I wonder if this new cam can use any brand/after-market express card, or if it has to use the Sony SxS card?

All the Sony literature has said it will use any off-the-shelf card. Something new: It's not proprietary. That's reason enough to buy it.

I didn't see a reference here, but does this shoot HDV in 4.1.1?

Is this a Long GOP cam?

I believe it's either 4:2:0 or 4:2:2. NTSC DV is 4:1:1.

heath

Since it's not a tape-based camcorder, by definition it's not shooting HDV.

HDV is a tape-based format. Don't confuse it with XDCAM EX or other formats just because they have similar data rates.

Sorry for the mis type.

I meant 4:2:0

However, is this shooting Interframe or Long GOP, or something else?

Thanks

Addendum:

I guess it does shoot mpeg2: "The planned camcorder is based on MPEG-2 compression technology with three, ½-inch imagers."

Important also to note that although it uses an MPEG-2 compression technology, it has a different (higher) data rate than HDV as well as using VBR instead of CBR. From what I've heard this cam will use at least 35 Mbit VBR instead of HDV's 25 Mbit CBR. So all MPEG-2 compression schemes are NOT equal....this one is already being used in Sony's current HD XD cams and is said to be quite a bit better than HDV, at least from what I've heard.

Gabe:

Thanks.

One issue that took us away from HDV based cams such as the Z1U was how well the footage held up on post.

A secondary issue was the whole conforming process which was lengthy.

Finally, HDV footage didn't look particularly good when taken to either SD and HD DVDs.

Having released a couple of commercial SD DVD's shot at 35mbit HD I can assure you there are no problems with dropping to SD.

35mbit is NOT HDV, although it's Mpeg2 and that scares some people, it's a different codec.

From what I've seen, the EX will slot in perfectly with the XDCam HD cameras. You also have to remember it's a purely Sony Professional product, it's not developed with the domestic market in mind at all.

I've had no issues with HDV in post, on any DVDs. I'm using Final Cut Pro. Many tend to convert their footage to an Intermediate Codec to edit.

heath

My HDV stuff is looking good too, editing with FCP. I keep it 24p all the way. DVDs look great. "Conforming" time is about 2:1--ie., a half hour program takes about an hour to render out.

Sony keeps advertising this as the first of the XDCAM-EX "series" of cameras.

Here's hoping the next in line is a compact, streamlined hard-disk based XDCAM with professional features. An XDCAM version of the SR1, perhaps?

The Sony rep at NAB said any card that is fast enough will work. They had 2 different manufacturers cards there on display (including their own). That means that 32 or 64 gb and higher cards should be out sooner rather than later (looking at you P2!).

4:2:2
 

I believe it's long and 4:2:2, also, I hear release may be early Sept.

Interesting comment. What 'professional features' do you think the camera is missing? Frankly, for a handheld design, this camera is LOADED with professional features including the fully manual Fujinon lens. Other standard switches are located in the right places as well.

Or maybe I misunderstood and you want the camera to change form without losing its professional features.

-gb-