Sony U.S. and Europe Webchat
XDCAM® HD422 PMW Cameras.
The following is the webchat hosted by Sony U.S. on September 13 and 14,
discussing the new Sony PMW-200, PMW-160 and PMW-100 cameras.
Jason Eng: With me today on this chat are Chris Tsai, Senior Product Manager of the XDCAM HD422 branded products for Sony Professional Solutions of America, and Chuck Fishbein, Director/Director of Photography at Crazy Duck Productions. Chuck is very familiar with our XDCAM lineup and has been recently given the opportunity to try
out the PMW-200 as well.
Chris Tsai: The PMW-200 Highlights:
• The PMW-200 uses three 1/2 inch Full HD Exmor™ CMOS sensors
• Uses the same 14x zoom fixed Fujinon lens as the PMW-EX1/R
• PMW-200 viewfinder is same size and resolution as PMW-EX1/R (0.45 inch, 852x480)
Updates from the PMW-EX1/R: Supports 50 Mbps HD422 codec in the UDF/MXF recording mode.
This mode also gives you the ability to record 4 channels of 24-bit LPCM audio (compared to 16-bit LPCM audio).
PMW-200 Workflow support:
• Recording MXF files to UDF formatted SxS™ cards to match the broadcast workflows which have been
established by the optical XDCAM product line. Note: like the PMW-100, proxy is not generated when shooting
MXF files.
• Backward compatible mode to support the XDCAM EX™ (Recording MP4 files to FAT formatted SxS cards)
• SD recording (DVCAM™) is supported in both UDF and FAT mode like the PMW-100
• When recording DVCAM in UDF mode, you can record 4 channels of 16-bit audio
Chuck Fishbein: The camera starts up in seconds compared to the much longer wait of the EX1 and EX3
Chris Tsai: T he new HD422 camcorders—PMW-100, PMW-200, and the newly introduced PMW-160—have a quick start
feature. If you hold the REC button down when you power on the camcorder, it will attempt to shorten its start
up time even more and start recording!
PMW-200
Q: 4
channels of audio? I must have missed
that. But still only 2 XLRs/2 mic pre-amps,
right? In what way can I input the other
two channels?
Q: C
an I share picture profiles with the
PMW-200 from my EX3?
Chuck Fishbein: I actually tried some profiles from Alister Chapman and they
worked pretty well.
Chris Tsai: O
ne of the improvements on audio handling for the
PMW-200 is the ability to record up to 4 channels of audio
simultaneously:
F rom built-in stereo microphone (Int-L, Int-R) and from the 2 XLR
connectors for external audio sources (Ext XLR-1,Ext XLR-2).
Chuck Fishbein: They were older EX1 profiles.
Chuck Fishbein:Actually with the addition of the Hypergammas the dynamic
range is much wider.
Q; What is the difference between the XDCAM
and the AVCHD formats?
Chris Tsai: T he XDCAM format uses MPEG™ compression while AVCHD is
AVC compression.
Chris Tsai: T he AVCHD format is based upon a consumer standard
whereas XDCAM is built upon SMPTE standards used in
broadcast.
Q: Is the peaking on the PMW-200 will allow a
(detail enhancer) instead of those new red
or blue peaking!!!
Chuck Fishbein: It is the same peaking as an EX1/3.
Q: Will there be a 1080 60p support ?
Chuck Fishbein: 60P is available only in 720.
Q: H
ave you added the ability to move the
area of focus assist magnification around
the frame to any of your new cameras
(be it in the XDCAM range or otherwise)?
Chuck Fishbein: O
ne of the nice things maintained from the EX1/3 is the video
out which allows you to use inexpensive monitors for multicam
shoots.
Chris Tsai: N
o, you cannot move the area of focus assist magnification but this is a good suggestion.
Q: Is SDI 8 bit or 10 bit?
Chuck Fishbein: SDI is 10 bit.
Q: Any improvements in the zoom motor over
the EX3?
Chuck Fishbein:I found no problems with slow zooms on the PMW-200 even
using Varizoom or Manfrotto controllers.
Q: C
an you simultaneously record to both
card slots, for instance backup?
Q: I already own the HXR-NX5U, and other
than the bump in Mbps record speed
(double) and the 1/2 chips, I’m trying
to find the benefit. Is the low light
performance that much better?
