XDCAM™ and Networked HD Systems

The introduction of tape media several decades ago transformed the production industry into

what it is today. Without tape media, the productions could never have achieved current

levels of quality, effi ciency and reliability.

But rapid growth in the IT world and burgeoning demand for content have dramatically changed

the production scenario. As media channels diversify and lead times are minimized,

the production industry must implement a new format and ensure ultimate quality.

A radical solution is required. In today’s network-centric world, the answer is a networked system with

fi le-based high-defi nition (HD) content creation devices.

Sony has an unparalleled track record in both the AV and IT markets. This expertise has been harnessed to

develop a solution that seamlessly combines both disciplines. Sony offers each customer a total

solution – from acquisition to archive – with a trusted brand at a competitive price and the absolute

security of a system that will be supported into the future.

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Building a Fully Networked Newsgathering Environment – XDCAM With Sonaps™The Sonaps™ networked production system is a fully IT-based production environment that integrates every

aspect of the news production process, through planning, ingest, production and publishing of content.

The Sonaps system - in combination with XDCAM™ fi le-based recording products - provides a truly networked,

streamed workfl ow which is essential for pressured newsroom operation.

Field to Site and Site to Site – Remote Connection, Transmission, and Editing

IP-based Operation

Field to Site

Field-to-site operations dramatically shorten the lead time between acquisition and playout. XDCAM products from Sony generate a low-resolution version of AV data - called Proxy Data - at the same time as recording high-resolution video and audio data. Because of its low resolution, Proxy Data can be transferred at amazingly high speed, and easily browsed and edited. By sending Proxy Data to the station, effective off-line editing can be achieved. After the off-line editing, only the necessary high-resolution data can be sent to the station. This enables users to reduce network traffi c and receive content far earlier.

Site to Site

Sony provides networked multi-site (station-to-station) operations with the Sonaps system. The Sonaps system offers seamless connections and access to content across the station network worldwide. Where regions, bureaus, or remote offi ces require connections to the main system, the Sonaps system provides sophisticated remote connection and editing functionality. This eliminates the time and cost of moving materials and skilled edi-tors.

DVB-ASI Stream

As well as fi le-based transmission, Sony provides material transmission in transport stream (TS). By using the newly developed HDCA-702 MPEG TS Adaptor, a device’s HD-SDI output can be encoded to MPEG TS and output via DVB-ASI. The bit rate is selectable from 17.25 Mb/s to 43.25 Mb/s, which is suitable for material transmission using microwave and satellite modulators.

Fully Integrated Network-based Workfl ow – Improved Material Management

With the Sonaps system, journalists, craft editors, and production teams can all share content and metadata in a truly networked, collaborative, fi le-based workfl ow. The highly refi ned metadata-handling workfl ow, from planning to archive, provides users with all the information they need at every stage of the production process.

Metadata allows the Sonaps system to integrate fully with third-party newsroom computer systems, right from the planning stage, through to editing and playout, and into archive. Content from the fi eld, inside the Sonaps system, and on Sony near-line or third-party archive systems can easily be searched and browsed. Logging, storyboarding, and even fi nished editing with voice-over and effects can easily be done at the desktop. Material and metadata can be seamlessly linked to the story as it develops.

Additionally, Sony is developing new technologies* that will allow metadata to be sent directly to cameras in the fi eld. Thus, even operators in the fi eld will have up-to-the-second information from the newsroom, so that effective coordination of materials can be achieved through each step. What’s more, metadata can be edited in the fi eld by a journalist or a camera operator* providing more specifi c and accurate information for later use, according to any sudden change in the shooting environment or for any other reason.

*Planned to be available in the future.

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Ingest

Acquisition & Field Edit

Sonaps Provides Broadcasters With an End-to-End Workfl ow.

Network

Ingest Terminal

Metadata

Microwave/Satellite

Network

Sony Near-Line/Archive Solutions

Streamlined processes to select, catalog and store the required content are critical to building a useful and effi cient long-term store in enterprise archive solutions.

Sony provides two types of fi le-based archive systems – a shelf-based and disc-based robotics XDCAM Cart and a large automated data-tape archive Peta-Site™.

The XDCAM Cart is an automated robotic system which accommodates XDCAM decks and uses a number of Professional Disc™ media as storage devices. Not just for archiving, the XDCAM Cart is ideal for multi-disc ingesting and on-air playout applications.

The PetaSite is a tape library solution, providing a highly attractive storage cost per gigabyte by taking full advantage of the fact that magnetic tape is the most cost-effective medium for high-capacity data storage.

