XDCAM BASICS | XDCAM HD422 | TECHNOLOGY & MEDIA | LASER PICKUP | CAMCORDERS | DECKS
Q: Why is Sony offering the Professional Disc media?
A: Sony believes that the Professional Disc media is a means by which our customers can achieve benefits in production workflows, where flexibility, speed, and cost effectiveness are key requirements. The Professional Disc media has been engineered specifically for professional content creation. It provides superb data rate, data capacity, transfer speed, robustness, and instant random access.
A: Sony believes that the Professional Disc media is a means by which our customers can achieve benefits in production workflows, where flexibility, speed, and cost effectiveness are key requirements. The Professional Disc media has been engineered specifically for professional content creation. It provides superb data rate, data capacity, transfer speed, robustness, and instant random access.
Q: Is the XDCAM system's Professional Disc media the same as the consumer Blu-ray Disc™ media?
A: No. While there are some similarities, the Professional Disc media uses a unique phase change recording material to support higher read/write speeds. Blu-ray Disc media uses a bare disc without cartridge. There is no cross-compatibility between XDCAM products and Blu-ray Disc products.
A: No. While there are some similarities, the Professional Disc media uses a unique phase change recording material to support higher read/write speeds. Blu-ray Disc media uses a bare disc without cartridge. There is no cross-compatibility between XDCAM products and Blu-ray Disc products.
Q: What is the difference between the recording material used for consumer Blu-ray Disc media and that used for the XDCAM system's Professional Disc media?
A: The higher transfer rates of the XDCAM system require a more sensitive phase-change recording layer. The Professional Disc recording layer must change from crystalline (high reflectivity) phase to amorphous (low reflectivity) phase fast enough to enable transfer speeds of up to 86 Mbps. In comparison, the writing speed of consumer media is 36 Mbps. Aside from the different phase-change material, the track pitch, recording density and production processes are the same.
A: The higher transfer rates of the XDCAM system require a more sensitive phase-change recording layer. The Professional Disc recording layer must change from crystalline (high reflectivity) phase to amorphous (low reflectivity) phase fast enough to enable transfer speeds of up to 86 Mbps. In comparison, the writing speed of consumer media is 36 Mbps. Aside from the different phase-change material, the track pitch, recording density and production processes are the same.
Q: How does the read/write/erase life cycle of the XDCAM system's Professional Disc media compare to the Blu-ray Disc media?
A: They're identical in the minimum spec. Both are rated at a minimum of 1,000 read/write/erase cycles under normal operating conditions. The Professional Disc media has a maximum life of 10,000 read/write/erase cycles under ideal operating conditions (73 degrees F, 50% RH).All of this information is based on Sony's own testing.
A: They're identical in the minimum spec. Both are rated at a minimum of 1,000 read/write/erase cycles under normal operating conditions. The Professional Disc media has a maximum life of 10,000 read/write/erase cycles under ideal operating conditions (73 degrees F, 50% RH).All of this information is based on Sony's own testing.
Q: How does the XDCAM system's Professional Disc media differ from DVD?
A: Profoundly. Although both are 12 cm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, Professional Disc media has five times the capacity,13 times the transfer rate, a shorter laser wavelength and a protective cartridge for the media. Professional Disc media capacity is 23.3 GB for the single layer and 50 GB for the dual layer, compared to 4.7 GB for single-layer DVD. The XDCAM HD decks and camcorders have a transfer rate of 86 Mbps, compared to 11 Mbps for DVD. The XDCAM system uses a blue-violet laser as opposed to the red laser used for DVD.
A: Profoundly. Although both are 12 cm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, Professional Disc media has five times the capacity,13 times the transfer rate, a shorter laser wavelength and a protective cartridge for the media. Professional Disc media capacity is 23.3 GB for the single layer and 50 GB for the dual layer, compared to 4.7 GB for single-layer DVD. The XDCAM HD decks and camcorders have a transfer rate of 86 Mbps, compared to 11 Mbps for DVD. The XDCAM system uses a blue-violet laser as opposed to the red laser used for DVD.
Q: Is the XDCAM system's Professional Disc media playback-or record-compatible with DVD drives?
A: No. They have different file formatting, track pitch and pickup specifications, in addition to different mechanical requirements.
A: No. They have different file formatting, track pitch and pickup specifications, in addition to different mechanical requirements.
Q: Will the Professional Disc media replace tape?
A: The Professional Disc media can store a variety of formats. Therefore, Sony expects that the optical disc will supplement and reinforce existing videotape. There are application areas where tape media is quite suitable, and areas where disc technology is more suitable.
Sony anticipates that Professional Disc media and tape will coexist for years to come.
A: The Professional Disc media can store a variety of formats. Therefore, Sony expects that the optical disc will supplement and reinforce existing videotape. There are application areas where tape media is quite suitable, and areas where disc technology is more suitable.
Sony anticipates that Professional Disc media and tape will coexist for years to come.
Q: For what applications are XDCAM Professional Disc systems intended?
A: XDCAM Professional Disc systems are intended for all video applications including newsgathering, production, postproduction, event videography, and so on.
A: XDCAM Professional Disc systems are intended for all video applications including newsgathering, production, postproduction, event videography, and so on.
Q: Is it necessary to format a disc prior to use?
A: Yes. Formatting, which creates a file system, is required for brand new discs; however, this is a very quick process that is done when the disc is inserted into a camcorder or deck. Because this happens so quickly, an end user will not be aware that the disc is being formatted.
A: Yes. Formatting, which creates a file system, is required for brand new discs; however, this is a very quick process that is done when the disc is inserted into a camcorder or deck. Because this happens so quickly, an end user will not be aware that the disc is being formatted.
Q: What is the operating temperature range for XDCAM systems?
