XDCAM BASICS | XDCAM HD422 | TECHNOLOGY & MEDIA | LASER PICKUP | CAMCORDERS | DECKS
Q: What is the XDCAM system?
A: Sony created the XDCAM brand to describe tapeless video production, which delivers new speed convenience -- what Sony calls "workflow innovation".
A: Sony created the XDCAM brand to describe tapeless video production, which delivers new speed convenience -- what Sony calls "workflow innovation".
Q. What is "workflow innovation"?
A: Compared to typical tape-based production, XDCAM tapeless production delivers a host of powerful benefits:
A: Compared to typical tape-based production, XDCAM tapeless production delivers a host of powerful benefits:
- You can view recorded scenes immediately on the camcorder's LCD monitor, with no need to fast forward or rewind. Then you can return to shooting immediately, without first cueing back to the end of the last shot.
- Proxy AV enables you to quickly transfer relatively small files to a laptop for immediate viewing, logging, selecting takes and cuts-only editing.
- Proxy files can be transferred at far faster than real time from the field to the studio.
This enables proxy editing to begin before the full-resolution assets arrive. It also enables proxy video of breaking news to be broadcast directly. - XDCAM assets are data files that can be stored on any PC storage device and transferred over any data network.
- XDCAM assets can be browsed across a data network, enabling a producer sitting at a PC in Australia to view the contents of a disc loaded into a deck in India.
Q: What is Proxy AV?
A: When XDCAM products record a clip, they simultaneously generate a second, "lightweight" lower resolution data file of the same video, audio and timecode. Compared to the full-resolution data file, proxy files transfer at roughly ten times the speed and occupy just 1/10 the disc space. This enables far faster, more convenient data operations for offline browsing and editing.
A: When XDCAM products record a clip, they simultaneously generate a second, "lightweight" lower resolution data file of the same video, audio and timecode. Compared to the full-resolution data file, proxy files transfer at roughly ten times the speed and occupy just 1/10 the disc space. This enables far faster, more convenient data operations for offline browsing and editing.
Q: What recording media does the XDCAM system use?
A: In XDCAM tapeless production, the actual recording medium varies.
A: In XDCAM tapeless production, the actual recording medium varies.
- All XDCAM optical disc camcorders, decks and drives -- both SD and HD -- record on the PFD-23A Professional Disc™ media. This yields up to 120 minutes of recording time at 18 Mbps.
- Selected models also record on the dual-layer Professional Disc media, the PFD-50DLA.This delivers a maximum recording time of 250 minutes at 18 Mbps.
Q: What file types does the XDCAM system use?
A: A key advantage of the XDCAM system is that audio/video assets are recorded as data files. XDCAM products that write to Professional Disc™ media use the Material eXchange Format (MXF) for all full-resolution and Proxy AV content. XDCAM products that write to SxS™ flash memory media use the MP4 file format.
A: A key advantage of the XDCAM system is that audio/video assets are recorded as data files. XDCAM products that write to Professional Disc™ media use the Material eXchange Format (MXF) for all full-resolution and Proxy AV content. XDCAM products that write to SxS™ flash memory media use the MP4 file format.
Q: What is dual-layer media?
A: Just as dual-layer DVDs expand capacity and recording time, Sony's PFD-50DLA dual-layer Professional Disc media extends the XDCAM system. Capacity increases from 23.3 GB to 50 GB. Recording time increases from 120 minutes to 250 minutes at 18 Mbps.
This longer load is perfect for documentaries, nature shows and other projects with high shooting ratios. The increased capacity of dual-layer media also boosts the efficiency of XDCAM archives.
A: Just as dual-layer DVDs expand capacity and recording time, Sony's PFD-50DLA dual-layer Professional Disc media extends the XDCAM system. Capacity increases from 23.3 GB to 50 GB. Recording time increases from 120 minutes to 250 minutes at 18 Mbps.
This longer load is perfect for documentaries, nature shows and other projects with high shooting ratios. The increased capacity of dual-layer media also boosts the efficiency of XDCAM archives.
Q: Why did Sony choose MPEG 2 Long GOP?
A: Because the system combines interframe and intraframe compression technology, it enables one to achieve a higher picture quality at lower bitrates than systems that use intraframe compression alone.
A: Because the system combines interframe and intraframe compression technology, it enables one to achieve a higher picture quality at lower bitrates than systems that use intraframe compression alone.
Q: I've heard about other compression codecs. Why didn't Sony use one of them?
A: Before committing to MPEG 2, Sony studied a full range of available compression codecs, including DV,AVC and wavelet technologies in addition to the MPEG 2 family. Sony evaluated the codecs based on a full range of criteria.
A: Before committing to MPEG 2, Sony studied a full range of available compression codecs, including DV,AVC and wavelet technologies in addition to the MPEG 2 family. Sony evaluated the codecs based on a full range of criteria.
