Sony Tops 31,000 In Deliveries Of XDCAM Optical Disc Technology

Networks, Groups, O-and-O’s, TV Producers and More Realizing the Benefits of an Optical Disc-based workflow

LAS VEGAS, NAB Booth #SU906, April 2008 – Sony has delivered more than 31,000 units of its XDCAM® Professional Disc ™ technology since the system’s introduction in 2004, including the standard- and high-definition versions of its optical camcorders and decks.

Sony’s newest generation of optical technology, the XDCAM HD422 camcorder (model PDW-700) and deck (model PDW-HD1500) is also already gaining acceptance and commitments from broadcasters, television producers, rental houses and others.

At the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention here this week, Sony is announcing the recent adoption of XDCAM HD™ technology by a range of customers in diverse applications.

On the network level, a combination of SD and HD XDCAM technology is in use by CNN, CBS, PBS, WNBC (New York), and ABC will be standardizing on the XDCAM platform.

XDCAM technology is also becoming the format of choice for owned-and-operated stations, as well as station groups such as Hearst-Argyle, Tribune Broadcasting, Belo and others.

XDCAM technology, both the standard- and high-definition versions, has become a favorite of reality television producers for its on-set flexibility, random access and editing convenience.

The program “Survivor” will begin its 17th season in early 2009 by shooting in HD with Sony’s XDCAM HD system.

Also, when the 21st season of the reality show “COPS” premieres this fall, all 36 episodes will be shot using Sony’s XDCAM HD Professional Disc System.

“COPS” post production supervisor Mitsuo Goto said he recommended the XDCAM system to Langley Productions, the creator and producer of “COPS,” as an efficient, cost-effective way to transition from its current tape-based infrastructure to an all file-based work flow – saving money and time throughout the production process.

Langley Productions purchased 13 XDCAM HD units for the “COPS” production team.

“The camera has tremendous depth of field and produces phenomenal images in low-light situations, which is the most common shooting scenario for this series,” Goto said. “This is critical since the crew is frequently running after bad guys. We needed a camera that could absorb a lot of shock, and this one was definitely up to the job.”

Other reality shows that use XDCAM systems include “Extreme Home Makeover,” “Mythbusters,” “Ice Road Truckers,” “On the Lot,” and “Assume the Position.”

The benefits of XDCAM technology are also being realized in the distribution and review of HD dailies for motion picture and television production. For example, proxy files can be copied to a laptop and then posted to an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) site to send to anyone who needs to review the daily. This is a much faster and more efficient process than using overnight deliveries and waiting a day or more to see if a re-shoot is necessary. Now, before a set is struck, a daily can be reviewed and decisions made while the talent, crew and set are all still in place, not only saving time but also money.

XDCAM technology is not only for broadcast television production. Barrett-Jackson, best known for its auctions of classic and collector cars, has adopted Sony’s XDCAM HD Professional Disc System for all its video production operations, including “Life on the Block,” broadcast on FOX’s SPEEDTV channel.

Since January, the company said it has been using XDCAM HD PDW-F355 camcorders and PDW-F75 decks, replacing its legacy infrastructure of Digital Betacam, Betacam SP® and HDCAM® gear. Existing tape archives recorded on these formats will all be transferred onto an XDCAM HD optical disc library that Barrett-Jackson said it will use for future productions.

The company specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners and automotive enthusiasts around the world. These events are recorded and, according to David Jones, the Emmy® award winning owner/operator of Opal Images, the Phoenix-Ariz.-based company that develops Barrett-Jackson’s video production, image quality and flexibility were his top criteria.

“I fell in love with the XDCAM HD system at first sight,” Jones said. “I’ve been in the business a long time, and have never been this excited about a format. You really want to see these cars in detail. They’re works of art and this is the type of system that can really do them justice.”