Sony HDW 750 Camcorder
Sony have further developed their system of using a menu system now recordable on to a memory stick, to control the operator features of the camera for example what you see in the view finder and what the assignable switches do, and Progressive scan or Interlaced pictures
The camera can make pictures in progressive scan at the rate of 25 frame per second, known as 25P. It can also be switched to produce interlaced images at the European stand rate of 50 per second, known as 50I.
Interlaced pictures rely on the next frame to make a complete image as every other set of lines is recorded on the first image and filled in by the second.
With the complete frames recorded in progressive scan, persistence of vision at 24 or 25 frames a second appear to us a constant flow. We see, but ignore the jitter when things move quickly due to our persistence of vision; the ability of the unrivalled processor that is our mind to smooth over the gaps. We have come to associate this effect with some sorts of dramatic programmes but for most TV especially sport, news and life style we rather like the seamless flow of interlaced scans, effectively showing half a picture at the rate of 50 times a second.
Especially if you are making programmes that may have an application in the US or other NTSC areas, you need to know in advance what delivery format is required. Progressive scan has some advantages that are valued for international delivery.
HD Picture quality
The camera produces pictures that are undisputedly Hi Definition and records onto a format with little compression that complies with High Definition broadcast. Providing that it has been shot in P frame mode it transfers well to 35mm film for projection. It has a wide variety of menu settings to control picture rendition including controls to create a film look.
HD lenses
Lenses for High definition
Lenses are similar to standard definition in that there are wide angle zoom lenses and longer focal length lenses with varying degrees of telephoto. The glass that they are made of is different and of a modified design with a different coating with mechanical movements made to closer tolerances. Lenses are available in ENG style with a hand grip zoom servo on the side, or in cine style with larger pitch gears on the barrels and no servo. If a focus puller was working on a shoot, they would probably want drama style lenses and a drama matt box. HD cameras themselves cost more than standard definition cameras like Digi Beta, but the lenses cost twice as much.
Tape stock
The format dedicated tape stock is based on the familiar and well tried Betacam design.
HD Cam is the most common format for HD post production so many post houses will have players.
HD camcorder, offering 2.2 million pixels per colour, HDCAM recording and is switchable between 50i and 25P scanning.
The HDW-750P from Sony is a camcorder that destroys any outdated notions about high definition as a bulky, inflexible, prohibitively expensive choice for quality programme making. The compact new HDW-750P puts all the advantages of shooting High Definition at 25P/50i into the hands of the cinematographer, maximising creative opportunities and control without sacrificing portability or battery life.
The HDW-750P makes it easier than ever to capture pictures that will satisfy the most exacting Director of Photography with levels of detail, colour depth and contrast that you might associate with Super16 or even 35mm film. By shooting 25 frames per second in progressive scan mode (25P), your shots will share “filmic” motion portrayal that can add a subjective richness to any production. Alternatively, you can opt to shoot 50 fields per second interlaced (50i) as a natural partner to the PAL world. The choice is yours.
It is an extremely compact and lightweight design, with a robust and reliable construction. Adopting a 2.2 million-pixel FIT CCD, and Advanced Digital Signal Processing (ADSP), the HDW-750P ensures superb picture quality and low-power consumption. The HDW-750P directly provides HD-SDI as standard, while an optional down converter allows simultaneous direct output of SD, SDI or analogue composite. Camera setup data can be stored in a "Memory Stick". An optional picture cache board can capture pictures and sound in advance of pressing the record button.
Whether you’re post producing in Standard Definition and want to maximise image quality up-front, or following an end-to-end HD 25P workflow with the Sony HDW-2000 series of VTR recorder/players for maximum quality and marketability of your product, the HDW-750P redefines High Definition acquisition as the choice that’s practical and affordable for programme making today… and tomorrow.
Progressive mode
This camcorder can operate in either 50 interlace or 25 Progressive (PsF) mode. This allows true acquisition in progressive mode, to offer identical motion portrayal as film.
HDCAM recording
With well over 6,000 HDCAM units sold worldwide, the intelligent and adaptive HDCAM recording system offers the most reliable and cost effective system ever for acquisition, post production and delivery of programmes for TV, theatre and digital distribution.
Advanced Digital Signal Processing with 10 bit A/D converter
This ensures superb picture quality with excellent tonal reproduction, however with only 34 watts consumption, the battery life will not be sacrificed.
HD-SDI output is standard
No adapter is needed to monitor your pictures at the highest quality level or to have external recording directly from the camera.
Optional downconverter board
The HKDW-702/1 offers simultaneous output of either SDI or composite PAL on a dedicated BNC connector, in addition to the HD-SDI output. Furthermore, the 'test out' facility offers a PAL output with all the viewfinder characters inserted if you so wish.
Optional picture cache board
The HKDW-703/1 allows up to 8 seconds of sound and picture to be recorded in solid state memory, so that you can catch action up to 8 seconds before you press the record button. After pressing the record button again to stop recording, the cache memory is emptied onto tape. Pressing record again at any time up to the memory being empty (tally light is flashing) ensures seamless recording with no interruption. Recommended for programmes with children and animals.