Chuck Fishbein: Performance is very similar to the NX5U.
Q: I trust the 200 works with SxS-1 media as
well? Formatting compatible with the EX3?
Pop one out of the EX3 with footage and
pop it into the 200 and continue?
Q: Is there a port for RMB-150?
Chuck Fishbein: There is no remote port for the RMB-150.
Q: D
oes the PMW-160 have a no hard stop
lens similar to the NX5U or what’s the deal
with that? Also, what else makes it different
from the PMW-200?
Chris Tsai: P
MW-160 uses a lens which is similar to the NX5U. The PMW-160
uses three 1/3-inch Exmor CMOS sensors (the PMW-200 uses
three 1/2 inch Exmor CMOS sensors).
Chris Tsai: PMW-160 vs PMW-200
Chris Tsai: You cannot record to both SxS card slots simultaneously.
Chris Tsai: Yes the PMW-200 uses both SxS Pro™ and SxS -1 memory.
Sensitivity
PMW-160: F9 - PMW-200: F11
Q: F or the Fujinon lens on the PMW-200, is the
manual focus & zoom controlled directly?
S/N Ratio:
PMW-160: 54 dB - PMW-200: 56 dB
Chuck Fishbein: It’s still servo but the feel is that of a manual lens.
PMW-200
PMW-100
Q: Why is there a PMW-160 coming out when
the PMW-100 just came out?
Chris Tsai: W
e wanted to provide a variety of acquisition tools (at different
price points) all using the 50M HD422 codec.
T he PMW-100 (10x zoom) is smaller form factor camcorder
than the PMW-200 (14x zoom) and PMW-160 (20x zoom).
Chuck Fishbein:I found the camera to be pretty well balanced when used with
a BP-60.
Q: Will it work with XMPilot™?
Chris Tsai: The PMW-200 will support XMPilot workflows - with one
exception, since the camera does not create proxy during
recording, you can see video preview on the XMPilot tool
while logging.
Chris Tsai: The XMPilot workflow has different facets:
1
. Assigning custom metadata to clips - requires applications
ingesting the files to recognize the “planning metadata” XML
files. This also includes being able to set the naming prefix
being used by the camcorder by a) remotely sending the
planning metadata file over a Ethernet connection or b)
transferring it using an SxS card. This aspect is available on the
PMW-160, PMW-200.
2
. Logging while seeing proxy video over a Ethernet
connection (WiFi) - this is available for the shoulder-mount
XDCAM camcorders which record proxy video while shooting.
(i.e., PDW-700, PDW-F800, PMW-500).
Q: O
n the PMW-200, does the beginning and
end of a zoom, ramp? In other words, is
the start and stop of a zoom abrupt, or
does it slightly speed up/slow down, like a
pro eng lens?
Chuck Fishbein: There is a slight ramping.
Q: H
ow many of the outputs will work
simultaneously?
Chris Tsai: M
any of the outputs are active simultaneously, but exactly how
many depends upon the recording mode (i.e. 24p, 59.94i, or
SD, etc) and if you have configured the outputs (i.e., HD output
or SD output).
Chris Tsai: T he PMW-200 (and PMW-160) also have a few additional I/O:
TC In/Out (BNC) - (switchable)
Chuck Fishbein: T he lens is surprisingly smooth, especially compared to the EX3
I commonly use.
Genlock In/Composite Video Out (BNC) (switchable)
Chris Tsai: F or current PMW-EX1 owners, I forgot to mention that the
PMW-200 LCD is same size, but higher resolution than
PMW-EX1/R (3.5 in/852x480 vs 640x480).
Q: C
huck, did you try shooting any multicam
with the 200 or 160? And if so, did you try
and how were you able to match it with
your F3 or EX3?
Chuck Fishbein: I just shot a music video using the F3 with S-log and the 200
with HG 4 and I was able to come pretty close.
Q: O
n that music video, any guide to which
clips are from the PMW-200?
Chuck Fishbein:The PMW-200 was used for some of the wide shots on the
roof and instrument closeups. The shallower depth shots were
the F3.
Q: O
n the PMW-200, when adjusting the iris
ring, is it a linear response to exposure, or
does it produce a visible “stepping” from
one f-stop to the next?
