Sony PDW-F350 XDCAM HD camera
The PDW-F350 is a true-shoulder mount camcorder, perfectly balanced to fit on your shoulder and featuring the latest evolution of familiar Sony ergonomics.
While most entry-level High Definition cameras only have 1/3 CCDs, the PDW-F350 features 3x 1/2 HD CCD delivering class-leading dynamic range and high sensitivity. The advantage of using the worlds only ½ CCDs doesnt just mean superior performance, it also provides compatibility with all existing ½ inch lenses.
The PDW-F350 is also exceptionally versatile; at the flick of a switch you have the choice of 50i/60i/25P/30P/24P in DV and HD. So you could shoot a local news assignment today, a wedding video tomorrow and your independent short film the day after – all with the same camera, all with the exact settings required to excel in each application.
At the heart of the PDW-F350 is XDCAM Professional Disc – the worlds bestselling, most affordable and most widely supported non-linear acquisition system. The benefits of XDCAM begin from the moment you begin shooting. You can mark key scenes manually or rely on automatic marking, then review scenes by simply selecting their thumbnail images on the colour fold-out screen. Non-linear media means instant scene access and theres no need to worry about overwriting content either.
For post-production, the PDW-F350 outputs a standard DV-based stream so your existing NLE set-up will work with it just the same as a DV/DVCAM camcorder. You can choose the pace at which you move to the full potential of an advanced AV/IT, file-based workflow.
The PDW-F350 is engineered to provide you with the most cost-effective and versatile camcorder you can imagine for the way you work today and tomorrow.
The PDW-F350 is designed as the perfect bridge between todays DV/SD world and tomorrows advanced AV/IT HD workflow. For the price of a standard definition tape-based camcorder youre ready for all the opportunities of High Definition and file-based production.
Enhanced Productivity
No matter how you work, the PDW-F350 offers productivity improvements impossible with tape-based media:
The Professional Disc can be loaded and ready to shoot faster than tape
No need to worry about accidentally overwriting precious content
Essence Mark key scenes at the touch of a button
Thumbnail images representing key scenes can be browsed and instantly accessed using on-camera colour screen
No frantic fast-forward/rewinding to find the clips you want to review
Edit content on the camera itself – no need for a PC!
Up to two hours recording at 18Mb/s MPEG HD – the longest recording time for any current HD camcorder
High quality 2 16:9 viewfinder (PDW-F350 only)
HD-SDI output with audio embedded (PDW-350 & PDW-F70 deck only)
Audio XLR out (PDW-F350 & PDW-F70 deck only)
TC IN/OUT (PDW-F350 & PDW-F70 deck only)
Cost Effective
Cost of ownership is critical. The PDW-F350 is designed to offer you the lowest total system cost in its class due to:
Highly competitive pricing for camcorder with or without lens
Compatibility with existing SD or HD ½ lenses ensures wider choice of configurations at an affordable price-point
Compatibility with most DVCAM accessories maximises existing investments
Compatibility with all existing DV-based NLEs via i.LINK DV Stream
Versatility – HD/SD, NTSC/PAL etc. – means with one camcorder you really can cover almost any assignment
Little or no maintenance costs due to revolutionary optical drive
7 year warranty on the laser device
Traditional Sony build quality and design ensures high reliability
Professional Discs can be reused for 10,000 rewrite cycles, equivalent to 30 years at one use/working day – all for the same price of a single tape!
Multiple suppliers of Professional Disc media
Compatibility with today and tomorrows workflow
The PDW-F350 is built around support for existing standards such as DV/DVCAM and open standards like MXF so youve got the maximum flexibility to use it just the way you want:
Stay with DV/DVCAM format to work with existing non-linear editors via traditional i.LINK interface
HD-SDI i.LINK, analogue video, analogue/digital audio interfaces for connectivity to a wide range of editing systems
i.LINK File Access Mode (FAM) interface for high-speed, file-based in/out connectivity to a PC
MXF open standard ensures maximum compatibility with new generation NLEs
Long-term accessibility – storing content as files means you will always be able to access data in the future
Faster, Smarter Archiving
You dont need an expensive IT-storage system to revolutionise the way you store, retrieve and manage your archive material. While Professional Discs costs the same as tape, theyre a true high-speed, non-linear media with a wealth of advanced meta-data automatically generated in camera:
Import metadata and/or low resolution proxies onto your PC hard drive for a smart, searchable mirror of your high resolution archive
Locate, watch and even edit proxy clips quickly using fast search of metadata, then instantly locate the archived high resolution content
Non-linear media means faster, more reliable access to valuable archive content
Professional Discs will retain information for 50 years in normal conditions
Because information is stored as data files, theres no worries about video standards not being around in years to come.
Providing a stunning array of features, the PDW-F350 is designed to get the best out of every shoot. This Sony professional camcorder has been designed to provide the very best features at the very best price – theres no need to compromise on quality, functionality or results!
HD-native 16:9/4:3 Switchable CCDs
XDCAM HD Camcorders incorporate three HD-native, 16:9/4:3 switchable 1/2-inch CCDs, offering outstanding-quality images with a low smear level and a high signal-to-noise ratio.