Time lapse and animation recording
Another feature of the cache board is time lapse. In manual mode, 1 to 8 frames are recorded every time the record button is pressed. In auto mode, simply set the overall time to be recorded (e.g. 10 minutes) and the duration on tape at normal playback speed e.g. 10 seconds (Please note that there are a few prohibited combinations). Then the camcorder calculates how often to record a frame. All this is done into the cache memory until it is full, whereupon it is dumped to tape. This is a huge saving on mechanical wear to the recording mechanism of the camcorder.
Memory stick
Allows storage of up to 100 user files and 100 scene files. A user file stores camera operating parameters (e.g. assignable switch parameters). A scene file stores image related parameters (white balance, etc). 5 scene files are stored in the camcorder itself. This data file facility also allows easy software upgrades, and can be used to store UMID data such as good shot markers, GPS data.
Turbo gain
Maximum 42dB gain allows shooting to 0.15 lux. In 25P mode, and with no shutter this equates to an ISO of around 77,000!
Lightweight
At only 5.4 Kg (11 pounds 15 ounces) including battery, tape, viewfinder and microphone this is a very lightweight and compact model particularly suitable for hand-held operation.
Slot in wireless receiver
WRR-855 A/B slots in so the external dimensions don’t change. Now includes RF level indicator in the V/F (only with Sony WRR)
Two assignable buttons
One is a push button, the other a slide switch to allow instant access to frequently used functions. Push button: OFF, front mic mono/stereo, loop rec on/off, test out character on/off, marker on/off, EZ focus on/off, re-take, ATW, return video, lens return, rec switch, turbo switch
Slide switch: off, front mic mono/stereo, loop rec on/off, test out character on/off, marker on/off, cam/ext.
EZ focus
This allows easy focussing, by using the shutter to adjust the level. If you have a fully automatic lens, then EZ focus opens up the iris to fully open, and the shutter is changed to achieve good exposure. This allows easy focus checks. After 10 seconds, or if you press the button again, the iris and shutter return to normal
Auto trace white
The ATW function makes it possible to automatically adjust the white balance as lighting conditions change. This function is useful when shooting in rapidly changing lighting conditions (for example, when moving from an indoor to an outdoor location). Conventional Auto white balance is also available both instead of and in addition to ATW operation. White B preset position is assigned for ATW operation by selecting either ATW or AWB B in the VF menu
Intelligent light shoe
In Auto mode, on/off of the light is synchronised with the operation of the REC button. Max 50 W.
Dual Optical Filter Wheels
Allows the following to be selected:
- ND: 1:CLEAR
- 2:1/4ND
- 3:1/16ND
- 4:1/64ND
- CC: A:CROSS
- B:3200K
- C:4300K
- D:6300K
Stereo audio monitoring
A 5 pin XLR allows monitoring of audio channels 1 and 2, or 3 and 4 (switch selectable)
TruEye processing
Virtually eliminates hue distortion, particularly obvious in extreme lighting conditions, that results from conventional RGB analogue or digital processing. By processing video signal data at three levels - brightness, hue and saturation - similar to how the human eye works, the TruEye process assists in the reproduction of natural skin tones by eliminating the hue factor distortion.
Multi matrix
This allows any colour to be grabbed, and its hue and saturation to be altered within a range of around 20 degrees, and the saturation almost to nil. In this way many "in camera" effects can be made, and cameras matched to each other
Three channel skin tone detection
Its saturation, hue phase and width select the colour for which detail level is controlled. The use of skin detail is not limited to human skin colour. It can be used to independently control the level of detail applied to any object with any colour
Dial in colour temperature
You can now programme the camera to a certain colour temperature, and then light to that, rather than using preset positions or auto white balance with gels to offset the balance. Also added is an offset function to slightly warm or cool a picture irrespective of the auto white setting, since the offset is removed before auto white and then added back in again when auto white is completed.
Gamma curves
As well as standard gamma curves, film gamma curves are included as standard to create the look that you want
Black gamma
Can bring out detail in dark areas, but won’t affect the mid tones. As gamma is a non-linear function, it may slightly change the saturation of the dark areas. You can select the range of levels it will affect Y black gamma. Useful to pull out detail in the low lights, but keep black areas black. Won’t affect the colour of the dark areas. You can set the luminance level at which the gamma correction becomes effective
Adaptive knee
As part of the DCC (dynamic contrast control) this feature can be used to control individual highlights in a picture, by varying the knee point after measuring the level in all areas of the picture. Best used in still pictures
Knee saturation
Works together with TruEye to regain natural saturation at the knee point, where it would normally be de-saturated
Tele-File
Built-in writer allows record start marks to be stored on a Tele-File label. This is a label that is stuck on the cassette and contains a memory chip. By non-contact recording and playback, these can then be read instantaneously by an HDW-F500, HDW-2000 series, hand held portable reader MLU-200, or MLU-100A for PC connection. In the case of the VTR, details are transferred to the cue menu, allowing easy shot selection
Cameraman programmable menu system
This allows every cameraman to make their own menu structure, by copying any single menu item from any other page and pasting it into their own page, which can then be stored on a memory stick.
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