Sony PMW-TD300 XDCAM

Rentals

The PMW-TD300 XDCAM EX Shoulder-Mount 3D Camcorder from Sony is a dual-lens, shoulder-mount camcorder that records left-eye/right-eye full HD video to SxS cards (not included). The camera uses the familiar XDCAM EX workflow; the only wrinkle is that dual lenses and dual Exmor 3xCMOS sensors are capturing dual synchronized streams of HD video, which are recorded as separate MPEG-2 files (35 or 25 Mb/s) to cards that are dedicated to either the left or the right eye.

The PMW-TD300 ushers in a distinct class of camcorder: The professional workhorse, shoulder-mount, integrated-lens 3D capture device. It features an innovative multi-control dial that offers manual control over convergence, focus, and zoom. With a minimum convergence distance of 3.9′, the PMW-TD300 is able to capture 3D shots that other single-body 3D cameras simply cannot. For operator convenience, the 3.5″ LCD screen offers glasses-free playback of 3D video.

The camcorder is sure to find a warm reception from production companies doing high-end 3D work that need a mobile, compact camera for certain shots while they use mirror rigs for first-unit work. The PMW-TD300 also deserves serious consideration from freelancers who work on stereoscopic documentaries, music videos, and more. And for 2D productions or for EPK work on a 3D project, the camera of course captures standard two-dimensional HD video as well, shining as a professional, shoulder-mounted XDCAM EX model.

As it records separate video channels to separate professional SxS cards, the PMW-TD300 integrates well with professional workflows that also use dual-camera rigs for left-eye/right-eye capture. There’s no de-muxing to slow down the post-production process, for instance. The camera features dual HD-SDI outputs for separate-but-synchronized 3D output, and for quick playback to consumer 3D screens, there’s also HDMI output (side-by-side).

Dual Three-Chip 1/2″-Type Exmor Full HD CMOS Sensors: The dual Exmor 3CMOS image sensors provide high-quality 3D images with excellent sensitivity, as well as 1920 x 1080 resolution, meeting the industry standard for broadcast cameras. The 1/2″ sensor size achieves an ideal balance between high quality and compact design – the body is of a size similar to that of current 2D models

Dual-Lens System: The dual-lens system allows fully synchronized operation between left and right lenses with high accuracy – in focus, zoom, and iris adjustments. With the minimized 1.77″ (45mm) IAD (Interaxial Distance) of the dual lens system, this camcorder offers a wide shooting zone to capture good 3D images – especially for near-side shooting, with its support for a 3.9′ (1.2 m) minimum convergence distance

Glasses-Free LCD Display & 3D Viewing Output: The PMW-TD300 is equipped with a 3.5″-type color, glasses-free 3D LCD viewfinder. This makes it easy to view and control the 3D picture directly with the camcorder. Additional to glasses-free 3D playback, the user can choose between other viewing options like “Difference,” “Mix,” “Left Only,” and “Right Only.” The camcorder also features HD-SDI out (L/R dual-stream, audio and TC embedded) and HDMI out (3D/2D) for viewing on consumer 3D displays. Genlock in and timecode in/out allow easy integration with multi-camera systems

XDCAM EX Recording: The recording format is identical to that of the existing PMW-EX1R, PMW-EX3, and PMW-350/320 series. Proven, high-speed, and intuitive XDCAM EX workflow offers seamless integration with leading nonlinear editing software

Four SxS Card Slots (L/R x2): Left and right images are recorded on each SxS card separately, in synchronization. As the camcorder features four SxS card slots (two each for the left and right), it offers a long recording duration of over 9 hours in SP (25 Mb/s) mode (with four 64 GB cards). (Media sold separately)

3D/2D Recording Modes: Not only 3D but 2D shooting mode is available. With a single SxS card, the camcorder is able to shoot images only through the left lens. In addition, parallel recording onto the left and right cards is useful as a method of redundant shooting in 2D operation, although the images will be different

Other Features

Intuitive convergence control by way of a dedicated dial

HD-SDI out (L/R dual-stream, audio and timecode embedded)

HDMI out (3D/2D) for viewing on consumer 3D displays

Genlock in & timecode in/out for integration with multi-camera systems

Lens
Zoom Ratio	Dual 7x optical, servo/manual zoom lenses
Focal Length	40.6-284mm (35mm equivalent)
Focus	AF/MF selectable, 90mm to ∞
Iris	f/2.6 (W) to f/3.4 (T) and Close, auto/manual selectable
Interaxial Distance	1.77″ (45mm)
Convergence Control	Approx. 3.9′ (1.2 m) to ∞