Real-time SD output
Even when recording in MPEG HD, XDCAM HD camcorders output a real-time SD signal via i.LINK DV out and composite out, further enhancing versatility and operational compatibility (e.g. with monitors or recording equipment on location.)
Quick and Slow Motion 4-60P
The PDW-F350 can record any frame rate between 4p to 50p for 25p playback mode, or, 4p to 60p for 24p/30p playback mode and content can be reviewed instantly. For example, you could shoot at 50P and playback at 25P – offering an in-camera 2.0x slow motion effect. Alternatively, a high speed effect can be created by shooting at for example 4 frames per second and played back at 25 fps.
HD content can be played back on any XDCAM HD machine, DV content can be played back on any XDCAM product.
Advanced Optical Features
The XDCAM HD Camcorder has a built-in optical Neutral Density (ND) filter wheel with four positions and a slow shutter – supporting up to 64-frame accumulations. An auto-focus function is built-in (compatible lens required) and there is also an optional lens adaptor for 2/3 inch lenses.
HD 1080 Recording at Selectable Frame & Bit Rates
XDCAM HD products can record video signals in 1080/59.94i, 50i, 29.97P, 25P and native 23.98P – using a MPEG HD codec with industry standard MPEG-2 MP@HL compression. The user can also select the following bit rates; 35, 25 or 18Mb/s depending on picture quality and recording length requirements. Choosing the highest bit rate of 35Mb/s results in a recording time of approximately 60 minutes, while choosing 18Mb/s provides a recording time of approximately 120 minutes – the longest recording time offered by any current HD camcorder. MPEG HD images are recorded at 1440×1080 pixels with 4:2:0 sampling.
DVCAM Recording and Up/Down conversion
To maximise HD/SD workflow flexibility, all XDCAM HD Camcorders can record in the ubiquitous DVCAM format with a choice of NTSC/PAL and 16:9/4:3 modes. In addition, both camcorder and decks incorporate a down-conversion capability that allows material recorded in the MPEG HD format to be converted to DV signals and output via the i.LINK port – enabling users to edit the material using compatible DV-based non-linear editors.
DVCAM is recorded at 25Mb/s allowing approximately 85 minutes recording per disc. In NTSC mode, sampling is 4:1:1 with 480 active lines per frame. In PAL mode, sampling is 4:2:0 with 576 active lines per frame.
High-quality Audio Recording
XDCAM HD products can record two or four-channel, 16-bit, 48-khz uncompressed (Linear PCM) audio – delivering high sound quality.
File-based Disc Recording
Because the XDCAM system records video and audio as IT-type files rather than a linear AV stream, XDCAM HD products offer a range of tremendous benefits:
Instant random access to content
Automatic recording onto empty disc space (no need to worry about overwriting valuable content)
Easy integration into other IT-based equipment such as Non-Linear Editing and Arching Systems and Archive
Advanced network-based workflow via i.LINK FAM (File Access Mode) or even Ethernet
High Speed File Transfer
Advanced Scene Selection Functionality
The PDW-F350s 16:9 3.5-inch colour LCD displays a highly advanced interface giving access to features most camcorders leave to post production. For example, a thumbnail display provides immediate access to detailed metadata or key scenes (selected automatically and/or manually) for quickly reviewing content on site. You can even perform simple cuts-only editing on the camera itself.
Advanced Proxy Recording
XDCAM HD products automatically record low-resolution AV data simultaneously with the HD or SD resolution data on the same disc. This low resolution content – called Proxy Data – uses MPEG-4 to be high compact (1.5Mb/s for video and 05Mb/s for audio) while still offering reasonable quality. For a fast-breaking news story, Proxy Data could even be relayed over a low bandwidth link (e.g. mobile phone) and broadcast. In normal circumstances, Proxy AV applications include:
Immediate logging on location
Off-line editing
Daily rushes
Client Approvals
Proxy Data can be browsed and edited on most popular NLEs. In addition, all XDCAM HD products are supplied with PDZ-1 Proxy Browsing software for Windows PC which supports drag-and-drop content transfers.
High Level of Reliability
XDCAM HD camcorders share the same platform as the XDCAM SD products which have proven themselves in demanding applications all around the world. As there is no mechanical contact between media and recording heads, a high level of durability and long media life have been achieved. XDCAM products have also demonstrated exceptional resistance to shock, vibrations and extremes of climate. In addition, there is a 7-year warranty on the laser device.
Comprehensive interfaces
The PDW-F350 features a wide-range of input-outputs and interfaces for maximum production flexibility:
Input: Front stereo microphone, analogue audio (2-channel), timecode, gen-lock
Output: HD analogue component, SD analogue component, SD analogue composite, timecode
i.LINK interface supports File Access Mode (FAM) and DV OUT
HD down-conversion capability: DV output via i.LINK (DV OUT) port or base-band SD output via analogue component
Additional features
Interval recording for time-lapse capture
Freeze mix
Remote Commander supplied
Assignable buttons enable operators to assign frequently used functions
Interval recording (automatic and manual) intermittently records signals at pre-determined intervals, ideal for recording over long periods
Memory Stick function for storage of camcorder set-up files
Metadata recording: UMID, Extended UMID, Essence Marks
Auto Tracing White Balance for automatic adjustments in camera colour temperature according to lighting changes.
