Sony Defines Digital @ NAB
By Michael Grotticelli
New York--In announcing its new and enhanced product offerings for this
year's NAB show, Sony Electronics, Inc., restated its commitment to an
MPEG compression production strategy while also introducing a number of
new offerings that expand its DVCAM, Betacam SX, and HDCAM
families.
The company's MPEG commitment, backed up by such major broadcasters
as CNN, addresses the legacy of thousands of Betacam videotapes in
broadcast libraries throughout the world.
To this end, Bob Ott, Sony vice president, VTRs, stated that those users
standardizing on the 1/2-inch Betacam platform (e.g., Betacam SP, Betacam
SX and Digital Betacam) will have the benefit of backward
compatibility--thus preserving their investment.
For example, HDCAM VTRs will play Betacam, Betacam SP, Betacam SX
and Digital Betacam tapes. "A videotape made in 1983 will still be able to
be played on a machine we'll introduce in 2003," he said. "That's format
support."
He mentioned future versions of MPEG equipment that will process video at
100, 200 Mbps and beyond. For example, a 1080 interlace or progressive
signal would be accommodated by 200-300 Mbps gear, he stated, but such
equipment will not be available for at least two years.
Supporting Sony's cause, the Pro-MPEG Forum, a group of companies
developing MPEG-compressed solutions for every part of the broadcast
chain, will stage a large-scale demonstration of applications from such
companies as Quantel, Tektronix, Fast Multimedia, and Sony.
Under a "Defining Digital @ Sony" show theme, Sony said it plans to
develop products in both the interlace and progressive formats, although
only interlace for now.
"It is now clearer than ever before that broadcasters, cable and satellite
operators... have entered a splintered, multi-format digital environment," said
Anthony Gargano, senior vice president of communications systems for
Sony's Broadcast and Professional Company. "As a result, our DTV
product introductions are being carefully planned to best meet the
ever-changing needs of diverse market segments."
Currently the company is offering a range of 1080/60i products in the
SMPTE 274M HD production standard (with a 50 Hz version to come in
2000). These High Definition Video System (HDVS) products include three
new HD production switchers, a digital HD multi-effects system
(HDME-7000), HD VTRs, and an HD monitor series. These are all based
around Sony's 1/2-inch HDCAM recording format that, according to Sony,
reduces the costs of high data rate HD recording.
They'll also introduce the HDW-250 HDCAM Field Recorder portable HD
VTR and a wide range of switchable aspect ratio Digital Betacam
camcorders and the DSR-500W digital widescreen--switchable--DVCAM
camcorder. (Sony also plans to add a DTV format converter and selected
transmission equipment to the 1080/60i line next year). Also, the DVCAM
DSR-2000 studio recorder/player will be introduced. This DVCAM deck
plays back DV, LP mode and Panasonic's DVCPRO.
In its NAB booth, the company will also show a 1080/24p post production
system that provides the ability to create an edited digital 24 frame high
definition master from 35mm film. This is something producers and post
houses in Hollywood have been asking for to allow them to distribute
programming in a variety of digital television (DTV) formats.
In addition, 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.
To support ENG applications, where more than 240 stations across the
U.S. have adopted Betacam SX (according to the company), Sony is
extending the product line with new and more affordable studio and portable
units. A new DVCAM widescreen camcorder and studio VTR will also be
introduced at NAB.
It was announced that two new Betacam SX models will be offered in the
same price range-- although less featured--as the new DVCAM ENG
models and that the highly anticipated FVS-1000 multi-resolution telecine
(that produces high quality film-to-tape transfers at resolutions ranging from
525/625 SDTV to HDTV) would begin shipping by mid-year.
Other new products of note include: the WRT-808A Plug-On Transmitter,
that accepts any standard low Z wired microphone or line level source and
transforms it into a wireless mic; the HKPF HD Processor Series of
upconverter, encoder and decoder boards; and the BVM "D" Series of
self-contained, digital field/studio monitors in 20- and 24-inch DTV master
and nine- and 14-inch DTV viewing versions.
In addition to its 20,000-sq. ft. show floor space (booth #L16730), Sony
will also exhibit product in a 40,000-sq. ft. "Sonyland" hands-on demo
center in the Las Vegas Convention Center's new North Hall, similar in
nature to last year's Bally's exhibit. |
