Sony kicked-off NAB with a big announcement the Sony HDC 4300 – a new and first of its kind 4K systems camera with 2/3 inch true 4K sensors. Targeting high-end sports capture in 4K, Sony is also offering an 8x slow-motion option in Full HD to capture those unforgettable moments in sports history. 4K is where the broadcast industry is going at least for sports and big live events, and the fact that Sony, who have a solid and proven long-standing heritage in the broadcast world is the logical progression off from the world of HD we're so used to. Read more about this technological marvel from Sony in the following paragraphs.

The HDC-4300 delivers 4K/HD capabilities for Sports and Event Broadcast; Up to 8X Super-Slow Motion in HD Resolution and Proven HDC Series Performance

Sony’s next generation of HDC series camera technology provides the ability to use the high magnification wide zoom range lenses currently employed by HD 2/3-inch systems while maintaining an adequate depth of field to accurately show all the action during live event broadcasting.

The new Sony HDC-4300 is the world’s first camera to use three 2/3-inch 4K image sensors¹. It supports the same B4-mount lenses as well as the same control surfaces as Sony’s industry leading HDC-2000 series cameras. The existing HDLA-1500 series, control and shading systems, viewfinders and master set-up units are all interchangeable between the HD and 4K systems. Directors and operators can keep their approach to live events -- including camera angles, zoom ranges and iris settings – while using familiar camera technology.

“This camera provides 4K capabilities and a workflow that content producers are instantly familiar and comfortable with,” said Norbert Paquet, Strategic Marketing Manager, Sony Professional, Sony Europe. “We’ve developed the HDC Series as a flexible platform for our customers to maximize their ROI on multiple applications. The HDC-4300 is multi-format for daily HD applications, sports on the weekends with up to 400fps, and futureproof with 4K acquisition.”

 

The new HDC-4300 is capable of 4K/HD operation, with2x, 3x Super Slow Motion as standard, and higher speeds up to 8x available, to produce high-quality replays and specialty program effects.

The camera uses ultra-high-precision alignment technology to realize three 4K sensor on a new prism. This allows the support of the next-generation ITU-R BT.2020 broadcast standard’s widened colour space for future-proof masters or post-production options for today’s productions shown on tomorrow’s 4K services.

 

Direct attachment of B4 HD lenses


Standard large-format B4-mount lenses mount directly onto the HDC-4300. This gives broadcasters the flexibility needed for live sports broadcasts: 4K capabilities while maintaining their customary HD-lens operating styles.

SZC-4001 Software

Sony’s SZC-4001 software license (sold separately) allows broadcasters to take advantage of 4K capabilities. This software is available as Weekly, Monthly or Permanent for greater flexibility.

Super Slow Motion (up to 8x) at HD Resolution

The SZC-4002 software license (sold separately) enables the system to shoot full HD (1920 x 1080) at frame rates up to 479.52/400 fps, as well as 59.94/50, 119.88/100, and 179.82/150 fps. Users can save these high-frame-rate shots to Sony’s PWS-4400 multiport 4K/HD Live Server. This software is available as Weekly, Monthly or Permanent for greater flexibility.

 

HD/4K Live Production for Sports

The HDC-4300 accepts the same configurations as existing 4K live systems.

A BPU-4000 baseband processor unit receives the camera signals via SMPTE fiber and connects to an HDCU-2000 or 2500 camera control unit. This provides power and full intercom, tally, and return capabilities.



Users can seamlessly blend an HDC-4300-based system with existing HDC Series camera system. The HD signals from the HDC Series cameras and from the new camera system can be adjusted to match colorimetry.

The addition of other 4K products, such as the PWS-4400 multi-port 4K/HD Live server, a multi-format switcher capable of real-time 4K signal processing based on the MVS-8000X, and Sony’s new BVM-X300 4K OLED or PVM-X300 4K LCD monitors creates an end-to-end 4K live production solution.

Features


• HD cut-outs – two full HD images to be cut out from the 4K picture in real-time including a selectable zoom and perspective mode (requires software license SZC-2001)

• Many of the picture adjustment functions of HDC Series cameras are supported by the HDC-4300 system

• Dynamic focus (4K focus-assist function) - a focus point can be displayed on the viewfinder with a marker in 4K mode for easy focusing.

• Auto lens aberration compensation 2 (ALAC2) function

• Colour reproduction adjustment functions

  • Gamma table selection

  • User gamma function

  • Natural skin-tone detail function

  • Knee saturation function

  • Low-key saturation function

The HDC-4300 4K/HD live camera system is planned to be available in summer of 2015.