PARK RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 27, 2008 – The expanding family of Sony’s XDCAM® HD Professional Disc™ system now includes new models that add the benefits of 50 Mbps 4:2:2 optical disc recording to a high-definition optical disc workflow.

The new models include the PDW-700 2/3-inch 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.

“With their fast file-based operations, superb picture quality and HD production flexibility, these new models are ideal tools for such applications as news gathering where speed is a key concern, production for TV dramas, documentaries, and mainstream entertainment programs where a high-quality look is critical,” said Bob Ott, vice president of optical and professional products at Sony Electronics.

The new HD products deliver recording capabilities at data rates of up to 50 Mbps using MPEG-2 4:2:2P@HL compression technology. They also provide multi-format (1080i/720P) recording flexibility, as well as HD/SD conversion and cross-conversion during playback between 1080i and 720P.

The PDW-700 camcorder has three of Sony’s new 2/3-inch Power HAD™FX progressive CCDs that can produce a resolution of 1920 by 1080 effective pixels. A 14-bit A/D converter and advanced digital signal processing are also incorporated in the camcorder.

It features dual HD/SD-SDI outputs and composite/HD-Y output, as well as a pool-feed input (HD/SD-SDI and composite) option. The camera’s ruggedness and durability has also been enhanced with new dust and water resistant mechanisms, as well as new features to cool the camera and reduce fan noise.

The camcorder maintains the XDCAM system’s file-based architecture and use of proxy video and metadata. It also features a digital extender, picture cache, interval recording, slow shutter, focus magnification, clean switching between the “live and playback” function, and a large, easy-to-view 3.5 inch (viewable area, measured diagonally) color LCD screen.

The PDW-HD1500 is a half-rack recording deck with a tilt-up front panel that supports a range of interfaces, including HD-SDI, SD-SDI, i.LINK® (IEEE-1394), and Ethernet. It delivers high-quality eight-channel, 24-bit audio recording, and has a dual optical pick-up for higher-speed file transfer.

 Its user interface is designed with a “VTR-like” jog/shuttle operation, with video control either through the front panel or a Remote Commander® unit. A 4.3-inch (viewable area measured diagonally) color LCD display is also incorporated.

Users can record more HD content with the dual-layer disc -- approximately 95 minutes at 50 Mbps, 150 minutes at 35Mbps, and 200 minutes at 25Mbps HD.

The camcorder and deck are expected to be available in April at suggested list prices to be announced. The 50 GB dual-layer disc is available for a street price of $60.