By capturing metadata generated at every stage of the workfl ow process, and providing a comprehensive foundation for an archive catalog, the Sonaps system can seamlessly integrate with archive systems. With online Proxy Data, comprehensive and sophisticated search and retrieve workfl ows are provided, so that all available content can be effectively utilized whenever required.

PDJ-C1080 PDJ-A640 CMS-200B

XDCAM Cart PetaSite

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Newsroom Database & Central Storage

External Interface

Site-to-Site Connection

ArchivePlayoutProxy/Craft Edit

MOS Gateway/Common Gateway

Newsroom Computers

Alliance Partner NLE Playout Terminal

Playout Server

XDCAM With Sonaps

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XDCAM Proxy Data- and Metadata-compliant System

Proxy Data and metadata are key elements of effi cient fi le-based content management in XDCAM workfl ow. HDXchange can import Proxy Data and metadata for editing, browsing and content administration. What’s more, for XDCAM EX™, HDV and DV (which do not come with Proxy Data), HDXchange can automatically generate Proxy Data, allowing users to handle content in the same way as XDCAM materials.

Compatible with Archive Solutions from Sony

The HDXchange system works seamlessly with the PetaSite tape library in combination with PetaServe™ Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM) software, providing effi cient search and retrieve operations utilizing Proxy Data and metadata.

Complete File-based Content Creation by a Collaborative Networked Workfl ow – XDCAM with HDXchange™Sony introduces the HDXchange™ Content Management Server which delivers excellent compatibility not

only with XDCAM* products but also with the major high-defi nition(HD)/standard-defi nition(SD) acquisition

formats from Sony such as HDV™, DVCAM™ and DV.

The HDXchange provides a seamless content management capability by interfacing a wide range of

production devices, such as nonlinear editors, playout servers, and archiving storage systems.

*XDCAM HD422 format support is planned in the future.

Nonlinear Friendly Self-contained Content Management Server

HDXchange is a self-contained IT-friendly server which is highly compatible with XDCAM products. The necessary production workfl ow software is pre-installed – operating system, content administration tool, browser client, ingest/logging client and XDCAM gateway client. This fully self-contained server enables users to install a fi le-based content management environment easily in a short space of time. The HDXchange also comes with a well-developed hardware structure. It has two types of RAID systems - RAID 10 for data storage and RAID 1 for the operating system – as well as extended interfaces for connecting to third-party storage devices.

Versatile Format Support Leads to Multi-purpose Platform

HDXchange can ingest materials in a range of formats from HD to SD, such as XDCAM*, XDCAM EX™, HDV, DVCAM, and DV. All HD and SD content can be edited using Vegas and/or Apple nonlinear editors. This means that users can establish an environment for a variety of applications such as broadcasting, DVDs, web content production, and mobile platform content.

*XDCAM HD422 format support is planned in the future.

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Shared Storage & Content ManagementAcquisition

Logging Online Edit Thrid Party Playout/Distribution

Archive

Playout Server

Logging Terminal

Playout Terminal

Sony Vegas

Apple Final Cut Pro

Web Content, DVD and Mobile Platform Contents

PetaServe

The HDXchange Provides a Seamless Content Management Capability.

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Professional Disc Media

Large capacity: 50-GB dual-layer PFD50DLA and 23-GB single-layer PFD23A

High reliability, durability and long life

> Employs an antistatic polycarbonate resin shell

> Phase change recording: resistant to time degradation by ultra-violet ray

> No mechanical contact between disc and optical pick-up

Affordable random accessible media

SxS PRO™ Memory Card

High data transfer speed of 800 Mb/s*

Large capacity: 32-GB SBP-32, 16-GB SBP-16 and 8-GB SBP-8

Directly interface with PCs using PCI Express interface

Compact size: approx. 75 x 34 x 5 mm (3 x 1 3/8 x 7/32 inches)

*This data-read speed is measured with benchmark software. Actual data transfer speeds vary according to measurement conditions. Please refer to http://www.sony.net/SxS-Support/ for information on measuring methods.