Chuck Fishbein: The adjustment is smooth, just like the EX1/3. No stepping at all.
Q: D
o the audio level dials on the left side of
the PMW-200 pop in and out?
Chris Tsai: N
o, the audio level dials do not pop out (i.e. spring loaded),
but they are not flush with the chassis (so you can turn them
easily with your fingertip).
Chris Tsai:Assume you were wondering how easily you could make
audio adjustments... you have more knob surface area to
grab and turn the knob than the EX1/R layout.
Jason Eng:Here is a link to the music video that Chuck shot using a
PMW-F3, PMW-200 and PMW-100: Callison Nash- Forget Everything | YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbAXXSJAcgI
Q: Are there an increased number of possible
picture profiles compared to the six of the
EX1/3 ? Are the hypergammas an add-on
to or replacement of the CineGammas 1-4
on the EX1/3?
Chuck Fishbein: The cine settings have been replaced by the hypergammas.
Q: How does the PMW-200 deal with
highlights? Is there a profile that smoothly
rolls off the overexposed areas?
Chuck Fishbein: Yes, using the hypergamas you can control the contrast of a
scene and hence the highlight roll-off.
Q: C
huck, this is not fair, the 500 and the 800
are way more evolved cameras (lens
mount EVF etc., etc.).
Chuck Fishbein:Yes, of course they are, but in the 200 you have several of the
tools and features found in the higher end cameras.
PMW-160
Q: Is the TC in/out selection a switch or a
menu item? If a menu item, can it be
assigned to a user button?
Chuck Fishbein: It’s a switch right near the input/output.
Q: When the LCD of the PMW-200 is folded out
perpendicular to the camera body, is it the
same distance away from the back end of
the camera as the EX1R?
Chuck Fishbein: It’s actually about an inch or two forward.
Chuck Fishbein: B
ecause the LCD screen is situated like that of a Z5, it allows
the use of a matte box without being blocked by the
camera’s mic.
Also, like its older brother, the camera does not have to reboot
for playback. You can jump back and forth quickly between
play and record.
Q: P
lease explain why use 50M HD422 video
(MXF) files. What benefit? I understand that
MP4 recording is more consumer type and
may be a bit outdated.
Its older brother being a PMW-500 or F800.
Chris Tsai: W
ith MXF recording, we are also formatting the cards as UDF
(vs FAT used by EX MP4 format). This enables us to record long
clips as a single file. So you can fill an entire card with just
one MXF file. For some customers, who have to wrangle many
files from different photogs, crews, etc. this can drastically
reduce the file management burden. As a matter of fact in
this mode you can set the camcorder to append video
to the current file rather than create a brand new file (this
function is called continuous record).
Chris Tsai: O
ne motivation for the addition of the MXF support to the
XDCAM handycam line is to provide the same codecs
and workflow to those customers who need a complete end
to end MXF workflows as the optical XDCAM products
(PDW-700/F800) as well as the PMW-500.
Chris Tsai:The new HD422 handycam lineup also supports the new
consumer XQD memory - XQD is a new memory card
specification announced by the Compact Flash association.
With this consumer memory format, you can also record
50M HD422 video (MXF files) as well as MP4 recordings made
by the EX camcorders.
Q: The PMW-200 still has the quick release
rotating handle grip like the EX1R, right?
And is it the more comfortable EX1R style
one, not the horrible EX1 version? Do the
PMW-100 and PMW-150 have the quick
release rotate grip too?
Chuck Fishbein:The handle on the PMW-200 does not rotate. Personally, I did
not find it an issue. Depends on how you work.
Q: S
ince I don’t really know the workflow for
50Mbit SxS recordings, is it possible to
use the Main Concept (Rovi) conversion
pack in XDCAM Browser to direct transfer/
transcode the 50Mbit data to XDCAM
discs- or is this a straight drag/drop with
the U1 drive? Would the conversion pack
be able to convert them to 35Mbit 4:2:0
disc? I have two clients who always want
the disc.
Chris Tsai: Y
es XDCAM Browser (with the conversion pack) can be used
to transcode from/to the 50M HD422 codec (as well as any
of the other XDCAM codecs - i.e. 35M 420.).
