(Park Ridge, New Jersey--February 18, 2009) New Vision Television is in the first phase of rolling out 130 Sony tapeless high-definition camcorders across its 17 owned-and-operated stations – a combination of XDCAM® HD422 optical PDW-700 camcorders and the compact Express Card™-based PMW-EX3 with the Nipros optical fiber studio adapter.
The purchase of the XDCAM systems completes New Vision’s first phase of its conversion to full HD operations, which will continue to develop as part of a long-term plan, according to Lynn Rowe, chief technology consultant for the company. The new Sony technology also significantly updates its ENG and production gear, which previously consisted of predominantly Panasonic DVCPRO™ equipment.
“You can’t stay with machine-based, standard definition technology forever,” said Rowe. “Increased competition and a growing consumer appetite for more HD content made moving toward a non-linear, file-based workflow a logical decision.”
Rowe noted that both the XDCAM optical and EX series camcorders provided exceptional value and performance, and were perfect for the group’s individual station requirements.
“They both deliver a lower cost of operation and faster time to air, and they give us the basic requirements for automated multi-tier operations,” he said.
Rowe and the New Vision team went through an extensive evaluation process to determine the best choice for each station, and both XDCAM systems emerged as the clear choices.
“The EX3, in terms of price versus performance for a true 1920x1080 resolution camera, can’t be beat,” he said. “There’s not another camera out there at this price, with a three-chip true 1080p resolution. The XDCAM optical disc system provides a great workflow as well from acquisition all the way through archive.”
According to Rowe, the XDCAM HD system delivered the combination of benefits, features and overall quality that he had been looking for in an end-to-end tapeless production system. He added that he was impressed by the ability to review footage immediately as thumbnails on the camcorder’s LCD screen, and to be able to switch back to live recording at the press of a button -- capabilities not possible with tape-based systems.
Both camera systems will be put to use in a range of applications across the New Vision stations, “from the studio to one-man band production to live ENG and SNG operations,” Rowe said.
Each station’s market will dictate the primary uses for each camera. “Our approach in Mason City, Iowa – almost exclusively EX3s – is not the same as Portland, Ore., where it’s all 700s,” he said. “Each market will support a different amount of capital expenditures. Also, the competitive and operational issues are different from market to market.”
Rowe noted the EX optical fiber studio adapter delivers a very affordable studio camera configuration. “Considering what traditional HD studio cameras cost and given the performance of the EX3, it’s a good value and credible means of providing HD resolution for studio operations.”
In addition, Sony’s consistent approach to camcorder design using MPEG Long GOP (group of pictures) technology fit well with New Vision’s plans.
“MPEG Long GOP is a transport friendly approach, and it’s obvious that Sony’s camera line is designed with a long-term workflow strategy in mind,” said Rowe. “Considering that a range of new transport schemes are being actively investigated to take advantage of significantly cheaper costs of transport versus traditional ENG or SNG structures, MPEG Long GOP performs very well.”
John Heinen, president and chief operating officer of New Vision, added, “The breadth and depth of Sony’s ability to provide not only professional broadcast equipment but also a very large footprint in consumer electronics presents a wide range of exposure and collaborative possibilities, and that was very important to us.”
###
|
| | | |
 Related News:
 Related Article:
 Molecule Fueled Imagination
Film? Television? Production? Post? Visual effects? Animation? Stereoscopic 3D? Interactive design? By answering Yes, all of the above, The Molecule keeps its eyes beyond the horizon.
Read Article Subscribe
more articles » | | | | |
|
