Sony recently announced the SRW-5800/2, an HDCAM SR studio recorder that builds on the quality and flexibility of the original SRW-5800 VTR. The SRW-5800/2 uses the latest version of the HDCAM SR MPEG4 Simple Studio Profile codec ASIC, which provides support for higher sampling resolutions, including 2K. Support for RGB 4:4:4 SQ comes standard, meaning the additional HKSR-5803SQ board is no longer necessary.

Other features include:

– MXF SStP file transfer
– SR-Lite MXF file support
– Double speed record & playback for 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 SQ modes
– RGB 3D record & playback for 4:4:4 SQ mode
– Real-time 2K formats: (2048×1080 RGB 10 bit, 2048×1080 XYZ 12 bit)
– Support for 96 KHz audio sampling

An optional upgrade kit (HKSR-58UK) will be available so that the SRW-5800/1 can be made into a 5800/2. Older SRW-5800 decks that have not been upgraded to /1 can also use the HKSR-58UK, but will require an additional HIF-56 board.

Singular Software has announced DualEyes, a stand-alone program for those of you recording dual-system sound. Similar to the popular PluralEyes, DualEyes can actually replace the audio track on your video files with the audio from an external recorder, such as the Zoom H4N. This should make editing much easier, since you can now drag and drop your clips from your bin to your sequence without having to make a separate “PluralEyes” sequence.

Singular has posted a video tutorial online, which you can find here. A free beta of DualEyes is available (currently Windows only) and can be downloaded here.

One of the most frequently asked questions that I receive about the XDCAM EX cameras is how to adjust back focus. Like all ENG style lenses, the lenses that come with these cameras can sometimes develop back focus issues over time. The cameras all have a method for adjusting this, and luckily the PMW350, PMW320, EX3, EX1R, and EX1 all follow a similar procedure. Watch this video to learn when and how to adjust the back focus on your EX camera.

DSCLabs has some great charts for checking back focus, they also offer a couple free ones that you can print yourself – here.

Note: To access the hidden menu on the EX1 / EX1R, hold the Menu, Scroll Wheel, and Cancel button at the same time. DO NOT adjust anything else in this menu.