Sony HXR-NX5U and HDR-AX2000 Camcorder
 

I just saw the news of Sony's new HDR-AX2000H camcorder from their CES 2010 Press Release from their website. There were 3 different images of the camera presented. I couldn't find any specific information but I did see this comment:

The features of the AX2000 will wow the most hardened techmophile: Full HD progressive scan recording; syoerb three sensor video reproduction, smooth Active Mode video stabilization; film-like cinematone Gamma and color and a wide angle G lens with telephoto zoom. I believe it's a AVCHD type camera maybe the prosumer version of the NX Cam.

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SONY UNVEILS NEW SOLID STATE CAMCORDERS

LAS VEGAS (CES Booth 14200) Jan. 6, 2010 – Sony Electronics is expanding its line of solid state camcorders with two new models designed to broaden the shooting capabilities for professionals and consumers. The company is introducing its first professional camcorder that implements the AVCHD format, the HXR-NX5U, as well as a consumer AVCHD model, HDR-AX2000.

The professional HXR-NX5U model is part of Sony’s NXCAM family of video products for professionals. It features Sony’s Exmor™ CMOS sensor with ClearVid™ array, to deliver full high-definition resolution and low light sensitivity with low noise. The camcorder will record AVCHD up to 24Mbps, delivering 1920x1080 high definition images with both interlace and progressive modes along with native 1080/24P, 720/60p and MPEG-2 standard definition recording. Only the professional NX5U camcorder includes both HD-SDI and HDMI™ outputs, as well as two-channel linear PCM audio capabilities. Other unique features for the professional NX5U camcorder include 720/60P recording, built-in GPS function, SMPTE Time Code I/O and an upgrade option for 60i/50i switchable.

AVCHD technology has been widely adopted in Sony’s consumer camcorder line. In the professional market, Sony has already introduced one AVCHD-based model: the compact point-of-view (POV) camera and solid-state recorder combination, model HXR-MC1.

According to Sony, AVCHD is a highly efficient long-GOP codec based on MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Long-GOP image compression, a member of the MPEG family of codecs. This approach is consistent with Sony’s current line-up of MPEG professional camcorders, including the HDV™, XDCAM® HD optical and XDCAM EX™ series.

The new NXCAM model also shares the 20x optical zoom G lens used in Sony’s HVR-Z5U professional camcorder. The camcorder uses two types of consumer media along with an optional HXR-FMU128 128GB Flash Memory Unit for more than 11 hours of recording time at 24 Mbps. The HXR-FMU128 unit can be easily removed and simply powered through a computer’s USB connection, to make file downloading or editing easier and faster. Besides the Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media, users are also able to record HD content on class 4 or higher SDHC cards.

The new HXR-NX5U will be available this month, at a suggested list price of $4,950, which is the same as Sony’s highly successful HVR-Z5U. The HXR-FMU128 unit will also be available this month, at a suggested list price of $800. It can only be used with the professional model HXR-NX5U, not with the HDR-AX2000.

For High-end Prosumers

With both the HXR-NX5U and the HDR-AX2000 Handycam® camcorders, professionals and more adept consumer videographers can achieve a deep cinematic look with film-like movie quality and advanced color settings.

Recording full 1920x1080/60i high-definition video at up to 24Mbps, the HDR-AX2000 features progressive scan at 1080/24p and 30p, giving video film-quality motions for brilliant scene reproduction. Sony’s new prosumer camcorder delivers HD broadcast-quality images with the convenience of a non-linear recording format to Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media for editing and playback. CinemaTone Gamma™ and CinemaTone Color settings complement the 24P capabilities by providing the color and gamma range for an even more high-end feel and extra control over image expression.

The model uses three 1/3" Exmor™ CMOS Sensors with Exmor derived technology to improve the color reproduction of video recordings and capture sharp, detailed images even in less than perfect lighting situations. Noise reduction is accomplished via the unique column-parallel analog-to-digital conversion technique and grid arrangement of the photo diodes, which are designed to provide high sensitivity, deep resolution, high-speed reading, and a wider dynamic range. The Exmor technologies combine to allow the new camcorders to perform significantly better in low-light environments with sensitivity of 1.5 lux.

The EIP processor is able to rapidly process the vast amounts of pixel data read from the three 1/3” Exmor CMOS Sensors, and record beautiful HD and colorful video. The Exmor CMOS Sensors were developed using some of the most advanced technologies in the semiconductor industry. They handle video data in 1920 x 1080p and 4:2:2 color space for high-quality signal processing before recording it to the dual Memory Stick PRO Duo media. Together, the EIP and Exmor CMOS Sensors imaging system allows both HXR-NX5U and the HDR-AX2000 camcorder to provide extremely high image quality with smooth gradation and detailed image reproduction.

