Tech Insight: Sony talks cameras, remote production and the push towards sustainability

Sony introduced Venice 2, the new flagship model and latest addition to its line-up of high end digital cinema cameras, in November 2021

In the next of our Platinum sponsor Tech Insight series, we talk to Norbert Paquet, head of live productions solutions, Sony Professional, Sony Europe, about the latest in its camera line-up, the growth in remote and distributed production and the push towards cloud, and how that feeds into a more sustainable world.

What are your key new technologies, solutions and enhancements for sports broadcasters that you have brought out over the last quarter?

From an imaging perspective, in the last couple of months we’ve launched in the US HDC-F5500 S35 4K Camera, the latest addition to our longstanding HDC series of cameras designed specifically for outside broadcast applications, and in particular sports and events.

The HDC-F5500 builds on the HDC-5500, by utilising a larger sensor, PL mount, a new ND system, and better connectivity options. The HDC-F5500 utilises a Super 35mm 4K CMOS Global Shutter Image Sensor, a technology particular crucial when it comes to filming sports to prevent rolling shutter distortion and flash bands. The large sensor format is key to developing a more cinematic feel to the images, allowing more emotional depth through shallow depth of field, which is a request we’re seeing coming from many sports broadcasters and production houses.

We’ve also started shipping our new XVS -G1 switcher, the latest in our reliable MVS line-up. Its compact and versatile format means it’s perfect for small and medium sports productions, in particular as we’re seeing the rise of up-till-now unknown sports come onto the different platforms.

As sports broadcasters and production companies turn increasingly towards cloud-based technologies, we’ve launched our C3 Portal – Camera-Connect-Cloud – which allows for direct streaming on an easy to use interface and two-way communication between the camera and the production floor. Built primarily for news, we can already a lot of interest coming from sports shows that have very similar requirements as news productions.

What have been the top technology trends during 2021 what are the hot technology trends we can expect to see in 2022 in sports broadcasting, and why will we see these?

We’ve definitely seen the growth of remote and distributed production across all areas of content creation, including sports production, and through it the growing adoption of IP technology and cloud technologies, to be able to produce more with more, and produce faster with more.

From an imaging perspective, we believe 2022 will see HDR becomes the new normal in many productions, because of the more immersive experience it provides to viewers. We’ll also see artificial intelligence (AI) embedded in all aspects of productions from capture to distribution, as productions and fans request more data and information about what they are producing or viewing.

The other trend which will grow in significance is the concern around sustainability and answering the question of creating an end-to-end production cycle with a reduced carbon footprint.

What can we expect to see from your company in 2022?

You’ll see announcements in line with the trends described above combined hopefully with a return to more face-to-face events with the industry and partners, and more emphasis on sustainability, with renewed focus on bringing sustainable solutions to the sports production industry, amongst others.