as you would do on a CD or DVD player.
Furthermore, the thumbnails are automatically generated
for each clip as visual reference, allowing operators to
cue-up to a desired scene simply by guiding the cursor to
a thumbnail and
pressing the ‘Play’
button.
Thumbnail Display on Camcorder LCD Display
■
No Overwriting to Footage – For Immediate
Recording Start
By virtue of recording on optical disc media, the XDCAM
system makes each new recording on an empty area of the
disc. This is extremely useful, especially when shooting with
camcorders, as it relieves the concerns of camera operators
about accidentally recording over good takes, and
eliminates the burden of searching for the correct position to
start the next recording. In short, it means the camera is
always ready for the next shot!
■
IT/Network Friendly System
In the Sony XDCAM Series of products, recordings are
made as data files in the industry-standard MXF (Material
eXchange Format) file format.
This 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 linking it to the XDCAM unit via an i.LINK™
connection. This works in just the same way as a PC
reads files on an external drive. The XDCAM products
come equipped with IT-friendly, computer-based
interfaces. These include an i.LINK interface supporting
DV IN/OUT and File Access Mode,Ethernet and USB
interfaces*.
Connecting the XDCAM devices to an Ethernet network
offers users a new style of network-based operations that
can dramatically improve the efficiency of their
workflows.
*Supported interfaces vary by product.
XDCAM displayed as a removable storage device
■
Scene Selection
The Scene Selection function allows simple cuts-only
editing* to be performed within the camcorder or deck
itself. The results of the edits can be saved as an XDCAM
EDL (called “Clip List”), which can be written back to the
original disc to stay with the material. The disc can then
be played back according to the Clip List so that only
selected portions are played out in the desired order.
The Scene Selection function presents dramatic
improvements to conventional workflows, such as when
transferring material to a nonlinear editor and/or server,
or when searching for material and/or edit points in linear
editing systems.
When GUI-based operation is preferred, the Scene
Selection operation can be performed on a PC running
the PDZ-1 Proxy Browsing software supplied with all
XDCAM products, providing a visually familiar working
environment.
*The video and audio of a clip cannot be edited independently.
(i.LINK (File Access Mode))
Scene Selection
on a Built-in LCD Display
Scene Selection on a
PC Running Supplied
PDZ-1 Software
6
Compatible
Nonlinear
Editing System
Compatible
Nonlinear
Editing System
Studio Recorder
Camcorders
Field Recorder/ Viewer
Drive Unit
i.LINK (File Access Mode**)
Gigabit Ethernet
Proxy AV Data : 30 times*
DVCAM : 2.5 times*
MPEG IMX (50 Mb/s) : 1.25 times*
*Data transfer rates are approximate. The actual data transfer rates may
vary depending on the nonlinear editing system used.
**For connection with third party products using this mode, please contact
your nearest Sony office.
Proxy AV Data : 50 times*
DVCAM : 5 times*
MPEG IMX (50 Mb/s) : 2.5 times*
■
Power of Proxy Data – Highly Streamlined
Workflows
At the same time as recording its high-resolution video and
audio data, XDCAM HD products also record a
low-resolution version of this AV data on the same disc.
Called “Proxy Data”, this is much smaller in size than the
high-resolution data (1.5 Mb/s for video and 0.5 Mb/s for
audio), and its format is identical to the HD version of the
XDCAM products. Because of its lower resolution,
Proxy Data can be transferred to a standard PC at an
amazingly high speed, and easily browsed and edited using
the PDZ-1 Proxy Browsing Software (or other compatible
software offered by many industry-leading manufacturers).
What’s more, with the PDZ-1 software, it can be converted
to the popular ASF format for playback on Windows Media
Player, providing dramatic improvements in production
workflows. Proxy Data can also be viewed directly on a PC
without data transfer using an i.LINK (File Access Mode) or
USB connection, and can even be sent over a standard
Ethernet network.
The overall flexibility of Proxy Data means that it can be
used for a variety of applications, such as immediate
logging on location, off-line editing, daily rushes of shooting
on location, client approval, and more.
■
High-resolution File Transfer Over a Network
Another stunning feature that innovates current workflows is
the capability to transfer high-resolution material over a
standard network. Clips recorded on Professional Disc
media can be sent and received over a standard network
through a LAN port on the decks or camcorders*, allowing
seamless exchange of material among any networked
devices installed all over the world.
