CBS News goes PDW700 for HD aquisition

[Mark Shepherd]

John Sharif:

From what I have read regarding the recording capabilities of the dual layer disk on the PDW-700, it says that it can record “In DVCAM mode, users can get about 3 hours 10 minutes of content onto the new disc” Does this mean that this camera can fit into ABC New’s plans but not having to use the PDW-530 which ONLY shoots in SD?

[John Sharaf]

Mark,

This is the $64K question; if it does (and there is still some confusion about this)then it would be an excellent camera choice for someone who works both for CBS (although it looks like only the magazines will be going HD in the near term) and ABC. For those who work only at ABC, the PDW510 is a half price alternative and may prove to be a better choice if ABC ultimately decides to go another non-XDCAM HD solution in 2011.

Another draw back to the PDW700 is that it will not have 24p and will likely be superseded by a version that does and that also will have a more advanced codec like AVC-I in a year or so.

JS

[Robin Probyn]

Hi John

Do you think the all whistles and bells PDW700 version has good chance of becoming an across the board camera for doco/corp anything but really highend HD ie replacing the Varicam/HDX900/Sony 750 and even F900 camera,s ?

[John Sharaf]

Obviously that’s what Sony hopes, but the reality is that there will never again be a one-camera solution. Remember that Panasonic (and others) are still actively developing new cameras; their 3000 camera for example is a much better solution, and on the market right now, for high end doc and independent feature (non 4K) at a fair price, as long as you’re prepared to buy into P2.

The “ultimate” HD XDCAM, which will offer 24p and AVC-I codec could be 18 months-two years down the line. Sony themselves might improve the F900 by then to protect the high-lowend business, leaving the PRD700 positioned for the cost conscious news folks.

JMHO,

JS

[John Sharaf]

I don’t mean to gloat, but it looks like I was correct vis-a-vis the timeframe for the full-on 24p PDW700. Sony is now saying June 2009 delivery of 24p “software key”.

JS