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.

For those of you using the PDW-U1 with a newer Mac, there is a software update available on Sony’s website that might make your life a little easier. Version 2.30 extends compatibility to Macs running Snow Leopard (10.6.2 or later), as well as adding support for Windows 7. Some other fixes include:

– Correction of a problem where Disc writing fails when the USB connection performance is low or unstable
– Correction of a problem that causes some applications not to launch after installing XDCAM Drive Software 2.2.1
– Support for handling “component directory” and related files through voice-over editing with a PDW-HR1 v1.6
– Support for metadata added from PDW-F800

You can download the PDW-U1 Drive Software v2.30 update directly from Sony’s site.

When the opportunity arose to travel to the South Pacific and document the Amelia Earhart Expedition’s archeological research, picking which camera to bring was an easy choice for award-winning DP Mark Smith. “The ability of the HPX370 to shoot full raster HD and record in AVC-Intra…coupled with the flexibility of the camcorder for either handheld or tripod-style shooting, made my choice of a main camera easy,” explained Smith, an Abel client.

He continued, “The HPX370 also affords very low power consumption, which translates into a two-pound battery powering most of a day’s shooting…The camcorder, with lens and battery, is sized and weighted ideally for this onerous assignment.” Additionally, Smith took the HPX170 along as a “B” camera. Rounding out his workflow were the HPG20 P2 portable recorder, HPG10 P2 Gear viewer/recorder, and the PCD2 single-slot memory card drive. He shot AVC-Intra at 1080/30pN on the HPX370 and DVCPRO HD 1080/30p on the HPX170.

As part of a 16-member team, Smith journeyed to Nikumaroro, a remote island in the Pacific formerly known as Gardner Island, in order to detail the Expedition’s findings. The expedition, which is lead by The Institute for Aviation History (TIGHAR), seeks to prove that Earhart landed, and eventually died, on the the island. Proving this theory would solve the decades-long mystery surrounding her disappearance. For more information on the Amelia Earhart Expedition, visit Smith’s website or The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery’s website. Check out the full Panasonic press release here.

When faced with the challenge of creating a compelling video to launch Cadillac’s new luxury coupe, Executive Producer Hal Long knew he needed to have all his bases covered. In order to emphasize the performance and comfort of Cadillac’s CTS-V Coupe, he and DP Mark Raker made use of a wide-range of equipment, all rented from Abel’s LA office.

For some dramatic shots of the car idling on a tarmac then peeling out onto the track, the production shot with the Phantom HD. However, for interior shots, Panasonic’s HPX3700 VariCam was the camera of choice. “While we needed an ultra high-speed camera for exteriors, the VariCam 3700 integrated beautifully into our specialized workflow…shooting with the HPX3700 at full-raster 1920×1080 resolution in AVC-Intra 100, we achieved images that fully convey the passenger luxury inside the car,” explained Long. In addition, the production deployed the HPX170 to get even more detail in smaller interior spaces.

Rounding out their workflow were Panasonic’s HMR10 compact field recorder/player, the HPG20 P2 HD recorder for real-time back-up, and the HCK10 POVCam for use on car-mounts. Says Long of the ultra-compact camera, “Considering its minute size and weight – a little more than ½ a pound – the POVCam is a big performer. We shot in the highest-quality PH mode, using a long lens, and recorded 1080/30p to the HMR10. The car mounts were all about singling out detail, and we got a really nice looking defocused background with the HCK10.”

To watch the full video which premiered at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, click here.

Caroline Champetier shoots with the Aaton Penelope

Among the winners at this year’s Cannes Film Festival was Xavier Beauvois’ Of Gods And Men (Des hommes et des dieux), based on a true story and shot on the Aaton Penelope. Revolving around a group of Cisternian monks facing threats from Islamic fundamentalists in the mountains of Algeria, the film brought home the Grand Prix, the second highest prize awarded at the festival.

For a film in which the landscape played such an important part, it was important for Beauvois to work with a Director of Photography that understood his vision – enter Caroline Champetier. “The first question we asked ourselves, Xavier and me, was that of format,” she says. They decided to use the Penelope and shoot in 2-perf in order to preserve the 2.35:1 aspect ratio.

Champetier praised the camera’s design and comfort: “It allowed me to have real stability…it’s long and its center of gravity is very low, the sight is clear and bright. This camera allowed me a subtle and sensitive accompaniment of movement…” She concludes that “it was particularly reassuring, intoxicating even, to realize that we had the perfect tool to translate exactly what we wanted onto film.”

The filmmakers also chose Aaton’s Cantar Digital Audio Recorder for its flexibility and ease-of-use. Read an in-depth interview with Champetier about her experiences shooting Of Gods And Men here (French).

At NAB last month, Zeiss introduced an updated version of their popular Arri/Zeiss LWZ-1 zoom. The new LWZ.2 is a 15.5-45mm zoom that features outstanding image quality and is available in multiple, interchangeable mounts (PL, EF, F). Perfect for use with HDSLR cameras such as the Canon 7D, as well as more traditional cine cameras, the lens covers the full Super-35 frame and weighs only about 4.4 pounds (2 kg). Read Zeiss’s full press release on the LWZ.2 lightweight zoom here.

Mitch got a chance to get some hands-on time with the LWZ.2 at Zeiss’s booth – check out his video on Vimeo or YouTube.

For their latest commercial, Google turned to the Phantom v640 to prove just how fast their web browser, Google Chrome, runs. Shooting at 2700 fps long-time Abel clients Will Rexer, along with Phantom tech Steve Romano, captured a variety of unique situations, including the firing of a potato gun and lightning striking a toy boat.

Check out the full video here and a great making-of video here.