Sony XDCAM HD
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 Sony recently introduced the XDCAM HD system, a mid-range selection of HD camcorders and decks that fits between their budget-friendly HDV line and their high-end HDCAM line. These new cameras, the PDW-F330 and the PDW-F350, record on the Sony-developed Professional Disc media, which looks like a DVD in a plastic case, but has almost five times the storage capacity of a DVD and a six and a half times faster transfer rate.
The XDCAM HD camcorders feature three half-inch 1.5 megapixel CCDs. The recording bitrate is adjustable from 18 to 25 to 35 Mbps. The format is essentially HDV, although the picture quality is much improved with the larger CCDs. In fact, at the 25 Mbps rate, the output is fully compatible with HDV products. The cameras’ use of both interframe and intraframe compression allows anywhere from 60 to 120 minutes of video to be stored on a single Professional Disc, depending on the selected bitrate. Format options include 1080 HD video at 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p and 23.98P as well as SD video in 480/59.94i, 29.97p, or 23.98p and 576/50i and 25p.
Both cameras are capable of interval recording (for that “here’s an entire day in 60 seconds” shot) and slow shutter (for low-light situations and creating a ghost look). Moviemakers and other creative types will enjoy the PDW-F350’s capability to record anywhere from four frames per second to 60 fps in one frame increments. Increasing the frame rate (“over-cranking”) produces a powerful slow-motion effect, while decreasing the frame rate (“under-cranking”) produces a Keystone Kops look.
All four products in the XDCAM HD line are capable of down-converting HD material to SD for viewing or broadcast purposes. With the addition of a card ($1850), the decks can be connected directly to an editing system that is capable of working with HDV 1080i.
The Sony PDW-F330 and the PDW-F350 camcorders sell for $16,800 and $25,800 respectively. The PDW-F70 recording deck sells for $15,990. The PDW-F70 viewing deck is expected to cost $9,500 when it comes out this summer. PFD-23 Professional Disc media, which is also available from TDK, goes for around $30 per disc.
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