It's all about control... PDW-F800 revealed

“We’re into the realm of cinematography, where camera operators have complete control over what they do.”

Launched at NAB 2009, the PDW-F800 XDCAM HD422 Camcorder builds on the phenomenally successful PDW-700, adding in new capabilities and features with the aim of creating the most fully featured tapeless camcorder on the market.

“We’re looking from the operator/cinematographer point-of-view,” explains Richard Brooking, Sony Professional Europe's XDCAM product manager and a former cameraman himself. “We have listened to our customers about what their requirements are and also what their future requirements will be. How will they be making TV in five years’ time?”

New features such as film-style 24P progressive recording, Quick and Slow (over-crank and under-crank), Standard Definition Recording, User Gamma editing and Dual Optical Filters are designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of high-end users, from documentary-makers right up to cinema and TV drama producers.

 
XDCAM HD422's picture quality and advanced workflow had been proven with the launch of the PDW-700 in 2008. The development of the higher end, fully featured PDW-800 to sell alongside the 700 was driven thanks to extensive feedback from programme-makers in the field. “We’ve spoken to hire companies who are working for production companies used by broadcasters in the US Europe, and the Middle East and the camcorder is a perfect solution for them,” says Brooking.

“By listening to our customers we found out what new features they wanted and we could feed that back to Japan in order to make the camcorders even better,” he adds. “It is about a subtle move away from being “blinded by technology”, to focusing on the features and benefits we can offer our customers.”