PDW EX1 brochure discussion

[Piotr Wozniacki]

Originally Posted by Guy Barwood

A thought on zoom controller:

Notice on page 11 there is a remote control. I can't see all the buttons clearly but there is a ZOOM button set with W & T so perhaps there will be a wireless version of a LANC connection.
[...]
On page 6 you can see a photo from the side of the camera, at the very bottom you can see a "Zoom Servo/Manual" screen printed text. Behind it is a 'bulge'. This could well be a selection switch for proper manual zoom control.

Guy, your first point only confirms what I noticed a couple of posts above; the IR commander even has the Push AF button, but it's a joke to have your hand occupied with the IR thing, instead of the proper controller such as the Manfrotto 523Pro integrated handle...

As to the seconf point - yes, there IS the hardware switch for the zoom ring detachment from the servo motor; thanks!

[Bob Grant]

Originally Posted by Kevin Shaw

Can anyone explain the reference to "MP4" data files on page 5 of the brochure? Is this going to be MPEG2 data in an MP4 wrapper, and if so what does that mean for capturing and editing purposes?

Agreed that lack of a LANC input would be a terrible oversight for this camera, unless that's a typo or there's some other new alternative present. I shoot most of my footage on tripods or monopods using LANC controllers and can't see giving that up - are we supposed to hand-hold all of our footage now?!?

MP4 proxies are a standard part of how XDCAM works.
Drag proxies onto T/L, edit and then conform, basically saves you having to download all the data off the disk. Probably of more use with the BD disk versions than the EX line, unless you were backing upto DB disks first.

Version 8 of Vegas will support partial download in FAM mode.

Oh, also you can make a DVD with the mp4 proxies and a viewer for the client to preview, very nice feature of XDCAM.

[Ron Evans]

This is a review by Alistair Chapman on the Sony Site, I think in another post he said he would post link too. Seems like there is an interface for zoom controller.
http://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/Show...=1187079500753


Ron Evans

[Piotr Wozniacki]

Originally Posted by Ron Evans

This is a review by Alistair Chapman on the Sony Site, I think in another post he said he would post link too. Seems like there is an interface for zoom controller.
http://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/Show...=1187079500753


Ron Evans

Ron, I went through the article but couldn't find any indication of any sort of controller interface existing! Where exactly is it said?

[Tim Polster]

Next to the article is a rotating camera viewpoint.

If you look at the camera, there is writing called "lens remote" on the front of the servo handle.

Underneath is a port of some kind, might be an 8 pin that is recessed instead of sticking out.

So there is something to control the lens externally.

[Ron Evans]

This is the link to the 360 view
http://assets.sonybiz.net/Flash/XDCA..._ex/index.html

Alistair does mention the remote in the text. I will read again and point out. But on this 360 view it is easy to see the lettering "Lens Remote"

Ron Evans

[Ron Evans]

The comment is on page two of the review in a paragraph next to the picture of the train.

Ron Evans

[Tim Polster]

Great, now there are no excuses, I have to buy one or two! :)

[Kevin Shaw]

Originally Posted by Peter Jefferson

Being that the user will be "hugging" the camera as they would if they were shooting with an ENG. In these cases, LANCs aren't used (for the majority)...

When I shoot on a tripod I like to be able to stand back and maneuver/control everything from the tripod handle, using the LCD to frame the shot as I would with a larger remote monitor. If I had to physically hug the camera to shoot that would be really awkward and somewhat defeat the point of using a tripod in the first place - which for me includes being more comfortable. In any case, it sounds like there is definitely a zoom controller and hopefully other remote camera controls as well.

[Piotr Wozniacki]

Yep, I found it. I'd prefer the lanc, though (if only for my upgrade path being cheaper, as I already have two:)).

[Guy Barwood]

phewwwww,

"If you plan on using the camera on a tripod, or maybe even a jib there is a socket on the camera for a lens remote that will control the zoom"

Yes, we are saved, no reason to not buy. Not that there arn't a few things that are missing though (HDMI monitoring for example). No show stoppers though.

[Peter Jefferson]

One thing to consider is price... as the target is itself between high end HDV and ENG DSR users, an 8-pin lens remote might be to steep a factor for the "average" market demographic when it comes to price... LANCs aren't a problem, pro lens remotes are (in price that is).

In turn, we would more than likely see a LANC jack as opposed to an actual 8-pin lens remote... mainly being price of said remote.

In addition, a lens remote of this calibre would more often than not be used as another bullet in the market chamber.

As for the IR remote, most IR remotes have a remote zoom function for most cameras on the market. Its set to a single digital speed with no analogous rocking sensors.

[Chris Hurd]

Posted a screen grab of the lens remote jack (thanks to Tim Polster for pointing it out), in a new thread at http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=102972

[Tim Le]

The lens remote port looks different than the standard 8-pin Fujinon connector (Hirose connector with one pin in the center). This one seems to have 8 pins with none in the center. So unfortunately, existing Fujinon rear lens controllers may not work unless you add an adapter. I wonder why they did that, unless the port has more functionality? (speculation only)

[Piotr Wozniacki]

Now that we know (almost) everything, I want the PMW-EX2 without HD-SDI, with lanc remote and for Euro 5,000:). Thanks.