Sony PMW-EX1 (aka XDCAM EX) Official Thread

Hehehe Peter. Don't you hate it when you can't play with a new toy? I'm sure there's someone who'll volunteer to collect it for you. Enjoy the cleaning stations.

Alberto

I believe Sony released an import plug in for FCP5.1.x. You need to download that to let FCP5 work with XDCAM HD. However, I haven't worked with the EX1 clips on a computer. With the MP4 wrapper, you'll need to strip the MP4 wrapper off the EX1 clips using their plug in which comes with the camera. Like the 24P pull down in the HVR-V1U 60i HDV stream, it's another step... unlike Vegas which natively edits in 24P HDV.

Sony has officially released the import software for the EX1 and true to software built-in redundancy, it requires FCP 6.0.2. Which means this MP4 wrapper issue is an excuse to force someone to upgrade.

You can download the free import software at Sony's website here.

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US announces the launch of XDCAM EX

PMW-EX1 HD Solid State Compact Camcorder

With its superb picture quality, state of the art media interface and interoperability, Sony brings the best HD workflow solution to the compact camcorder market.

Sony announces the latest addition to its XDCAM family of tapeless acquisition tools with the launch of the exciting new XDCAM EXâ„¢ compact camcorder. In addition to the existing XDCAMâ„¢ HD optical disc-based products, the new XDCAM EX camcorder, the PMW-EX1, offers all the benefits of tapeless workflow, selectable bit rates and outstanding picture performance that users have come to expect with XDCAM HD, coupled with new creative recording features and lens features which will redefine the standard for the professional compact camcorder market.

The PMW-EX1 is a highly compact, robust and high-performance camcorder that uniquely uses newly developed flash memory cards, the SxS PROâ„¢, as its recording medium.

The SxS memory card, which realizes 800Mbps high-speed data transfer, enables non-linear capabilities such as instant random access and file-based operation. Equipped with two SxS memory card slots, the PMW-EX1 can record up to 100 minutes of the highest quality HD footage at 35Mbps or 140 minutes at 25Mbps using two 16-GB SxS memory cards.

The image sensor used in the PMW-EX1 camcorder is a newly developed three x 1/2 type Exmorâ„¢ CMOS sensor, each with an effective pixel count of 1920 x 1080, which produce images in full HD resolution. The low-light capabilities of this new sensor will be of particular interest to all those who need to be able to capture footage in limited lighting applications.

It is switchable between 1080i and 720P with multiple frame recording capability such as 50i, 59.94i, 50p, 59.94p and native 25P, 29.97p and 23.98P. What’s more, the PMW-EX1 camcorder offers a “Slow & Quick Motion†capability, which is also commonly known as “over-cranking†and “under-cranking†in the traditional film world, allowing users to create unique looks or special effects of slow and fast motion. Having these functions, PMW-EX1 is on the product line of Sony CINEALTA™.

A wide variety of accessories are also available to support effective HD production, including a SxS memory card, USB Reader/Writer, a wide-conversion lens, battery, and charger.

Further to this, in order to realize a more efficient, file based workflow solution, the following companies are planning to implement interoperability with XDCAM EX in their products below (alphabetical order):

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Adobe Premiere Pro with MainConcept MPEG Pro)

Apple Inc. (Final Cut Pro Studio)

Avid software (Avid Xpress Pro HD)

Dayang Technology Development Inc. (D3 Edit 3000 Series)

MainConcept AG (MPEG Pro HD 3.0)

Matrox Electronic Systems Ltd. (Matrox Axio & Matrox RT.X2)

MOG Solutions (Toboggan MediaTransfer)

Newauto Silicon Valley Video Techmology CO.,LTD. (Himaraya A1000/A1200/A1500 series)

Sobey Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (E7, E2000)

Sony Creative Software (Vegasâ„¢ Pro 8)

Thomson Grass Valley logo (Canopus Edius Pro)

Thomson (Grass Valleyâ„¢ EDIUSâ„¢ Pro & Grass Valley EDIUS Broadcast)

B)

Guys, I think it prudent to realize that the PDW-EX1 records in XDCAM EX format, NOT in XDCAM HD. The Sony marketing says it's "basically" the MPEG2 Long GOP same codec in an MP4 wrapper. Is there extra compression done so as to record to SxS express cards? Why the extra wrapper step? XDCAM HD is already accepted by broadcasters.

