HD For Indies

Sony launches XDCAM HD

As Sony hinted at NAB, they now are using XDCAM for HD, called XDCAM HD. It's better quality than HDV, not as good as HDCAM as a format.

Quick note from article, I'm in a hurry this morning:

-It offers bitrates of 18, 25, and 35 megabits.

-the 25 mbit is basically like HDV, but 18 megabit allows for more media on disk at lower quality, and 35 megabit (that's still only about 4.4 MB/sec, as compared to 3.2ish for DV) for higher quality but less recording time per disc.

-XDCAM HD has four uncompressed audio channels.

-long GOP like HDV

-Avid's Liquid editor (used to belong to Pinnacle before they were acquired by Avid) is being shown editing it at the show

-three products: PDW-F330 camcorder and PDW-F30 and F70 decks

-won't ship until next year

-camcorder PDW-F330 based on 1/2 inch CCD, looks like current XDCAM cameras, records HD and DV

-F30 deck is entry level w/FireWire

-F70 deck is pro model w/HD-SDI, slow motion etc.

-so yeah, looks like FireWire (i.Link, IEEE 1394a) will be the interface protocol - so no high end cards required - hooray!

-what is NOT said is what frame rates are supported, such as 24p, 720p vs 1080i, etc. Sony is usually a 1080i shop for all but their highest end cameras

more info as I find it - and send in links!