Latest Upgrade Date for the SONY X-70

David Dixon · February 26th, 2015, 09:16 PM

Supposedly someone was told at the Sony booth at BVE that the 4K upgrade is free unless you need 25p.

If this is true, I don't know if that translates into 24p in the states costing but 30p being free.

Paul Anderegg · February 26th, 2015, 11:02 PM

24p has always been the "pay option" at Sony, I think they mean/assume 25/30p is free?

Paul

Roland Schulz · February 27th, 2015, 02:22 AM

This specs are an insolence and "wrong"!

Sony tell´s us that the PXW-X70´s "...Image sampling is 4:2:2 10-bit with high-efficiency Long-GOP compression at 50 Mbps, 35 Mbps or 25 Mbps. The PXW-X70 is also 4K ready and can handle 4K recordings with a future upgrade (fee required)."

This is stated here:
PXW-X70 (PXWX70) : Product Overview : Other : Sony Professional

In no sentence 4:2:2 10-bit is restricted to FullHD or anything else, the statement is global for the camera, so this has to be also valid for the headline´s advertised 4k upgrade (that only become´s a QFHD upgrade, I don´t find any 4k/4096 resolution anywhere).

The camcorder won´t be a competition for the FS7, not with that sensor, so please give us the promised and advertised 4:2:2 10-bit in QFHD!!!

Only 60Mbps is another joke as the consumer 33/100 cameras get 100Mbps soon.

Sony, continue with this and you will leave more and more customers! Seems it´s not already bad enough for Sony.

Ron Evans · February 27th, 2015, 07:19 AM

Not sure about German but when one starts a new sentence in English it is a new sentence and new content restricted to the sentence. The same paragraph would imply similar subject only. That is why legal documents have long sentences. From the sentence mentioned in the Sony spec the 4K could be any form not even mxf. ""The PXW-X70 is also 4K ready and can handle 4K recordings with a future upgrade (fee required)."" No mention of format at all in the sentence.

Ron Evans

Paul Anderegg · February 27th, 2015, 12:23 PM

Ron, I think the fact that he quotes Sony saying "is" and then extrapolates tat to mean "will be" says enough about that thought process. My wife is 32 years old, and will be a CEO next year. His logic would dictate that a year from now she must still be 32. :)

Paul

Roland Schulz · February 27th, 2015, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Evans

Not sure about German but when one starts a new sentence in English it is a new sentence and new content restricted to the sentence. The same paragraph would imply similar subject only. That is why legal documents have long sentences. From the sentence mentioned in the Sony spec the 4K could be any form not even mxf. ""The PXW-X70 is also 4K ready and can handle 4K recordings with a future upgrade (fee required)."" No mention of format at all in the sentence.

Ron Evans

Ron, I'm with you: If the sentence was "Image sampling is 4:2:2 10-bit -with current formats- with high-efficiency Long-GOP compression at 50 Mbps, 35 Mbps or 25 Mbps", than they could bring "4k" with whatever they want.

But here the paragraph is headlined "...4k ready" and the specs follow with 4:2:2 10-bit etc... The german translation on the german website is even more clear (Darueberhinaus...), bring 4k with 4:2:2, and more important, 10-bit!!!

Roland Schulz · February 27th, 2015, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Anderegg

Ron, I think the fact that he quotes Sony saying "is" and then extrapolates tat to mean "will be" says enough about that thought process. My wife is 32 years old, and will be a CEO next year. His logic would dictate that a year from now she must still be 32. :)

Paul

Hmm, image sampling has nothing to do with "age".
You could sample 16k in three years at 4:2:2 10-bit, but if you're 40 you won't be 40 one year later!

Jesse Angell · March 3rd, 2015, 04:03 AM

Oh wow... I'm happy I didn't rush out and buy this. I think I might just buy an AX100, I'd much rather work with DSLRs but it doesn't seem like there will be a 4k APS-C sensor camera (which to me is my preferred sensor after a full frame, and I have not worked with a full frame yet) for quite some time. As for the x70 audio advantages, I do all my audio externally anyways, I'd never use that feature.

Noa Put · March 3rd, 2015, 04:59 AM

The samsung nx1 is aps-c and 4K. If you don't need xlr, then you are better of getting a ax100.

Mark Watson · March 8th, 2015, 06:00 AM

Rather than compare the X70 ($2,300) to the AX100 ($1,700), compare it to the HDR-CX900 ($1,300). Neither have 4K. The FDR-AX100 is the same as the CX900, except that it has 4K, and that difference, at current prices is $400.

So, for an extra $1,000 you got:
XLR Inputs, SDI, time code, assignable buttons, picture profiles, menu joystick, higher resolution LCD, full-size HDMI, S&Q motion (1-60p), 10-bit 4:2:2 50MBPS, X-AVC L, histogram, dual card slots, a handle.

