Sony Moves Forward With MPEG Systems Strategy At NAB 2000

Sony Electronicsí commitment to developing end-to-end solutions within an open system strategy based on MPEG standards will be demonstrated at NAB 2000 this April. The company will showcase a host of new product introductions and systems previewed at NAB 99 that offer a worldwide DTV migration path from production and distribution to post production, transmission and archiving. ""The introduction of a number of MPEG-based products and systems from Sony and other manufacturers promotes an open architecture,"" said Robert Ott, Vice President of VTR And Storage Products for Sony Electronics Broadcast and Professional Company. ""These new products are designed to integrate with existing product lines to enable broadcasters, program producers, cable and satellite operators to easily migrate to digital networked systems in the future."" The new products, which include VTRs, servers, nonlinear news editors and DDRs, interoperate via I-frame, MPEG 4:2:2P at a bit rate of 50Mbps, transported through common SDTI-CP* interfaces, resulting in a seamless SDTV environment. Sonyís key product announcements at NAB 2000 will include the MSW-2000 MPEG IMXô series and MSW-M2100 VTRs, the MAV-2000 MPEG-based newsroom server and the DNE-2000 digital news editing system. These products, combined with the previously announced MAV-555 video disk recorder, all support MPEG-2 4:2:2 P@ML I-frame at 50Mbps compression using SDTI-CP interfaces. This interface ensures that no matter what recording format is used - MPEG IMX, Digital BetacamÆ, Betacam SXÆ, Betacam SPÆ or standard Betacam - the bitstream interface throughout will be 50Mbps, I-Frame MPEG 4:2:2P. ""The critical element to these MPEG IMX products is our ability to transcode the data streams to give us the highest quality image,"" said Hugo Gaggioni, Vice President of Technology for Sony Electronics Broadcast and Professional Company. ""Transcoding allows the system to pass on compression decisions and parameters used in previous compression stages to subsequent stages, enabling high quality bit-rate and MPEG GOP** changes."" Gaggioni said that this technique is very much in use in the connection of Betacam SX and MPEG IMX VTRs when transcoding takes place between the 18Mbps and 50Mbps MPEG streams. Sony also offers the DSR-2000 multi-format DVCAMÆ VTR, which is available with an optional SDTI-CP board, extending digital video system options by bringing DV, DVCAM and even DVCPROÆ into the world of MPEG IMX. Noting the importance the Betacam SX format plays in this MPEG World, Sony will also offer optional transcoding boards for existing and future Betacam SX products. These boards transcode lower bit-rate data to the 50Mbps MPEG IMX. The MSW-2000 MPEG IMX series and MSW-M2100 VTRs incorporate multiple playback features without the need for any cassette adapters or without having to flip any switches. The VTRs automatically adjust to whatever format tape is inserted. The MPEG IMX VTRs also incorporate eight-channels of 16-bit or four-channels of 24-bit audio. Additionally, the unit itself has been streamlined to the size of a four-rack unit. Accompanying the new MPEG recorders, Sony also introduces the new BCT-MX series digital videocassettes. This robust 1/2-inch metal particle tape is designed specifically for use in Sony MPEG IMX VTRs. With up to three hours of recording time, the new BCT-MX line features a series of enhancements, including a new tape binder system for improved durability and a new calendaring system for smoother tape surface and higher output. About Sony Electronics' Broadcast And Professional CompanySony Electronics Broadcast and Professional Company (BPC) is dedicated to providing its customers with the most advanced audio and video equipment and systems for a variety of markets, including broadcast, production, corporate, industrial, government, medical and education. Sony products and systems offer leading-edge digital video technology in acquisition, recording, production, storage, transmission, display and projection.

Source: Sony Electronics, Inc.