[Craig Seeman]

While none of us have a PMW-EX1 in our hands yet (although I have seen it live and have seen the output from head to HD monitor), the output is 4:2:2 Uncompressed.

[Craig Seeman]

[Andy Mees] “this may be of interest
https://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/ShowContent.action?site=biz_en_GB&contentId=1193315622075 “

Included in that link are EX1 Manuals for 7 languages.

Mac and Windows SxS Device Driver Software Installer
ReadMe for the above in 7 languages.

XDCAM EX Clip Browsing Software Installer
Windows XP/Vista Japanese & English and Mac OSX
Manual for the above in 7 Languages

Links to 9 National/regional Sony sites
USA Product registration link.

[Craig Seeman]

Squeeze can’t do 720×512 Program streams. At least I didn’t see a way. I told them about it and asked for it as a feature request.

Episode has a free trial but the encode is limited to 30 seconds. You could always give that a try and tell DG it’s not to length. You’re just testing the encode spec. If it meets spec you’ll know you can buy Episode and it’ll solve the problem.

Of course the day after you do that Squeeze comes out with an update.

[Craig Seeman]

Sent it to you in a zipped file. Give it a test and let us know ASAP if it passes. If it fails let me know why and I’ll have another go at it.

[Craig Seeman]

Anthony,

I got the specs from DG and created a new template. I haven’t tested it since I don’t have spots going out at the moment. If you can get me your email address I can send you the Episode template and you can give it a try for me.

[Craig Seeman]

And Squeeze wont do 720×512. I needed that spec for Pathfire. I told Sorenson about that and they didn’t seem to grasp what Sigma encoding was about.

Episode has no problem. It’s the most flexible encoding tool on the Mac and maybe even PC. I may give Rhozet a try (PC Program) but at $5K I don’t think I’ll buy.

BTW you shouldn’t need 720×512 for spots, only VNR. Spots should be 720×480. I’ll double check that but it’s one spec I don’t think they have any reason to change for spots.

[Craig Seeman]

MPEG2 is normaly 720×480. In my template I have setting that crops 720×486 to that size.

720×512 is a setting that Pathfire uses. You “crop out” sort of like creating black letter box during encoding. You’re not resizing the video image at all. That creates space in the verticle interval for Sigma encoding for VNR use tracking. You don’t need to do that for TV spot distribution since you just need proof/certifcation that they aired.

It’s important to note that for broadcast you’re not changing pixel aspect ratio either (compared to changing not square to square for computer/web use).

[Craig Seeman]

My sources are digital too. Usually DVCAM although I’m moving to XDCAM in the near future.

MPEG2 Program streams are usually upper field first so I just switch that in my Episode template for DG and it works. DG will contact you if they see an issue. They’ll go through a testing procedure (upload 5 good test spots) before they let you start using the system.

The odd thing when I started testing with Pathfire with MPEG2 Transport streams (owned by DG now) they spotted the field switch “judder” and told me it was OK to keep it lower field first.

For black I just cheat my digital source up to the equivalent of 1 IRE (thinking 0 might trigger something on their side) and it passed through. My spots looked good so I’ve stuck with that setting.

[Craig Seeman]

Those are the reasons why I like the EX1.

2 8GB cards hold 50 minutes total (or 70 at 25mbps)
2 16GB cards will hold 100 minutes (or 140 at 25mbps)
Depending on what your shoot day is like that might be enough.

2 32GB cards would be 200 or 280 minutes! Although can cost as much as buying a good MacBookPro unless the press falls below what the P2 equivalents cost.

The camera will come with 2 8GB cards and I can buy a 16GB card to give me a total of 100 or 140 minutes record time. That can cover a good part of a typical shoot day.

Given that it seems SxS transfers at much faster than P2 (10 to 15 times real time depending on other factors), offload isn’t too disruptive.

If I go the laptop route on a shoot, I can burn a couple of DL-DVDs and the client can walk with 50 minutes of master footage that he can actually view!

[Craig Seeman]

[Shane Ross] “Well, shooting with the EX and archiving to the XDCAM disk might be the exception. But then you have to rent an XDCAM deck, right? Unless you already own one.
“

Sony will have a “dumb” recorder out by NAB for $2500. Computer USB to XDCAM player/recorder. Ment to be a feeder/recorder to NLE systems.

For those few who had preproduction EX1s, they say it takes about 5 mintues to dump 50 minutes of video (2 8GB cards or one 16GB card). Even with about 3x speed to XDCAM disc one can ingest and make 2 backups for double protection (and you’d have it on your hard drive too at that point) faster than tape ingest. If you’re handing material to clients you can put on DL-DVD.

I think P2 with it’s folder of files is a PIA.

Sony will distribute a free viewer. In theory one can do a shoot, dump the master clips on some DL-DVDs and put the viewer on the disc too. Client can view the masters without the need of a deck. That can even beat HDV with its multiple formats.

There is one catch with the EX1 they have to resolve Camera records 1920×1080 at 35mbps whereas 330/5 and 350/5 record at 1440×1080.

XDCAM disc only saves at 1440×1080 so Sony may have to change something to avoid the downconvert . . . otherwise Blu-Ray looks better for archive.