The file-based transfer provides another great benefit: it
enables operators to dub material without any generation
loss. File operations such as Partial Transfer and Disc Copy
can also be performed via the i.LINK (File Access Mode)
interface, with the same benefit of no generation loss.
*XDCAM camcorders require an optional Ethernet (100Base-TX) Adaptor
(CBK-NC01).
■
High-Speed Data Transfer – the
Foundation of Workflow Innovation
A large part of the appeal of these Sony XDCAM
products is their high-speed data transfer capability,
allowing you to transfer data to other equipment at
speeds several data rates faster than real time.
This is possible because XDCAM products provide a
range of high-speed interfaces and because,
by nature, the Professional Disc offers the flexibility to
read data at different speeds.
For low-resolution Proxy AV Data, a maximum transfer
speed of an amazing 30 times* for field unit and
50 times* for studio unit faster than real time is
achieved, while for high-resolution (MPEG IMX and
DVCAM) material, the maximum transfer speed is at
5-times* speed for DVCAM signals and 2.5-times* speed
for MPEG IMX signals.
*These are the approximate figures when using the PDW-1500 deck to
transfer data over Gigabit Ethernet. The actual transfer rates may vary
.
The transfer can be performed by a simple FTP operation
using Microsoft Internet Explorer or common FTP client
software. The supplied PDZ-1 software can also be used to
perform file transfers very easily. For advanced operations,
the Partial FTP Transfer function allows only the clips selected
in a Clip List to be transferred over the network.
This network capability makes it possible to send footage
from the field to the studio immediately after the shoot, or
easily share material among production staff at multiple
locations, without the lead time of delivering tapes or
replying on costly satellite transmissions.
7
Features and Benefits of XDCAM Professional
Disc Systems
■
Outstanding Picture Quality of
MPEG IMX/DVCAM Format Recording
Sony XDCAM products offer the capability to record*
and play back both MPEG IMX and DVCAM streams**.
Users have the flexibility to select from these formats
according to their picture-quality needs, or to match
their editing-format requirements.
The DVCAM format uses 8-bit digital component
recording with a 5:1 compression ratio and a sampling
rate of 4:1:1 (for NTSC)/4:2:0 (for PAL). The MPEG IMX
format uses 8-bit digital component recording with
MPEG-2 4:2:2P@ML compression at 50, 40, 30 Mb/s,
enabling users to choose the picture quality and
recording time according to their needs.
The XDCAM Series of products provide approximately
85 minutes of DVCAM recording time, and 68, 55, and
45 minutes of MPEG IMX recording at 30, 40, and 50
Mb/s, respectively.
MPEG IMX recording is the ideal choice when you need
higher picture quality, while DVCAM recording offers the
benefit of a longer recording time.
*Recording on the PDW-V1 is available only through the Ethernet or
i.LINK (file access mode) interface.
**The PDW-510/510P camcorder is capable of DVCAM recording
only.
Recording/Playback Time
68 minutes at 30 Mb/s
55 minutes at 40 Mb/s
45 minutes at 50 Mb/s
85 minutes
■
Flexible Metadata Recording
XDCAM products are also capable of recording a variety of metadata,
which provides a huge advantage when searching for data in
subsequent processes. The following are examples of metadata types
that Sony XDCAM Series of products can handle and record.
Disc Metadata/Clip Metadata
•
F
rom acquisition to editing and onto the archiving process, a great amount
of information is associated with the recordings. For example, production
dates, creator names, camera setup parameters, copyright notes, and
memorandums
be saved together with the AV material on the same disc and be effectively used to improve the entire workflow chain. Using the supplied PDZ-1 software allows a variety of data to be added either on a “Disc” or “Individual
Clip” basis in different forms such as “Disc Title”,“Clip Title”,
“Disc ID Number”,“Comments” or “Clip Status (to indicate OK/NG status)”.
Furthermore, the PDZ-1 software has a powerful ‘Search’ function to easily
locate desired clips by using the registered metadata as text-based
keywords, providing enhanced efficiency in searching material,determining
edit points or retrieving archive materials.
