A 'what am I up to now' report. Cheers, Mal
Would be happy to hear from others in finding a solution to this 'prompter' by wireless story.
BLUEUSER

Andy from Abel CineTech is back with a great innovation to sync timecode from your iPhone to camera.
View the video from Abel CineTech

Here are the V1.63 release notes for the firmware upgrade of the PDW 700 and 800 cameras - pretty impressive upgrade. The download is available from the Sony USA Site

PDW700/PDWF800 v 1.63
1. New Functions
- Chargeable upgrade (CBKZ-UPG01) is supported
The software upgrade key CBKZ-UPG01 is supported. When the software upgrade key
CBKZ-UPG01 is installed in this equipment, the following functions are enabled.
▪ Live Logging function
▪ Reading of the planning metadata using the web browser
▪ Wireless LAN function (The Wi-Fi adapter CBK-WA01 is required separately.)
* The menus of the respective functions become valid by rebooting the system after
installation. If the necessary menu item is not displayed, turn off the power once and back on.
-Live Logging function is added (CBKZ-UPG01 is required separately.)
The live logging function that enables transfer of the proxy AV data to a PC, or
sending/receiving of the metadata with a PC while shooting, is supported.
-Planning metadata read function is added. (CBKZ-UPG01 is required separately.)
Reading of the planning metadata using the web browser that is installed in a PC is enabled.

One of first video clip and stock footage providers utilizing Sony's XDCAM discs for long term archival storage has launched.

The production team at CriticalPast.com, which specializes in instantly down-loadable historic stock footage and photographs, created the site by loading pre-edited MXF video files onto thousands of XDCAM discs and then utilizing Sony's PDZ-1 software to insert metadata into each file.
Each MXF file was then off-loaded to a large storage array for instantaneous trans-coding to multiple file formats, with the metadata from each file used to populate the descriptions and titles for each video clip on the site.
Stored under optimum conditions, XDCAM discs have an archival shelf life of 50 years or greater, thus providing CriticalPast excellent data recovery in the event of system failure. CriticalPast

Just finished a post on my XDCAMera Log, ironically it's commences with a non XDCAM item.
Feel free to make comment on the site.
XDCAMera Log
Cheers, Mal

Not often that Panasonic stories are posted here - but I think this is the start of a game changer. Firstly, Pana have recognised the virtue of MOS devices, secondly they are giving the finger to Red. Without doubt Sony will release something soon - even if it's la 'work in progress'.
Just a personal note - 'shallow focus" is not the BE all and END all of cinematography. It can be achieved in varying degrees in most pro cameras. I'd hate to count the number of times I see this style of camerawork misused.
Cinematography is a craft of many methods to pursue an unobtrusive visual interpretation of a scene, not a fashion of a single technique.
My thoughts only - Mal



PANASONIC INTRODUCES AG-AF100, 4/3” PROFESSIONAL HIGH-DEFINITION CAMCORDER


Premier AVCCAM Video Camera Combines 4/3” Sensor with Superior Video Quality, Professional Audio Inputs, Variable Frame Rates, SDXC Card Technology

LAS VEGAS, NV (April 11, 2010) – Panasonic Solutions Company today announced a game-changing AVCCAM HD camcorder, the AG-AF100, the first professional micro 4/3-inch video camcorder optimized for high-definition video recording. Scheduled to ship by the end of 2010, the AG-AF100 will set a new benchmark for digital cinematography.

Targeted at the video and film production communities, the AF100 delivers the shallow depth of field and wider field of view of a large imager, with the flexibility and cost advantages of use with a growing line of professional quality, industry standard micro 4/3-inch lenses, filters, and adapters. The full 1080 and 720 production camera offers superior video handling, native 1080/24p recording, variable frame rates, professional audio capabilities, and compatibility with SDHC and SDXC media.

The design of the AF100’s micro 4/3-inch sensor affords depth of field and field of view similar to that of 35mm movie cameras in a less expensive camera body. Equipped with an interchangeable lens mount, the AF100 can utilize an array of low-cost, widely-available still camera lenses as well as film-style lenses with fixed focal lengths and primes.

“Designed in consultation with the filmmaking community, the AF100 eclipses the video performance of other cameras in this price range,” said Joe Facchini, Vice President of Sales & Product Management, Media & Production Services, Panasonic Solutions Company. “Ideal for film schools and independent filmmakers, this affordable, digital cinematography camera employs an advanced professional AVC/ H.264 Hi Profile AVCHD codec compatible with a wide range of editing tools and affordable players.”

The AF100 incorporates a 4/3-inch, 16:9 MOS imager. The camcorder records 1080/60i, 50i, 30p, 25p and 24p (native) and 720/60p, 50p, 30p, 25p and 24p (native) in AVCHD’s highest-quality PH mode (maximum 24Mbps). Ready for global production standards, the camcorder is 60Hz and 50Hz switchable.

The AF100 maximizes the potential of its high-resolution imager with built-in ND filtering and dramatically reduced video aliasing. Standard professional interfaces include HD-SDI out, HDMI, time code recording, built-in stereo microphone and USB 2.0. The AF100 features two XLR inputs with +48V Phantom Power capability, 48-kHz/16-bit two-channel digital audio recording and supports LPCM/Dolby-AC3.

This newest Panasonic AVCCAM camcorder is the first to enjoy the benefits of advanced SDXC media card compatibility in addition to existing SDHC card support. (SDXC is the newest SD memory card specification that supports memory capacities above 32GB up to 2TB). With two SD slots, the AF100 can record up to 12 hours on two 64GB SDXC cards in PH mode

The AG-AF100 will be available by the end of 2010.

