Sony shows off the next generation of HDC series camera providing the ability to use the super-long zoom lenses currently employed by HD 2/3-inch systems while maintaining a depth of field properly showing all of the sports/music action in live event broadcasting.
At their NAB15 press conference, Sony announced The new HDC-4300. The world’s first camera to use three 2/3-inch 4K image sensors. It supports the same B4-mount lenses as well as the same control surfaces as Sony’s industry leading HDC-2000 series cameras. The existing HDLA-1500 series, control and shading systems, viewfinders and master set-up units are all interchangeable between the HD and 4K systems. Directors and operators can keep their approach to live events — including camera angles, zoom ranges and iris settings – while using familiar camera technology.
The new HDC-4300 is capable of 4K/HD operation, with 2x, 3x Super Slow Motion as standard, and higher speeds up to 8x available, to produce high-quality replays and specialty program effects.
The camera uses ultra-high-precision alignment technology to realize three 4K sensor on a new prism. This allows the support of the next-generation ITU-R BT.2020 broadcast standard’s widened color space for future-proof masters or post production options for today’s productions, shown on tomorrow’s 4K services.
Direct attachment of B4 HD lenses
Standard large-format B4-mount lenses mount directly onto the HDC‑4300. This gives broadcasters the flexibility needed for live sports broadcasts: 4K capabilities while maintaining their customary HD-lens operating styles.
SZC-4001 Software
Sony’s SZC-4001 software package (sold separately) allows broadcasters to take advantage of 4K capabilities.
Super Slow Motion (up to 8x) at HD Resolution
The SZC-4002 software package (sold separately) enables the system to shoot full HD (1920 x 1080) at frame rates up to 479.52/400 fps, as well as 59.94/50, 119.88/100, and 179.82/150 fps. Users can save these high-frame-rate shots to Sony’s PWS-4400 multiport 4K/HD Live Server.
HD/4K Live Production for Sports
The HDC-4300 accepts the same configurations as existing 4K live systems.
A BPU-4000 baseband processor unit receives the camera signals via SMPTE fiber and connects to an HDCU-2000 or 2500 camera control unit. This provides power and full intercom, tally, and return capabilities.
The addition of other 4K products, such as the PWS-4400 multi-port 4K/HD Live server, a multi-format switcher capable of real-time 4K signal processing based on the MVS-8000X, and Sony’s new BVM-X300 4K OLED or PMW-X300 4K LCD monitors create an end-to-end 4K live production solution.
HDC-4300 – additional features:
- HD cut-outs – two full HD images to be cut out from the 4K picture in real-time including a selectable zoom and perspective mode.
- Many of the Picture adjustment functions of HDC Series cameras are supported by the HDC-4300 system
- Dynamic focus (4K focus-assist function) – a focus point can be displayed on the viewfinder with a marker in 4K mode for easy focusing.
- Auto lens aberration compensation 2 (ALAC2) function
- Color reproduction adjustment functions
- Gamma table selection
- User gamma function
- Natural skin-tone detail function
- Knee saturation function
- Low-key saturation function