Anyone have any insight as to what Sony might be bringing to NAB in regards to the EX series? (maybe the EX5 full size camera?????) {i wish}

or a 50 mbit/s update for ex1/3
a lot of broadcasting stations want at least 50mbit/s and panasonics new camera AG-HPX301E even does 100mbit/s (4:2:2, 10bit) for a similar price as the ex3.
tempting. inspite of only 1/3inch chips. isn't it?

Tempting? Not really.

AVC-Intra is not nearly as efficient as MPEG, and even at 100Mbps I don't think it will look as good as 35 Mbps on the EX cameras. AVC-Intra would have to be up around 140 to equal HQ on the EX cameras. Any client who just looks as the raw amount of data recorded per second is missing the bigger picture. For example, would you rather have a pro SLR with 6 megapixels or a little point and shoot with 12?

Factor in the price of P2 cards (vs. MxR), the reduced record capaicity on equivalent sized P2 cards, the 1/3" sensors, the tiny viewfinder, and you've got a camera that I wouldn't care to own.

Also, I'm pretty sure that AVC-Intra has to be converted to ProRes before you can even edit in FCP. That's what I've heard. Never tried it myself.

The only thing about the 300 that appeals to me is the shoulder-mount design.

Just a naive question:
would it be possible to make the EX1 shoot in 1080/50p (or 60p) by firmware update? Or are there any hardware limitations prohibiting this?
It just comes in my mind, if we need a NAB for a new cam or if we could somehow wait and hope for a firmware update ;)

At the Sony EX-perience events last week the UK XDCAM product manager said that the current Sony XDCAM 50Mb 4:2:2 encoder chip set consumes something like 14 watts of power. Because of that he felt it was unlikely that we will see an EX1 sized product working at 50Mbps due to excessive power consumption and heat.

That doesn't sound right, or includes some other hardware. The NanoFlash use 2 of those chips and draw 7.5 watts?

... AVC-Intra is not nearly as efficient as MPEG, and even at 100Mbps I don't think it will look as good as 35 Mbps on the EX cameras ... Also, I'm pretty sure that AVC-Intra has to be converted to ProRes before you can even edit in FCP. That's what I've heard. Never tried it myself.My understanding is that AVC-Intra is way more efficient than MPEG-2. In fact, at the same bit rates, Panasonic Broadcast is touting the image as better than XDCAM. And at higher bit rates, they're comparing to their D5 standard, which is in the same league as Sony's HDCAM SR. Of course I got this information at a public relations conference, so take it with a grain of salt.

By the way, here's the software you need to natively edit AVC-Intra in Final Cut Pro (http://www.calibratedsoftware.com/MXFImport_Mac.asp).

And Sony has said that they will eventually move to AVC. Just a question of when, but in the long term that's where their R&D is headed.

Here is a white paper on the performance characteristics of MPEG-2 Long
GoP vs AVC-I video compression techniques.

MPEG-2 vs AVC-Intra (http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/assets/files/micro/xdcam/solutions/MPEG-2_Long_GoP_vs_AVC_Comp-Strategies.pdf)

I don't know much about these codec things, but after reading this paper, to me it looks that AVC-Intra isn't more efficient at all.

Traditionally, Sony has announced new products at the last few NABs, however the V1u and FX7 were announced in the fall of 2006 (I was able to use a prototype of the V1u while we were shooting my last film that October).

At NAB 2004 it was the FX1/Z1 (shipped Fall 04 and Feb 05, respectively), NAB 07 it was the EX1 (shipped fall 07), NAB 08 it was the EX3 (shipped fall 08).

heath

General question about NAB, do manufacturers release ALL info the first day as far as new products or does the info trickle out during the weekend? thanks

It was the Sunday before the show started that Apple (2007) and Sony announced new products (2007 and 08).

heath

This year Sony's press conference happens on Sunday, April 19th, one day prior to the opening of the NAB show floor.

Chris,

I believe I saw you at last year's Sony Press Conference, briefly, but I got lost in the crowd. I won't be attending this year, so have a cold one on me and say hey to everyone!

heath

Will do on both accounts, several times over. Sorry we won't see you there this year.

Thanks for the info guys. So let's say Canon did happen to release something. How is their announcements usually structured?

The one time in recent years that Canon Video (not Canon Broadcast) announced new product at NAB was last year for the XL H1A and XL H1S. That press release was issued on April 10th, 2008, four days prior to the opening of the show floor. Keep in mind that NAB is not their *typical* venue for new product announcements... Canon Video usually yields that particular event to Canon Broadcast. But as we've seen, anything can happen.

The one time in recent years that Canon Video (not Canon Broadcast) announced new product at NAB was last year for the XL H1A and XL H1S. That press release was issued on April 10th, 2008, four days prior to the opening of the show floor. Keep in mind that NAB is not their *typical* venue for new product announcements... Canon Video usually yields that particular event to Canon Broadcast. But as we've seen, anything can happen.

I see. When is Canon broadcast usually? Also, forgive me for the multiple questions when I should have just asked one, lol, but what is Panasonic's announcement trend? I got cash burning in my pocket for an HMC150 but getting buckets of advice to wait and see what NAB has before plopping down the cash. I'm not in immediate need of a camcorder just yet...although I did sell my beloved XH-A1 for the funds.

*EDIT* After reading that statement a few times, I mean to ask when/what show does Canon Video usually have their announcements for new products?

Thanks, Chris. I need a break--three major trade shows in Vegas in 2 years was enough (NAB 07 and CES/NAB 08) for me for a little while!

heath

You should try four major trade shows in eleven days -- that's what I did this January
(MacWorld, AVN, CES and Imaging USA -- see http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/995896-post2.html)

Yeah, you got me beat there, Chris! Plus how many others throughout the year?

heath

When/what show does Canon Video usually have their announcements for new products?

Go to Canon USA: Press Releases (http://www.usa.canon.com/opd/controller?act=OPDPressReleaseAct)

Choose "Camcorders" from the drop-down menu on the right, and choose a year from the drop-
down menu on the left. The results will give you an idea of their video product release cycle.

Someone told me to wait till after NAB before I buy an EX3, Is there news regarding it.

Thanks.

I guess not, but it's never a good idea to buy something just before NAB or IBC.

Thanks, no, I will wait but I haven't read anything reporting anything new in the EX1/3s cameras.