Metadata

Describes attribution information of the material

Necessary for content management operation: fi le searching, sorting and retrieving

Variety of information can be recorded onto the tape-less media: disc ID, text escription, names of the operators, EDL, playlist, archive description, etc

Networked HD Solutions from Sony - Technologies

SBP-8SBP-16SBP-32

Metadata Accumulates on the Disc for Later Use

PFD50DLA PFD23DLA

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Proxy Data

Time code synchronized low-resolution copy of high-resolution AV data

Low bit rate of 2 Mb/s: can be transferred to Nonlinear editors at an amazingly high speed

Can be used in many purposes

> Offl ine editing

> Instant browsing of the contents

> Reference for archived materials

Codec: MPEG-2 Long GOP Video Compression Technology

High compression ratio: high-quality 1920 x 1080 full HD video at 50 Mb/s

> High-quality picture despite the low bit rate

> Ideal for fi le-based recording:results in a smaller fi le size and realizes a longer recording time

>Ideal for network material transfer: can be transferred in less than the material’s real time via a Gigabit Ethernet

Supported in end-to-end (acquisition to archive) by Sony devices

Common codec among Sony HD devices (XDCAM, XDCAM EX and HDV)

High Resolution

MXF File

Proxy DataLow Resolution

(2 Mb/s)

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File Format for Content Exchange and Sharing: Material eXchange Format (MXF)

Compliant with SMPTE 378M: OP-1a

Effi cient fi le container format: interleaves video, audio, time code, and metadata in a single fi le

By sharing the fi le on a content server, material can be multiply accessed and played back by terminals

Recording Media Varieties

Sony has developed various types of media to professional-use level, and adopts the optimal media for each stage of production operation.

Memory: SxS PRO™ Memory Card for acquisition, enables compact and quick operation in field

Disc: Professional Disc for every stage from acquisition to archive with high reliability

Tape: PetaSite tape library solutions, for gigantic content management

Sony adopts two types of nonlinear recording media – optical disc and memory card. Users can choose the right acquisition device for each different environment. Sony supports mixed environments where both types of media are required. In addition, tapes are a well-developed media which provide outstanding cost-efficiency with high capacity, and are indispensable for archiving.yet its great capacity, and indispensable for archiving.

PFD50DLADisc for XDCAM

LTX800GTape for PetaSite

SBP-32Memory for XDCAM EX

32 GB 50 GB 1600 GB*

*Compressed capacity. Native capacity is 800 GB.

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XDCAM Alliance Partners

Much more than just a standalone production format, XDCAM leverages support for MXF and open IT industry standards to provide interoperability with hardware and applications from over thirty vendors. With XDCAM, it’s easier than ever to mix and match tools from your preferred suppliers…and have great-looking pictures ready ahead of your competitors.

Technolog ies

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SKAI News, Sony and Sonaps: Staying Ahead of the Competition With a World-class Tapeless news Environment

Background

SKAI News is the largest independent provider of television news in Greece. The Athens-based broadcaster was re-launched in April 2006 with the objective of offering the fastest, most comprehensive quality news service available to Greek viewers.

The debut of the free-to-air terrestrial channel marked the re-emergence of the SKAI brand after it disappeared from Greek airwaves during the 1990s. The station’s re-launch also afforded the opportunity for SKAI TV to create a totally new production infrastructure.

While planning the re-launch of its fl agship news service, SKAI TV management teams realized quickly that technology would play a central role in enabling the station to outpace the competition and get to air faster with better looking pictures.

Aside from the need to produce high quality, accurate news reports with increased operational effi ciency, SKAI also required a production infrastructure that would allow a cost effective migration path to high-defi nition (HD) working. An additional prerequisite was an infrastructure that could smoothly accommodate other new technologies as they became available in the marketplace.

Most importantly, SKAI management demanded a solution that would deliver concrete fi nancial returns over the next decade and beyond in the face of a rapidly-evolving technology landscape.

The Sony Solution

At the heart of the system proposed by Sony is Sonaps. Based on industry standard IT components, this powerful, fully managed production environment has been engineered by Sony to meet the demanding needs of national and regional broadcasters. Alongside Sonaps, SKAI TV has invested in Sony XDCAM Pro-fessional Disc camcorders and decks alongside systems from other third party vendors including AP’s ENPS front-line news environment, IBIS Playout Server and content archive from Blue Order.

The Implementation and Customer Benefits

Working closely with Sony, SKAI TV has successfully exploited the rapid convergence between IT platforms and broadcast AV production to create a world-class tapeless news facility.

With Sonaps at the heart of SKAI’s news operations, every phase of the production process is interlinked in a single, seamless workfl ow. As SKAI TV general manager of technical operations Nick Millas confi rms, the Sony-delivered solution also unites all SKAI’s newsgathering assets - including studios, cameras, crews and OB vehicles - in a continuously online environment.

