PXW-X500

The PXW-X500 is equipped with three 2/3-inch type Full HD CCD sensors. Based on the latest on-chip lens structure, this type of CCD offers a high sensitivity of F12 at 50i (F11 at 60i) and improved S/N ratio of 60 dB (with NS on) with a typical CCD's characteristics of no jello effects and no flashband symptom. This new CCS sensors can work in 50p/60p system operation at 1080x1920, and realize the high frame rate recording upto 120psf.

The PXW-X500 supports not only MPEG HD 422 50 Mbps in MXF (Material eXchange Format), which is widely accepted by major broadcasters worldwide, but also XAVC Intra frame and XAVC Long GOP codecs. The camera records a wide variety of frame rates including 1080 XAVC Intra frame 59.94p*, 50p*, 59.94i, 50i, 23.97p, 25p and 23.98p, as well as 1080 XAVC Long GOP 59.94p, 50p, 59.94i, 29.97p, 25p and 23.98p. XAVC technology is based on the H.264 standard, which provides an exceptional performance compression technology. XAVC Intra frame compression means that every frame is encoded independent of the other frames – providing a better quality picture and simpler handling in the post process, without compromises. With a Long GOP codec, only certain frames are encoded individually. This allows the codec to squeeze the video into a much smaller bitrate than Intra technology. The main benefit is faster ingest and editing. XAVC Long GOP files also require less storage space than XAVC Intra files, providing budget savings on recording media. The XAVC codec adopts 10 bit sampling for high definition recording with rich tonal expression.
* Requires firmware version 4.0.

As well as shooting at XAVC HD, MPEG HD 422 50 Mbps and MPEG HD 420 35 Mbps, the camcorder also supports MPEG SStP 422 Lite (HDCAM SR), as well as SD MPEG IMX and DVCAM at 25 Mbps in MXF file format. High-quality MPEG HD422 50 Mbps is fully compliant with the latest EBU recommendations for long-form broadcast production and is widely accepted in broadcasting stations and production houses. This recording capability makes the PXW-X500 ideal for a wide range of different applications, including newsgathering and documentary production.

In addition to MPEG SStP, XAVC, MPEG codes, recording directly in Apple ProRes codec and Avid DNxHD codec are available by license key options.* The DNxHD or ProRes files can stored in the easy-to-manage MXF OP-1a or Quicktime wrapper, and recorded onboard to Sony’s SxS PRO+, SxS-1, or XQD G/S Series memory card.

* ProRes codec option PXWK-501 and DNxHD codec option PXWK-502.

The PXW-X500 offers a powerful Slow and Quick Motion function as an option that enables users to create elegant fast- and slow-motion footage. The PXW-X500 can capture images at frame rates selectable from 1 fps (frame per second) to 120 fps in 1080p in the XAVC codec. It offers approx. 5x slow motion at 23.98p, 4.5x slow motion at 25p and 4x slow motion at 29.97p. In MPEG HD422 codec, the camcorder offers as a standard feature the ability to capture from 1 fps to 30 fps in 1080p mode, in increments of 1 fps. (With the 50Hz mode, frame rates are selectable up to 25 fps in 1080p mode.)

* Slow & Quick Motion function for XAVC is available as an option.

Wireless operation is available by the connection with Wi-Fi dongle or LTE dongle* for remote control of camera setting, metadata management, file transfer, streaming* features. It could be utilized with Content Browser Mobile application running on Android OS and iOS tablet.

* LTE dongle operation and streaming capability will be available later.

The PXW-X500 can record XAVC proxy video (H.264 MP 420 Long GOP) with AAC-LC 2ch audio on an SD card. The resolution and bitrate of proxy video can be changed for a more flexible workflow. The proxy files are recorded in MP4 format for better compatibility with ordinary viewers. The lightweight proxy video/audio files are generated separately from the main line recording and recorded to SD cards for quick sharing of content over low-bandwidth mobile networks.
1080 60i/50i proxy recording is added with firmware version 5.0 planned for release early 2017.

Options allow the camcorder to record directly in Avid DNxHD and Apple ProRes.

Up to 120 fps for XAVC (as an option), and Up to 30 fps for MPEG HD 422 (as standard). This is realized by CCD sensors.

Includes proxy data recording functions*, user menu lock*, wireless operation, picture cache recording, built-in GPS, Digital Extender, HyperGamma, and more in addition to the variety of interfaces. The latest firmware update also gives the camera improved start-up performance and operation response.
* Requires firmware version 4.0. 1080 60i/50i proxy recording, 256Kbps streaming and hi-res file trim and transfer functions require firmware version 5.0 planned for release early 2017.

Newly developed technology for high frame rate shooting despite of CCD sensors while keeping the high signal-to-noise ratio and high sensitivity.