FS5's XDCAM update

[Glen Vandermolen]

Originally Posted by Cliff Totten

Just curious, does anybody have the opinion that the MPEG-2, 8bit 4:2:2, 50MBp/s, CODEC is a "professional" CODEC but the H.264, 10bit, 4:2:2, 50Mbp/s CODEC is NOT "professional"?

I must say that I really under estimated the current demand today for MPEG-2. I really thought that H.264 had already successfully replaced the majority of the desire for MPEG-2.

I guess I was wrong. I wonder how long MPEG-2 demand will continue for. 2 years?...3 years?...even more?


CT

You kind of answered your own question: the current demand for HD422. It's not us shooters who are picking the format, it's our broadcast clients. I would love for them to take XAVC-L, and in time they might do so. I try to sell XAVC when I can, but the clients have the final say.

[Samer Aslan]

Most of my clients ask for mpeg-2 422 50mbp/s and with my pmw-200 and X200 i give them this format,and often copy mxf files to a professional disc or a hard disk.
I know FS5 wasn't made for the "broadcast" world but it's really silly to think about the X70 as a broadcast little camera and not the FS5! like i said before in this thread i would have gladly pay for this upgrade.
Now the only option I have is using my lovely/priceless Nanoflash to record the mxf file from it so i can give my clients what they demand.

[Kevin Langdon]

Just passing on information from a broadcast equipment supplier...he's been told that there should be announcement about this from Sony at IBC.

It will be interesting to see if this becomes a reality or not...

[Glen Vandermolen]

Originally Posted by Kevin Langdon

Just passing on information from a broadcast equipment supplier...he's been told that there should be announcement about this from Sony at IBC.

It will be interesting to see if this becomes a reality or not...

Thanks, Kevin! I hope it's good news.

[Glen Vandermolen]

And now it's official!

IBC 2016: Sony PXW-FS5 Gets MPEG2 HD 422 Recording as Paid Upgrade License | 4K Shooters

[Doug Jensen]

Just one more illustration of what a fantastic value the FS7 is.

[Marcus Durham]

Paying for features that are locked down otherwise. When did cameras turn into video games? Pay for the game, then keep getting rinsed for the extra features you need to play it to the maximum.

This stuff should have been built into the camera from the start. Although since the cameras shipped in an unfinished state perhaps Sony spied an opportunity to make a few quid from the broadcast market.

Thankfully unless a broadcast client is forcing your hand, most of us won't need to stump up for this. But it's still a pretty poor show from Sony. I could accept it if it was for 50 dollars, but for nearly 500 dollars? Come on!

[Docea Marius]

This codec is only for HD ? no 50p,no 4k?

[Doug Jensen]

MPEG HD 422 (aka, XDCAM) can never do better than 1080P @ 30 fps with 8-bit color on any camera the offers that codec.

It's an excellent broadcast quality codec, but it's not capable of more exotic functions, such as 4K and high frame rates. That's why XAVC was created.