Sony intros flash-based XDCAM EX
updated 08:20 am EDT, Mon April 16, 2007
Sony XDCAM EX
Sony launched its efforts at the NAB video expo today with the XDCAM EX, a new budget pro video camera that marks one of the company's first high-end cameras with movement-free storage. The new XDCAM records raw MPEG-2 video at up to 50Mbps 4:2:2 to flash memory by using the faster ExpressCard 34 format found in modern Mac and Windows notebooks. Sony's own SxS high-speed cards can store up to two hours of HD video on a 16GB card (8GB will also be available) that can then be transferred to a portable in the field. Video is recordable at a full 60Hz in either 1080i or 720p with 1080p possible at 30Hz or a film-grade 24Hz.
The company hasn't revealed a specific release date for the three-sensor camera or its SxS storage format, promising only that both will sometime in September. A Blu-Ray based PDW-F355 recorder with 50GB of storage will arrive along with an external deck and optical recorder at approximately the same time.
