During NAB Show 2023, April 16-19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (#C8101), Sony Electronics showcased beneficial products, solutions and workflows for broadcast, live event, newsgathering and cinematic content creators at every level. With a focus on trending topics in imaging, cloud, networked capabilities, as well as virtual production, Sony presented its comprehensive end-to-end ecosystem, provided demos and offered hands-on time with the latest technologies.
“NAB Show continues to be a testament to the power and ingenuity of our industry and as the event celebrates 100 years, it’s truly amazing to reflect on how much has changed during that time,” said Theresa Alesso, President, Imaging Products and Solutions Americas, Sony Electronics. “The event is a springboard for revolutionary innovations and serves as a catalyst for connections – in every sense of the word. Building on that notion, our theme at this year’s show is Creativity Connected, allowing to experience the multi-faceted connections Sony is unlocking through focusing on trends and forging through our people and technologies.”
Networked Live – Remote and Distributed Production
Sony’s expansive Networked Live ecosystem of solutions, products, services and partners combines hybrid on-premises, and cloud processing and operations with network connectivity to transform live production. Key capabilities include “Network and Resource Orchestration,” “Hybrid Processing and Operations” and “Media Processing and Transport.”
Network and Resource Orchestration:
- HDC-5500V / HDC-3500V: 4K 2/3” 3CMOS Global Shutter System Camera with Variable Neutral Density (ND) Filter (NEW)
The HDC-5500V and HDC-3500V cameras come with a native variable ND filter, as well as a slide mechanism to enable use with Sony’s new viewfinders (HDVF-EL760/EL740). When used in conjunction with the HDCU-5000 camera control unit, the new HDC-5500V and HDC-3500V[1] can be upgraded to support High Frame Rate (HFR) at up to 4x 4K and 8x HD. With an exchangeable side panel for third party integration, numerous HDR settings (Live, Mild and Natural), Live Tone control, efficient Live HDR/SDR workflows and a lens compensation function, the camera can be purchased to include the features users require now while providing sustainable options to grow into the future. HDC-5500, HDC-3500 and HDC-P50 customers can upgrade their existing cameras to enable these new capabilities[2]. The variable ND filter system camera models are planned to be available this winter.
Watch HDC cameras in action, capturing a dance troupe doing double Dutch jump ropes here.
- CNA-2: Camera Control Network Adaptor (NEW)
The scalable CNA-2, expected to be available in winter, can be used at locations to extend Sony’s camera systems and enable remote and distributed live production, as well as camera monitoring and configuring. With a secure web API, users can take advantage of camera painting and formatting settings.
Hybrid Processing and Operations:
- MLS-X1: Scalable Live Production Platform (NEW TO NAB SHOW)
The agile, modular live production processor/switcher enables integrated control from a single user interface. It supports real-time processing of 4K (UHD) and High Dynamic Range (HDR) content with ultra-low latency. NEP Australia has selected the new system with plans to deploy more than 20 MLS-X1 modules to support their 4K operations.
- Sony demonstrated a newly developed software-based live production platform that can be deployed in various environments including virtual private cloud, data centers, and COTS servers. It can be combined with on-premises solutions like the MLS-X1 stackable switcher and third-party live production systems to enable flexible, hybrid production.
Media Processing and Transport:
- NXL-ME80: Media Transport Appliance (NEW)
The NXL-ME80 enables high quality video transport on low-bandwidth networks, with an ultra-low latency processing time.
The latest software enables multiple compressed streams of HD (HZCE-JX50H) or 4K (HZCE-JX50F) JPEG XS, compatible with the SMPTE ST2110-22 standard.
VideoIPath Updates – The company’s media orchestration platform, VideoIPath, supports federation of resources, allowing multiple autonomous instances of the platform to collaborate. Additionally, it is integrated with AWS Media Services for ground-to-cloud connectivity and support for AWS MediaConnect and MediaLive services.
Virtuoso RE (NEW) – An expansion of Nevion’s Virtuoso family, the latest software-defined media node is smaller and lighter, making it ideal for shallower racks and rackmount flight cases. It can securely perform a variety of real-time transport, processing and monitoring functions in the converged IP LAN/WAN network.
