Sony announces solid-state memory camcorder

At NAB2007, Sony announced a new XDCAM EX camcorder that records to solid-state memory cards. It will use flash-based HD video storage cards from SanDisk, called SxS (S-by-S).

The card includes high-speed transfer technology compliant with the ExpressCard industry standard, enabling it to be read by computers, including laptops that include a high-speed ExpressCard/34 slot.

The new camcorder stores HD video at up to 50Mb/s on two SxS memory cards, for 120 minutes. The camera also captures up to eight channels digital audio.

Planned for delivery at the end of the year or early next, XDCAM EX has three 1/2in sensors and is based on MPEG-2 compression technology. It is switchable between 1080/60i and 720/60P, and records images at 1080/50i/30P/25P/24P and 720/50P. The camera will also have slow and quick motion functions.

Sony said that in addition to its XPRI NS edit system, the new XDCAM EX camera will be supported on the editing side by Adobe, Apple, Canopus (Grass Valley), Dayang, Main Concept, New Auto, Sobey and Sony Creative Software's Vegas.

For more information, visit www.sony.com.