Sony empowers content creators to Go Make Tomorrow at IBC 2018

Asia Pacific, 14 September 2018 – At IBC 2018, Sony unveils its latest line-up of innovative solutions that will allow media companies to capture, edit and share engaging content in 4K and HDR with audiences around the world.

Visitors to stand 13.A10 will be able to discover Sony’s latest innovations, including a new generation of 4K/HD HDR live system cameras – HDC-P50, HDC-3500, HDC-3100, HDC-3170 – and a new camera control unit (CCU) HDCU-3170, a new handheld camcorder HXR-NX200, and a new 4K HDR reference monitor BVM-HX310 as well as updates to many existing solutions such as the state-of-the-art motion picture camera VENICE, Sony’s portfolio of IP live solutions and more. The centrepiece of the booth is Sony’s stunning 5K x 2K Crystal LED display system, showcasing breath-taking imagery with exceptional picture quality.

“Each year at IBC, we unveil innovative new solutions that give media companies the best possible tools to capture stunning content and share it with their audiences – and this year is no different,” says Takuma Wada, Head of Content Creation Solutions Marketing, Professional Solutions Company (PSAP), Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Limited. “At Sony, we listen and work collaboratively with our customers to create solutions that actively address the challenges media companies face today and provide them with the technologies they need to go and make tomorrow a reality.”

Limitless Potential

Modern audiences consume content across a multitude of devices whenever and wherever it best suits them. To support content creators in meeting these ever-changing audience expectations, Sony is launching Intelligent Media Services, a range of services and micro-services designed to transform traditional media supply chains, unlock more value from content for deeper audience engagement and provide OTT subscription services. Sony provides solutions according to customer’s needs, helping them to create, control, connect and deliver content anytime, anywhere, to an unprecedented range of distribution platforms. Sony’s Intelligent Media Services portfolio includes:

• New Media Solutions – A fully managed digital supply chain service, offering content distribution solutions in a variety of models depending on customer needs.

• Virtual Production – A subscription-based, on-demand solution hosted in the cloud that provides a complete production toolset for simultaneous, multi-platform professional streaming and requires no infrastructure or upfront investment. Red Bull has recently taken advantage of Virtual Production to capture and stream live, its Alpenbrevet motorcycle race, which took place in a remote location in the Swiss Alps.

Cloud-based Production Services – XDCAM air, an ENG subscription service, and Media Backbone Hive, a multiplatform news production system, are both cloud-based solutions that support content creators to ingest, edit and view footage before distributing it across various platforms and OTT services in file and by streaming in live.

Sony’s PXW-Z280 and PXW-Z190 XDCAM handheld camcorders will also receive a firmware update (version 2.0) [1]based on the technology of XDCAM air. This update will expand the capabilities of both camcorders to include dual link QoS streaming, HEVC streaming, network intercom and remote control.

• Safe Asset Solution – Optical Disc Archive and Memnon ensure valuable assets safe and accessible from anywhere in the world with flexible system set-up. From advanced cloud storage to on-premise storage with ultra-rugged physical media, they maintain a pristine, organized and secure online repository of assets.

Moreover, powerful and affordable content management and workflow solution, Media Backbone NavigatorX is also showcased at Sony booth.

The Art of Live

Sony has unveiled four new live production system cameras, further expanding and evolving the Sony HDC family, well-acclaimed by broadcasters and media companies across the globe. HDC-P50, a 4K HDR Point of View (POV) system camera and HDC-3500 portable system camera boast the world’s first[2] 2/3-inch 4K global shutter three CMOS sensors.

The new portable system cameras HDC-3100 (Fiber) and HDC-3170 (Triax) also make their debut at IBC 2018. The next generation of system cameras will offer content creators unprecedented flexibility and mobility in addition to the premium 4K/HD HDR picture quality and IP capability they have come to expect from Sony solutions. Additionally, Sony has also introduced a new Triax CCU, the HDCU-3170, to work in conjunction with the new system cameras.

Another major trend across the industry is the rapid adoption of IP live solutions to reduce infrastructure cost and streamline workflows. Broadening the SMPTE ST 2110 compatibility of its Live Production portfolio, Sony today introduces new option / interface boards for its XVS series of multi-format video switchers and for its CCU.

As the market gears up for an IP-driven future, Sony has seen rapid global customer adoption of its IP live solutions and continues to support media companies on their journey onto IP, including private broadcaster SIC and France Galop in Europe, Mie Television Broadcasting Co Ltd and NARA TELEVISION Co Ltd in Japan, Topcool media and Zhejiang Broadcast & TV Group in China, as well as broadcasters in the US.

To overcome the common challenge of black reproducibility, provide accurate colour reproduction and high-contrast performance, Sony is introducing its new 4K HDR reference monitor, the BVM-HX310. The monitor carries the Sony specified million contrast LCD panel, fully capable of reproducing 4K and HDR content as well as supports industry standard brightness of up to 1,000 nits in full-screen and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio for HDR productions. The launch of the new reference monitor also marks the introduction of Sony’s new technology brand – TRIMASTER HX.

Emotion in every frame

For cinema and drama productions, Sony is expanding the creative capabilities of its flagship CineAlta motion picture camera VENICE through Version 3.0 firmware upgrade and a new extension system. The new extension system is lightweight – 1.9kg with PL mount and 1.4kg with E-mount, allowing the camera body to detach from the image sensor block with no degradation in image quality. It greatly enhances the mobility and operability of VENICE when filming with gimbals, handheld stabilizers, underwater and helicopter housings, and 3D/VR rigs, as well as in tight and unconventional spaces, such as in vehicles, on cranes or Russian arms. Version 3 firmware will add a new recording format profile X-OCN XT. It enables the capture of the highest quality imagery with AXS-R7 portable memory recorder while maintaining exceptionally economical file sizes comparable to Sony’s F55RAW, making the workflow affordable and efficient. Both firmware upgrade and the extension system will be available in February 2019.

Together we create

For event productions, Sony is introducing its new NXCAM handheld camcorder, the HXR-NX200, capable of capturing stunning 4K high resolution content and beautiful, life-like colour reproduction. The HXR-NX200 is a costeffective solution boasting all the professional features videographers need in a robust yet compact chassis with long battery life. 1.0-type Exmor R™ CMOS image sensor with 14.2 megapixel makes it possible to achieve high sensitivity and deliver superb image quality in 4K. Furthermore, thanks to the large high-resolution sensor, content creators can effortlessly achieve superior image quality when shooting in HD. The latest addition to Sony’s NXCAM family is perfect for on-the-go shoots and allows content creators and videographers to focus on what they do best, with minimal hassle.

Sony’s DWR-R03D DWX digital wireless receiver will also be showcased in conjunction with Yamaha’s QL series digital mixer. As part of the upcoming firmware updates for both DWR-R03D (version 1.10) and the CL and QL series (Version 5.10), the DWR-R03D can be monitored and controlled directly from the mixing console, via expanded Dante device support. Moreover, the DWR-R03D can also be patched on the Yamaha mixer without the Dante Controller. This collaboration will further expand the operability of the DWX digital wireless system. The new firmware for the receiver will be available around November and it will be free of charge.

For more information and to see Sony’s latest solutions on display, visit stand 13.A10 at IBC 2018 in the Elicium Hall, RAI Amsterdam. Alternatively, you may visit our website at www.pro.sony/ibc for more.

[1] CBKZ-SLNW1 (optional) is required for PXW-Z190.
[2] As of September 2018, according to Sony research.