The five new R series have 2/3-inch three-chip 4K CMOS image sensors with global shutter and wide dynamic range, built for compatibility and flexible system configuration across the series.
Sony’s new R Series of five system cameras, HDC-5500R, HDC-5500RV, HDC-3500R, HDC-3500RV and HDC-3200R – target 4K and HDR live productions, and are built for compatibility and common operability across the series. All five cameras feature a 2/3-inch three-chip 4K CMOS image sensor with global shutter functionality and wide dynamic range aiming to preserve image quality and minimise distortion. The HDC-5500RV and HDC-5500R also support 4K high frame rate shooting, UHB (Ultra High Bitrate) transmission and 12G-SDI.
Accompanying this camera series are the camera control unit HDCU-3500R and the new 3D LUT option board HKCU-LUT35.
Enhanced Imaging Functionality
R Series camera users can select levels of sensitivity based on scene conditions. The cameras reduce white clipping by maintaining a balance between sensitivity and dynamic range, made possible by a favourable S/N ratio of -64dB that minimizes the impact on image quality. This leads to more natural and three-dimensional video capture in outdoor stadiums, for example, with mixed sunlight and shadows, as well as in live music venues with challenging lighting.
The HDC-3500R, HDC-3500RV and HDC-3200R can connect to camera control units with the new HKCU-LUT35 option board installed, enabling operation with 3D LUTs that support more complex colour adjustments. The HDC-3200R now supports the wide colour gamut modes S-Gamut3 and S-Gamut3.Cine, which are used in the HDC-5000 series and HDC-3500 series and allow more precise colour matching during multi-camera operations with different models.
Flexible Transmission Functionality
The R Series’ transmission functionality is engineered for more flexible system configuration. The HDC-5500R and HDC-5500RV now support video trunk with two 1.5G SDI lines. When connected to the HDCU-3500R, the HDC-3500R and HDC-3500RV support the new transmission method HB+, enabling video trunk and prompter signals with one 3G SDI line or two 1.5G SDI lines.
By utilizing video trunk – links carrying multiple signals simultaneously to give network access between two points – it is possible to transmit signals from different video equipment while using existing fibre optic cables, making the system setup more efficient.
In prompter transmission, using two 1.5G SDI lines allows simultaneous transmission of on-air video and footage from multiple monitors that enables the camera operator to check the angles of other cameras, without increasing the number of SDI cables. As less wiring work is needed on set, shooting also becomes more efficient.
The HDC-3200R now supports network trunk as well, with a maximum of 1Gbps. By running the fibre optic cable between the camera and CCU, it can transmit signals such as camera trackers and IP teleprompter signals, further simplifying system setup.
Operability
The HDC-5500R, HDC-5500RV, HDC-3500R and HDC-3500RV come standard with a slide mechanism for a large viewfinder. Able to accommodate Sony’s 7.4-inch OLED colour viewfinder HDVF-EL760, released earlier, this mechanism allows the viewfinder to be fixed in any desired position and holds it very steady by positioning it closer to the tripod's rotation axis. In environments where the distance between the operator and the camera body is limited, the viewfinder can slide forward to maintain a comfortable viewing distance, improving operability.
The latest intercom operation panel, used previously in the HDC-5500V and HDC-3500V, will also be applied to the HDC-5500R, HDC-5500RV, HDC-3500R and HDC-3500RV. This this change supports unified operability in shooting environments where mixed models are in use. pro.sony
