Sony sells DTV gear to CBS, PBS..........................................
digitaltheater.com
HIGH DEFINITION SALES MARK STATIONS ENTRY INTO DTV
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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE) via Individual Inc. --
CBS and PBS Purchases Signal Start of DTV for
Broadcasters and Post Facilities
Sales of Sony digital high definition cameras and camcorders to the CBS Network,
PBS-stations KCTS/Seattle and WMVS/Milwaukee, and the orders for a complete Sony
digital high definition editing suite and HDW-700 camcorders to American Production
Services, also of Seattle, were all announced today, signaling a digital HD commitment
by broadcasters beginning the transition to DTV. The sales represent the largest
investment made in Sony's HDVS production system.
"Broadcasters are beginning to enter into the DTV era with the best tools to create the
most advanced images for television," said Charles Steinberg, president of Sony
Electronics' Business and Professional Group. "The fact that these transactions were
made by a major network broadcaster, two PBS stations and a leading post production
facility is a good indication that the appeal of HDTV will be valued by a wide segment of
the broadcast industry."
Sony's breakthrough one-piece HD camcorder, the HDW-700, was purchased by KCTS
and WMVS; and the HDC-750 field camera was purchased by both CBS and KCTS,
where the cameras have been in service for several months. CBS has used the camera on
events like the U.S. Open tennis tournament to conduct extensive HDTV field trials.
According to Robert Seidel, vice president of Engineering and Advanced Technology
for CBS, the camera represents an important first step for the network.
"We have advocated that HD equipment should be able to provide local stations with
the flexibility for a fluid migration path to DTV," Seidel said. "The fact that Sony's
system offers simultaneous 1920 x 1080i and 525 SDTV or NTSC outputs was of
paramount importance to CBS. We believe that stations planning to replace cameras as
part of their scheduled replacement cycle should make the investment in cameras that
provide a dual standard output."
KCTS and WMVS will begin production of original programming immediately upon
taking delivery of the HDW-700 camcorders. KCTS has been one of the early adopters
of HDTV, having shot analog HD with a Sony camera since 1989. In that time, the
station has become renowned for producing aerial footage from around the world for
such programs as Over(R) America, Over(R) Ireland, Over(R) New England and many
others. KCTS began producing digital HD with the HDC-750 this fall.
"Since so much of the work we do is shot from helicopters, or transported over long
distances, the advantages of the lightweight, compact camcorder will be like a quantum
leap forward," said Burnill Clark, president and CEO of KCTS. "The work will be done
more efficiently, while producing the best pictures possible. We see digital HD
production as essential to the future of the organization, and it lends itself beautifully to
the kind of programming we provide. Sony's cameras offer high resolution, excellent
dynamic range and superb audio, and we are certain there will be a need for more HD
equipment to satisfy our production needs."
KCTS is currently shooting Over(R) Portugal with the HDC-750, which will air this
summer. Additionally, plans are being made to shoot an aerial program in Australia to
coincide with the 2000 Summer Games.
WMVS operates both channel 10 and channel 36 in Milwaukee. It will use the camcorder
to produce original programming as well as to serve as an advanced instruction tool for
students at Milwaukee Area Technical College, which owns and operates the stations.
"Education is central to our station's mission, and we feel it is important to train future
operators on an HD system," said David Felland, director of engineering and operations
for WMVS. "We have held a license to operate HDTV since 1992, and the acquisition of
the HD camcorder is a key element in our DTV plan for expansion and replacement."
The editing suite ordered by American Production Services (APS) includes Sony's
HDVS-7000 switcher, HDME-7000 multi-effects unit, four HDW-500 VTRs and a
BVE-9100 edit control unit. APS also ordered two HDW-700 camcorders for their rental
inventory. APS and KCTS have entered into an agreement in which KCTS will assist in
the marketing of the HD edit suite through its Intris(TM) digital division and will use the
facility for post production of the HD-originated programming. APS is preparing a room
to house the equipment and the HD suite should be ready shortly after NAB this year.
For Conrad Denke, president of APS, the promise of HD production was enhanced by
relationships with key partners.
"We have been watching the HD work that has been done by KCTS this past year, and
have been blown away by the quality of the results," Denke said. "The opportunity to
work in such an advanced environment is terrifically exciting. And, over the years, APS
has often been among the first users of Sony digital equipment, which has not only
given us early insight into the creative options of digital production, but has provided
our editors experience that will enable them to master the new HD edit suite in a short
period of time. We expect the learning curve to be very small. The Sony system
produces the best quality images and when used by companies like APS and KCTS, we
should find ourselves producing television on a level never seen before."
Editor's Note: More information about Sony products can be found on the World Wide
Web at sony.com, or readers may call 1-800-686-SONY.
Additional press information is available at sony.com.
The Business and Professional Group of Sony Electronics is a leading U.S. supplier of
video and audio equipment for the broadcast, production, business, industrial,
government, medical, and education markets. Sony offers a wide array of products and
systems for image capture, production, and display. Sony also provides specialized
equipment and systems for data recording, duplication, electronic
photography/publishing, video conferencing, high definition video, interactive and
security applications. In the last fiscal year, Sony Electronics had record sales of more
than $9.6 billion.
CONTACT: Lisa Young Jon Reiner | Sony Electronics Inc. Technology Solutions, Inc |
408-955-5683 212-320-2235 | lisa_young@mail.sel.sony.com jreiner@tsipr.com
[Copyright 1998, Business Wire] |
