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.

This week Convergent Design will be releasing a new firmware for their nanoFlash recorder (version 1.1.131), which contains some significant improvements. They have bumped up the data rate options once again to 180 Mbps LongGOP and 280 Mbps I-Frame. This is great for really pushing the premium video quality. But the new feature that excites me is not a new data rate, but a small change that makes the MXF files generated by the nanoFlash compatible with those on the XDCAM ProDisc. The nanoFlash utilizes the same Sony codec found in the PDW-700 and PDWF800, just at many different data rates. So CD and Sony worked together to make the two MXF files compatible. This means that material recorded in the nanoFlash at 50 Mbps LongGOP (the highest quality currently supported by the disc) can be put on a XDCAM ProDisc and played back on an XDCAM deck. This is a great option because, not only is the XDCAM disc a terrific format, but many television networks require it as a deliverable. On top of that, it makes for an excellent archiving solution. I decided to test out this new feature by combining the PMWEX1, nanoFlash, and PDW-U1 (inexpensive ProDisc reader/writer). Keep reading to see my process.

…continue reading How to Put nanoFlash Video on an XDCAM Disc

Sony has released new firmware for the PDW-U1 that enables full data write back. The previous firmware version allowed writing MXF files into the Clips folder, but the new version adds the ability to write any data type to the UserData folder. This means that the ProDiscs can be used for data archive of any material, up to 46.4 GB on a Dual Layer disc. The PDW-U1 has finally become a full fledged data archive machine. The latest firmware also adds support for mixed format recording discs. Download the firmware from Sony’s support site here - PDW-U1 Firmware version 2.2.1 for Windows & Mac.

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

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Earlier, I posted about the new write back features of the PDW-U1. Now, watch the video below to see it in action. In this video, I show how to set up the U1 for write back, copy clips, and export from Final Cut Pro.

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.