Brazil. From August 7 to 10, 2023, Sony participated in the SET Expo 2023, which took place at the Expo Center Norte, in São Paulo. In this edition, Sony showed various solutions and launches for the audiovisual market, including the launch of a new camera for studio production, journalism, film and photography, cloud solutions, IP and compact cameras.
Bravia PRO
To welcome visitors, as soon as they entered the stand, various contents were seen in 4K HDR in the Bravia Pro 100 "FW-100BZ40J, professional 4K monitor, 24/7 that can reach up to 1000nits/m² of brightness.
Cameras
In this year's edition, Sony showed different solutions so that the public could have a real experience with them.
In terms of versatility and high performance, both for professional photography and video capture, we find the ILCE-7M4. Thinking about video, the ILCE 7SM3 was present, which combines speed, sensitivity and low noise for 4K filming.
In addition, there were examples of interchangeable lenses to test the different possibilities offered by our products.
Robotic cameras
In the robotic camera systems, the novelties presented were in charge of two models. For the first time at a national event, the SRG-A12 was introduced, a robotic camera with 1/2.5" Exmor R 4K CMOS sensor, high sensitivity, zoom capability up to 24x in HD or 12x in 4K, plus NDI transmission support|® HX via optional license. The big difference of the SRG-A12 is marked by its ability to operate with automatic framing based on artificial intelligence integrated into the internal processing of the camera, without the need for an additional license.
Another model that was part of this exhibition was the ILME-FR7, product of the year in the camera category at the NAB 2023 fair. It is the only robotic camera on the market with Exmor R 4K HDR full-frame CMOS sensor with 15-stop latitude, interchangeable lenses, variable ND filter, XAVC QFHD internal recording at 120fps and real-time Eye AF. This product has been revolutionizing the market by providing a cinema image in a robotic camera.
Studio cameras
The HDC-3500 is a camera that uses three 2/3-inch 4K sensors and supports the same B4-mount lenses, as well as the same accessories and control equipment as Sony's leading HDC-2000 series cameras. With that, the user has flexibility to swap configurations, as well as the possibility of compatibility and natural migration between HD and 4K systems, and SDR and HDR. The camera is capable of operating in HD and evolving naturally through a software license for 4K, as well as SDR to HDR, with the ability to support 2x speeds in Full HD preserving investments for current HD operation and ease of future migration according to new demands. The HDC-3500 works in conjunction with an HDCU-3100 CCU with optional 4K and IP installed. The ST2110 SMPTE signal can be handled from a small IP structure available in the adjacent bank. The entire HDC series also offers SDI, 3G-SDI, 12G-SDI or even IP interface flexibility through support for the ST2110 standard.
Launched in June 2023, the HXC-FZ90, the latest member of the studio camera systems, was also on display. It features a 2/3" 4K CMOS sensor, delivering crisp, vivid HD HDR coverage through 4K oversampling and a perfect result for 4K HDR operations and progressive formats through a software license. Together with the HXCU-FZ90, it is very flexible in terms of applications, with standard SMPTE or Neutrik fiber connections, and can reach up to 10 km away if dark fiber is used.
Creators' Cloud
In this edition, Sony exhibited the solutions included in the Creators' Cloud line, such as C3P, a cloud solution for live broadcasts, file transfer, camera control and integration with news control systems. C3P has great connectivity with Sony camcorders, such as the PXW-Z280 and PXW X400, cameras that have connection capability via USB modem, USB Tethering, ethernet network or wifi for live transmission Sony QoS and file transfer, whether proxy or high.
Files generated by Sony camcorders can be received, stored, edited and shared via CI Media Cloud. This platform allows complete content management: it allows simple content editing, metadata insertion, collaborative editing and content sharing.
As a solution for cloud production, Sony introduced the M2L, a switcher that can receive six video input signals by supporting Sony QoS, RTMP and SRT. It has two internal players, three audio inputs for presenters, announcers and commentators, with the possibility of two PGM output signals, either for a cloud exhibitor or decoder.
