New link: http://www.fxsupport.de/test/ex1r.gif

Major New Functions:

* SD Recording
* HDMI Output
* New View Finder
* Cache Rec
* One Push Auto Iris

Major Improvements

* Camera holding improvement
* One push mode change for S&Q
* Quicker Start
* Switches and Jog Dial improvements
* Firmware version up by users

SD recording is supported in addition to the current HD recording.

* .avi extension is used for SD files
* .avi type2 files is the most acceptable file for major NLE systems
* PAL and NTSC switchable
* 60i, 50i, 30p* and 25p* are supported
* 4:3 and 16:9 can be switched for recording
* –SQ (Squeez) and EC(Edge Crop) mode are selectable
* Clip Browser will support SD clips

HD clips and SD clips can be existed in the same SxS media

* Only HD clips will be displayed at the HD mode
* Only SD clips will be displayed at the SD mode
* Both clips will be displayed only “All clip thumbnail” mode
* -Playback is not available from this mode

HDMI Output

* A standard HDMI connector (TypeA) is provided
* Non-compressed video and 2ch audio are output via HDMI connector
* “Auto configuration” function is provided
* –Automatic detect for monitor type such as HDMI or DVI

High resolution View Finder
0.45” 852 (H)x3(RGB) x 480 (V) LCD display
Same LCOS panel as Z7 and Z5 (LCOS:Liquid Crystal On Silicon )
Field sequential method is adopted for LCOS and it realizes higher resolution

The world first professional handy camcorder having this function
Cache rec On/Off set and Cache rec time can be set

* Max Cache rec time is 15sec
* Cache rec time can be selected by menu

Cache rec mode is indicated by green LED indicator
One push auto iris button is added

* Auto Iris is worked during the button is
pushed, when EX1R is working on the
manual iris mode
* Same operation style as higher grade
lens.

Power switch Improvement

* Push and slide for power on
* Just slide for power off
Other switches improvements
* Add protection guide
* Orange colored for easy
understanding of switch position
Jog dial
* Adjust the surface position for easier operation

Yay! Now I feel real good about getting the EX3 several weeks ago. Theres nothing here that
I really want or need. What a relief!!!!

The world first professional handy camcorder having this function
Cache rec On/Off set and Cache rec time can be set

* Max Cache rec time is 15sec
* Cache rec time can be selected by menu

Cache rec mode is indicated by green LED indicator
One push auto iris button is added

------------------------------

Power switch Improvement

* Push and slide for power on
* Just slide for power off
Other switches improvements
* Add protection guide
* Orange colored for easy
understanding of switch position
Jog dial
* Adjust the surface position for easier operation

--------------------------------

More new functions and improvements:
Smooth Start/Stop for handle zoom
Reverse scan
Additional Accessory Shoe
Audio limiter improvement
1440x1080, 35Mbps recording
ATW Hold
Wider controllable area for color correction
White Balance Preset
Picture quality improvement for Analog composite output
Message for Zebra and Peaking
SP24P clip indicate on Thumbnail mode
2.4:1, 2.35:1 Marker
Additional IR remote control from rear side
All clips copy function for Slot-to-slot copy
OK mark adding on Camera mode
Playback start from Clip information view
More stable position for Stabilizer

As a long time EX1 owner (December 2007) I'm underwhelmed by the totality of this upgrade, and yet some of the new features are very welcome additions. Cache recording, copy all clips (instead of one at a time), better hand grip, better VF, user firmware upgradeable, and HDMI are all good additions. What I was hoping for was the replacement of the old Exmor with the new Exmor -R (hence the moniker 'R' - so I thought) chips. (See this link for details Sony unveils 'Exmor R' back-illuminated CMOS technology: Digital Photography Review (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0908/09080601sonycmos.asp)). The Exmor -R chips, as I understand them to perform, don't increase sensitivity but instead reduce the amount of noise in low-light shots. That's just fine with me as the EX1 is pretty darned senstitive in low light already.

The linked page listed in this thread's original post does not state anything about the chips being upgraded or not - I'm hoping this is part of the package and just isn't listed there. I'll probably upgrade anyway because I view these cameras as screwdrivers to be replaced every year or two at the most. I'll be putting in a call to the hotshots over at Band Pro in the morning to see if they have additional info on this.

Theres nothing here thatI really want or need. What a relief!!!!

And yet there's everything there to make me jump for joy:

SD
Better buttons
HDMI
and the real biggie - Cache Record!

Now, should I go for an EX1 or an EX3 to supplement my old EX1? With that line-up, I'd go for the EX1. But - if one can forgive the metaphor - the fat lady ain't sung yet.

