Sony adds new High Dynamic Range and High Frame Rate technologies to the 4K Sports Live Production workflow

Asia Pacific, 9 September 2016 – Sony today introduced two new technologies that allow professionals to seamlessly incorporate high dynamic range (HDR) and high frame rate (HFR) content into a 4K live sports production workflow.

Sony’s HDRC-4000 HDR production converter unit, designed for simultaneous live 4K HDR and HD SDR content production workflows, eliminates the need for independent workflows on the same event and effectively reduces production time and costs.
In addition, Sony’s HDC-P43 point of view (POV) camera, which uses the same imager and camera circuitry as the HDC-4300, supports 4K HDR and HFR. Lightweight (2.0kg; camera body only) and compact (119 W x 140 H x 212 D mm), the POV camera can be mounted in positions where HD POV cameras are now used – crane, rail, goalpost – to capture great action shots from unique angles with up to 8x HD or 2x 4K.

“Live sports productions need to handle a variety of sources easily and efficiently, from HD and 4K to HDR and HFR formats,” said Hiroyuki Takahama, Assistant General Manager, Content Creation Solutions Marketing, Professional Solutions Company (PSAP), Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Limited. “These new technologies resolve many of the challenges traditionally associated with live production, adding new and exciting story-telling tools alongside maximum production value.”
Based on Sony’s recommended S-Log3 and BT.2020 production workflow for 4K HDR live production, the unit is able to do real-time conversions to the appropriate delivery formats for various applications (broadcast, OTT, public viewing), as well as formats for input (OETF/EOTF, color space, HDR/SDR and resolution), including conventional HD content production, and video signals apart from S-Log3 without compromising picture quality.

Using a unique algorithm, the HDRC-4000 can ensure accurate format conversion of content produced in S-Log3 and BT.2020, to match the required distribution format and delivers creators’ intention to audience as it is. Its compact 1.5U body can support two-channel conversion as well.
“Sony introduces end-to-end workflow solution for 4K HDR Live Production from acquisition to distribution – SR Live for HDR. The solution enables broadcasters and productions to enjoy outstanding HDR image production as well as conventional 4K SDR and HD production”, Hiroyuki Takahama continued. “A typical SR Live for HDR sports production workflow is configured with a 4K/HD live camera system (e.g. HDC-4800, HDC-4300 or HDC-P43 with S-Log3) alongside Sony’s award winning BVM-X300 for HDR monitoring. Now, the addition of the HDRC-4000 ensures a perfect EOTF conversion that retains the original image quality intended by production.”

“NBC Sports conducted an 4K HDR live production recently,” said David Mazza, CTO and SVP, NBC Sports & Olympics. “We captured some stunning images. We produced using S-Log3 as it is a neutral curve that allows the image to be converted to various distribution formats. S-Log3 was also a good choice for our archive, so that we can go back to our lab and perform various conversions for testing and future use.”
Sony’s HDC-P43 is equipped with a three-chip, 2/3 inch 4K image sensor and can deliver 2x slow-motion at 4K, and 8x super-slow motion in HD in conjunction with a 4K live server. The new camera complements Sony’s current line of sports production technologies – the HDC-4300 or HDC-4800 4K/HD live camera systems and the PWS-4500 4K live server –enabling efficient networked data recording, sharing and distribution with matching colourimetry. Furtherm Sony’s Share Play feature that is incorporated into its latest sports production technologies, allows a single operator to control editing and output of slow-motion highlights with file-sharing capabilities over a single network (10G or faster), linking a Sony 4K live camera system with a video server.

The latest POV camera also features a built-in fiber adaptor, offering all the interface functions necessary for live production and studio shooting – tally signal, return image, and teleprompter output – by connecting with Sony’s BPU-4000, BPU-4500 baseband processor unit or HDCU-4300 camera control unit.

Using single-mode fiber cable, the connection distance between the camera head and baseband processor can be extended up to 5 kilometers. This increases efficiency when there is a significant distance between the stadium and OB truck, or when shooting overhead views of a playing field.
Sony’s HDC-P43 is HDR and HFR ready, supporting ITU-R BT.2020 color space and S-Log3 for high brightness and high contrast imagery. The latest POV camera is also highly configurable using optional software licenses, available for 4K and HFR capture. This allows for a customizable solution for HD, 4K, HDR, and HFR live productions.

For 4K/HD live production needs, Sony’s growing line-up of products – camera systems, servers, switchers, monitors, pro audio, archive systems, and more – enables broadcasters and producers to configure powerful HD and 4K HDR and HFR capable systems, to meet a wide variety of applications and budgets.