


Sony today unveiled new solutions and products developed in collaboration with the media industry to bring creative visions to life. Key highlights include powerful enhancements to Sony’s digital motion picture camera VENICE and full-frame camcorder FX9, and upgrades to its 4K HDR professional monitors. Sony also expands its portfolio of Ci cloud-based collaboration and content management tools with an enhanced hybrid asset management solution that unifies Ci and NavigatorX, as well as a new Media Analytics Portal.
“In this new and emerging normal, our portfolio of existing and updated technologies will help our partners and customers reach the broadest possible audience, across the most comprehensive array of distribution channels with a straightforward production process. For a long time, Sony has been developing cloud-native toolsets and IP based connectivity to support demand for value, flexibility and efficiency. We recognise the ever-increasing demand for solutions specifically tailored to live, remote and virtual production and broadcast environments. Now, in the context of a global pandemic, we know that production and broadcast teams want to deliver high-quality content in a more dispersed and isolated work environment than ever before. Our new functionalities and capabilities will enable our customers to run an efficient workflow operation during these challenging circumstances and well into the future.” Hiroshi Kajita, Head of Media Solutions – Sony Professional Solutions Europe.
Unlocking new power from industry-leading imaging solutions
For 2020, Sony is expanding its imaging portfolio and product functionality, offering an enhanced range of solutions that maximize content quality and value and enhance the operations of content producers and broadcasters.
Cinema, TV program, commercial and documentary productions
Additional new VENICE and FX9 product features are detailed in the announcement – Sony Expands Filmmaking Versatility and Creative Freedom with VENICE and FX9 Full-Frame Cameras Upgrades
Supporting News and Live Productions:
The PXW-Z450 4K 2/3” Shoulder Mount Camcorder will be available in a production package that will include a 18x zoom 4K lens, viewfinder and microphone. The PXW-Z450KC is expected to be available August 2020.
The Sony 4K handheld compact camcorders will be enhanced with RTMP/RTMPS FHD streaming capability allowing users to live stream news, sports, and events. Users can then upload to content video sharing sites and social media platforms quickly, anytime, and anywhere.
The master setup unit is a control panel for camera configuration and maintenance. Both units are equipped with a new 7-inch WVGA LCD touch panel for better user visibility. The MSU-3500 is a vertically oriented half rack while the MSU-3000 is a horizontally oriented full rack. Both available Summer 2020.
Cross-portfolio support for HDR
With the demand for HDR content continuing to grow, Sony is fully committed to supporting HDR across its professional solutions portfolio.
SR Live workflow focuses on creating the best Live HDR and SDR programs simultaneously produced by a single production unit. Sony HDC camera settings are captured by the camera and sent throughout the production process. This allows the SDR production to be perfectly replicated, as intended by the shading craftsperson. Only the HDR signals need to be switched and routed, eliminating the need to add extra production staff (relevant in current broadcasting restrictions), to handle the SDR.
SR Live Metadata is already supported by the HDRC-4000 HDR production converter unit and PWS-4500 production server. Available in the Summer 2020, Sony’s live production systems, such as HDC-series system cameras with in-CCU recording capability, will be also supported.
In addition, file-based production systems, such as the PXW-Z750, PXW-Z450 and PXW-X4003 professional camcorders, will support SR Live Metadata with the application software Catalyst Prepare. Available October to December 2020.
The PXW-X400 is an advanced 2/3” Shoulder Mount Camcorder that records a variety of broadcast quality formats. With optimal weight balance, low power consumption and flexible networking features, the PXW-X400 is a versatile workhorse for field production. The CBKZ-SLHL1 optional software license will add 1080 60P/50P HDR capability to the model. Available July 2020.
Announced earlier this year, the PVM-X2400 (24″) and PVM-X1800 (18.4″) next-generation 4K HDR picture monitors with TRIMASTER technology support an all-white luminance of 1000 cd/m2, and match 100 percent of the colour gamut of the industry-leading BVM-HX310 TRIMASTER HX master monitor, ensuring colour accuracy from production to post. After an official launch scheduled in July 2020, a future optional upgrade is planned in March 2021 that will enhance the monitors further by adding internal conversion of HDR to SDR and 4K-HD.
To meet the increasing growing demand for 4K HDR production, the XVS series switcher now supports HDR conversion. Sony will also offer two new mix effect boards: the XKS-8215 for the XVS-9000/8000 switcher and XKS-7215 for the XVS-7000 switcher. The new boards offer four fully functional keyers per 4K ME, with resizers, chroma key, and key priority. The HDR conversion support and these new boards will be available in January-March 2021.
Pushing the boundaries of efficiency with IP Live Production
As pioneers in IP, Sony has delivered IP Live production systems to more than 100 live studios and OB trucks as of April 2020, to customers, including Euro Media Group, DPG Media and Turkuvaz Media Group.
Our updates to several IP Live solutions across the globe will offer new efficiencies and ROI for broadcasters across Europe. Updates in include:
Transforming operations with the cloud
Sony has developed a variety of cloud services that leverage the cloud to streamline production, editorial and delivery workflows that support the growing demand of remote workers. The latest updates to the services include:
Integrating Artificial Intelligence into media workflows
For more information about the latest professional technologies from Sony Professional Services please visit http://pro.sony.eu