1920 x 1080 HD Recording Using the "MPEG-2 Long GOP" Codec -PMW-EX1
The PMW-EX1 camcorder records 1920 x 1080 HD images using the "MPEG-2 Long GOP" codec, which conforms to the MPEG-2 MP@HL compression standard. "MPEG-2 Long GOP" is a mature codec - also adopted by the XDCAM HD and HDV 1080i series of products - which enables users to record stunning-quality HD video and audio with highly efficient, reliable data compression.
Selectable Bit Rates - PMW-EX1
The PMW-EX1 camcorder offers a choice of bit rates - either 35 Mb/s (HQ mode) or 25 Mb/s (SP mode) - depending on the desired picture quality and recording time. The HQ mode supports both 1920 x 1080 and 1280 x 720 resolutions. The SP mode supports 1440 x 1080 resolution at 25 Mb/s, which provides compatibility with HDV 1080i products.
Footage recorded in this SP mode can be seamlessly integrated into HDV-compatible editing systems by transferring the stream from the camcorder via the i.LINK™ (HDV™) interface. It can also be recorded on XDCAM HD's optical disc through the use of the supplied Clip Browser software.
Long Recording Time - PMW-EX1
Utilising a mature and highly efficient
compression format together with high
performance SxS memory cards, the
PMW-EX1 can record superb quality HD
images for an exceptional 70 minutes* on
a single 16Gb SxS card. As the PMW-EX1
features two memory card slots, this
recording time is easily doubled to 140
minutes (with two 16Gb cards) and when
recording across two cards, the
transition is seamless without any frame
loss. This feature makes the PMW-EX1 an
ideal camcorder for a wide variety of
content production applications,
including wedding and event shooting,
that require a long recording time.
*When recording in HQ (35 Mb/s) mode,
recording time may be more than the
above specified figure depending on the
actual bit rate that is adopted during
VBR encoding.
Multiple-format Recording - 1080/720 and Interlace/Progressive Switchable Operation
The PMW-EX1 camcorder offers a wide array of recording formats for multiple content creation applications. Scanning mode is switchable between 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720, and 1440 x 1080 resolutions. Frame rate is also selectable from interlace and progressive - 59.94i, 50i, 29.97P, 25P, and native 23.98P*.
In addition, 59.94P and 50P progressive recording is available in 1280 x 720 mode. The SxS memory card can simultaneously hold multiple files of any of these recording formats, allowing for flexible use of the memory card.
*In 1440 x 1080/23.98P (SP) mode, images are handled as 23.98P and recorded as 59.94i signals through means of 2-3 pull-down.
High-quality Uncompressed Audio Recording
In addition to HD video recording, high-quality audio is an equally significant feature in the XDCAM EX system. The PMW-EX1 camcorder records and plays back high-quality, two-channel 16-bit, 48-kHz linear PCM uncompressed audio.
IT Friendly - PMW-EX1
With
the XDCAM EX series, recordings are made
as data files in the "MP4" format, which
is widely used in a number of recent
electronic portable devices and has been
standardized by ISO.
The file-based recording allows material
to be handled with great flexibility in
an IT-based environment - easily
available for copying, transferring,
sharing, and archiving. All these
operations are accomplished without any
"digitizing" process required.
File-based data copying allows for
degradation-free dubbing of AV content,
which can be performed easily on a PC.
The file-based recording system also
allows for material to be viewed
directly on a PC - simply by inserting
the SxS memory card into the ExpressCard
slot on a PC or Mac, or by linking a
PC/Mac to the XDCAM EX unit via a USB2
connection. This works in just the same
way as a PC reading files on an external
drive. The file-based operation can
dramatically improve the efficiency and
quality of professional video
applications.
Immediate Recording Start and No Overwriting Footage
By
virtue of recording on flash memory
card, the XDCAM EX can start recording
virtually the instant the camcorder is
turned on. Moreover, the XDCAM EX system
automatically records on an empty area
of the card - there's no danger of
overwriting existing content.
This is extremely convenient, as camera
operators do not have to worry about
accidentally recording over good takes,
and they don't have to search through
footage for the correct position to
start the next recording. In short, it
means the camera is always ready for the
next shot!
Instant-access Thumbnail Search with "Expand" Function
Each
time a recording is started and stopped
on the XDCAM EX camcorder, the video and
audio signals are recorded as one clip.
During playback, users can cue-up to the
next or previous clip simply by pressing
the 'Next' or 'Previous' button, as you
would do on a CD or DVD player.
Furthermore, thumbnails are
automatically generated for each clip as
a visual reference, allowing operators
to cue-up to a desired scene simply by
guiding the cursor to a thumbnail and
pressing the 'Play' button.
For further convenience, the 'Expand'
function allows one selected clip in the
Thumbnail display to be divided into 12
even-time intervals, each with their own
thumbnail identifier. This is useful if
you want to quickly search for a
particular scene within a lengthy clip.