A: The specified operating temperature for XDCAM camcorders ranges from 5°C (23°F) to 40°C (104°F) ambient temperature, which is a wider range than current professional tape-based camcorder products. XDCAM products operate as well as (if not better than) current VTRs and tape-based camcorders in extreme heat, cold and humidity.
A: The specified operating temperature for XDCAM camcorders ranges from 5°C (23°F) to 40°C (104°F) ambient temperature, which is a wider range than current professional tape-based camcorder products. XDCAM products operate as well as (if not better than) current VTRs and tape-based camcorders in extreme heat, cold and humidity.
Q: Once a Professional Disc media has been partially recorded, can I record more video without first initializing (erasing) the entire disc?
A: Yes. The disc media is fully rewriteable, and always appends new recordings after the last clip, regardless of what clip was being viewed. You can keep recording more video/audio until the disc is full. Even then, you can delete the last clip, selected clips or all clips on the disc to free up needed space.
A: Yes. The disc media is fully rewriteable, and always appends new recordings after the last clip, regardless of what clip was being viewed. You can keep recording more video/audio until the disc is full. Even then, you can delete the last clip, selected clips or all clips on the disc to free up needed space.
Q: What is the archival life of the Professional Disc media?
A: When stored at room temperature (68°F and 40% relative humidity), the estimated archival life of the Professional Disc is greater than or equal to 50 years based on Sony's own accelerated testing.
A: When stored at room temperature (68°F and 40% relative humidity), the estimated archival life of the Professional Disc is greater than or equal to 50 years based on Sony's own accelerated testing.
Q: Is it possible to erase recordings on a disc?
A: Yes, all XDCAM camcorders and decks can delete the last recorded shot, one by one.
A "Quick Format" of a disc, which is equivalent to "all file delete," can be done in about two seconds.
A: Yes, all XDCAM camcorders and decks can delete the last recorded shot, one by one.
A "Quick Format" of a disc, which is equivalent to "all file delete," can be done in about two seconds.
Q: Is there protection from accidentally erasing data on a disc?
A: Yes, there is write protection tab on the disc cartridge. This is similar to a rec/save tab on DVCAM tape media or a rec/inhibit tab on other professional tape media. There is also a REC INH function on all deck products to help prevent a user from accidentally erasing material.
A: Yes, there is write protection tab on the disc cartridge. This is similar to a rec/save tab on DVCAM tape media or a rec/inhibit tab on other professional tape media. There is also a REC INH function on all deck products to help prevent a user from accidentally erasing material.
Q: Can I erase the disc (or files on the disc) without using the deck?
A: The camcorder has a DISC MENU that enables you to delete that last clip, selected clips, all of the clips, or perform a "Quick Format".
A: The camcorder has a DISC MENU that enables you to delete that last clip, selected clips, all of the clips, or perform a "Quick Format".
Q: Is there a possibility of a bulk eraser type machine?
A: At this time, there are no plans to develop a bulk eraser. Unless desired for security purposes, there is no need to bulk erase data because unlike tape, directly overwriting data on discs does not degrade quality.
A: At this time, there are no plans to develop a bulk eraser. Unless desired for security purposes, there is no need to bulk erase data because unlike tape, directly overwriting data on discs does not degrade quality.
Q: What is the Professional Disc cartridge made of?
A: The cartridge is made of polycarbonate and the storage case is made of polypropylene.
A: The cartridge is made of polycarbonate and the storage case is made of polypropylene.
Q: We want to manage Professional Discs using bar codes. Can we place a bar code label on the front of the cartridge?
A: Yes, adhesive labels, including bar code labels, can be attached to the front of the cartridge.
A: Yes, adhesive labels, including bar code labels, can be attached to the front of the cartridge.
Q: Are there any effects from magnetic fields or airport X-ray scanners?
A: Since recordings on Professional Disc media are not made using magnetic material like tape, or light sensitive material like film, it is highly unlikely that magnetic fields or X-ray scanners will affect the media.
A: Since recordings on Professional Disc media are not made using magnetic material like tape, or light sensitive material like film, it is highly unlikely that magnetic fields or X-ray scanners will affect the media.
Q: Is there protection from accidentally scratching a disc?
A: Yes. A polycarbonate cartridge shields the disc from dust and helps prevent the disc from being scratched. Even if a disc is accidentally scratched, robust error correction enables data on the disc to be played out. The worst-case scenario is when the scratched portion of the disc contains the file system, the data that enables access to all other data on a disc. In this case a mirrored file system in a different physical location enables the XDCAM system to access files.
A: Yes. A polycarbonate cartridge shields the disc from dust and helps prevent the disc from being scratched. Even if a disc is accidentally scratched, robust error correction enables data on the disc to be played out. The worst-case scenario is when the scratched portion of the disc contains the file system, the data that enables access to all other data on a disc. In this case a mirrored file system in a different physical location enables the XDCAM system to access files.
Q: Is there any way to recover data from a damaged or corrupt disc?
A: The Error Correction on Sony XDCAM products can recover extensive lost data. However, just as with videotape, if the damage is too severe for error correction to recover, or if the media is broken into pieces, there is no way to recover data.
A: The Error Correction on Sony XDCAM products can recover extensive lost data. However, just as with videotape, if the damage is too severe for error correction to recover, or if the media is broken into pieces, there is no way to recover data.
Q: Are there additional sources for the media?
A: Sony supports secondary suppliers for optical disc media. Currently Professional Disc media is also available from TDK, Maxell and Fuji. Please contact the respective manufacturers for details.
A: Sony supports secondary suppliers for optical disc media. Currently Professional Disc media is also available from TDK, Maxell and Fuji. Please contact the respective manufacturers for details.