Barrett Jackson Adopts Sony XDCAM HD System for the world’s greatest collector car events. The Press Release reads as follows:
Sony Tops 31,000 in deliveries of XDCAM Optical Disc Technology.
Las Vegas, Nab Booth #SU906, April 13,2008-Sony has delivered more than 31,000 units of its XDCAM Professional Disc technology since the system’s introduction in 2004, including the standard- and high-definition verions of its optical camcorders and Decks.
Sony’s newest generation of optical technology, the XDCAM422 camcorder (model PDW-700) and Deck ( Model PDW-HD1500) (these products will be finding a home at Opal Images they do not do 24p or effects they are great of ENG APS only) is also already gaining acceptance and commitiments from Broadcasters, television producers, rental houses and others.
At the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention here this week, Sony is announcing the recent adoption of XDCAM HD technology by a range of customers in diverse appilcations.
On the network level, a combination of SD and HD XDCAM techology is in use by CNN,CBS,PBS,WNBC (NEW York), and ABC will be standardizing on the XDCAM platform.
XDCAM technology is also becoming the format of choice for owned-and-operated stations, as well as groups such as Hearst-Argyle, Tribune Broadcasting, Belo and others.
XDCAM technology, both the standard and High-Definition version has become a favoite of reality television producers for its on-set flexibility random access and editing convenience.
The program “Survivor” will begin its 17th season in early 2009 by shooting in HD with Sony’s XDCAM HD system.
Also, when the 21st season of the reality show “COPS” premiere this fall, all 36 episodes will be shot using Sony’s XDCAM HD Professional Disc System.
“COPS” post production supervisor Mitsuo Goto said he recommended the XDCAM system to Langley Productions, the creator and producer of COPS, as an efficient,cost-efective way to transition from its current tape-based infrastructure to an all file-based work flow-saving money and time throughout the production process.
Langley Productions purchased 13 XDCAM HD units for the COPS production team.
“The Camera has tremendous depth of field and produces phenomenal images in low-light situations, which is the most common shooting scenario for this series,” Goto said. “this is critical since the crew is frequently running after bad guys. We needed a camera that could take a lot of shock, and this one was definitely up to the job”.
Other reality shows that use XDCAM systems include “Extreme Home Makeover”,”Mythbusters,”"Ice Road Truckers,”"On the Lot,”and “Assume the Position.”
The benefits of XDCAM technology are also being realized in the distribution and review of HD dailies for motion picture and television production. For example, proxy files can be copied to a laptop and then posted to an FTP (flle transfer protocal) site to send to anyone who needs to review the daily. This is a much faster and more efficient process than using overnight deliveries and waiting a day or more to see if a re-shoot is necessary. Now, before set is struck, a daily can be reviewed and decisions made while the talent, crew and set are all still in place, not only saving time but also money.
Xdcam technology is not only for broadcast television production.
Barrett-Jackson, best know for its auctions of classic and collector cars, has adopted Sony’s XDCAM HD professional Disc System for all its video production operations including “Life on the Block,” broadcast on FOX’s SPEEDTV Channel.
Since January, the company said it has been using XDCAM HD PDW-350 camcordes and PDW-75 decks, replacing its legacy infrastructure of Digital Betacam, Betacam SP and HDCAM gear.
Existing tape archives recorded on these formats will all be transferred to an XDCAM HD opitical disc library that Barrett-Jackson said it will use for future productions.
The company specicalizes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners and automotive enthusiasts around the world. These events are recorded and, according to David Jones, the Emmy award winning owner/operator of Opal Images Inc., the Phoenix-Arizona based company that develops Barrett-Jackson’s video production, image quality and flexibility were his top criteria.
” I fell in love with the XDCAM HD system at first sight,” Jones said. “I’ve been in the business a long time, and have never been this excited about a format. You really want to see these cars in detail. They’re works of art and this is the type of system that can really do them justice.”
In addition to “Life on the Block,” Jones’ work for Barrett-Jackson includes a range of behind-the-scences material that is used for several purposes. Footage is used for commercials in SD and HD as well as for sponsor/vendor suport and product promotions. Another key use is basic documentation of vehicles as well as of the auction themselves, Often,successful bidders for collectible cars request footage of their winning auctions, and as he described it,”they have a very discerning eye for detail, and the content has to be able to stand up to intense scrutiny.”
The action at an auction is often spontaneous, so having a camera that can react quickly and not miss a shot was important for Jones, who was impressed by the ability to review footage immediately as thumbnails on the camcorder’s LCD screen, and to be able to switch back to live recording at the press of the record button. The PDW-f350’s in camera effects including time lapses, under crankingand over cranking give an eye-catching, and unique flavor to our productions.
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