1/2-inch type Three Exmor™ CMOS Sensors
The
PMW-EX1 is equipped with three newly
developed 1/2-inch type Exmor™ CMOS
Sensors, each with an effective pixel
count of 1920 (H) x 1080 (V), which
delivers excellent picture performance
with full HD resolution. This 1/2-inch
type image sensor, using Sony's advanced
accumulated sensor technologies, allows
the camcorder to provide an excellent
sensitivity of F10, a remarkable
signal-to-noise ratio of 54 dB, and a
high horizontal resolution of 1000 TV
lines*.
In addition, this large 1/2-inch type
image sensor can capture images with a
shallower depth of field than
smaller-size image sensors, giving users
more creative freedom of expression.
What's more, the Exmor CMOS sensor is a
unique design that deploys an A/D
converter to each column of pixels,
resulting in a much lower clock speed
than conventional CMOS sensors. This
makes it possible to greatly reduce
power consumption of the camcorder.
*In 1920 x 1080/59.94i mode
Wide-angle Fujinon 14x Zoom Lens - PMW-EX1
The PMW-EX1 is equipped with a superb Fujinon 14x zoom lens specifically designed for the PMW-EX1 to offer optimum picture performance. It offers a wide angle of view of 5.8 mm (equivalent to 31.4 mm on a 35 mm lens), and many other convenient features for diverse shooting situations.
Unique Focus Operation ? Professional Manual Focus and Auto Focus
The lens adopts a newly developed and unique focus ring mechanism, which offers two types of manual focus, plus an auto focus operation. The PMW-EX1 camcorder is equipped with two independent focus wheel mechanisms, which can be switched by sliding the focus ring itself back and forth.
When the focus ring is in the front position, the lens works in the same way as a typical auto focus lens on a handheld camcorder. In this case, either manual or auto focus mode can be selected by the AF/MF switch on the lens. On the other hand, when the focus ring is set to the back position, the lens has an absolute focus position, and works in the same way as interchangeable-lens cameras, which professional users are familiar with.
Three Independent Rings
In addition to the unique focus ring, the PMW-EX1 camcorder is equipped with independent rings for zoom and iris adjustment. These are located adjacent to the focus ring, in the same layout as is common on shoulder-type camcorders. This gives users a high level of operational comfort and control.
AF Assist
The AF (Auto Focus) Assist function enables operators to manually change focus positions using the focus ring during AF mode. This means that AF reference focus positions can be shifted to manually changed positions.
MF Assist
The MF (Manual Focus) Assist function helps to precisely focus on the target subject when shooting in MF mode. When the MF Assist is turned on, auto focus is momentarily activated and finely focuses on the subject closest to the focal point of the lens at that time.
Expanded Focus
At the touch of a button, the center of the screen on the LCD monitor and viewfinder can be magnified to about twice normal size, making it easier to confirm focus settings during manual focusing.
Selectable Peaking
The Peaking function can help operators to adjust the camera's focus more accurately by altering the way pictures are displayed on the LCD monitor and viewfinder. It can enhance the outline of the image, which the camera focuses on most, and change its colour to make it more visible. Enhance levels can be selected from a choice of "HIGH", "MIDDLE", and "LOW", and the outline colour from "RED", "WHITE", "YELLOW", and "BLUE".
Optical Image Stabilizer
To minimize the blurring effect caused by hand-shake, the new lens incorporates an optical image stabilizer function that provides highly stable images.
23.98P Native Recording
The
PMW-EX1 camcorder is the first handheld
camcorder to be a member of the
legendary Sony CineAlta™ family. It
offers native 23.98P* recording which,
in combination with advanced creative
features such as selectable gamma
curves, makes this camcorder ideal for
cinema production.
*In 1440 x 1080/23.98P (SP) mode, images
are handled as 23.98P and recorded as
59.94i signals through means of 2-3
pull-down.
Slow & Quick Motion Function
The
PMW-EX1 offers a powerful Slow & Quick
Motion function - commonly known as
over-cranking and under-cranking in film
shooting - that enables users to create
unique 'looks' or special effects with
slow- and fast-motion images.
The PMW-EX1 can capture images at frame
rates selectable from 1 fps (frame per
second) to 60 fps in 720P mode and from
1 fps to 30 fps in 1080P mode, in
increments of 1 fps. For example, when
viewed at 23.98P, images captured at 60
fps will appear 2.5 times slower than
normal. Conversely, images captured at
four fps will appear six times faster
than normal.
With the Slow & Quick Motion function of
this camcorder, images are recorded
natively without interpolating the
frames. This means the quality of the
slow- and fast-motion images is
extremely high and incomparable to those
created in the editing process. In
addition, these slow- and quick-motion
images can be played back immediately
after shooting, without using any
converters or processing on nonlinear
editing systems.
Slow Shutter Function
The PMW-EX1 camcorder offers a Slow Shutter function for capturing clear images in low-light environments. This allows the shutter speed to be extended to a maximum of 64 frames. The Slow Shutter function not only increases camera sensitivity but also produces a special blurring effect when shooting a moving object, for enhanced shooting creativity. The shutter speed is selectable from 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 8-, 16-, 32-, and 64-frame periods.