For those considering this camera as an A camera for program acquisition, I'd wait till broadcast companies reply. I don't doubt it's better than HDV in EX HQ format having seen a few clips myself. However,the broadcast companies may dump this format for acquisition and relegate it to HDV status.

Hello to all,

I don't mean to burst the Sony bubble here, BUT... (pop) I'd have to agree with Drew's suggestion if you want your stuff broadcast. This camera is not going to cut it especially high-end HD networks. I have some comments in this flog on this camera, another about the Sony 'bandwagon'.

http://hd2o.tv/flog/2007/10/15/sony-pmw-ex1-video-camera/

Are you a pro-sumer or con-fessional?

Regards,

Paul

Let me clarify what I said more vividly. I'm not saying XDCAM EX isn't broadcast worthy. Broadcasters have not yet released any info on this format's viability. So I suggest they wait for confirmation. I have no issues with the format, camera or codec. I just seek clarification and specification.

Hi Paul,

Not wishing to sound grumpy ( i know i always do )

But linking your blog gets a little annoying after a while. A lot of the video users are based in parts of the world with slow internet and limited time between dives, do you think it would be possible to post your relevant text here? It would benefit the community as a whole and make life easier for those of us with poorer connections. Unless you are trying to drive up hits and site rank of course..

--

Have you guys looked into the remote flash storage for the EX-1? Apparently you get better quality when recording to that. I hope housing manufacturers take account of this when drawing up their designs.

I read about it somewhere, i think DV Info. I cant find the link but it was a 3rd party product that boasted better quality footage. I'll see if i can find it.

Hmm, I couldn't find the link mentioned above but i did find this link. The general summary of it is that in the Sony manual it states that the camera should never be covered due to overheating. This might well cause problems in a housing.

Also the presence of a fan in the camera to circulate warm air away from the electronics could present some interesting dilemmas both inside the housing and topside with sea spray. Still looks like a good camera though!

Edit: Here it is: http://www.convergent-design.com/ About 5k USD and you might be able to get 4.2.2. No mention of the size of the unit though, i guess it will be too big.

Simon

You are speaking of CD's Flash XDR... last I heard from CD it's under 1 kg and needs and independent power source... no love for the aluminum glove. Plus it's $4999.00.

Speaking of the the aluminum glove, heat is more efficiently transferred out with aluminum housings because of the conductive properties of the metal. Whereas polyurethane has much better insulation properties which caused the FS100 to overheat when used with a HVX200. That's why you see much more condensation inside PU housings, aluminum housings are not immune but it takes a lot more heat to make it do the same. The optics on the other hand suffer from it most.

Anyone shooting in sea spray would have a weather shield on. As long as there is space for the fan exhaust air to go to, it should be fine.

What's aluminum?

Aluminium is a good conductor of heat, but it's exactly that... conduction needs direct contact with the hot bits. The fan is pushing out the hot air and that then has to cool via convection, which is much slower. Anyway, im talking crap as this camera has been discussed too much already and it's not even out yet!

I thought the Flash XDR was battery powered...

Someone we both know went out for Sushi last night, was too expensive by all accounts!

It is out...

ex1 talk

Power consumption equates to heat. The EX1 is rated at 13w with LCD monitor, and 12w without the monitor. This should not create a significant amout of heat overall. Power consumption of other cameras for a comparison:

HVR-Z1 - 8.4w

HVR-V1 - 16w

HVX200 - 14w

The fan on the EX1 is to remove heat from the CMOS sensors more efficiently, to help keep image noise low.

Dan

Aluminium is a good conductor of heat, but it's exactly that... conduction needs direct contact with the hot bits. The fan is pushing out the hot air and that then has to cool via convection, which is much slower.

