Sony, whats next

[Paul Thurston]

You know what,

I bet there are a couple of people here that know this answer, yet will not disclose any of this data to us.

For the longest time I could not figure out why Sony would not allow its engineers to talk here, or for that matter letting us suggest improvements to many of their designs.

Well, as it turned out, Sony does ask Americans their opinion about certain products. We just never hear about it much because these are mostly events that have to do with people that authorized, at some moment, the purchase of LOTS OF STUFF.

So, what will we see next NAB…

Haven

[Bill Skinner]

Well I got my answer today from Sony. A new 900 will be out this summer. It is a green version, no lead, slightly smaller, DSP upgrade with time lapse. Price for the New HDW-900R will be out this Jan. But I am sure this is not news to some of you in the know…

Bill

[Michael Brennan]

A HDW900R without the f would, base don current model descriptions would indicate that it cant do 23.98 or 24p. I’ve seen others refer to it as f900R though.
Also heard others get Genesis confused with f900.

R would stand for Ramp? but only half a ramp as it won’t do slomo unless they have been keeping big secrets!
Price will be interesting.
A 14bit AD is likely.
14bit and timelapse is another small step in the right direction.

Out in Jan usually means deliveries in Jan 2007?

Mike Brennan

[Bill Skinner]

My bad on that one, I left out the f. HDW-F900R would be correct.

[Michael Brennan]

f900R Makes more sense in the light of recently bumping up the features on the 750 and 730 (see below) they need to keep a price and perfomance difference with f900.
Existing f900s will still be better than 750s so they are not alienating existing customers. (thats me!)

WIll be interesting to see if they go 14bit AD and if so how this would intercut with 12bit f900s.

The 730 (2001), then the 730S (2004) then at IBC 2005 there was the 730SC? (c for cinegamma)
This has now manafested itself as V2 software upgrade ( with a cinegamma curve) both for HDW 750p and HDW730S

They do fiddle with the model numbers and float ideas at trade shows for reaction or mass confusion.

Where is their 444 camera???, the HDCf950 has been discontinued…a 444 output on the HDW f900R would be very neat indeed…hand me the sonic screw driver captain…

Mike Brennan

[Tony]

Ok here is what I have heard from my sources.

Yes a new version of the F900 camcorder will be released (smaller size, built in downconverter, higher DSP bit processing). At a later time there will be another camcorder forthcoming rumors say it may be a HDCAM SR version (sorry I cannot confirm this).

Other models you may see at NAB are a 1/2 CCD camcorder with a XDCAM HD back (this camera will be a lower cost solution aimed at broadcasters).

Tony Salgado

Tony Salgado

[Michael Brennan]

[tony salgado] “Other models you may see at NAB are a 1/2 CCD camcorder with a XDCAM HD back (this camera will be a lower cost solution aimed at broadcasters).”

If what wa son show at IBC was anything to go by, this isa chaeap, but not a brilliant camera.
Lower res in P mode (they may say it is a progressive HD camcorder but it isn’t a progressive ccd. (there is jiggery pokery at the camera head end)

Mike Brennan

[Tony]

Michael,

The brochure on line for the camera spells out the specs which in my opinion make this camera real lackluster in some critical items as well as image quailty considered the compression used.

It looks like there is no HDSDI output only HD analog which really blows.

If and when the GV Infinnity camera system is released I can’t see why anyone would choose the Sony camera given such a difference in image quality as well as 1/2 CCD versus 2/3″

Most rental houses I have spoken to have no interest in revamping their lens inventory by adding 1/2″ lenses instead of using their existing 2/3″ lenses.

Tony Salgado

[Accountclosedduetopolicyviolations]

[tony salgado] “Michael,

The brochure on line for the camera spells out the specs which in my opinion make this camera real lackluster in some critical items as well as image quailty considered the compression used.

It looks like there is no HDSDI output only HD analog which really blows.

If and when the GV Infinnity camera system is released I can’t see why anyone would choose the Sony camera given such a difference in image quality as well as 1/2 CCD versus 2/3″

Most rental houses I have spoken to have no interest in revamping their lens inventory by adding 1/2″ lenses instead of using their existing 2/3″ lenses.

Tony Salgado”

I have seen Sony’s new 1/2′ HD xdcam in Sydney month ago.
For the same money + lens one should be able to buy Infinity.
There is really no contest..
jiri vrozina

[Michael Brennan]

[jiri vrozina] ”
I have seen Sony’s new 1/2′ HD xdcam in Sydney month ago.
For the same money + lens one should be able to buy Infinity.
There is really no contest..”

There is no way the Infinity camera body will be the same price point as the XDCAM HD body and then you’ll have to use a 2/3 inch HD lens on the Infinity which in itself is the same price as the complete xdcam with its cheapo lens!

There is no contest because they will be different ends of the market.

If they change the specs and use a cmos on the the Infinity then it will be cheaper, but the 2/3 inch lens is likely to be 2x more expensive than a 1/2 inch lens for years to come.

Another factor to consider is that the Infinity was just a block of wood in Sept. Generation 3 of XDCAM product line is likely to launch in the next 18 months, so Infinity a 1st Generation (including new recording system) vs 3rd generation Sony.

I am in favour of the infinity concept but not going to bet the farm on a new stuff working like it says on the box.

Mike Brennan