Sony PDW-F30

A low-cost XDCAM HD deck designed as the perfect partner for i.LINK-based non-linear

The PDW-F30 is built around the i.LINK interface for simple interoperability with DV and HDV-based NLEs and other devices.

For high-speed integration the PDW-F30 offers i.LINK File Access Mode (FAM) capable of carrying both proxy and high resolution files faster than real-time.

Using either a built-in the LCD screen or a monitor, you have full access to all the benefits of the advanced XDCAM workflow with Scene Selection, Thumbnail operations and high-speed file-based editing.

This Sony professional deck has been designed to provide the very best features at the very best price - there's no need to compromise on quality, functionality or results!

Real-time SD output
Even when recording in MPEG HD, the XDCAM HD deck output a real-time SD signal via i.LINK DV out and composite out, further enhancing versatility and operational compatibility (eg with monitors or recording equipment on location.)

Quick and Slow Motion 4-60P Support
The PDW-F30 fully supports the Quick and Slow Motion feature of the PDW-F350 and will play back this content.

HD 1080 Recording at Selectable Frame & Bit Rates
XDCAM HD products can record video signals in 1080/59.94i, 50i, 29.97P, 25P and native 23.98P - using a "MPEG HD" codec with industry standard MPEG-2 MP@HL compression. The user can also select the following bit rates; 35, 25 or 18Mb/s depending on picture quality and recording length requirements. Choosing the highest bit rate of 35Mb/s results in a recording time of approximately 60 minutes, while choosing 18Mb/s provides a recording time of approximately 120 minutes - the longest recording time offered by any current HD camcorder. MPEG HD images are recorded at 1440x1080 pixels with 4:2:0 sampling.

DVCAM Recording and Up/Down conversion
The PDW-F30 can record in the ubiquitous DVCAM format with a choice of NTSC/PAL and 16:9/4:3 modes using File Access Mode [FAM]. In addition, both camcorder and decks incorporate a down-conversion capability that allows material recorded in the MPEG HD format to be converted to DV signals and output via the i.LINK port - enabling users to edit the material using compatible DV-based nonlinear editors. DV/DVCAM footage can also be upconverted.

High-quality Audio Recording
XDCAM HD products can record two or four-channel, 16-bit, 48-khz uncompressed (Linear PCM) audio - delivering high sound quality.

File-based Disc Recording
Because the XDCAM system records video and audio as IT-type files rather than a linear AV stream, XDCAM HD products offer a range of tremendous benefits.

• Instant random access to content
• Automatic recording onto empty disc space (no need to worry about overwriting valuable content)
• Easy integration into other IT-based equipment such as Non-Linear Editing and Archiving Systems
• Advanced network-based workflow via i.LINK FAM (File Access Mode) or even Ethernet
• High Speed File Transfer

Advanced Scene Selection Functionality
The PDW-F30's 16:9 colour LCD displays enables easy access to advanced XDCAM features. For example, a thumbnail display provides immediate access to detailed metadata or key scenes (selected automatically and/or manually) for quickly reviewing content on site. You can even perform simple cuts-only editing on the deck itself.

Advanced Proxy Recording
XDCAM HD products automatically record low-resolution AV data simultaneously with the HD or SD resolution data on the same disc. This low resolution content - called "Proxy Data" - uses MPEG-4 to be high compact (1.5Mb/s for video and 0.5Mb/s for audio) while still offering reasonable quality. For a fast-breaking news story, Proxy AV could even be relayed over a low bandwidth link (e.g. mobile phone) and broadcast. In normal circumstances, Proxy AV applications include;

• Immediate logging on location
• Off-line editing
• Daily rushes
• Client Approvals

Proxy Data can be browsed and edited on most popular NLEs. In addition, all XDCAM HD products are supplied with PDZ-1 Proxy Browsing software for Windows PC which supports drag-and-drop content transfers.

Analogue-like Jog Audio
One of the most popular features of Betacam SP decks was the top quality, near-analogue jog audio feature. This is almost exactly reproduced with PDW-F30, which offer near-continuous slow-motion speed down to 1% steps. Noiseless slow-motion is variable from -1.0 to +1.0.

High-quality Slow-motion
Using the same interpolation filter technology as Digital Betacam, XDCAM HD decks offer stable and smooth picture quality during slow motion with minimal vertical jitter in both SD and HD.

High Level of Reliability
XDCAM HD decks share the same platform as the XDCAM SD products which have proven themselves in demanding applications all around the world. As there is no mechanical contact between media and recording heads, a high level of durability and long media life have been achieved. XDCAM products have also demonstrated exceptional resistance to shock, vibrations and extremes of climate. In addition, there is a Silver Support pack included as standard.

Comprehensive interfaces
The PDW-F30 features a range of input-outputs and interfaces for maximum production flexibility.

• Outputs: SD analogue composite, analog audio, timecode, XGA/VGA, audio monitor (L/R)
• i.LINK interface supports;
• FAM (HD & DV) In - Out
• DV standard AV/C out (including HD down conversion capability)
• TS (HDV) In - Out (option PDBK-102)
• Other interfaces: RS-422A, RS-232C, Ethernet (PDBK-101 option)

Additional features

• Remote Commander™ supplied
• Metadata recording: UMID, Extended UMID, Essence Marks