- High picture quality across multiple generations
- Long recording time
- High compatibility with today's nonlinear editors and servers
- High server throughput
- High software encode/decode speed in today's typical PCs
- Low equipment size and cost
- Low network bandwidth requirements
- Low server capacity cost
Q: I've heard that MPEG 2 is actually a family of many compression "profiles" and "levels".
Which specific MPEG 2 profiles and levels does Sony use?
A: MPEG 2 covers a wide range of applications from the consumer world to the professional. Sony carefully selected MPEG profiles and levels according to each application.
Which specific MPEG 2 profiles and levels does Sony use?
A: MPEG 2 covers a wide range of applications from the consumer world to the professional. Sony carefully selected MPEG profiles and levels according to each application.
- 422 Profile at Main Level. Featured in the standard definition PDW-530 camcorder and PDW-1500 deck.
- Main Profile at High Level. Featured in the PDW-F335 and PDW-F355 XDCAM HD camcorder, the PDW-F75 XDCAM HD deck and the PMW-EX1 XDCAM EX camcorder.
- 422 Profile at High Level. Featured in the PDW-700 2/3-inch camcorder and PDW-HD1500 deck.
Q: What are the bitrates of XDCAM recording?
A. The system offers a wide range of bitrates, each optimized for specific applications.
A. The system offers a wide range of bitrates, each optimized for specific applications.
- DVCAM standard definition: 25 Mbps. Broadly compatible, this is the same codec as used in consumer DV and Panasonic DVCPro 25 recorders.
- MPEG IMX standard definition: 30, 40 and 50 Mbps to deliver superior 4:2:2 picture quality.
- XDCAM HD 18 Mbps variable bitrate. To support the longest recording time of any HD camcorder.
- XDCAM HD 25 Mbps constant bitrate. For compatibility with NLEs and servers that support HDV™ 1080i recording.
- XDCAM HD 35 Mbps variable bitrate. For high quality in affordable production systems.
- XDCAM HD 50 Mbps constant bitrate. To take advantage of the performance of XDCAM HD 2/3-inch camcorder.
Q: Does 25 Mbps XDCAM HD recording use the same compression as HDV 1080i recording?
A: Yes. While XDCAM HD recording at 18 and 35 Mbps uses variable bitrate technology, the 25 Mbps alternative uses a fixed bitrate for compatibility with HDV 1080i editors and recorders. The basic difference is that HDV editors use Transport Stream (TS) and XDCAM HD uses Elementary Stream (ES).When the PDW-F75 recorder and the PDW-F30 player are fitted with the optional PDBK-102 MPEG Transport Stream (TS) card, these decks can be connected directly to HDV 1080i recorders, camcorders and compatible NLEs, via the i.LINK® HDV interface.*
A: Yes. While XDCAM HD recording at 18 and 35 Mbps uses variable bitrate technology, the 25 Mbps alternative uses a fixed bitrate for compatibility with HDV 1080i editors and recorders. The basic difference is that HDV editors use Transport Stream (TS) and XDCAM HD uses Elementary Stream (ES).When the PDW-F75 recorder and the PDW-F30 player are fitted with the optional PDBK-102 MPEG Transport Stream (TS) card, these decks can be connected directly to HDV 1080i recorders, camcorders and compatible NLEs, via the i.LINK® HDV interface.*
Q: What is the recording time?
A: Extended recording time is a big advantage of the XDCAM HD system bitrates. Recording time varies according to your choice of bitrate and recording media. Maximum recording time is over 248 minutes (18 Mbps, 4-channel Audio, dual-layer media).This represents the longest recording time of any HD camcorder currently available.
A: Extended recording time is a big advantage of the XDCAM HD system bitrates. Recording time varies according to your choice of bitrate and recording media. Maximum recording time is over 248 minutes (18 Mbps, 4-channel Audio, dual-layer media).This represents the longest recording time of any HD camcorder currently available.
|
Bitrate SD 25 Mbps HD 35 Mbps HD 25 Mbps HD 18 Mbps |
PFD-23A single-layer disc 85 min >65 min 85 min >112 min |
PFD-50DLA dual-layer disc 185 min >145 min 190 min >248 min |
| (4-channel Audio) | ||
Q: Do you plan to discontinue the HDCAM™ line?
A: Absolutely not. With 2/3-inch type image sensors and 140 Mbps recording, HDCAM products offer compelling advantages for high-end sports, episodic television and feature films. It's a whole different class.
A: Absolutely not. With 2/3-inch type image sensors and 140 Mbps recording, HDCAM products offer compelling advantages for high-end sports, episodic television and feature films. It's a whole different class.
Q: Why is the CineAlta™ trademark (brand) on XDCAM HD products?
A: Sony uses the CineAlta name to identify a high level of cinema production. With gorgeous performance at true 24 frames progressive, the XDCAM HD system fully meets that description.
A: Sony uses the CineAlta name to identify a high level of cinema production. With gorgeous performance at true 24 frames progressive, the XDCAM HD system fully meets that description.