Chris Tsai: If you shoot with the 50M HD422 codec as MXF files, you
can copy these files directly to the Clip folder of an XDCAM
disc using a PDW-U1 or PDW-U2. No transcoding needed.
Q: So is the 200 shipping yet?
Chris Tsai: Yes, the PMW-200 just started shipping a few days ago.
This second half begins the European half of the chat on September 13 and
14, discussing the new Sony PMW-200, PMW-160 and PMW-100 cameras.
Sebastian Leske - AV Media Business Group Product Specialist, AV & Media Business Group Marketing
Kanta Yamamoto - AV Media Business Group Product Specialist, AV & Media Business Group Marketing
Alvaro Ortiz - Product Specialist, Strategic Marketing Entry Level Production
Q: What is the main differences between the
PMW-100 and the PMW-150? Do you have
the exact size in mm of the sensor for both?
Dave Stannard: The initial difference is that the PMW-150 is a 3 chip 1/3”
camcorder, however the PMW-150 also has a 20x wide angle
zoom lens. The PMW-100 is a single chip 1/3” camcorder
and has 1 lens ring with assignable control.
Kanta Yamamoto: PMW-100 is a single chip camcorder and PMW-150 has three
chips. Both are using 1/3 inch.
Sebastian Leske: One main difference is that the PMW-100 is using a single
1/2.9” CMOS sensor and the PMW-150 is a 3 CMOS 1/3”
camcorder. Then you have a 10x Zoom lens with one ring
for Zoom and Focus at the PMW-100 and a 20x lens with 3
independent rings for zoom, focus and iris at the PMW-150.
Q: Are the main differences between the
PMW-200 and 150 the sensor size
(3x1/2” vs 3x1/3”) and the lens?
Sebastian Leske: You can also use wireless remote via a tablet or smartphone
with the PMW-150 and PMW-200 and the PMW-150 is a PAL
version only.
Q: THE PMW-150 is PAL only? A pity because
it looks better than the 200 which does
NTSC/PAL.
Kanta Yamamoto:The PMW-200 is currently a flagship model camcorder in
handheld 50Mbps range because of the 1/2 inch sensors.
PMW-150 is lower than it because of smaller 1/3 inch x 3.
PMW-100 is entry level on because of single chip.
Q: Can you please explain a little about
the HDMI interface. Is the PMW-150 ready
to stream? Is the HDMI output clean?
Sebastian Leske: You can use the PMW-150 to stream a video signal via the
HDMI. The signal is clean. Normally I would recommend
[that you] use SDI for streaming because the connection is
much [more] secured due to the SDI interface. The signal
on the HDMI and the SDI is the same except the connector
is different.
Q: D
oes the PMW-150 have separate iris and
zoom wheels?
Kanta Yamamoto: It has three rings for iris, focus and zoom.
Q: What can you remotely control on
the PMW-150 using the Pilot / iPad
combination?
Sebastian Leske: You can control Zoom, Iris, Focus, You can start/stop record.
You can also change some parameters of the white
balance and you have a terminal for playback [of] the clips
from your card. For playback it is just the remote [control]
you cannot see the recorded picture on the tablet or
smartphone.
Sebastian Leske: You will need a new firmware to use WiFi remote which will
come Nov. 2012.
Q: When will the WiFi adaptor for the PMW-200
be available?
Sebastian Leske: The WiFi adaptor is already available. It is the CBK-WA01
which our shoulder camcorders are using for our XM Pilot
planning tool. To use WiFi remote with the PMW-200 we are
going to release a new FW version in November 2012.
Q: It appears you don’t get the same kind
of total control that you get with the
RM-1000BP Lanc Control and the Z7E.
That’s a shame.
Sebastian Leske: Yes, that’s correct. Thanks for the feedback concerning
features which would make your daily work easier.
Q: When are these cameras available?
Dave Stannard: The PMW-100 is available now, PMW-200 will be with our European dealers within the next fortnight and the
PMW-150 is scheduled to be available in mid November
Alvaro Ortiz: For NTSC countries, PMW-160 is the equivalent to PAL
countries’ PMW-150.
Q: C
an you record at 50 mbit on
XQD™ cards?
Dave Stannard: It is possible to record at 50Mbps via XQD cards, however
slow and quick motion is not possible. We recommend XQD
and other consumer media as emergency media as it
doesn’t include many of the Pro features found in SxS Cards particularly important is the salvage function in the cards
& recovery service we offer.
