White Paper 034 Addendum 22 (rev 1): Sony HDCAM, HDW900RP and 790P

Alan Roberts

Abstract

Data for this section is taken from the handbook and examination of aproduction model (serial number 10237) of the Sony HDW900R. The 790appears to be almost identical, but does not have the internationalspeed options of the 900R. Although not specifically tested, it iswidely believed that the image processing is identical in the twocameras, and therefore the settings for the 900R should work in the790. For the rest of this document, only the 900R will be referenced,but the data is expected to work in the 790.

This is a 1080-line camcorder, physically smaller than its predecessorthe HDW900, and has the lower power consumption and enhancements toconnectivity of the HDW750. It records at all the familiar HDTV framesrates using the same HDCAM algorithm and data rate as the HDW900, tapesare interchangeable. Mechanically, the lens mount appears to be morerobust than on earlier models, so back focus problems may be lesssevere.

It has many internal menus for setting the performance, such that itcan then be used without external controls. It is not ideally suited tomulti-camera operation, although it can be controlled remotely. The HDviewfinder can be replaced with an SD one (especially useful when thecamera is to be genlocked to an SD source), or a colour one. A standardoption is a live down-converter to SD, so the camera can be used inmixed environments. Video output is analogue or SDI, both at HD and SD.An 8-second buffer allows the camera to capture pictures before therecord button is pressed, thus power can be saved by not keeping thetape transport in Stand By mode.

The menu settings result from one measurement and usage session, mostlyto find the differences between this and previous models. When usingthe camera in film mode, it is useful to think of the camera asmimicking a film camera and telecine, with ""best light"" transfer totape, with about 11 stops of tonal range. Due to the extraordinaryflexibility of the controls, it is possible to make it mimic negativeor positive film, and resolution can be tailored to 35mm or 16mm, totaste. Assuming that a grading operation will be used inpost-production, the settings give the colourist the same range ofoptions as with film. The values for Gamma, Black Gamma and Knee allowabout 1.7 stops of over-exposure and at least one of under-exposurerelative to normal operation. The ""film"" gamma mode compresses theentire contrast capture range, while the ""video"" mode preserves moreaccuracy over the lower exposure range. The film setup approaches afilm-look, enhanced by the separated Detail and Aperture controls. Withboth Detail and Aperture off, images are generally sharper than evenfor 35mm film, this can be an issue for production. For use in Sport orLight Entertainment, it would probably be beneficial to switch off theBlack Gamma, and to set Detail Level to zero (factory setting).

Note that, because the noise level is generally low, setting gain to-3dB is rarely a good idea (it consumes camera headroom and does notsignificantly improve the noise level).

There are two HDSDI outputs; the analogue outputs or the originalHDW900have been removed.

HKD702 option board provides down-conversion for monitoring in PAL orNTSC (composite analogue or SDI).

HKD702R option board also performs 2:3 pull-d0own for 23.98psfmonitored in NTSC. There does not appear to be a 2:3:3:2 option.

HKDW703 option board stores up to 8 seconds of video for pre-recording,and for intermittent (time-lapse) recording.

HKDW705R option board stores up to 64 frames, this can provide either aslow shutter (by summing consecutive frames) or can invert the image(required for some cine lenses).

RMB150/750 remote controls are suitable for this camera.

Filter wheel: the cross filter of the earlier model (position A) hasbeen replaced with a 5600K filter.

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