4K production and post: New Sony SxS memory player

Sony has announced a new 4K SxS memory player, the PMW-PZ1, a playback solution for 4K shooting and post production applications. The PMW-PZ1 features multi-format playback capability for 4K (24p to 60p) and HD video, supporting a variety of formats including XAVC Intra & Long, MPEG HD422 and MPEG HD, covering professional to consumer range of uses.

The PMW-PZ1 is equipped with an SxS card slot, a HDMI output, 3G/HD-SDI outputs (x4), an audio output, LCD colour monitor and more. This combination of versatile interfaces enables the seamless playback, copying and monitoring of 4K and HD video across a diverse range of applications, not only for video production but also for the development of 4K equipment, 4K video walls at events, exhibitions, museums and more.

During field or location shoots, 4K images captured on cameras such as Sony’s PMW-55 can be immediately checked on the PMW-PZ1, or output to a professional monitor or consumer TV via HDMI. At event venues, 4K video can be output to digital signage or projectors. It can also be used to copy data in SxS media directly to an external storage without employing any other devices.

“Despite the rapid growth of 4K shooting and editing, the playback of 4K video clips generally still requires costly high-powered computers or servers operated by users from technical backgrounds,” said Lucie Wendremaire, Sony Professional Solutions Europe. “The PMW-PZ1 addresses the market need for an affordable, simple-to-use and compact 4K playback solution. It is compatible with a variety of formats, possesses a host of practical inputs/outputs for easy connections, and offers an intuitive interface readily operated by all users.” The PMW-PZ1 will be available from June 2015 onwards.