The new camcorder uses Sony’s 3.2” (16:9) (measured diagonally) Xtra Fine LCD™ screen (921K) and Xtra Fine LCD electronic viewfinder (0.45-inch, 1,227,000 dots) for high-resolution and high-contrast images with remarkable color reproduction.

Equipped with a refined level of optical performance, both HXR-NX5U and the HDR-AX2000 also have a 29.5mm Wide-Angle to 590mm Telephoto G-Lens, extra-low dispersion glass and 20x optical zoom. The fixed lens is optimized to perfectly complement the cameras’ advanced image sensor and image-processing technology.

Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization with Active Mode improves on existing Optical SteadyShot image stabilization by allowing the camera lens to shift over a greater range of motion allowing the camera to compensate for greater degrees of camera shake and deliver a stunning level of image smoothness.

Both models features three built-in neutral density filters for adjusting the amount of light entering the image sensor through the lens and enables prosumers to define their own manual settings for iris, gain, white balance, shutter speed and focus for increased creativity and control. Use of any of the three manual rings for adjustments to zoom, focus and iris provides even more flexibility and makes it possible to fine-tune the settings. This allows users to conveniently assign features used often to shortcut buttons so they can be accessed quickly without going through a menu.

Since professional quality video requires professional quality audio, both models feature dual XLR 3-pin audio jacks for +48V phantom power to external microphones. Additionally, the grounded connection allows insertion/removal of connectors in live equipment without picking up external signals.

The HDR-AX2000 camcorder is scheduled to be available in March for about $3,500 at authorized dealers nationwide, Sony Style® retail stores and online through Sony Style USA | Sony VAIO® Computers | Sony Consumer Electronics.

Pics on the way. And yes, this is the consumer version of the NX Cam. Nice to see that it finally has a model number now (NX5).

Edit: pics uploaded... click to see 'em big.

Thanks for posting these pictures, Chris. A small point: the consumer version of the camcorder is named the HDR-AX2000, as I read the Sony press release.

I guess the HXR-NX5U is the name for the formerly un-named professional NXCam that we have been reading about on dvinfo.net for the past several weeks.

Andrew Gyles

Thanks Andrew, I have corrected the title! And yes, it's nice to see that the NX cam finally gets a model number.

So I guess soon we'll see a new category under Sony camcorders for NXCam Family camcorders?

woah the AX2000's specs r great for folks who need just almost everything. kinda close to the NX5 but the XLR is really nice to have

nxcam
 

I second Douglas' suggestion.

Sure, as soon as I get back from CES (or sooner, depending on my weariness of the Vegas nightlife).

There's one problem with that; Sony seems to be using the NXCAM name for the professional cameras (the HXR-NX5U) but not for the prosumer model (the HDR-AX2000), so that's going to cause a little confusion.

No worries, we'll include it in the category name. They need to share the same forum since they're both essentially the same camera.

At first I was happy to see that Sony included XLR inputs in that $3,500 price but reading a post that someone mentioned elsewhere, I found out that 24p get put inside a 60i stream. If the Panasonic HMC40 and the HMC150 can get that feature as well as 720p modes than why can't Sony put it into the AX2000? I guess they had to cut a whole lot of corners to keep it far from the NX5U. I can't say I'm surprised.
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921666078180

Perhaps they implemented the 24p inside 60i to support editing software that doesn't support 24p?

I can't find any information on how the NX5 encodes 24p.

Adam Wilt has a list of the differences between the cameras, and doesn't mention a difference in the way 24p is handled. He does say that the HDR-AX2000 supports SD/SDHC, which isn't what Sony says, so take everything with a grain of salt at the moment...

Can any one comment on how this cam compares to the EX series of camera? These cameras would seem to be in direct competition with each other (other than the EX having 1/2" chip set)...

john

The lens (the EX1R has a 14x Fujinon, the NX5U a 20x Sony lens) and the imaging technology are probably the key differences (though there are many other differences from the flash memory to file format.)

The EX1R has three 1/2" chips whose resolution is 1920 x 1080, while the NX5U chips are both smaller in size and have lower resolution, so all things being equal I'd expect the EX1R to have more detail and reproduce color more accurately in low light.

But what that translates to in the real world? Hopefully someone with an EX1R will get their hands on a NX5U and do some comparison's between the two cameras in the near future!


If someone else was paying, I'm guessing I'd still get the EX1R....

So the one thing I really notice is the 4:2:2 color space for both cameras...think that would make a big enough difference to ditch the Panny 150? I think if I did, the NX5U with the recorder would be the next logical step up. And the 20x lens would be useful as I seem to always run out of zoom with Panny's 13x. BUT I love how wide the Panny is! Arrrrgh!

B&H has the price of the HXRNX5U set to $4,499.95 which is what I was expecting. I'd say they'll probably price the AX2000 to around $3,000.