Looks like a nice incremental upgrade to me, wish my EX1 had those new features, although they aren't enough to make me jealous. Guess they replaced the viewfinder with one similar to the z5/z7. That would be a huge improvement. Better power switch is also a good move as is HDMI. The cache mode is cool, but not something I feel like I need.

The nice thing is that it sounds like Sony continues to listen and act on feedback from users. Of course, we have no way to confirm any of this until the official announcement on the 20th though.

Sony PMW-EX1R (http://www.expandore.com/product/Sony/Proav/model/XDCAM_HD/XDCAM_1.htm)

* Firmware version up by users

Let's hope Sony adopts this for the entire EX line-up, that would be outstanding.

Someone said they dropped the HD_SDI for HDMI. If they got rid of HD-SDI...MAJOR bummer. By hooking this cam up to a Nanoflash or AJA Ki Pro suddenly you are sending an uncompressed 4:2:2 signal to either device. ( instead of a compressed 4:2:0 to an SXS card or whatever). This makes the cameras signal output something to rival cameras that cost many times more!

we have no way to confirm any of this until the official announcement on the 20th though.

The announcement on the 20th will have more to talk about.

-gb-

Someone said they dropped the HD_SDI for HDMI. If they got rid of HD-SDI...MAJOR bummer. By hooking this cam up to a Nanoflash or AJA Ki Pro suddenly you are sending an uncompressed 4:2:2 signal to either device. ( instead of a compressed 4:2:0 to an SXS card or whatever). This makes the cameras signal output something to rival cameras that cost many times more!

You can hook it to the Nano with HDMI too. Presumably you still get 422.
Steve

But will you get 10bit?

You can hook it to the Nano with HDMI too. Presumably you still get 422.
Steve

That may be true, but I've not yet ever seen timecode transported on an HDMI output as it is embedded in the HD-SDI output as well as audio + picture. This would be a problem for automatic starts on the NanoFlash as it uses the timecode as a start/stop trigger. Also, I don't know if the HDMI output would be 8-bit or 10-bit. Replacing the HD-SDI with HDMI would be, in my opinion a major downgrade. Let's hope it isn't replacing HD-SDI but is an additional output, but I'm willing to withhold bitter tears until 2pm EST Tuesday.

<What I was hoping for was the replacement of the old Exmor with the new Exmor -R (hence the moniker 'R' - so I thought) chips.>


LATEST NEWS-Sony XDCAM PMW-EX1R to be revealed soon - O-Video Europe (http://shop.o-video.eu/epages/es121686.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es121686/Products/PMW-EX1R)

"PMW-EX1R...Stay tuned for details,all i can say now is that it might have something to do with this:" Sony Global - Technology - "Exmor R" (http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/technology/technology/theme/exmor_r_01.html)

I think we're all aware now that there'll be some other big announcement tomorrow and this was probably part of the couple of announcements.

I like it I must say. HDMI is a nice addition. Would thye have dropped the HD-SDI for the HDMI or is there both?

Bigger question: When can we buy it!?

I wonder if the IR contamination will be taking care of???

I really hope there will be a shoulder mount camera announced. Otherwise, and unfortuately, we will have to go P2 300. We need a shoulder mount Sony that is in the same price range!

I hope this isn't the 'BIG' news because if so, Sony is the boy who cried wolf. This announcement is the definition of incremental update...

Noah

The part about holding it better than the EX1 alone makes this a huge upgrade.

Hopefully third party media will still work!

As long as the camera can use the Sony Hard Drives it should work with 3rd party media. Those hard drive are USB Express not PCIe. That's why compatibility with both happened at the same time with the same firmware.

Basically I like record cache and HDMI.
Record cache with ENG work where one can't predict the actually start time of the event.
HDMI can help with cheaper monitoring options.

I'd settle for a firmware upgrade that allowed record cache on current EX1.

I guess Standard Def is useful for some but it really makes sense to shoot HD and either downconvert or edit in an SD timeline.

At first glance tis upgrade seems to pale in comparison to when they first released the EX1. I guess I was hoping for 4:2:2 10bit format especially if they've done away with HD-SDI out.

Have they made any announcements about the future of the EX3? I'm guessing not, fearing stalling the sales of the EX1-R.

Does anyone now the price?

Chuck, it seems you haven't yet read about it since you're stating incorrect information. Rather than comment on your post as it is, please read about the release and even check DVInfo sponsors for price (at least list price).

Hopefully third party media will still work!

If they disabled the ability to record to SDHC cards with an adapter, they're going to hurt sales ...and create a booming market for used (original model) EX1s!

According to the specs on B&H's site, it will have both SDI and HDMI output.