LAS VEGAS, April 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NAB Booth #SU107 -- Sony is delivering on its theme of "HD for All" at the 2006 National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention here this week, highlighting applications of its high-definition technology for all levels of professional digital video production.
"Our line-up of HD systems serves the entire pyramid of customer applications, from event, documentary and corporate video at the base all the way to TV and big-budget motion picture production at the top," said John Scarcella, president of Sony's Broadcast and Business Solutions Company. "When we say, 'HD for All,' we really mean for all: All kinds of professionals, all price points, and all applications."
Sony's announcements at NAB include the continued success of its digital 24P products for TV and motion picture production, and the increasing use of its HD cameras and switchers for high-profile production installations including "Late Night with David Letterman," "Saturday Night Live," "Conan O'Brien" and "Good Morning America."
Sony is also announcing successes for its newest HD technology: the XDCAM HD(TM) line of optical disc camcorders and decks.
News 12 Networks, owned by Cablevision systems, is adopting XDCAM HD technology for all electronic news gathering (ENG) and news production applications. The group plans to roll-out 90 XDCAM HD camcorders across its channels over the next two years.
News 12 Networks operates seven 24-hour local news channels in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, and according to Norm Fein, senior vice president for news development at News 12 Networks, the advantages of Sony's optical production technology are well-suited to the daily demands of gathering and producing regional news programming.
XDCAM HD technology is also being rolled out at Gannett Broadcasting and at two PBS stations: WETA in Washington, D.C., which will start using XDCAM HD technology for its production of "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" and WYCC in Chicago, which will begin acquiring in the XDCAM HD format. Both stations are also upgrading with a range of Sony HD gear including studio and portable cameras, and production switchers.
These two PBS member stations, along with WQED in Pittsburgh, are the latest to begin their HD conversion under the joint Sony/PBS HD Pilot Program, which was created to encourage and develop high definition television production by public TV stations.
Not only TV stations are attracted to XDCAM HD technology. Veteran director of photography Mark Falstad used the new camcorders at last month's Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska. According to Falstad, the camcorders stood up to sub-zero temperatures, they were mounted onto sleds, they were dropped and weren't even enclosed in protective weather gear, but "despite the hammering the sled and the mount took, every frame was perfect."
Sony's family of HDV(TM) products for professionals has also expanded over the past year, with the HVR-A1U compact camcorder joining its larger HVR-Z1U cousin. A recent expedition up Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa was documented with the Sony HVR-A1U and, as cinematographer Joanne Hock noted, the camcorder's compact size was critical "when every ounce saved meant the difference between continuing on and having to stop."
Hock also noted that the camera's durability allowed her to keep shooting in the rugged conditions encountered during the climb, including heat, cold, humidity and dust. Also, the camcorder was "a quick learn," she said, adding that "the ability to use touch-screen pre-sets was a big time-saver. It was very easy to just pull it out, quickly check and adjust the settings, get the shot you want, put it back in your pocket and continue climbing."
Sony HD technology is also establishing a growing presence of in key market segments including the house-of-worship market. For example, Lakewood Church, which now holds its services in the former Compaq Center sports arena in Houston, has purchased eight Sony high definition cameras as part of a phased migration to HDTV.
In addition, Sony HD technology is also expanding to markets beyond traditional broadcast to the medical, government and education sectors, further enhancing the definition of "HD for All."
