Sony XDCAM EX

[harddrive]

The 16GB SxS is 700 Euros, not 700 dollars. 700 Euros = 950 US dollars. Or, based on the limited information we have now, SxS cards appear to be more expensive than P2 cards.

Best information I've had is that the 16GB cards are likely to be around £400 - http://www.creativevideo.co.uk/public/view_item_cat.php?catalogue_number=sony_pmw-ex1 . Which translates to about $811, though a lot depends whether that's a tax inclusive or exclusive price.

It's also important not to confuse European pricing with US pricing. We traditionally suffer a big markup in actual terms compared to the US, so even if it did sell for about $800 (£400) in the UK, it's likely to be substantially less in the US.

As an example look at prices on the same site for P2 cards - £489 ex tax for a 16GB P2, or virtually $1,000. Even assuming the worst possible case (SxS cards are £400 plus tax), that would still mean that P2 has a 20-25% premium over SxS. And for a given size card, the EX will record 3x as many minutes.

 

[Jason Ramsey]

In my (limited experience) comparing overseas prices with u.s. prices for cameras and gear... panasonics tend to be more expensive overseas, but for sony gear the prices are usually comparable. At least between the u.s. and Asian countries. Speculation on my part though, which is all it all is until they release a price list of course.

Jason

 

[TimurCivan]

XDcam is still HDV... just more of it.... thats killing me. if it were 35mbps AVC hd, ok maybe...

 

[Barry_Green]

But it's not XDCAM HD, it's a new format. XDCAM HD is 35 megabits of 1440x1080 @ 4:2:0. This new camera is 35 megabits of 1920x1080 @ 4:2:0. Same bandwidth, but 33% more information being crammed into that bandwidth, which may mean it's more prone to artifacting than XDCAM-HD is.

 

[harddrive]

comparing overseas prices with u.s. prices for cameras and gear... .......... for sony gear the prices are usually comparable. At least between the u.s. and Asian countries.

I've just come back from the States and took the opportunity to check prices on Sony computers. They at least are SUBSTANTIALLY cheaper there than the same models in the UK (and probably the rest of Europe) - I can't comment on Asian prices. As far most other electronic goods go, it seemed a pretty similar story.

If the SxS cards do turn out to be about $950 list price equivalent in the European market, I'd expect them to be around $600-650 street in the US.

If re-equipment does take me down the SxS route, the savings may subsidise another US holiday!

 

[LuckyStudio 13]

Another lengthy review here http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=171

WE all wait for the SONY US press release. Right now the EX seems to be heading the wrong direction.

 

[Kholi]

So about 10k? Errr... That better be one very nice 24p image.

 

[adkimery]

So about 10k? Errr... That better be one very nice 24p image.

This post at dvinfo.net puts the price under $7k USD for the camera plus 2 8gig cards.


-A

 

[LuckyStudio 13]

$7k with 2x 8 gig SxS will put it roughly in the same range as the HVX200. This is going to be really really interesting.

 

[Huy Vu]

Another lengthy review here http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=171

WE all wait for the SONY US press release. Right now the EX seems to be heading the wrong direction.

Wrong direction? Are you sure this isn't a typo? Every thing so far sounds perfect.

One thing I would like to know though is whether the EX maintains full resolution when in under/overcrank mode. The shoulder mounted XDCAM loses half its vertical resolution when in this mode, hopefully the EX won't.

Only issue that remains seems to be pricing. If the camera is comparable to to HVX in pricing and SxS goes for lower than P2, the HVX will finally have a serious competitor.

 

[Joe Lawry]

One thing I would like to know though is whether the EX maintains full resolution when in under/overcrank mode. The shoulder mounted XDCAM loses half its vertical resolution when in this mode, hopefully the EX won't.
.

The ex shoots 1 to 60 at 720, and only 1 to 30 in 1080.. so no vertical resolution is lost with those huge ccds

What i want to know is if they are really that big.. they may say they record 1920.. but im still not sure...

 

[LuckyStudio 13]

B&H has the XDCAM EX at $ 7499. No mention of free SxS cards yet. pretty sure , more info will come out from Sony US next week.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/520761-REG/Sony_PMWEX1_PMW_EX1_XDCAM_EX_HD_CAMCORDER.html

 

[TimurCivan]

ithink it does do the whole 1920 X 1080 native. i wonder what its sensitivity is like. probabaly close to the Z1

 

[SPZ]

Not worth upgradding vs the HVX. The New HDV cameras with interchangeable lenses and HDSDI out + the new Flash Recorder that can record to CF cards the XDCAM HD 50mbps 4:2:2 format are a much more appealing solution...

Or a HPX with the CF Flash recorder..

Or, better yet, a RED...

 

[TimurCivan]

either way it will be a great camera for broadcast stuff. depending on its codec implimentaion and artifacting, it can be great for filmmaking too. i for one am excited by it.

 

[William_Robinette]

If it is the exact same as 35mbit XDcam-HD then it will hold up very well. I have done some shooting with the 350 and will say that on paper the codec isn't great, but it practice it is wonderful.

 

[TimurCivan]

its gonna be different. its actually rasterizing 1920x1080, so the compression is gona be a bit more severe.

"Some people accuse me of flying the Sony flag a bit too often, but I have good reason to. Sony just get it right time and time again, not only with camcorders and high end production gear, but with hi-fi, studio recording equipment, DVD players etc."

From this article...... http://www.dvuser.co.uk/content.php?CID=171

:huh:

The machine sounds great, but this sounds liek the FIRST good machine since the PD170.... Hell if the footage is good eough, imma have a new pony in the stable.....

 

[harddrive]

its gonna be different. its actually rasterizing 1920x1080, so the compression is gona be a bit more severe.

A post on another forum indicates this may not be so. The explanation being that it's 35Mbs VBR - so ramps the data rate up as required for higher motion etc - it's not 35Mbs all the time. The theory then is that the 1920x1080 raster will cause a higher AVERAGE bitrate, though the peak won't go above 35Mbs.

I don't know enough to confirm or deny it, but it's an interesting theory. Any comments?

There's lot to like about this camera - and the true manual lens must be one of the biggest pluses. Personally, I'm very surprised that it seems it can't record SD DV to the cards, and to me this is one of it's biggest negative points. If all your work is HD, it obviously won't be a problem.

 

[TimurCivan]

you'd be surprised how much i shoot DV and DVCpro50 for clients. IF it had "Digibeta" built in that would be somethign special.

 

[Barry_Green]

There's no standard-def at all, according to Mikko's IBC report.