Speed. Freedom. Flexibility. Welcome to the Twenty-First Century Production Platform.

The reality today is that we are living in a fast-paced world where producers are under pressure to get great-looking images on air faster. From planning and acquisition, to editing, playout and archive, broadcasters have actively been seeking ways to save time and money.

Since its introduction in 2004, the Sony XDCAM series - made up of SD and HD camcorders and decks, has been offering tremendous benefits to workflows for many types of video productions. The optical disc-based XDCAM system utilizes blue-violet laser technology to achieve high data transfer rates and long recording times for day-to-day operations. Its file-based recording and random access capabilities not only remove the "linear-natured" barriers common to tape media, but also merge the AV and IT worlds by featuring the functions required for both domains.

Sony is now expanding the XDCAM HD Series by introducing two new camcorders, the PDWF355 and PDWF335 and a new deck, the PDWF75, to provide much greater format versatility and operational flexibility. One of the most advanced features of the new lineup is its long recording time of more than four hours of 1080i HD video. A newly developed dual-layer disc, the PFD50DLA, which has an extremely large storage capacity of 50 GB achieves this.

With greater system flexibility, operational conveniences, and superb picture quality, the enhanced lineup of Sony XDCAM HD products further expands the world of HD systems for all types of production. Now it is easier than ever to have great-looking pictures ready for air.

::: SONY PDW-F335 Camcorder

 The Sony XDCAM HD system is a highly versatile production tool that offers flexible recording functions including a choice of video frame rates, interlace or progressive modes, recording data rates, and both HD and SD formats. The PDW-F335L XDCAM HD Camcorder features MPEG HD and DVCAM switchable recording with three 1/2-inch HD CCDs. It is capable of recording 1080 video lines of multiple frame rates at a high bit rate of up to 35 Mbps. It also provides four channels of high-quality uncompressed audio. This allows an SD to HD migration path to a complete HD-based environment. Down-conversion output to SD is a standard feature in this camera. Instant random access, replay of clips, IT network capability and the proxy data advantage provide for an exceptional workflow.

The PDW-F335L provides excellent picture quality, adapting Power HAD HD CCDs (1440x1080). It offers HD recording in 1080/59.94i, 50i, 29.97P, 25P and native 23.98P and the operator can also select the desired bit rate to record either: 35 Mbps, 25 Mbps and 18 Mbps depending on the desired picture quality and recording length. Being a dual format camcorder, it can also record in DVCAM mode at 25 Mbps. In addition to these impressive capabilities, the PDW-F335L also provides numerous innovative features like Slow Shutter, Clear Scan, Interval Recording and Auto Focus function. It also supports i.LINK interface for File Access Mode and DV stream output (including down-conversion from HD material).

Sony PDW-F335 Brochure (PDF)

Click here to locate a user manual.

::: SONY PDW-F355 Camcorder

 The Sony XDCAM HD system is a highly versatile production tool that offers flexible recording functions including a choice of video frame rates, interlace or progressive modes, recording data rates, and both HD and SD formats. The PDW-F355L XDCAM HD Camcorder features MPEG HD and DVCAM switchable recording with three 1/2-inch HD CCDs. It is capable of recording 1080 video lines of multiple frame rates at a high bit rate of up to 35 Mbps. It also provides four channels of high-quality uncompressed audio. This allows an SD to HD migration path to a complete HD-based environment. Down-conversion output to SD is a standard feature in this camera. Instant random access, replay of clips, IT network capability and the proxy data advantage provide for an exceptional workflow.

The PDW-F355L provides excellent picture quality, adapting Power HAD HD CCDs (1440x1080). It offers HD recording in 1080/59.94i, 50i, 29.97P, 25P and native 23.98P and the operator can also select the desired bit rate to record it, either 35 Mbps, 25 Mbps and 18 Mbps depending on the desired picture quality and recording length. Being a dual format camcorder, it can also record in DVCAM mode at 25 Mbps. In addition to these impressive capabilities, PDW-F355L also provides numerous innovative features like Quick & Slow Motion, commonly known as overcranking and undercranking, Slow Shutter, Clear Scan, Interval Recording and Auto Focus Function. It also supports i.LINK interface for File Access Mode and DV stream output (including down-conversion from HD material).

Sony PDW-F355 Brochure (PDF)

Click here to locate a user manual.

::: SONY PDW-700 2/3" 4:2:2 Camcorder

The PDW-700 camcorder has three of Sonys new 2/3-inch Power HAD FX progressive CCDs that can produce a resolution of 1920 by 1080 effective pixels. A 14-bit A/D converter and advanced digital signal processing are also incorporated in the camcorder.
It features dual HD/SD-SDI outputs and composite/HD-Y output, as well as a pool-feed input (HD/SD-SDI and composite) option. The cameras ruggedness and durability has also been enhanced with new dust and water resistant mechanisms, as well as new features to cool the camera and reduce fan noise.
The camcorder maintains the XDCAM systems file-based architecture and use of proxy video and metadata. It also features a digital extender, picture cache, interval recording, slow shutter, focus magnification, clean switching between the live and playback function, and a large, easy-to-view 3.5 inch (viewable area, measured diagonally) color LCD screen.

Sony PDW700 (PDF)

Click here to locate a user manual.

::: SONY PDW-F800

The PDW-F800 camcorder is the newest member of the XDCAM Family.  It offers multi-format recording flexibility as standard - including SD recording and frame rate of 23.98P in 1080 mode.  It is equipped with three 2/3-inch type CCDs and a"Power HAD FX" progressive CCD with 1920 x 1080 effective pixels.  Stunning-quality HD images can be captured by this high-resolution CCD and advanced digital signal.  On top of the exceptional technology, the PDW-F800 offers very high quality HD recording at a data rate of up to 50 Mbps using the MPEG-2 4:2:2P@HL compression.  It also provides multi-format recording flexibility including 1080i, 720P and SD, which comes with HD/SD conversion and cross conversion between 1080i and 720P.  With features such as Slow & Quick Motion (over-crank and under-crank recording) make the PDW-F800 ideal for cinema and TV drama productions, as well as ENG applications. 

Sony PDWF800 (PDF)

Click here to locate a user manual.