It also lost a couple things; 720 120p high frame rate, still photos.

Consider this; to get XLR inputs on the CX900, Sony sells their XLR-K1M XLR Adapter for $800. Let's say $650 value since they also include a microphone which if bought separately would be about $150. And this adapter doesn't include a handle!. Don't all those other improvements come at a fair price for another $350?

The added fee for the 4K upgrade seems justified.

Mark

Lou Bruno · March 8th, 2015, 06:22 AM

Actually the Ax100 works with the less expensive. Sony XLR KI 2 which is less than 600 dollars with the microphone. Purchased it.

I dumped the 70. Already had the Ax-100. Same picture quality and buttons in the right place including a wheel for on the fly color adjustments. Perfect for the nasty LED lighting.

Pocketed the cash and purchased the KI 2. I already have 4K and both the XAVC and 4k will be increased to 100Mb/s with the free firmware update. FREE.

I really don't miss the the X70.YES it has profiles, but I adjust in post anyway.

I would have spent 500 US dollars or so to upgrade the X70 for something I already own.

Paul Hardy · March 10th, 2015, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Dixon

Has everyone seen this:

HD Warrior » Blog Archiv » BVE 2015 Day TWO

Scroll down to info on the X70 - supposedly someone was told at the Sony booth at BVE that the 4K upgrade is free unless you need 25p.

If this is true, I don't know if that translates into 24p in the states costing but 30p being free.

No you've got that completely wrong - they're basically saying that the next firmware update is free (it makes the X70 'capable' of 4K), however you will need to buy a license code to activate the 4K recoding. The HD warrior article only mentions 25p as he is UK based & we use PAL over here - no where does the statement imply that 4K25 will be a free upgrade.

Sorry to spoil the party for you!

Paul Anderegg · March 10th, 2015, 03:25 AM

Can we jail-break our X70's? :-)

Paul

Terence Morris · March 10th, 2015, 07:57 PM

Just wondering if anyone knows Sony's plans: Once the 4K upgrade comes online, does this mean that all future versions of the X-70 will have working 4K, presumably with a new premium price-point? Or will there only continue to be the current (upgradable) HD version? Or will there perhaps be two versions, a 4K and a HD (upgradable)?

David Dixon · March 10th, 2015, 08:31 PM

I don't think they've announced what they're doing along those lines. Maybe it will be like the Canon C100 - there was a $500 autofocus upgrade for the C100 Mark 1. For a time you could buy the basic camera or one for $500 extra that already had the upgrade applied. But this is just speculation.

Of course now Canon has released the Mark 2 which only comes with the autofocus.

I'm still very happy with the camera, but will definitely wait to see the quality of the 4K before deciding whether it's worth it or not.

February 26th, 2015, 09:16 PM	#16
David Dixon Major Player Join Date: May 2011 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 495	Re: Latest Upgrade Date for the SONY X-70 Supposedly someone was told at the Sony booth at BVE that the 4K upgrade is free unless you need 25p. If this is true, I don't know if that translates into 24p in the states costing but 30p being free.

February 26th, 2015, 11:02 PM	#17
Paul Anderegg Trustee Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Diego, Califonia Posts: 1,559	Re: Latest Upgrade Date for the SONY X-70 24p has always been the "pay option" at Sony, I think they mean/assume 25/30p is free? Paul

February 27th, 2015, 02:22 AM	#18
Roland Schulz Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Germany Posts: 64	upgrade specs have to be revised!! This specs are an insolence and "wrong"! Sony tell´s us that the PXW-X70´s "...Image sampling is 4:2:2 10-bit with high-efficiency Long-GOP compression at 50 Mbps, 35 Mbps or 25 Mbps. The PXW-X70 is also 4K ready and can handle 4K recordings with a future upgrade (fee required)." This is stated here: PXW-X70 (PXWX70) : Product Overview : Other : Sony Professional In no sentence 4:2:2 10-bit is restricted to FullHD or anything else, the statement is global for the camera, so this has to be also valid for the headline´s advertised 4k upgrade (that only become´s a QFHD upgrade, I don´t find any 4k/4096 resolution anywhere). The camcorder won´t be a competition for the FS7, not with that sensor, so please give us the promised and advertised 4:2:2 10-bit in QFHD!!! Only 60Mbps is another joke as the consumer 33/100 cameras get 100Mbps soon. Sony, continue with this and you will leave more and more customers! Seems it´s not already bad enough for Sony.

