If you’ve used XDCAM disc media before, you probably know that it writes both high quality video to the disc as well as low res proxy material. This proxy material is great for offline editing. The Sony PDW-F800 and PDW-700 cameras both have this function, as well as the ability to write proxy video to a USB memory stick (firmware 1.51 or higher required). This allows shooters to quickly hand over low res versions of their video without a disc reader.

Here is a quick “How To” guide for both Mac & PC:

…continue reading XDCAM Proxy on a USB Stick

Sony has created several scene files (32 to be exact) for the PDW-700 and PDW-F800 camcorders. These looks include everything from a Daylight look to a “Zombie” look for horror films. Download the whole set zipped up here – PDW-700/F800 Scene Files - and make sure to read this pdf document – Scene File Descriptions – which explains each look in detail. Thanks Sony!

Sony was nice enough to bring over the PDW-F800 the other day and let us get our hands on it. The XDCAM line has really been improving and the F800 is a great example of that. The camera comes packed full of new features which I’ll outline, but first I’d like to talk about the improvements that it will share with the PDW-700. The 700 will be getting another firmware update around the same time that the F800 will first hit the market.

…continue reading XDCAM Camera Updates

You may have heard that the PDW-700 can shoot in 720P 60P. So of course many people ask about converting that 720 60p footage into slow motion. Well you can, but there are a couple of tricks. So here is my process for converting the 60p files into 24p files in Final Cut Studio 2.

…continue reading Slow-Mo PDW-700 Footage

So they finally did it. Sony has enabled a write back function on the PDW-U1. Now MXF data can be written back to the U1 through the OSX XDCAM transfer software. They have also released version 2.9 of that software. In my online videos, I show how to write back to the ProDisc from Final Cut Pro with a PDW-700 or PDW-HD1500. Now this same process will work with the U1 through USB. Sony has posted the software on their site here – Sony XDCAM Downloads.

Hey everyone,

I’ve been working on a five-part video series covering Sony’s latest XDCAM optical disc camera, the PDW700.

In each of the segments, I give a through overview of the camera, introduce supporting XDCAM devices, present work flow examples, and discuss the XDCAM disc as a backup format.

This series is ideal for anyone who wants to get acquainted with the new PDW700 camera or learn more about working with the high-end XDCAM professional disc format. Follow the link below, we will be releasing a new chapter each week.

Sony PDW700 XDCAM Camera Tour