Q: When filming in 4:2:2 for example on a SxS
card, is it possible to copy the footage to a
SDHC card? This is for emergency sharing
purposes, on the field.
Sebastian Leske: Due to the FAT32 of SDHC cards you cannot use these cards or XDCAM HD422 material. If you want to copy after recording the content from your SxS card you can use our
new XQD media. This is a new consumer media which
you can use with an adaptor like SDHC cards for emergency
use. Please keep in mind that only SxS cards offer the full
performance of the camera and are safe and fast for
professional usage.
Alvaro Ortiz: It’s not only that SxS are so safe and fast (with adaptor for working on Memory Stick®, SD or XQD cards, 2 interfaces are in the middle), but Sony also offers a recovery service. Even
if the card is out of guarantee. In that case, if the card has not
been just formatted, information can be recovered via our
Professional Media colleagues: for firmware issues, in Belgium,
and for hardware issues in Japan. Right now, almost every
case was solved at the first step (Belgium), with fast recovery
procedure in case any card is corrupted or damaged.
Alister Chapman:SxS is super reliable. I’ve frozen them in ice, boiled them in
water and washed them in the washing machine with no
ill effects.
Alvaro Ortiz: But, children, DO NOT DO THAT AT HOME! Alister is always trying
to damage our Media. We’re really challenging him! :)
Sebastian Leske: Alister made also a video about this. :-)
Alister Chapman: SxS card frozen in ice. XDCAM EX1 memory card | YouTube
SxS in ice.
Q: Are you planning to move all the
XDCAM EX range into the 50mbps
XDCAM 422 codec?
Alvaro Ortiz: Well, in fact, we have launched a whole lineup on the handy XDCAM camcorder, unexisting until now. The lower price XDCAM 422 camcorder was the shoulder version, PMW-500, and now we have launched this new full lineup keeping
more or less the same pricing as on prior 35 Mbps models.
Q: Is there any other feature, software and
hardware, unique to the EX1-R that the
PMW-200 does not have? Was there any
other reason the PMW-200 design left
out the pivoting zoom grip other than to
improve the camera’s center of gravity?
Alvaro Ortiz:Apart from the physical argument to not use pivoting hand
grip on PMW-200, please bear in mind that costs have been
highly reduced on our new lineup to incorporate the same
recording features as the PMW-500.
Alvaro Ortiz:Also, some reports about physical fatigue were mentioned
by customers when talking about PMW-EX1R, due to the high
center of gravity. In fact, if you take a look physically on new
models, their chassis is much wider and less tall, which allows
the camera to be easily handheld.
Alvaro Ortiz:Despite the fact that the chassis has been newly designed,
the applications will remain the same. In fact, we were talking
before about the reasons to not use a tilting hand grip, in
order to keep the center of gravity as low as possible. But the
size and the basic design is, in fact, kind of “continuous” with
prior camcorders, such as EX1R.
Dave Stannard: In Alister’s review he mentions the camcorder balance and what it’s like to shoot with. I guess it’s personal preference.
Q: Why does the PMW-200 not have “Shot
Transition™”?
Q: The PMW-200 1/2 sensors are not the same
as EX1R ones?
Sebastian Leske: The
size with 1/2” is the same but the performance in terms
of sensitivity is improved compared to PMW-EX1R. So when the
PMW-EX1R was already a lowlight monster the PMW-200
is more sensitive.
Q: Is the HD-SDI on the PMW-200 4:2:2 10-bit?
Sebastian Leske: Y
es, you will get 4:2:2 10-bit via the HD-SDI. This is for all XDCAM
HD Camcorders and also the PMW-EX1R will give you a 4:2:2
10-bit signal via SDI.
Q: What about PMW-200 vents? I mean
against rain and dust...
Dave Stannard: These products are not rain or dust proof so you need
to take the same precautions you would take with any
Professional Camcorder.
Q: Is the PMW-200 USB 3.0 or USB 2.0?
Sebastian Leske: The USB interface is USB 2.0.
Q: Will the EX1R continue to be sold or will
it be discontinued soon because of the
new PMW-200?