I'm a cheapskate and always look to the cheaper model first. Here's what I'm seeing on the AX2000:

pros:
1.5 lux
4:2:2 (avchd does 4:2:2?)
Uses the batteries I already own
Onboard XLR's

cons:
can't use the SSD storage
no 720p 60 mode for overcranking
no PCM audio??
no built-in GPS function
no SMPTE Time Code I/O
no SDI

$1500 less than the NX5u ($2300 less if you actually want to use the SSD storage)

I guess if you need SDI for the type of work you do the $1500 premium is pretty much standard for what you usually pay for that option but for what I use a camera for I think I'm going with the AX2000 if I end up getting either.

Is there something else I'm missing that separates the two?

**EDIT**
According to Adam Wilt, what the AX2000 lacks is as follows:

* No 720p recording.
* No linear uncompressed audio (Dolby AC-3 only).
* No FMU capability; thus no simultaneous recording, of course.
* No GPS, timecode setting, or date recording.
* No ability to be upgraded to 60i/50i switchability.
* No SDI / HD-SDI.
* No TC LINK.
* No B&W EVF mode; macro focus; high-speed zoom; smooth-transitioning gain and white-balance; hyper gain; viewfinder markers and safety zones; numerical zoom display and focus distance display in feet; black level, black gamma, knee, and color depth adjustments; manual white balance setting; colorbars with tone; individually switchable front & rear tally lamps; shutter angle display; hour meter; TC reset via remote control./li>
* Fewer tweaks for color modes, gammas, and detail settings.

When you say "both" are you talking about the AX2000 and the NX5U, or the EX1R and the NX5U?

Though the NX5U and AX2000 image processing is working at 4:2:2, the write-up on the NXCAM I read says that 4:2:2 is out the HD-SDI link, so if it's not 4:2:2 out the HDMI, then the AX2000 doesn't really do 4:2:2 as it lacks the HD-SDI port.

The AVCHD files are still 4:2:0, so you have to use some other recording device to get the 4:2:2 data...

btw - Sony's Business web site (Sony | For Business | HDR-AX2000) shows the HDR-AX2000 with a list price of $3,199 (not the $3,500 as listed in the press release)

This is the list I have (from Adam Wilt)

cons:
No FMU capability; no simultaneous recording
No support for SDHC cards
No 720p 60 mode for overcranking
No PCM audio
No built-in GPS function
No TC LINK (SMPTE Time Code I/O)
No SDI / HD-SDI.
No ability to be upgrade to 60i/50i switchability
No B&W EVF mode; macro focus; high-speed zoom; smooth-transitioning gain and white-balance; hyper gain; viewfinder markers and safety zones; numerical zoom display and focus distance display in feet; black level, black gamma, knee, and color depth adjustments; manual white balance setting; colorbars with tone; individually switchable front & rear tally lamps; shutter angle display; hour meter; TC reset via remote control. Fewer tweaks for color modes, gammas, and detail settings

I probably would still get the AX2000 myself; the only feature that it would be worth it to me to pay more for is the 720p.

Any idea what Sony's "For Business" website is? Who qualifies?

The Sony Style website doesn't have a price listed yet:HDR-AX2000 | High-Definition Handycam® Camcorder | Sony | Sony Style USA

though Amazon has a Pre-order price of $3,499.99 at the moment!

I'd guess the AX2000 will come in closer to $3000, but that's based on nothing except having seen past trends. Usually the street price is a good $300 - $500 less than the press release price.

Brochure
 

http://ws.sel.sony.com/PIPWebService...nx5u_v2454.pdf

Brochure of NXCAM5U

There are many more important factors than colour space as regards camera choice, and you have to read the specification carefully. Note:
They HANDLE (or process) the data in 4:2:2 - that's not the same as saying that's how it's recorded. And AFAIK AVC-HD is 4:2:0 by definition. So processing is done 4:2:2 (and external output may be the same), but recording internally is 4:2:0 - as with the Panasonic 150.

That does not mean the quality will therefore be the same as the 150. For one thing, the NXCAM chips have twice as many pixels as the 150, so I'd be amazed if the resolution isn't higher - chroma as well as luminance. The other factor I'd look extremely carefully at is compression quality.

Defining "it's AVC-HD" does NOT define the coder - it defines the DECODER - what the resultant stream has to comply to, but not how it's arrived at. And coding AVC-HD in real time is extremely difficult. Hardly surprisingly, the more you pay, the better it's likely to be at any given point in time.

And there have been big advances in quite a short space of time, so it's extremely likely that the coders in this new camera will be far better than the ones in the HMC150. Same bitrate, so I'd expect better compression than in the 150.

So - there may well be reasons to ditch your Panasonic - but nothing to do with colour space.

I'd also expect the EX1 to outperform both of them, if for no other reason than chips that have twice the area, and twice as many pixels as the NXCAM, four times as many as the 150.