Selectable Gamma Curves
The PMW-EX1 camcorder offers a wide variety of gamma curves to flexibly handle contrast and give a specific 'look' to an image. In addition to four types of standard gamma curves, the PMW-EX1 provides four types of CINE Gamma (CINE 1, 2, 3, and 4), which are identical to those of other CineAlta camcorders. Operators can select the best-suited preset gamma curve, depending on scenes.
Interval Recording Function
The PMW-EX1 camcorder offers an Interval Recording function that records signals at pre-determined intervals. This is convenient for shooting over long periods of time, and also when creating pictures with special effects of extremely quick motion.
Frame Recording Function
Frame Recording is a unique feature of the PMW-EX1 camcorder that is especially useful for stop-motion/clay animation shooting. Using this function, images for pre-determined frames are recorded every time the Record button is pressed.
Shutter Angle Settings
In addition to the electronic shutter speed controls, the PMW-EX1 also has a "shutter angle" control - which is familiar to film users. By setting the shutter speed to "angle", the PMW-EX1 automatically operates with the proper exposure time, determined by the selected frame rate and the shutter angle.
Picture Profile™ Feature
The Picture Profile feature allows camera operators to easily call up customized picture-tonal settings to suit particular shooting conditions, rather than having to readjust the camera each time - giving users greater operational efficiency. Up to six different picture-tonal settings such as the parameters of matrix, colour correction, detail, gamma and knee can be saved in the memory. These settings are displayed on the LCD monitor at the touch of a button.
Depth-of-field Indicator
A Depth-of-field Indicator can be displayed on the LCD monitor and viewfinder to help camera operators easily recognize the depth-of-field of a scene, and thereby produce their desired images.
Brightness-level Display
The average brightness level of the centre of a frame can be displayed on the LCD monitor and viewfinder as a percentage. This is useful when a waveform monitor is not available for shooting.
Histogram Indicator
The Histogram Indicator can be displayed on the LCD monitor and viewfinder, allowing operators to easily evaluate the distribution of brightness on currently captured images. This enables proper exposure control of iris, gain and gamma.
3.5-inch* Hybrid Colour LCD Screen
The
PMW-EX1 is equipped with a newly
developed, large, easy-to-view, colour
LCD screen with a high resolution of
1920 x 480 pixels. The LCD screen is
located in an easy viewing position on
top of the camera and can be flexibly
rotated according to shooting angles -
which is convenient when using it as a
viewfinder. When not in use, it folds
underneath the housing for the built-in
stereo microphone.
The LCD Screen can also be used to
instantly review recorded footage, as
well as access the camera's set-up menus
and view thumbnail display status
indications such as audio meters,
depth-of-field indicators, and the
remaining memory and battery time.
What's more, the Hybrid LCD screen -
which comprises transmissive and
reflective panels - offers clear viewing
even in bright sunlight..
*Viewable area measured diagonally.
Easy-to-see Colour LCD Viewfinder
The 0.54-inch colour LCD viewfinder displays high-resolution colour pictures of approximately 250,000 pixels in a wide-screen aspect ratio of 16:9. Operators can switch the display mode between colour and monochrome according to their preference.
Rotary Grip
The grip of the PMW-EX1 can rotate 90 degrees, which allows camera operators to flexibly adjust the angle of the grip. This gives users greater comfort during low-angle and high-angle shooting.
Four Assignable Buttons
Frequently used functions can be programmed onto four assignable buttons, allowing operators to make rapid changes when working in the field. These can be functions such as ATW, Freeze Mix, Rec Review, Expanded Focus, Depth-of-field and more.
On-handle Zoom Switch and REC Start/Stop Button
In order to facilitate zoom control and recording operation during low-angle shooting, an additional zoom switch and record start/stop button are located on the carrying handle.
Shot Transition™ Function
The Shot Transition function allows for smooth automatic scene transitions. The operator can program start and end settings for zoom, focus, and white balance into the A/B buttons and, by pressing the start button, a smooth transition will take place according to the set time. It works by automatically calculating the intermediate values during the scene transition. The start of this function can be synchronized with the camera's REC start function.
The transition progress can be checked using an indicator displayed on the LCD monitor. In addition, a start timer function is also available for the Shot Transition function, helping to prevent operators from missing a shot. This function is very useful when complex camera settings are required during the scene transition - for example, when shooting subjects moving from the background to the foreground of a scene.
Long Operating Time
With the supplied BP-U30 battery attached, the PMW-EX1 can record continuously for approximately two hours, while the optional BP-U60 battery extends the operating time to approximately four hours.
Wide Array of Interfaces
The PMW-EX1 camcorder comes equipped with a wide range of interfaces optimized for a variety of operational needs. These include an HD-SDI output, down-converted SD-SDI output, i.LINK (HDV) input/output, USB2 and analogue composite/component output.
Other Features - PMW-EX1
- ATW (Auto Tracing White Balance)
- Built-in ND filter wheel: 1: Clear, 2: 1/8ND, 3: 1/64ND
- Selectable gain: -3, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 dB
- High-speed picture search: x4, x15
- Freeze Mix function
- Skin-tone Detail control
- Low-key saturation
- IR Remote Commander™ unit