Dave Stannard: The
PMW-200 is the natural successor to the PMW-EX1R,
although the EX1R may continue to be available from Sony
Solutions Specialist Dealers in the short term.
Q: I have recently sold my EX1R due to the
35megabit issue, I am looking for a new
camera, for ENG and doc. What woud
suit me fore 200 or the 150? What’s the
main difference?
Alvaro Ortiz: The main differences between PMW-150 and 200 are the
sensor size (3x1/3” vs 3x1/2”) and the lens. So, the equivalent
model to your former EX1R would be PMW-200; sensor size
of PMW-150 is equivalent to that of HXR-NX5.
Q: Will the EX1R batteries, the small and the
large ones, last the same amount of time
on the PMW-200 as the EX1R?
Alvaro Ortiz: The power consumption of EX1R was 12.5 W with EVF on,
LCD off, and recording, while in the same circumstances,
consumption of PMW-200 is 12 W. So, you’ll have slightly
longer duration of the same battery.
Alvaro Ortiz: B
ear in mind that PMW-200, even being the successor of
EX1R, was newly developed to integrate both workflows
(the camera itself, and the recording features from PMW-500).
So, one of the things that needed to be sacrificed at that
time was Shot Transition. We really apologize for that.
Q: Noting the better low light performance
of the PMW-200, is this a feature native to
the sensor or something else—e.g. prism,
processing, etc.? Main question being is
it a new 1/2” chipset or the same as the
EX1R but enhanced?
Alister Chapman:I believe the low light gain comes from a new DSP, Digital
Signal Processor, that performs more advanced noise
reduction. The camera isn’t really any more sensitive, but
because it has less noise you can use more gain in
low light before the image becomes unusable.
Q: I love that the PMW-200 lens thread
diameter is kept the same as EX1R. Does
anyone know if the front lens accessory
mount on the PMW-200 is unchanged from
the EX1R? This is the mount on the front
that the hood locks onto and also wide
angle adapters for the EX1R. This would
allow compatibility of EX1R accessories
for the PMW-200.
Sebastian Leske: The Fujinon lens we are using at the PMW-200 fits with the lens
accessories from your PMW-EX1R.
Q: Is Sony planning to launch any firmware
upgrade that allows the PMW-F3 to record
natively at 50Mbps in SxS cards?
Q: Did you find the profile setups similar to the
EX1R or the PMW-500?
Alister Chapman: Profiles are between the two. You have Hypergammas like
PMW-500 but other settings like EX1. Lots of adjustment and
the PMW-100, 150 and 200 match together exceptionally well.
Q: Does the new PMW-200, 150 and 100 have
an integrated Infra Red cutting (IR-CUT)
optical filter on it? On the EX1/R and EX3
sometimes we get dark brown (reddish)
instead of black. I guess it may be the lack
of an IR cut filter...
Alister Chapman: There is an IR cut filter. The problems with the EX1 (and most
CMOS cameras) are with far Red that is not Infra Red, this is
why it is so difficult to eliminate. The EX1R was better than the
EX1. I did not test for issues with the PMW-200, but I did not see
any issues either. If you cut off the red response too much
you reduce the camera’s image quality so it’s a fine balance.
Q: Overall is the image out of the PMW-200
‘as good’ or ‘better’ than that from an
EX1R? I know the improved processing
reduces noise etc.
Alister Chapman: The PMW-200 images are IMHO better than the EX1R. Skin
tones and mid range in particular are improved and show
more subtle texture and detail.
Sebastian Leske: It is the same lens as for the PMW-EX1R in terms of optical
performance. We took serious care to meet the high picture
quality with the newly developed 1/2” sensors.
Alvaro Ortiz: P
MW-F3 chipset only allows to record internally on 35 Mbps. If
we had incorporated 50 Mbps on the F3 two years ago, the
size and cooling needs for it would’ve converted F3 into a big
model, not so agile.
Alister Chapman:When I tested the PMW-200 I found that the new processing
used in the camera improves the noise performance and also
gives better skin tones and better reproduction of mid tones,
especially greens that can look a little muddy on an EX1/EX3.
©2012 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Sony, Exmor,
SxS, SxS Pro, XDCAM, XDCAM EX, DVCAM, MPEG, XM Pilot, XQD, Shot Transition, and the Sony make.believe logo are trademarks of Sony. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.