Now the glories of high-end production are dramatically more accessible. Sony started with
the HDCAM SR technology that has helped directors of photography realize their vision in
hundreds of motion pictures, television shows, commercials and music videos. Then we made
it far smaller, easier to shoulder and easier to use. And we made it far more affordable. Here
is the essence of the Sony F23 digital cinema camera and the docking SRW-1 HDCAM SR
recorder brought together in a single, one-piece camcorder. Presenting the SRW-9000. The
base model SRW-9000 offers HDCAM SR quality at lower cost than the original HDW-F900. And
with current and future upgrades, the SRW-9000 will continue to grow along with your needs.
Imagery to delight directors of photography
For years, Sony has been working closely with directors of photography to advance the
capabilities of digital cinematography. We've listened carefully to cinematographers. And
we've responded with successive improvements in exposure latitude, grayscale control, color
refinement and sharpness. From candlelight to exterior day, from pyrotechnics to subtle skin
tones, the SRW-9000 is a superlative story-telling tool.
SRW-9000:
Quality meets creativity meets practicality
Over 12 stops of exposure latitude
Many HD cameras are limited to 9 stops of exposure
latitude, forcing cinematographers to compromise between
blown-out highlights or crushed blacks. Sony's 14-bit analog-
to-digital conversion preserves highlight detail up to 800%
of nominal peak white. This endows the SRW-9000 with
more than 12 stops of exposure latitude. So you can shoot
challenging, high-contrast scenes — and create images that
stand up better through vigorous post manipulation.
Uncompromised sharpness
The SRW-9000 incorporates the same three 2/3-inch CCD
imager sensors as Sony's acclaimed F23 digital cinema
camera. With separate image sensors for Red, Green, and
Blue, there is no need for Bayer color filter arrays. And color
values are never "interpolated" from neighboring pixels.
The sensors provide the full resolution of the internationally
standardized ITU Common Image Format (CIF) — 1920 x 1080
pixels — at picture rates of up to 60 progressive frames
per second.
Incredibly low noise
While motion picture film is susceptible to grain, some digital
cameras are susceptible to image noise, especially in deep
shadows. Sony CineAlta cameras are legendary for "seeing"
into the dark with phenomenally low noise. The SRW-9000
carries this tradition forward with a signal-to-noise ratio of
55 dB. This translates to extraordinarily clean imaging, even
on exterior night shots. In film terms, sensitivity is superb —
equivalent to ISO 580. In electronic terms, sensitivity is an
ample F11 (23.98p mode, 2000 lux, 89.9% reflectance).
Choice of 2/3-inch cine and EFP lenses
Some of today's best cinematography lenses have been
designed specifically for the 2/3-inch B4 mount. Zeiss,
Canon, Fujinon and others have applied their expertise to
produce exceptionally fast lenses. Many are engineered
to maintain full MTF performance when wide open. In this
way, cinematographers can enjoy the best of both worlds:
controlled depth of focus from lenses that are also fast,
small and light. Of course, the SRW-9000 also accepts the
full range of Electronic Field Production (EFP) lenses, suitable
for one-man on the run shooting. To better accommodate
the weight of prime lenses and to assure consistent back
focus, the SRW-9000 incorporates a rugged, reinforced
B4 lens mount.
Choice of frame rates
Sony's original HDW-F900 established the idea of a multi-
format camcorder, able to capture at a wide range
of frame rates. Like the F900, the SRW-9000 records at
1080/23.98p, 24p, 25p and 29.97p, as well as 1080/50i and
59.94i. The SRW-9000 adds such cutting-edge capabilities
as 1080/50p and 59.94p signals. In addition, 720/50p and
59.94p recording is planned as a future software upgrade.
Unsurpassed image quality
The SRW-9000 excels in every dimension of image
making: not only detail, but also exposure latitude,
colorimetry, and contrast. It begins with three separate
2/3-inch imagers, a total of 6.6 million photosites
that provide independent sensing of red, green and
blue for each pixel. You'll thrill to over 12 stops of
exposure latitude. These images are digitized at 14 bits
capturing up to 800% dynamic range, then recorded
in sumptuous 10-bit quality. You have a choice of 4:2:2
recording of Y/Cb/Cr signals. Or go beyond HD with full
4:4:4 RGB recording, using an optional plug-in board.
Upgrade path to 35mm PL mount
As the HDW-F900 demonstrated, Sony knows how to
protect your investment, endowing camcorders with
a long and productive life cycle. That's why we're
planning a company first — an upgrade path that will
enable today's SRW-9000 purchasers to retrofit their
camcorders with a Super 35mm image sensor and
PL lens mount. This extra-cost retrofit, planned to be
available in the future, will mean that your HDCAM SR
investment can evolve as your production needs evolve.
Upgrade path to file-based
solid-state recording
While HDCAM SR tape-based production is now an
industry touchstone, the SRW-9000 also anticipates
superb file-based recording onto solid-state “SR
memory” cards. Prototypes of this extra-cost option,
planned to be available in the future, deliver superlative
transfer rates of up to 6 Gigabits per second, suitable for
the most demanding applications, including 3D 1080p
and beyond.
Extraordinary creativity
Motion, exposure and time itself are yours to control with
the SRW-9000. Even the base model gives you a choice
of frame rates, including progressive recording all the
way from 1080/23.98p to 1080/59.94p as well as interlace
1080/50i and 59.94i. Sony has scheduled a future software
upgrade for 720/50p and 59.94p recording. You can also
enjoy overcranking, undercranking, time lapse, speed
ramps and breathtaking slow shutter effects with an
optional plug-in board.
Proven practicality
The SRW-9000 takes full advantage of the thoroughly
established, thoroughly proven HDCAM SR tape
recording format, which enjoys an installed base of over
5,000 machines. Because so many major productions
have been shot on HDCAM SR tapes, the decks are
fixtures at leading post houses, digital intermediate
houses and movie studios. The HDCAM SR format enables
simple delivery of cassette tapes into postproduction —
and simple duplication of original camera master tapes
for archival and insurance backup.
With current and future
upgrades, the SRW-9000 will
continue to grow along
with your needs.
From candlelight to exterior day, from pyrotechnics to subtle
skin tones, the SRW-9000 is a superlative story-telling tool.
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