Well sorta no. The aluminum's conductive properties will help cool the air faster because heat still transfers from air to solid(the AL). Which is why I do wonder why a few housing manufacturers went black with their housings... because they'd absorb heat being in the sun. Hmmm good test ... put a thermometer in a housing in the sun to see how much temps rise.

Heat is death to electronics, plus the issue of fogging comes to play.

I thought the Flash XDR was battery powered...

Yes it is. Hence you'll have to have another power source inside the housing... and the housing will be bigger than a rice cooker.

Someone we both know went out for Sushi last night, was too expensive by all accounts!

Errr expensive as in I was wrong as he was right on first impression expensive?!?

Power consumption equates to heat. The EX1 is rated at 13w with LCD monitor, and 12w without the monitor. This should not create a significant amout of heat overall. Power consumption of other cameras for a comparison:

HVR-Z1 - 8.4w

HVR-V1 - 16w

HVX200 - 14w

The fan on the EX1 is to remove heat from the CMOS sensors more efficiently, to help keep image noise low.

Dan

An error on the V1 and clarification on the HVX200

HVR-V1 uses on avg 6.8W LCD on. HVX200 uses 12W on avg, 14W max. All those figures are on avg power consumption.

CMOS in general uses less power which is one of their selling points.

As for Gyula, I bet you have your B&H cart filled with an EX1 and just waiting to hit CHECKOUT!

Well sorta no. The aluminum's conductive properties will help cool the air faster because heat still transfers from air to solid(the AL). Which is why I do wonder why a few housing manufacturers went black with their housings... because they'd absorb heat being in the sun. Hmmm good test ... put a thermometer in a housing in the sun to see how much temps rise.

Heat is death to electronics, plus the issue of fogging comes to play.

My thoughts are that having something that requires aircooling into a box with say 3 litres of air to re-circulate for an hour, should get pretty warm even being surrounded by metal and water. I'm not saying that it wont work, just that it will get hot. Like when they put the firestores for the panny underwater, worked great in temperate areas but were prone to overheating during heavy use in the tropics. Anyway, i still want one!

And on the other note, apparently boys in short trousers do not get treats.

Well it had to happen sometime. Here is Genkosha's comparison with the current HDV resolution leader, XHG1 vs the hVX200 vs the PDW-EX1. There are no settings mentioned which can make all the difference. Also note that still frames can only tell you so much in terms of resolution and color.

However if you look at 60i, the resolution of the EX1 is slightly better or higher (note the lettering on the win bottles). The Canon picture is a little blownout compared to the EX1. The higher latitude of the codec is evident but also the camera settings on the G1 are still a bit off as the EX1 picture looks flatter and less contrasty which is what most post guys want to work with. The WB seems to be more greenish as well. The SP codec is also outresolved by the XHG1.

The EX1 aka P2 killer, does a good job of out resolving the HVX200. However that softness translates to better skin tones, which is why many shooter like the camera. The latitude of the HVX200 is also show to be less but that's expected since it has the lowest resolution sensors in this group.

not sure if this has been mentioned before, but Fisheye (Seatool) of Japan is coming out with a PMW-EX1 housing in Feb 08; no price mentioned...

http://www.fisheye-jp.com/fixxdex1/index.html

Hmm Pakman

For a guy who is just waiting to pick off used HDV 3 sensor rigs, you sure are busy keeping up with the EX1.

Thanks for that. I didn't like the lack of details on controls etc so I was waiting for SeatoolUSA to post. Seatools have a good relationship with Sony so they should have the camera already I'm sure.

Naw... I'm content with the HC7 for the time being... I was just browsing through the Fisheye/ Seatool's Japanese webpage to see if they had any more info on their upcoming Canon 40D DLSR housing and came upon that EX-1 housing announcement.

hehe, you know I live vicariously through you guys for all the cutting-edge video goodies...

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6295

Someone with hands on experience.

Mark,

thanks for the link,

the Picadilly sequence is very nice, I liked the look... I hope the EX1 will be accepted, and nost as just a B camera...