In the newsroom, producers can oversee as many as 35 separate stories that are being worked on simultaneously by journalists. This provides clear visibility of the day’s schedule and allows faster, more effective decision making with enhanced creative possibilities - all of which would be impossible in a traditional tape-based environment.

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Customer Voices

‘Sonaps is the heart of our newsroom. We chose Sony because it offered the strongest ref-erences in news, studio and archive build and deployment. Sony worked with us as part-ners throughout the implementation, listening to our needs and providing answers straight-away.’ Nick Millas, general manager of technical operations, SKAI TV

Sony Products

XDCAM camcorders and decks

Sonaps NewsProduction System

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Sony wins First Place to Deliver Digital Archiving Solution for Horseracing

Background

RaceTech is the offi cial provider of technical services to the British Horseracing Authority, providing photo fi nish race timing analysis to adjudicators. The company was founded in 1946 when it developed photo fi nish. Rac-eTech now supplies television coverage and racecourse cable installations to the British Horseracing Authority and broadcasters including the BBC, Channel 4 Racing, Satellite Information Services, Turf TV and satellite channels At The Races and Racing UK.

The company also advises developing racing nations on vital technical issues and uses its unique fi lm archive for the private use of owners, trainers and punters.

RaceTech traditionally relied on cumbersome tapes for the recording of races. However, in 2007 the company chose to upgrade its system to help in both the reduction of capital costs and space but also to improve its workfl ow. RaceTech required a system which would enable all racing action to be captured onto optical discs, via its 6 outside broadcast trucks. Rac-eTech also wanted a product which would allow detailed metadata about the races to be stored onto discs alongside the footage.

The Sony Solution

From initial counsel through to design and installation, Sony worked closely with RaceT-ech to build and deliver a complete, end-to-end, video archiving solution to meet all the company’s requirements.

Sony’s bespoke design, featuring XDCAM HD PDW-F75 recorders, an XDCAM cart machine, Sony HDXchange and a PetaSite archive, allowed RaceTech to digitally record and archive over 1,400 professional horse race days, which equates to in excess of 9,000 races and over 7,000 hours of recorded material in the UK every year.

The Implementation and Customer Benefi ts

Once received at RaceTech HQ, the optical discs are ingested into a unique networked editing and archive system. The discs are loaded onto a Sony XDCAM cart machine, which is interfaced with two PCs that are used to run the bespoke auto import software. This sources and transfers the fi les onto a Sony HDXchange core, which is based around Sony HDXchange and a Peta-site archiving technology.

Bespoke Sony software ensures that all archived footage is fully searchable. The solution boasts full editing suite capabilities that will enable the team to produce one-off compilation DVDs of individual horses for clients. The three editing packages provided each include a browser client, an FCP studio and a PDW-F75 recorder.

RaceTech will experience numerous benefi ts. Firstly, the speed and effi ciencies of digital fi le-based workfl ow will enable quicker and more productive distribution and fi ling. Secondly, the recorders allow detailed metadata about the races to be stored onto the discs alongside the footage, including the names of every jockey and horse involved in the race. These metadata tags in the footage are essential in allowing RaceTech to identify specifi c footage, relating to a race, a horse or even a jockey, which might be under investigation.

One fi nal benefi t for RaceTech’s customers is that when the industry moves away from standard-defi nition (SD) broadcasting into high-defi nition (HD), their viewers will experience a vastly improved and impressive broadcast feed.

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Customer Voices

‘Since we developed the photo finish in 1946, we have strived to provide the industry with the most accurate footage of professional horseracing in the UK and that is why we have made such a major commitment to preserving our content with Sony’s robust and complete digital recording, editing and archiving solution.

‘In the horserace industry, HD is currently unknown but will probably happen within the next two years, so any investment had to be HD-capable. This SD/HD switchability was another layer of complexity: Sony’s response was both elegant and cost-effective. XDCAM works perfectly within our workflow, be that standard or high definition.’

Mick Both, Director of Engineering and Technical Operations at RaceTech

Sony Products

XDCAM decks and cart

PetaSite and PetaServe

HDXchange

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MSD0812028(10491V2)WEL0012 Printed in Hong Kong

© 2009 Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Ltd. All rights reserved.Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Features and specifications are subject to change without notice.All non-metric weights and measurements are approximate.

Sony, Sonaps, XDCAM, PetaSite, Professional Disc, HDXchange, DVCAM, XDCAM EX, PetaServe, and

SxS PRO are trademarks of Sony Corporation.HDV is a trademark of Sony Corporation and

Victor Campany of Japan, Limited.All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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