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NBC finds new XDCAM HD ENG gear improves image quality, reduces costs at Olympics

Aug 15, 2008 8:00 AM

             

NBC is using the latest Sony XDCAM HD technology, including 30 PDW-700 cameras and 170 PDW-HD1500 decks, for its coverage of the 2008 Beijing Summer Games.

The network is also relying on 42 Sony HDC-1400 studio cameras, eight MVS-8000 switchers and two MFS-2000 switchers in the International Broadcast Center (IBC). Sony HD studio cameras also are being used in the network’s facilities in the different venues, including the HDC-3300 3X super slow-motion cameras. Venue material is being acquired using a mix of Sony PDW-700, HDC-1400 and HDC-3300 cameras.

NBC is relying on the new XDCAM HD camcorder as its primary ENG camcorder for the competition. Crews used the camcorders to record athletes upon their arrival in China as well as for interviews, venue press conferences and any other assignments that require portable recording and capture. The XDCAM HD decks also are the primary recording devices used for ingest at the IBC.

Telemundo, NBC Universal’s Spanish-language TV network, also is using the PDW-700 camcorders at its standup location overlooking the Olympic Stadium.

According to David Mazza, senior VP of engineering for NBC Olympics, the new XDCAM models in use “actually improve our picture quality and reduce our capture and storage cost.” The new XDCAM HD models include the PDW-700 2/3in CCD camcorder and the PDW-HD1500 recording deck as well as the dual-layer 50GB version of Sony’s optical Professional Disc media, model PFD50DLA.

For more information, visit www.sony.com/news.

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