In addition, Sony collaborated with Amazon Web Services (AWS) through the vLRP (Virtual Live Remote Production) Partner Acceleration Initiative to drive the construction of live production workflows on the cloud, together with other partners.
Imaging Innovations
The imaging expertise ingrained in Sony’s DNA was on display at NAB Show from studio cameras and electronic news gathering (ENG) options to cinematic solutions and drones for every step of a creator’s journey. Sony’s diverse offerings support high frame rate, IP, HDR and shallow depth of field and provide a sustainable pathway for continued growth to help creators at all levels achieve a new era in storytelling.
- Newly launched BVM-HX3110: Premium 30.5 Inch 4K HDR Monitor with IP Interface
Sony unveiled the high luminance BVM-HX3110 reference monitor features a Sony-designed dual layer anti-reflection LCD panel with Sony proprietary signal processing, including wide color gamut for accurate color reproduction, picture consistency and precision imaging. The BVM-HX3110 offers brighter specular highlights and introduces a new optional fast pixel response mode for reduced motion blur. It also provides a wider viewing angle and consistent color matching, gamma curve and operation with Sony’s BVM-HX310, PVM-X series and LMD-A lineup of monitors. With a standard IP interface for SMPTE ST2110 signals, the BVM-HX3110 complements Sony’s Networked Live ecosystem. Optional tool sets include fast pixel response mode for reduced motion blur and support for JPEG-XS and SNMP.
“Content creators are always seeking tools that help to accurately match and represent their creative vision and the BVM-HX3110 does just that,” said Jobin Joejoe, Deputy Managing Director, Sony Middle East and Africa. “We continue to act on our customers’ feedback, which is why this new model offers a host of new features including an IP interface for enhanced flexibility. And of course, in keeping with Sony’s monitor design philosophy, it color matches with our most popular professional monitors.”
The monitor’s new standard toolset incorporates Waveform Monitor/Vector Scope (WF/VS), false color, focus assist, closed captioning, 3D LUT processing, and quad and side-by-side viewing modes, among other valuable features. In addition to fast pixel response, supplemental benefits include support for JPEG-XS as well as Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) through optional licenses. Additional optional licenses enable tools such as HDR/SDR conversion and a user 3D LUT signal-output.
The monitor is expected to be available November 2023. Product introduction video can be viewed here.
- FR7: Full-frame PTZ Interchangeable-lens camera (NEW TO NAB SHOW)
FR7 combines cinematic expression, remote control, powerful connectivity and multi-camera workflow, delivering the best image quality in a versatile PTZ footprint for studio, live production and filmmaking settings. Firmware Version 1.1, planned for May 2023 or later, will support S700 protocol and internal recording and playback over PoE++. Version 2.0, expected in September or later, will support FreeD protocol to simplify AR/VR production, external zoom adjustment and PTZ trace functionality.
- VENICE Extension System 2
The VENICE Extension System 2 offers support for the 8K sensor of the VENICE 2 as well as greater mobility and compatibility with either a 3m or a 12m cable – without the need for a repeater. It has a tilt/roll sensor in the imaging block to support VFX and virtual production.
Creative & Cohesive Virtual Production
Virtual production brings together the worlds of virtual reality and practical production in real time, offering numerous creative and cost-saving benefits. As its implementation expands, products, solutions and workflows are addressing challenges and creating efficiencies. At NAB Show 2023, presentations and demonstrations in Booth #C8101 showcased Sony’s end-to-end virtual production capabilities including multi-camera live switching for broadcast and an exploration of Live AR using system cameras such as the HDC-5500 series.
- VENICE Lineup and Crystal LED:
As the only manufacturer to offer high-end digital cinema cameras and displays, Sony featured its comprehensive virtual production solution including Sony’s VENICE 2 full-frame camera and select Crystal LED displays. Together, this technology creates a fully integrated and streamlined workflow that supports high dynamic range and empowers visual storytelling and virtual production.
- Virtual Production Tool Set: Improve pre-production and on-set workflows (NEW)
Sony’s new tool set address common virtual production challenges such as color matching, moire and enhances in-camera visual effects. The Camera and Display Plugin is a software plug-in for Unreal Engine that allows productions to identify and solve common virtual production workflow issues. The Color Calibrator addresses color shifts in LED wall technology. The complimentary tool set is expected in summer or later.