SONY UNVEILS FIRST OLED PROFESSIONAL FIELD MONITOR
LAS VEGAS (NAB Booth C11001) April 11, 2010 – Sony is bringing the stunning technology that revolutionized consumer displays to its line of professional monitors. The new PVM-740 is the first field display to use an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) display panel with Sony’s unique Super Top Emission™ technology to efficiently deliver superb high contrast, high color images, even in ambient light.
The 7.4-inch high-resolution (960 x 540 pixels) portable monitor can fit a range of professional monitoring applications, including studio editing, ENG and EFT production, OB trucks, and even research and development. The versatile new monitor is also ideal for use in 3D camera rigs with its flip mode.
The display panel creates smooth gradation from the dark to the bright portions of scenes such as a sunrise or a sunset. The PVM-740 offers outstanding high-contrast images – for example, the deep black of a night scene can be accurately displayed and the black portion of an image is not raised even in a low-illumination edit suite. Its blur-free, quick response to fast motion is perfect for sports or camera monitoring during panning and text scrolling.
The monitor can flip a picture horizontally or vertically without frame delay. This feature is useful during 3D image acquisition using a 3D rig camera with a pair of 2D monitors. The monitor can be connected to the camera systems directly without need for an external signal converter, making system integration simpler.

SONY DEMONSTRATES NEW XDCAM HD WORKFLOW ENHANCEMENTS
LAS VEGAS (NAB Booth #C11001), April 11, 2010 – At NAB 2010, Sony is displaying new technologies and prototype concepts that can enhance the XDCAM HD® workflow.
“Sony continues to develop powerful and unique solutions for the XDCAM HD optical family,” said Bob Ott, vice president of Sony Electronics’ professional and optical products business. “These solutions can be an effective bridge between the studio and the field, or between the Professional Disc™ media and the SxS memory card. We are focused on enhancing the total XDCAM workflow.”
Sony is also introducing a News Production System (XDNEWS) for delivering advanced XDCAM based news production capabilities suitable for small to mid-scale broadcasters, as well as a powerful archiving system called XDCAM archive.
A new version of the XDCAM Professional Disc will be a quad (four) layer, single-sided version, with a 128 GB capacity. The new disc is ideal for long-form recording and archiving, and users can store more than four hours of XDCAM HD422 50Mbps content.
A new XDCAM drive is planned to be compatible with the four-layer disc, with faster transfer and write speeds as a result of dual optics on one head.
Sony is also developing workflow solutions that take advantage of each type of XDCAM tapeless media – the optical Professional Disc and the solid-state SxS memory card. The XDCAM Station hybrid media recorder will feature internal storage, a Professional Disc drive, SxS memory card slots and a VTR-like control panel.

Well, it's increased the value of 1/2 lens now! Mal
Nice one Sony - Puts to bed the 1/3" challengers for time being.


SONY REDEFINES THE CAPABILITIES OF SOLID-STATE
PRODUCTION WITH NEW XDCAM EX CAMCORDERS

Shoulder-mount models now Available with ½-inch and 2/3-inch
Imagers to Address Specific Needs of Production Community

LAS VEGAS (NAB Booth #C11001) April 11, 2010 – The expanding family of Sony’s XDCAM EX™ video products now includes two shoulder-mount camcorders that deliver new levels of creativity and flexibility for solid-state digital production.

The products include Sony’s 2/3-inch CMOS memory camcorder, the PMW-350, and now a ½-inch version, the PMW-320.

“Since it was first introduced, Sony designed the XDCAM EX series to be flexible enough to grow and expand as our customers’ production needs change,” said Bob Ott, vice president, Sony Electronics’ broadcast and professional audio/video products business. “These new products redefine solid-state production, with improvements achieved in features, performance, and ergonomics.”

Both camcorders have three Exmor™ full HD 1920x1080 CMOS imagers, and are studio-configurable, with timecode in/out, genlock in, and HD-SDI and HDMI out. The PMW-350 camcorder features a DVCAM recording and playback as an option; with both features offered as standard on the PMW-320.

Users can choose between the lens-packaged models, PMW-350K and PMW-320K, or versions without lenses, PMW-350L or PMW-320L. To enhance editing interoperability with Sony’s XDCAM HD 422 camcorders, both the PMW-350 and PMW-320 camcorders feature 1440x1080 recording mode at 35Mbps.

Both camcorders can also be used in studio configurations, using the optional 50-pin adapter CBK-CE01, as well as the camera adapter, XDCA-55, and camera extension unit, XDCU-55.

Sony is also delivering new solid-state memory choices to complement these new camcorders. An affordable series of Sony’s SxS™ memory cards, SxS-1™ (model SBS-32G1, 32 GB) offers compact and high speed transfer and supports a wide range of motion.

The cameras are also available with an adapter, MEAD-MS01, for using Sony’s Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX Series media, which can be used as an “emergency” recording option. An adapter is also available for SanDisk Class 10 SDHC card use (MEAD-SD01). Current owners of Sony’s PMW-EX1, PMW-EX1R as well as PMW-EX3 can use the MEAD-MS01 or MEADS-D01 by upgrading the camera’s firmware.

A hard-disk recording unit, model PHU-120R, offers a recording capacity of 120 GB. The new PXU-MS240 mobile storage unit can be used to transfer data from SxS memory cards to the unit for nearly continuous back-up or off-load of video clips. The unit stores content on a removable hard disk drive (HDD) cartridge, model PXU-HC240, which can store up to 240 GB of data or up to 17 hours of content in SP mode.

The following is suggested list pricing ($US) and planned availability for the new products:
• PMW-320K, $14800, availability in August
• PMW-320L, $12800, available in August
• MEAD-MS01, $120, now available
• MEAD-SD01, $110, now available