Sony PDW-D1 XCAM Drive

The PDW-D1 is an XDCAM Drive Unit specifically designed for use in non-linear editing systems. The drive unit supports the i.LINK interface supporting DV IN/OUT (AV/C) and File Access Mode (FAM) protocols, allowing connection with a variety of non-linear editing systems. It features MPEG IMX/DVCAM switchable recording.

The approximate recording times for the XDCAM disc are as follows: 85 minutes of 25 Mbps DVCAM, 68 minutes of 30 Mbps MPEG IMX, 55 minutes of 40 Mbps MPEG IMX, and 45 minutes of 50 Mbps MPEG IMX. Also, proxy AV and a variety of metadata can be created and stored on the disc. Through i.LINK (AV/C), the PDW-D1 supports real time conversion of MPEG IMX recorded material to DVCAM which is subsequently output as a DVCAM stream over i-LINK. This enables a customer to acquire in the highest picture quality and use their existing DV editing infrastructure. Through the i.LINK (FAM) interface, the PDW-D1 appears as a removable storage device and enables an application to access the files directly off the disc.

The PDW-D1's highly compact and lightweight design makes it ideal for many different work environments like a busy journalist's desktop as well as other awkward workspaces in the field. The Sony XDCAM series of professional disc products have a 7-year warranty for the laser block. This warranty is unprecedented for Sony and demonstrates the confidence Sony has in its XDCAM products.

Record and playback MPEG IMX/DVCAM
PDW-D1 supports MPEG IMX (30, 40, 50 Mbps) DVCAM switchable recording and playback as a standard feature. This feature provides users with flexible operation in both programme distribution and exchange.

Proxy AV and metadata recording
Proxy AV file is created and recorded onto the disc along with high-resolution audio and video. Also a variety of metadata can be created and stored on the disc using an external PC. After transfering the proxy file to an external PC with a high speed connection, creating EDLs, scripting and annotating can be done by viewing proxy AV. The metadata can be sent back to the disc and carried with the high resolution AV files.

i.LINK interface
i.LINK interface supports both DV IN/OUT (AV/C) and File Access Mode (FAM). Through i.LINK (AV/C), DV stream output from MPEG IMX recordings is supported.

Equipped with one optical head
A single optical head provides up to 30x faster than realtime file transfer for Proxy, 2.5x for DVCAM and 1.25x for MPEG IMX (50Mbps) files.

AC/battery powered operation
PDW-D1 works with AC or battery operation. Battery connection requires the optional BKP-L551.