Variable Frame Rate recording lets you perform slow and quick-motion
functions at a range of frame rates from four frames per second (fps)
to 60 fps in one-frame increments. This is similar to "overcranking"
and "undercranking" with a film camera and allows the shooting frame
rate to be different from the playback frame rate, playing the desired
motion effect directly from the camcorder. You can confirm the results
while you’re still on a set, and in post you don’t need to perform any
additional steps or external frame rate conversion. When you’re
shooting at 4 fps for 24 fps playback you can produce motion six times
faster than real time. Shooting at 60 fps for 24 fps playback produces
motion at 40 percent real time speed.

If you’re working with pool feeds where a single clip might run for
more than an hour, and you need to find a point within a clip, you can
simply press expand to sub-divide the clip into 12 even time intervals,
with 12 instant-access thumbnails showing the first frames of each of
these 12 time divisions. You can continue to expand two additional
rounds, ending up with thumbnails that represent 1/1,728 of the
original clip.

If you’re working in commercial production where matching frames is
important, use Freeze Mix while setting up a new shot and freeze a
recorded frame in the viewfinder while mixing in the live camera feed.
A previously recorded frame of video is superimposed over a live image
in the viewfinder so you can adjust the camera’s position to get the
same framing for the next shot. And because the camcorder superimposes
the two images, you can match shots perfectly.

If you’re shooting in low-light conditions, you can use the Slow
Shutter feature to accumulate from two to 64 frames at a time and
record the results. By accumulating several frames, you’re emphasizing
motion with added blur, and grouping more frames creates a "fantasy" or
ghost-like effect. Accumulating the maximum of 64 frames is essentially
"super" gain, effectively turning night into day and revealing
noise-free color and detail in a scene with no visible light.

Time lapse can be an effective production technique to add emphasis to
certain elements of a story line. Within the XDCAM HD camcorder, you
can perform time lapse recording without the need for an external
intervalometer. For example, shooting one frame per second can portray
a fast-paced lifestyle, and shooting one frame per day can let you see
flowers grow and bloom in just seconds.

Bob Ott
VP of Optical and Network Systems
Sony Electronics

During his 18 years with Sony Electronics, Bob has been instrumental in
launching many of Sony’s landmark formats and technologies, including
the HDV and DVCAM series of VTRs and camcorders, MPEG IMX VTRs, HDCAM
24p VTRs and the company’s UHF wireless mics and pro headphone series.

Most recently, Bob managed Sony’s introduction of the HD version of its
XDCAM Professional Disc system and in his current role, is responsible
for its sales and marketing.

Bob Says Keep In Mind…

The PDW-F350 camcorder gives you true 24p, 25p and 30p image capture,
without any additional conversion required. XDCAM HD products can
record 1080i video in three data recording rates: 25 Mbps, 35 Mbps and
18 Mbps. The camcorders use three half-inch CCD 1.5 megapixel imagers
and the system records HD content to Sony’s Professional Disc media
using an HD MPEG-2 Long GOP video compression codec. More than two
hours of HD content can be recorded on the optical media when shooting
at 18 Mbps.

The XDCAM HD system maintains its original workflow advantages of
immediate random access to data in the field or on the set; the ability
to easily browse footage as thumbnails and preview content on the
camcorder’s LCD screen; and high-speed transfer of proxy A/V and
high-resolution data using the MXF file protocol.

Sony Corporation
www.sony.com/professional
One Sony Drive
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
ph. 800.686.7669