Sony has expanded its HD system-camera range with the HDC-1400. The camera supports optical-fibre transmission and captures fifty progressive frames per second. Positioned as a lower-cost alternative to the HDC-1500, it supports the 1080/50i and 720/50p formats commonly used in European HDTV production. Sony says it uses the same image processing, digital signal processor and system control as the HDC-1500. Hybrid fibre technology is intended to carry HD signals over cable runs of up to three kilometres.
The HDC-1400 joins the HDC-1450 triax camera and HDC-1500 and HDC-1550 models. The family also includes the HDC-3300 Super Motion camera, which captures full-resolution 1920 × 1080 HD at triple frame rates of 150i or 180i. Sony positions the range for studio and sports production, particularly outside-broadcast operators and rental companies serving international clients.
“With the HDC-1400, Sony is supporting the transition to HD, particularly for European live-production teams working in a single format,” says Andrew Malcher, product manager for content creation at Sony Professional Solutions Europe. “The HDC-1450 and HDC-1400 allow local broadcasters and programme makers to move studios and production facilities from SD to HD without paying for multiformat capability they do not need.”
