New XDCAM HD workflow enhancements

At NAB 2011, Sony is introducing a range of new technologies and prototype concepts to enhance the XDCAM HD workflow.

“Sony continues to develop powerful and unique solutions for the XDCAM HD optical family, as the demand for robust archive solutions increases,” said Fabien Pisano, Strategic Marketing Manager, Sony Professional, Sony Europe. “These technologies can be an effective bridge between the studio and the field, or between the Professional Disc media and the SxS memory card. Sony is focused on enhancing the total XDCAM file base production system.”

A new version of the XDCAM Professional Disc will be a quad layer version, with a 128 GB memory capacity. The new disc is ideal for long-form recording and archiving, it can store more than four hours of XDCAM HD422 50Mbps content.

Sony is also showcasing at NAB its next generation XDCAM drive – the PDW-U2. The drive uses a dual optic head system (with 330 Mbps read speed), and supports the new quad layer 128 GB optical disc. Users can archive up to four hours of 50 Mbps XDCAM HD422 video, and the drive is backwards compatible with the 23 GB and 50 GB versions of Professional Disc media. Sony is also releasing new XDCAM drive software for the PDW-U2.

Sony is demonstrating workflow solutions that take advantage of each type of XDCAM media – the Professional Disc and the SxS memory card. The XDCAM Station hybrid media recorder will feature an internal hard-disc or solid state drive storage, a Professional Disc drive, SxS memory card slots and a VTR-like control panel.

The XDCAM Station will be the core of XDCAM workflows in networked environments. Beyond providing an effective bridge solution between XDCAM Professional Disc and SxS memory card media, it also enables multi-task and multi-access capabilities and can enhance the functionality and the performance of network. Several versions will be available: XDS-PD2000 (internal storage: 0.5 TB SSD, SxS and Professional Disc); XDS-PD1000 (internal storage: 1 TB HDD, SxS and Professional Disc); and the XDS-1000 (internal storage: 1 TB HDD, SxS only).

Sony’s XDCAM ‘Juke’ Library, the XDJ-1000, is a compact automated XDCAM Professional Disc library, designed to enhance an XDCAM workflow by allowing for more efficient disc ingest, interchange and archiving. It has 30 slots (128GB/quad layer discs/120 Hours at 50 Mb/s), and supports XDCAM MXF and data files, and uses a simple FTP and web browser interface via a gigabit Ethernet.

Other convenient functions include remote browsing and maintenance, as well as disc formatting and duplication functionality.

Sony is unveiling at NAB a new version of its powerful archiving system called XDCAM Archive (V1.5). This is an integrated media content management system designed for file-based and baseband media workflows. It features a web based GUI for easy access and management, and allows users to easily capture, store, manage, exchange and share content, as well as browse on-line and off-line material.

Sony’s XMPilot is the XDCAM metadata management system, and at NAB, the technology is being demonstrated with enhanced functionality. XMPilot is now integrated with compatible XDCAM camcorders, allowing users to input metadata directly into the camcorder at the start of the content creation workflow. Users can also install a Wi-Fi adapter that connects mobile devices and XDCAM camcorders, enabling users to register metadata on-site. This metadata can be embedded as electronic data into an archive file, to further enhance an organisation’s efficient workflow.

Finally, at NAB Sony is also showing a prototype triple-layer version of the XDCAM Professional Disc media, which is re-writable up to 100 GB capacity.