Essence Mark Recording
•
The Essence Mark™ used in Sony XDCAM products is also a very useful form of
metadata, and provide a most effective way of searching for recordings via
thumbnail pictures. Essence Mark can be set during the shoot either manually
or automatically. Thumbnails representing the Essence Mark positions are
generated each time the Essence Mark is set, proving invaluable when
searching for required scenes in subsequent reviewing and editing processes.
•
Manual Marking
Each time the ‘return’ button on the camcorder lens or the ‘Shot Mark’
button on the deck is pressed, an Essence Mark is set. After the shoot,
operators can quickly cue to that point simply by selecting its thumbnail
from a list displayed on the LCD screen of the playback device or a
video monitor connected to it. When the PDZ-1 software is used,
operators can define Essence Mark names using desired keywords and
easily set these as user-defined Essence Marks.
•
Automatic Marking
XDCAM camcorders can also automatically set an Essence Mark when
particular events are sensed by, or occur within, the camcorder.
For
example, the camcorder can be set up to record
audio level overshoots,
luminance levels. Since several different types of Essence Marks can exist on
the disc, Sony XDCAM Series of products offer an
easy way of searching through them by type.
Others
•
All XDCAM products are also capable of
recording UMID/Extended UMID (Unique Material
IDentifier) which consists of a globally unique
number or a material number. Another unique
feature that XDCAM products provide is the capability to record any type of
computer file format such as Word, Excel, JPEG, WAV onto the Professional Disc
media, which allows operators to record all files associated with the footage
onto a single disc.
are just a few. With XDCAM products, such information can
Essence Mark when the
or when there is an abrupt change in video
8
■
Seamless Integration into Current
VTR-Based Systems
In order to achieve seamless integration into current
tape-based systems, a great deal of thought has been put
into the development of Sony XDCAM products. A range of
conventional AV interfaces including SDI,analog composite,
analog/digital audio I/Os and RS-422A 9-pin remote
interface allow easy connectivity to current equipment,
including a wide variety of VTRs, linear and nonlinear
editors, and audio mixers. In addition, XDCAM products
offer network-based interoperability with other Sony
network-capable equipment, such as the MPEG IMX e-VTR,
establishing a highly effective and advanced system. And,
because operability is another key concern when investing
in new equipment, Sony has paid special attention to this
too, allowing operation that is best suited to optical media
while retaining the feel of conventional VTR-based
products.
■
Easy and Low-cost Maintenance
From the outset, Sony XDCAM Series of products have been
designed using the best concurrent engineering practices,
answering maintenance issues before they even arise.
Moving parts have been minimized, as have the number of
parts requiring periodic replacement. This results in a drastic
reduction in maintenance labor,and promotes more
efficient use of your equipment.
■
High Durability and Reliability
In harsh working environments, it is of critical importance that
hardware is tolerant to shock and vibration during
important shoots. Sony's accumulated knowledge about
the tough criteria for such environments, together with
years of experience meeting these criteria, contribute
greatly to the high reliability of Sony XDCAM products.
The Sony XDCAM camcorders use rubber dampers to hold
the disc drive block in place thereby minimizing the effect of
any shock or vibration.In addition, a powerful tracking system,
based on the best Sony servo technologies, reduces the
chance of the optical head recording off track. In the
event a shock exceeds the servo’s capacity, causing the
head to be positioned incorrectly,a buffer memory is
available to help prevent off-track recordings. The buffer
serves in such a way that recording to the disc will not occur
until the optical head returns to its correct position. After
the head is properly positioned, the buffered information is
recorded to the disc, thereby helping to prevent interruptions
in the recording. A substantial amount of buffering has been
built into the camcorder to accommodate large off-track
errors.
In addition, in the event of an abnormal recording, powerful
ECC (Error Correction Code) and sophisticated
concealment techniques are available on all machines so
that discs can be played back appropriately.
Sony XDCAM products* are also compatible with Sony
remote maintenance and monitoring software – an
SNMP-compliant application that can monitor and log the
hardware’s status in real time via an Ethernet network. If a
malfunction is detected, this system can immediately
identify the problem, allowing you to take corrective
action. Not only is the system reactive, it proactively
monitors your systems and
identifies maintenance
needs in a timely
manner too.
*
XDCAM camcorders
require an optional Ethernet
(100Base-TX) Adaptor
(CBK-NC01).
Sony MMStationTMSNMP-compliant
Remote Monitoring and Maintenance
Software
9
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