Camera
Image Device	Dual 3-chip 1/2″-type Exmor Full HD CMOS
Effective Picture Elements	1920 x 1080 (H x V)
Optical System	F1.6 prism system
Horizontal Resolution	1000 TV lines or more (1920 x 1080i mode)
Sensitivity	At 2000 lux, 89.9% reflectance: F10 (typical) (1920 x 1080i59.94 mode) F11 (typical) (1920 x 1080i50 mode)
Minimum Illumination	0.133 lux (typical) (1920 x 1080i59.94 mode, f/2.6, +24 dB gain, with 64-frame accumulation)
Signal System	50/60 Hz
Built-in Filters	Optical Filters: 1: Clear 2: 1/4ND 3: 1/16ND 4: 1/64ND
LCD Monitor	Black & white LCD (displays audio level, timecode, battery, and media remaining capacity)
Viewfinder	3.5″-type color LCD monitor: approx. 1,230,000 effective pixels, 852 (H) x 3 (RGB) x 480 (V), 16:9, hybrid type
Shutter Speed	1/60-1/2000 sec + ECS
Slow & Quick Motion Function	720p: Selectable from 1-60 fps as recording frame rate 1080p: Selectable from 1-30 fps as recording frame rate
Slow Shutter	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8-frame accumulation (3D mode) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 32, and 64-frame accumulation (2D mode)
White Balance	Preset (3200K), Memory A, Memory B/ATW
Gain Selection	-3, 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	54 dB (Y) (typical)

Recording
Recording Mode	3D/2D selectable
Memory Card Slot	4x SxS (ExpressCard/34: 2x left, 2x right)
Recording Format	MPEG-2 Long GOP HQ mode: VBR, maximum bit rate: 35 Mb/s, MPEG-2 MP@HL SP mode: CBR, 25 Mb/s, MPEG-2 MP@H-14
Maximum Recording Time	HQ Mode (35 Mb/s): Approx. 200 min with SBS-64G1A (64 GB) memory card Approx. 100 min with SBP-32 (32 GB) memory card Approx. 50 min with SBP-16 (16 GB) memory card Approx. 25 min with SBP-8 (8 GB) memory card SP Mode: Approx. 140 min with SBP-32 (32 GB) memory card Approx. 70 min with SBP-16 (16 GB) memory card Approx. 35 min with SBP-8 (8 GB) memory card
Recording Frame Rate	HD HQ 1920 Mode: MPEG-2 MP@HL, 35 Mb/s VBR 1920 x 1080 @ 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p HD HQ 1440 Mode: MPEG-2 MP@HL, 35 Mb/s VBR 1440 x 1080 @ 59.94i, 50i, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p HD HQ 1280 Mode: MPEG-2 MP@HL, 35 Mb/s VBR 1280 x 720 @ 59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p HD SP 1440 Mode: MPEG-2 MP@H-14, 25 Mb/s CBR 1440 x 1080 @ 59.94i, 50i (23.98p is converted to 59.94i in 2:3 pulldown processing.)
Audio Signal Format	4-channel Linear PCM (16-bit, 48 kHz)

I/O Connections
Audio Input	2x XLR-type 3-pin (female), line/mic/mic +48 V selectable
Audio Output	XLR-type 5-pin
DC Input	XLR-type 4-pin
DC Output	4-pin
Genlock Input	1x BNC
HDMI Output	1x Type A 19-pin, output (side-by-side left/right eye)
Headphone Output	1x Stereo mini jack
Mic Input	XLR-type 5-pin
Remote Input	8-pin
SDI Output	L: 1x BNC, dual-stream output R: 1x BNC
Speaker Output	Monaural
Timecode Input	1x BNC
Timecode Output	1x BNC
USB	1x Type B device 1x Type A host
Video Output	1x BNC, Composite, HD-Y
Wireless Receiver Input	1x D-Sub 15-pin

General
Power Requirements	12V DC (11-17V)
Power Consumption	Approx. 32W (with viewfinder, lens, and microphone while recording)
Battery Operation Times	Approx. 180 min with BP-GL95A battery (not included)
Operating Temperature	32 to 104 °F (0 to 40 °C)
Storage Temperature	-4 to 140 °F (-20 to 60 °C)
Dimensions (WxHxD)	4.9 x 10.6 x 21.2″ (124 x 269 x 539mm) excluding projections (body)
Weight	12.1 lb (5.5 kg) with viewfinder, lens, and microphone