Sony's 1080p encoder due in 2003. NAB showings.....................
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NAB '99: DEFINING DIGITAL@SONY; Sony To Show a Clear Migration Path To Digital Television
(Last updated 12:01 PM ET February 23)
NEW YORK (BUSINESS WIRE) - At NAB '99, Sony will offer broadcasters and the production community new levels of functionality, quality and cost-effectiveness, presenting a clear migration path to digital television. On the heels of DTV's successful launch in Nov. '98, Sony is introducing the company's most complete line of product and system solutions, while offering the value-added services demanded by the broadcast industry for the 21st century.
"The keys to 'Defining Digital at Sony,' our theme for the show, are twofold," noted Michael Vitelli, executive vice president of Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Professional Company. "First, flexibility and expandability with a minimum investment that ensures broadcasters can build a future-proof system now within the context of their own business goals and technology architecture. And, second, an open and interoperable system solution that can withstand the diverse technology environment that exists today and will continue into tomorrow.
"The bottom line is that Sony is committed to supplying the tools, talent and techniques necessary to define the digital migration path that best serves our customers," Vitelli added.
Defining a Migration Path to DTV
Sony is firmly committed to creating DTV production components in both the interlace and progressive formats. According to Vitelli, this strategy is being implemented in stages, beginning with the now-complete 1920 x 1080/60i system; a 50Hz version of this system is scheduled to follow in 2000.
Starting this summer, Sony is slated to begin shipping a 1080/24P post production system that will provide the ability to create an edited digital 24 frame HD master from 35mm motion picture film, allowing subsequent digital conversion to multiple DTV distribution formats. A multi-format converter for digital conversion from the 24P HD master to the 1080i, 720P, 480P and 480i distribution formats also is scheduled to ship this summer.
To round out Sony's DTV offerings, a complete 480P production and post production system is planned to start shipping in 2000, with a multi-format digital production system, including 720P, expected to follow. A 1080/60P production system is planned for 2003. Defining Open and Interoperable MPEG Networking
Vitelli noted that MPEG studio production will become a reality at NAB '99, as several leading manufacturers, including Sony, are going to demonstrate MPEG interoperability. Sony will show MPEG networking based on SDTI-CP technology, allowing MPEG elementary streams transferred over an SDTI interface. This capability is in the final process of its standardization at SMPTE.
"MPEG interoperability assures total system flexibility while maintaining the highest quality throughout the production chain," Vitelli said.
Additionally, a large-scale demonstration will be conducted at the show by the Pro-MPEG Forum, an independent industry organization. Defining the VTR Migrations in DTV Production
Sony will offer a future-proof 1/2-inch VTR migration plan from SDTV to HDTV. In HD, an important extension to the 1/2-inch HDCAM(R) recording platform will be demonstrated at NAB. For example, HDCAM VTRs will be able to offer playback compatibility with both Betacam SX(R) and Digital Betacam(R).
Material recorded on those 1/2-inch digital formats will be upconverted on playback to 1080/60i, thus providing a novel migration path from SDTV to HDTV. This means news programming originated on Betacam SX now can be readily integrated into a future HD news service.
For high-quality SDTV production, Sony is adding three new camcorders to its Digital Betacam line-up in 1999.
Defining the Choices in ENG
With its extremely successful market penetration, it is evident that the Betacam SX format is the first choice and the proven format for electronic news gathering. According to Vitelli, more than 240 U.S. stations have purchased Betacam SX.
To support diversity in Betacam SX applications, as well as to offer new choices for SX customers, Sony will extend its product line-up with new and more affordable studio and portable lines. Simultaneously, new DVCAM(R) ENG models, including a wide-screen camcorder and studio VTR will be added to the already expansive DVCAM lineup.
The new Betacam SX models will be in the same price range as the new DVCAM ENG models, offering customers expandable choices from Sony, not based necessarily on price point, but on applications and requirements.
Record Sales
According to Vitelli, Sony has sold more than $100 million in DTV products over the past three months. Topping the list of customers are CNN, TCI, Fox and Tribune-owned stations H. Belo stations, the Texas Network, Bexel, Young Broadcasting, Lifetime Television, Court TV, Major League Baseball Productions, PGA Tours, and Williams Vyvx.
Worldwide, Vitelli said that Sony has sold almost 140,000 units of the company's digital video formats, including 75,000 DVCAM units (which is more than any other professional DV implementation), along with 20,000 Betacam SX and 42,000 Digital Betacam systems, and more than 1,000 high-end HDCAM units.
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 Broadcast and Professional Company of Sony Electronics is a leading U.S. provider 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 the data recording, duplication, electronic photography/publishing, videoconferencing, high definition video, interactive and security applications. In the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 1998, Sony Electronics had record sales of $10.5 billion.
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