Sony’s new all-in-one multi-camera Live Producer offers high-end performance and easy operation

Asia Pacific, 24 August 2016- Sony today announces the release of its latest multi-camera Live Producer. The MCX-500 offers the performance and technical heritage associated with Sony’s market-leading AV solutions at an affordable price. An ideal all-in-one switcher for multiple camcorders, the MCX-500 is perfect for corporate, education, wedding or house of worship productions.

Sony’s MCX-500 includes a wide-range of functionality along with an easy-to-use interface, giving operators the flexibility to cover different types of productions effortlessly. “Whatever the scale of a live production, we know that users want broadcast performance,” said Mr. Hiroyuki Takahama, Assistant General Manager, Content Creation Solutions Marketing, Professional Solutions Company (PSAP), Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Limited. “The MCX-500 is designed for applications where the system needs to be affordable and easy to use, without compromising on flexibility or quality.”

The MCX-500 is a 4-channel video switcher that offers users the option to select from 9 inputs, including 4x 3G-SDI, 2x HDMI and 2x CVBS. An extra RGB input is available for title overlays. A wide range of video cameras can be connected to the MCX-500 including professional camcorders such as Sony’s XDCAM or NXCAM series, and consumer video cameras. Other features include both PinP and Keyer overlay functions, a range of transition effects, and 4-channel video and 5-channel audio inputs including XLR and embedded audio from SDI or HDMI, for maximum versatility. Premium features such as the broadcast-quality chroma key algorithm of Sony’s flagship broadcast video switcher – the MVS series – are also included in the MCX-500.
Critically, the MCX-500 is designed to adapt to multiple workflows. The all-in-one switcher is able to record live images (PGM) with AVCHD formats without an external recorder. This enables users to edit or distribute as soon as recording has finished. Furthermore, the switcher incorporates USTREAMTM function, allowing users to broadcast recordings from live events over the internet easily. There is also the option to use a remotely controlled GUI from an external PC or tablet, ideal for live recording with a small audience.
The MCX-500 has been developed to make multi-camera operation as simple as possible, especially when it is connected to Sony’s RM-30BP remote controller and certain Sony professional camcorders. This combination – Simple Live Solution – allows recording control to be synchronized for multiple camcorders such as the HXR-NX5R, making it easy to manage independent recording. A PGM/PVW tally signal can be sent from the MCX-500 to the connected camcorders, notifying the operators which image has been selected for live output¹.
The MCX-500 is planned to be available in Asia Pacific from January 2017 onwards. Sony will demonstrate the switcher for the first time at the Beijing International Radio, TV & Film Exhibition (BIRTV). Join us at the Sony booths, 8B01 and 2A243, at the China International Exhibition Center (CIEC) from 24 to 27 August and personally experience the latest technology innovation.

¹Requires a camcorder compatible with “Simple Live Solution” setup. More camcorders will be supported in due course.