Cinema Line Cameras
During the SET Expo 2023, the public had contact with the highest technology equipment in Sony image capture. The entire Cinema Line is available to the public, starting with the ILME-FX30, a camera launched in 2023 with APS-C CMOS 4K sensor that includes all the versatility of Alpha cameras with the performance and ease of resources of cinema cameras, for example, double base ISO value for users who want a solution with the same agility and lightness. The ILME-FX3 was also on display using the same structure and diverse resources of the ILME-FX30. The FX3 comes with a full-frame 4K CMOS sensor, ensuring greater latitude. Continuing on the path of increasing the offer of resources for productions, the ILME FX6 includes the full-frame 4K CMOS sensor and brings with it functionalities such as variable ND filter and greater variety of buttons for direct audio and video adjustments, which facilitates the tasks of the cameraman on set. The PXW-FX9 and its full-frame 6K Exmor R sensor, together with the electronic ND filter and the double base ISO value, allow high color rendering quality in various light conditions with low noise.
Created by filmmakers for filmmakers, CineAlta's VENICE 2 with full-frame 8K sensor was available during the event for testing. The recent release now has the possibility of direct recording in X-OCN in an internal AXS slot (without the need to use an external recorder), high sensitivity of the sensor, double base ISO value and great versatility in the choice of lenses, whether spherical or anamorphic (can be operated with PL and E-mount nozzles). A high-performance camera and intuitive and simplified operation.
Broadcast monitoring
The highlight of the monitoring is in charge of the PVM line, with the launch of the HDR-SDR PVM-HSX1 conversion license. With the active license, the monitor is capable of 4K to HD reverse conversion, color space conversion, OETF conversion, progressive to interlace format conversion, and 3G quad-link to 12G single-link conversion.
It is worth remembering that the range of options in Sony monitors is varied, with the use of OLED or LCD technologies and different series for different applications. These include the LMD-A, LMD-B, PVM and BVM series, which offer convenient features and functions with consistent monitor operation, including support for EOTF HDR curves. For users, this uniformity between the LMD-A, LMD-B, PVM and BVM series makes it easier to work with all monitors and integrate them into the same work environment.
In the monitor area, the BVM-HX310 presented reference content to demonstrate the effectiveness of its 1000nits/cm² and its high level of contrast. In this same place, the ELF-SR2 was exhibited, awarded at the NAB 2023 fair as the product of the year in the Monitors category. The ELF-SR2 is a 3D monitor that does not require lenses for viewing. Using an iris tracking system, the monitor creates the 3D effect and follows the user's vision to make the experience even richer.
The newest member of the XVS family was also present: the XVS-G1 inherits the architecture and many of the consolidated resources of current models, adding cutting-edge technology and offering various visual processing improvements. The unprecedented 4RU processor is paired with a series of four sleek new control panels, plus a newly developed web-based operating menu that offers efficient and simple installations. The XVS-G1 continues the success of the MVS-3000A and MVS-6530 switchers, and offers Full HD and 4K (UHD) capability at an affordable price. The XVS-G1 allows you to configure one to four banks of M/E and offers 16 full keyers with up to 44 inputs and 24 outputs in HD mode, or 24 inputs and 12 outputs in 4K (UHD) mode. With those resources, it is the ideal choice for small and medium-sized studios, flyaway packages and broadcast production units.
Networked Live
With the great market demand for remote productions, Sony could not fail to provide one more release in 2023 for video compression and transmission. In the Networked Live area, two NXL-ME80 units were working with eight HD signals or four 4K signals. The ME80 uses HEVC compression that can range from 25 to 35 Mbps in HD and 100 Mbps in 4K, to perform transmission over fiber with a maximum of two frames delay in 4K mode.
In the IP world, Sony Nevion solutions were seen, such as the Virtuoso MI media gateway, an SDN device that covers a wide variety of functions in a video over IP network, such as audio and video processing and conversion, and video transport, be it ST2110, 2022, JPegXS, etc. For SDN control and orchestration, Nevion VideoIpath also had an instance available to demonstrate its easy setup and operation.
