Sony PMW-EX1 Camcorder from Pro Visual Direct

The Sony PMW-EX1 XDCAM EX Camcorder is part of the XDCAM family of professional tapeless acquisition tools.

To take advantage of this high performance recording capability, the PMW-EX1 uses an all-new imaging system consisting of three ½-inch type CMOS sensors, each with an effective pixel count of 1920x1080 to produce images in full HD resolution. Coupled with a signal processing LSI, the PMW-EX1 produces truly exceptional images in 1080p, 720p and 1080i HD. Designed from the ground up to exploit the ultimate high performance of SxS PRO memory cards, the PMW-EX1 combines a state-of-the-art, non-linear XDCAM workflow with simply the best HD quality yet seen in a compact camcorder. Using the SxS Memory Card flash memory device, very high data transfer speeds are made possible in order to enhance the High Defintion content creation workflow.

Utilizing the MPEG-2 Long GOP CODEC to achieve a balance of quality and the required bit rate, the PMW-EX1 boasts a long recording time - approximately 140 minutes using two 16GB SxS Memory Cards.

Additionally, the PMW-EX1 offers a powerful Slow & Quick Motion feature, or what is more commonly known as "over-cranking" and "under-cranking", to enable users to create slow and fast motion special effects. In fact, there are innovations in every detail of the PMW-EX1, from its IT-friendly MP4 file recording to advanced creative features, such as selectable gamma curves. It is also the first handheld camcorder to carry the legendary CineAlta 24P brand with multiple frame rate recording capability such as 59.94i, 50i, and native 23.98P, as well as being 1080i/720P switchable. The PMW-EX1 XDCAM EX Full High Defintion Camcorder represents a new level of high quality, value-added High Definition content creation professional tools. The PMW-EX1 HD compact camcorder is the ideal solution for a wide range of customers from broadcasters through to independent videographers and film makers who want exceptional HD picture quality and state-of-the-art workflow from a compact and affordable camcorder. In addition, there's a purpose-built Fujinon Professional HD ½-inch 14x lens and a unique dual focus ring mechanism. A wide variety of accessories are also available, including a Sony 1170 Tripod, Sony BP-U60 battery, ECM-672 Shotgun Microphone and Sony HVR-M25A HDV Recorder.

Nonlinear Recording Media, "SxS PRO memory cards " - For Greater Efficiency, Operability, and Reliability

The XDCAM EX series adopts the SxSPRO memory card for its recording media, which Sony and SanDisk Corporation jointly developed specifically for professional content creation applications. The SxS PRO memory card is an ultra-compact nonlinear medium that uses flash memory with a number of key features:

Exciting and Creative Recording Modes

The PMW-EX1 is the first compact camcorder to carry the legendary CineAlta brand, which represents optimisation for feature film production and specifically support for 23.98P recording capability - the standard frame rate for feature film production. Alongside this, there are a myriad of creative recording modes available including:

Slow and Quick motion offers a range of frame rates produced within the camera and available for instant review in the field

New shutter setting emulates filmic operation

Cine Gamma curves offer further filmic options for production

Frame and Interval recording offers further creative scope for animation and extremely quick motion effects

Slow Shutter for clear images in low-light environments

Shooting in 1080 / 50i mode

This video scene typical in a documentary or drama production, was shot in the default HQ 1080/50i mode. The trees, clothes and expression of the model are depicted accurately with crisp detail and overall high quality.
Click here to see the Sony PMW-EX1 video shooting in 1080/50i mode

Shooting in 1080 / 25p mode

The PMW-EX1 offers a number of other shooting options. The PMW-EX1 has a factory default setting of HQ 1080/50i. To shoot in 25p mode, set the video format to HQ 1080/25p. The HQ 1080/25p mode provides recording at a native 25p frame rate. It enables recording of full-HD video with film-like motion, which is ideal for creative works such as short films and music videos. Note the expressiveness of the model's movements and the swaying of her skirt, helping to transform a well-shot scene into a memorable experience.
Click here to see the Sony PMW-EX1 video shooting in 1080/25p mode

What is 25p mode?

When still images appear before us at the rate of one image per second, we perceive them as a sequence of still images. But when twenty five images are played in one second, we perceive a single moving picture. In the world of video, individual images are called “frames”. Frames are recorded and played at different rates and in different ways for television and film.

For television, the 50i and 25p formats are often used. In the 50i format, frames are composed of 2 fields each, one for even and one for odd scanning lines. Every second 50 fields are recorded or played back alternately for even and odd scanning lines. This is an “interlaced” system, hence the name “50i”. In the 25p format, frames are not divided into fields, but rather recorded and played in sequential scanning line order from top to bottom at a rate of 25 frames per second. This is a “progressive” system, hence the name “25p”.

For film, the standard frame rate is 24 frames per second. To achieve this system in digital video, 25 frames must be recorded and played back progressively each second. In digital video, this system is called “24p”. The PMW-EX1 supports 24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p, 50i and 60i, for the versatility to support a wide range of applications.