Sony High-Definition Options and Digital Video Production Headline Sundance Film...

Sony High-Definition Options and Digital Video Production Headline Sundance
Film Festival
HD Technologies - New XDCAM EX and HDV Camcorders - Offer Unique Benefits for
Independent Production

PARK CITY, Utah, Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital video production and Sony
high-definition solutions are co-headliners at this year's Sundance Film
Festival.
More than half of this year's festival entries were shot digitally, with
many of those originated in a Sony HD video format. In addition, each of the
Sundance screening venues is equipped for digital playback in the company's
HDCAM(R) format.
"Sony has championed video production for moviemakers, first from analog
to digital, and then from standard- to high-definition technology," said Ian
Calderon, director of digital initiatives for The Sundance Institute. "The
independent community continues to embrace the creative and economic
advantages of shooting and recording digitally.
"With Sony's recent introductions of its HDV and XDCAM HD(TM) systems,
bringing high-end capabilities down to more affordable costs, I expect to see
many more independent HD features in the coming years."
At the festival's "New Frontier on Main" technology exhibit, Sony is
highlighting its lineup of "affordable HD" formats that offer movie-makers a
range of production options for telling their stories more creatively and
effectively. These include Sony's XDCAM EX PMW-EX1 solid-state memory
camcorder, and its newest HDV(TM) camcorders, models HVR-Z7U and HVR-S270U.
Each camcorder can offer specific benefits for the independent shooter.
The new PMW-EX1 camcorder records and stores content to ExpressCard(TM)
high-speed media technology, using Sony's newly developed SxS PRO(TM)
solid-state memory as its recording medium. The camcorder also offers
selectable bit rates as well as editing and effects capabilities suited to
independent production.
Its 1/2-inch type image sensor can capture images with a shallower depth
of field than other hand-held camcorders' smaller-size image sensors, and the
low-light capabilities of this sensor are helpful to professionals such as
documentary makers who often need to capture footage in challenging lighting
applications.
Other features include "Slow and Quick Motion" capability -- also commonly
known as "over-cranking" and "under-cranking" -- for creating unique "looks"
or special effects of slow and fast motion, and Slow Shutter and Interval
Recording.
Sony's two new HDV camcorders feature interchangeable lens systems, native
progressive recording, increased sensitivity for low-light conditions and
hybrid solid-state recording to professional videotape and CompactFlash(R)
memory cards.
Sony will highlight its professional media products that complement the
camcorders designed for independent video work.
At Sundance, Sony is also conducting free workshops targeted towards
digital movie-makers. Veteran director/cameraman Jody Eldred will conduct four
presentations on creative shooting techniques using the XDCAM EX camcorder,
showing recent footage he shot using the new camera.
Since digital technology first appeared at Sundance in the mid-'90s, there
has been a steady evolution toward digital throughout the independent
production community.
"It's clear that the digital and HD revolutions have made their marks in
the world of independent cinematography," said Paul Foschino, senior marketing
manager for professional video and audio at Sony Electronics.
SOURCE Sony Electronics

Tom Di Nome of Sony Electronics Inc., +1-201-930-6357, tom.dinome@am.sony.com