Sony definitely says that the NX5U outputs 4:2:2 out the HD-SDI port (and HDMI too it seems) in a video they produced when it was announced, with Juan Martinez, Senior Product:

Sony | Micro Site - NXCAM

I thought that when I saw this back in November, he specifically said something about it being one of the few cameras that outputs 4:2:2, but that doesn't seem to be there now, so I might have just imagined it.

nxcam
 

Yes, it's streaming live 4:2:2 signal to the HD-SDI. but on cards and flash memory it's recording 4:2:0, so if you play a clip already recorded it will be 4:2:0.

Thanks for the info. I'm really happy with the 150 and if biz keeps up like it has been, a stronger look at the NX5 seems inevitable! EX is a bit out of reach right now. I can always rent one if needed!

what modern editing suit doesn't support 24p?

if thats the way the camera records, it seems more like a handicap then a design feature.

I believe that Final Cut Express, iMovie and Premiere Pro Elements still don't support 24p. Since Sony labels the HDR-AX2000 as a prosumer camera, perhaps they assume owners may be using programs like that to edit their content.

Well, this should put some downward pressure on HMC150 street prices.

New HDR-AX2000 !!!
 

I was just browsing through B&H site and found this in their prosumer category: HDR-AX2000. It's a consumer brother of NX5 and it comes with XLR inputs. But the price is the most shocking - it'll sell for $3500 !!! That's only $300 more then the new FX1000 a year ago - or $500 now. Also it is muuuch cheaper solution then Z5 with optional memory recorder.

That's a lot of cam for the $$. Damn, I just bought the Z5 too! Wonder if it has GPS too...

The only major strike against it is that there is now way to really get redundant video out of it, as it does not have firewire out.
It does have HDMI, but yo need to spend the bucks for a HDMI recorder, providing there is one out there.
It would have been nice if I was able to still use the MRC1K and also record on camera, as a just in case.

But I have to agree it's nice to finally see Sony launch a prosumer model camera with truly pro features, such as built in XLR inputs.

Hmmm, the only issue I see with it is it is AVCHD. Let's see...when I have a dozen 3 cam weddings waiting to be editing, I'll be transcoding, wasting time while my tape brethren are happily editing away.

No thanks...you're better of with the Z5, IMO.

I noticed yesterday that B&H now has the NX5U listed for pre-order at $3,990. That's $500 less than a few days ago. They say your credit card is charged when you place the pre-order. I wonder what happens with the people who pre-ordered theirs at the higher price?

Jeff, I can transfer AVCHD to PC and transcode to Canopus HQ a lot quicker than capturing the same time from tape. An example is I transfered 2 hours and 15 min from my XR500 in 12 mins and transcode to Canopus HQ took just over an 1 hour. That means I was an hour ahead of a tape based system capture. Considering a multicam shoot with multiple tape cameras it may be hours ahead!!!! We use two FX1's a SR11 and XR500. I can transfer both SR11 and XR500 and transcode before I would have captured the tape from one of the FX1's. The longest time for me now is waiting for the tape capture from the FX1's!!!!! IF you are using Firestore etc the cost is considerably more but I admit one could then edit from the Firestores or DR60. If you use Edius Neo with Booster you don't need to transcode at all but would not have multicam edit just multiple tracks. Can't wait for the Booster technology to be included in Edius. I will get the NXcam and retire my FX1 as the XR500 single chip AVCHD picture is better than the FX1 a lot of the time anyway.
I edit single track AVCHD native in Vegas too.
Ron Evans

Ditto for AVCHD to Cineform avi. Way faster, at least on an i7-920.

Jeff while I agree about the ability to start editing quicker with the Z5. Keep in mind that it's HDV and not as high resolution as what the AVCHD image will be from the AX2000/NX5.

With the Z5, I still have to rewrap the files using ClipWrap, but that's not a time concern.
Otherwise with AVCHD footage I am transcoding to ProRes LT anyway. So the time saver for me is that my MAC can trasncode the footage faster than real time, plus, I can simply load the files into a batch, covert, and walk away. No babysitting the deck is needed to change tapes. So if I wanted to I could capture while I sleep. Something that I can't do with tape.

For me the biggest workflow issue is storage of media for use. Without tape I either have to backup on two drives (one for work, one for redundant backup), or purchase enough cards to store like I would tape.

With tape looking like it will be going away, what I see in the future is that SD cards will be almost as cheap as tape is currently. Until that time, use removable drives to store data will have to be the workflow. Just everyone remember, there is no guarantee that your drive will sip up properly and data saved properly, if you don't store them properly, as well as spin the drive up every couple of months.

Ron, you are kidding....the XR500 is sometimes better than the FX1? Under which conditions...this is intriquing...I need a new small cam!