February 27th, 2015, 07:19 AM	#19
Ron Evans Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,222	Re: Latest Upgrade Date for the SONY X-70 Not sure about German but when one starts a new sentence in English it is a new sentence and new content restricted to the sentence. The same paragraph would imply similar subject only. That is why legal documents have long sentences. From the sentence mentioned in the Sony spec the 4K could be any form not even mxf. ""The PXW-X70 is also 4K ready and can handle 4K recordings with a future upgrade (fee required)."" No mention of format at all in the sentence. Ron Evans

February 27th, 2015, 12:23 PM	#20
Paul Anderegg Trustee Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Diego, Califonia Posts: 1,559	Re: Latest Upgrade Date for the SONY X-70 Ron, I think the fact that he quotes Sony saying "is" and then extrapolates tat to mean "will be" says enough about that thought process. My wife is 32 years old, and will be a CEO next year. His logic would dictate that a year from now she must still be 32. :) Paul

March 3rd, 2015, 04:03 AM	#23
Jesse Angell Tourist Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Celaya, Mexico Posts: 1	Re: Latest Upgrade Date for the SONY X-70 Oh wow... I'm happy I didn't rush out and buy this. I think I might just buy an AX100, I'd much rather work with DSLRs but it doesn't seem like there will be a 4k APS-C sensor camera (which to me is my preferred sensor after a full frame, and I have not worked with a full frame yet) for quite some time. As for the x70 audio advantages, I do all my audio externally anyways, I'd never use that feature.

March 3rd, 2015, 04:59 AM	#24
Noa Put Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 9,510	Re: Latest Upgrade Date for the SONY X-70 The samsung nx1 is aps-c and 4K. If you don't need xlr, then you are better of getting a ax100.

March 8th, 2015, 06:00 AM	#25
Mark Watson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Whidbey Island Posts: 873	Re: Latest Upgrade Date for the SONY X-70 Rather than compare the X70 ($2,300) to the AX100 ($1,700), compare it to the HDR-CX900 ($1,300). Neither have 4K. The FDR-AX100 is the same as the CX900, except that it has 4K, and that difference, at current prices is $400. So, for an extra $1,000 you got: XLR Inputs, SDI, time code, assignable buttons, picture profiles, menu joystick, higher resolution LCD, full-size HDMI, S&Q motion (1-60p), 10-bit 4:2:2 50MBPS, X-AVC L, histogram, dual card slots, a handle. It also lost a couple things; 720 120p high frame rate, still photos. Consider this; to get XLR inputs on the CX900, Sony sells their XLR-K1M XLR Adapter for $800. Let's say $650 value since they also include a microphone which if bought separately would be about $150. And this adapter doesn't include a handle!. Don't all those other improvements come at a fair price for another $350? The added fee for the 4K upgrade seems justified. Mark

March 8th, 2015, 06:22 AM	#26
Lou Bruno Go Cycle Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 815	Re: Latest Upgrade Date for the SONY X-70 Actually the Ax100 works with the less expensive. Sony XLR KI 2 which is less than 600 dollars with the microphone. Purchased it. I dumped the 70. Already had the Ax-100. Same picture quality and buttons in the right place including a wheel for on the fly color adjustments. Perfect for the nasty LED lighting. Pocketed the cash and purchased the KI 2. I already have 4K and both the XAVC and 4k will be increased to 100Mb/s with the free firmware update. FREE. I really don't miss the the X70.YES it has profiles, but I adjust in post anyway. I would have spent 500 US dollars or so to upgrade the X70 for something I already own. __________________ Lou Bruno

March 10th, 2015, 03:25 AM	#28
Paul Anderegg Trustee Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Diego, Califonia Posts: 1,559	Re: Latest Upgrade Date for the SONY X-70 Can we jail-break our X70's? :-) Paul

March 10th, 2015, 07:57 PM	#29
Terence Morris Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 131	Re: Latest Upgrade Date for the SONY X-70 Just wondering if anyone knows Sony's plans: Once the 4K upgrade comes online, does this mean that all future versions of the X-70 will have working 4K, presumably with a new premium price-point? Or will there only continue to be the current (upgradable) HD version? Or will there perhaps be two versions, a 4K and a HD (upgradable)?

March 10th, 2015, 08:31 PM	#30
David Dixon Major Player Join Date: May 2011 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 495	Re: Latest Upgrade Date for the SONY X-70 I don't think they've announced what they're doing along those lines. Maybe it will be like the Canon C100 - there was a $500 autofocus upgrade for the C100 Mark 1. For a time you could buy the basic camera or one for $500 extra that already had the upgrade applied. But this is just speculation. Of course now Canon has released the Mark 2 which only comes with the autofocus. I'm still very happy with the camera, but will definitely wait to see the quality of the 4K before deciding whether it's worth it or not.