Sony DXCD55L EFP Ready Camera

Sony Updated: 2008-05-07 RSS
Sony DXCD55L EFP Ready Camera

The DXC-D55/D55WS is the next-generation in the DXC-series of cameras, designed for even greater picture quality and operational ease of use. These cameras are offered in two different versions: the DXC-D55 4:3 aspect ratio model and DXC-D55WS 16:9/4:3-switchable aspect ratio model. Both feature the high-performance Power HAD™ EX CCD sensor and NEW 14-bit A/D conversion built into a highly sophisticated LSI. The result is superior picture quality, high sensitivity, plus low noise and smear characteristics over previous models. A variety of automatic functions have also been included, allowing easy and convenient operation in any shooting scenario. All DXC-D50 accessories are back compatible with the new DXC-D55 series. Allowing for excellent system versatility, two types of camera-control units are available. For studio multicore use, the CCU-D50 is the perfect choice, and the CCU-TX50 is the choice for studio and triax applications. The RCP-D50/D51 Remote Controllers can also be used with either system.

Highlights:

* New 14 Bit A/D LSI-- the high-quality images captured by the Power HAD EX CCD's are processed with greater precision than conventional A/D LSI. In particular, this higher bit resolution allows the contrast to be reproduced more faithfully in mid-tone areas of the picture.

* Equipped with three 2/3-inch type Power HAD EX CCD's, each with a significantly high density of (over) 1 million pixels, and offering high horizontal resolutions of 920 TV lines.

Features:

Power HAD EX CCD imagers: The DXC-D55/D55WS camera is equipped with three 2/3-inch type Power HAD EX CCD's, each with a significantly high density of (over) 1 million pixels, and offering high horizontal resolutions of 920 TV lines. A high sensitivity of F11 (at 2000 lx, 3200K), an excellent S/N ratio of 65 dB and a FIT-like low smear level of -140 dB (typical) are achieved.

New 14 Bit A/D: The Sony DXC-D55/D55WS incorporates a 14-bit A/D LSI, so that the high-quality images captured by the Power HAD EX CCD's are processed with greater precision than conventional A/D LSI. In particular, this higher bit resolution allows the contrast to be reproduced more faithfully in mid-tone areas of the picture.

Advanced DSP Processing: Another key to quality in a DSP camera is how many bits are used in its nonlinear processes, such as gamma correction. The DXC-D55/D55WS cameras use more than 30 bits, minimizing round-off errors to maintain the CCD's high quality. The DSP LSI of the DXC-D55/D55WS also enables highly sophisticated image controls, such as Knee Saturation, and Adaptive Highlight Control functions.

Knee Saturation Control: Traditionally, shooting very bright portions of an object can reduce color saturation and change the hue in highlight areas. The DXC-D55/D55WS cameras effect on saturation and hue change is reduced to a minimum, and far more natural color reproduction in highlight areas is achieved.

Low Key Saturation: With traditional cameras, low-light areas can be subject to reduced saturation, resulting in the color in these areas being "washed-out". The Low Key Saturation function on the DXC-D55 series helps eliminate this problem by optimizing the amplification of color saturation at low light levels, providing more natural color reproduction.

Adaptive Highlight Control: In conventional cameras, only a single knee-point/slope is available for contrast control over highlights. The DXC-D55 camera, however, provides multiple knee-points/slopes for superior overexposure control. The camera analyzes the highlight areas of a scene and automatically sets and optimizes multiple knee points/slopes accordingly. This allows the reproduction of extremely difficult images (such as an interior scene that includes a brightly sunlit window) with much more overexposure latitude. This function applies only to input video levels in excess of the knee point - the middle and low luminance parts of the video signal are unaffected by this control.

Cross Color Suppression: Separating the luminance and chrominance components of a composite signal can be a difficult task, even with the most advanced comb-filtering techniques. In order to keep cross color and cross luminance to a minimum, the DXC-D55 series virtually eliminates frequency components that may result in such artifact being generated prior to the signal output. These frequency components are virtually eliminated from the Y/R-Y/B-Y signals within the camera head through sophisticated digital three-line (NTSC)/five-line (PAL) comb filtering, resulting in a great reduction of the cross color and dot crawl normally seen on picture monitors fed with a composite video signal.

Skin-Tone Detail Control: The Skin-Tone Detail function on the DXC-D55 allows softer detail correction to be applied in the facial area, while maintaining the sharpness of other parts of the picture. The Skin-Tone Detail area can be selected simply and quickly using the Area-Detect Cursor in the viewfinder screen, and the SKIN SET button on the camera's side panel. The color range for the Skin-Tone Detail (and skin detail level) can also be selected manually using the viewfinder menu system.

ATW (Auto Tracing White): The DXC-D55/D55WS camera features a convenient Auto-Tracing White Balance (ATW) function, which automatically adjusts white balance as lighting conditions change. This function is very useful when shooting in rapidly changing lighting conditions, such as when moving from indoor to outdoor locations.

Optical ND Filter and Electronic CC Filter: Using the DXC-D55/D55WS, optimum light and color control is easily achieved using an optical ND (Neutral Density) filter wheel and electronic Color Correction. The use of electronic Color Correction allows all filters in the filter wheel to be of the ND type, providing the operator with greater flexibility in depth-of-field and exposure control. Electronic Color Correction can also be controlled using a remote controller, for even easier operation.

EZ FUNCTIONS: Recognizing the importance of making camera operation as quick and straightforward as possible, the DXC-D55 camera provides two highly convenient "EZ Functions", enabling operators to start shooting with minimum setup procedures, and in less time. --EZ Mode: Settings for key camera parameters are instantly set to the standard or auto position by simply pressing the EZ Mode button - making the camera instantly ready for shooting. This feature is very convenient when operators require fast camera setup within a limited time frame. --EZ Focus: The EZ Focus function allows accurate focus adjustments without manually opening the lens iris. Simply by pushing the EZ Focus button, the iris automatically opens to reduce the depth of field and make focusing significantly easier. At the same time, the electronic shutter is automatically set to obtain the correct exposure.

CLEAR SCAN (CLS) FUNCTION: The Clear Scan function on the DXC-D55 allows operators to shoot computer displays without the horizontal bands or flickers they usually create on screen. This is achieved by activating the Clear Scan function to select a shutter speed, which then precisely matches the scanning frequency of the computer display. Shutter speeds are available ranging from 60.1 (NTSC)/50.2 (PAL) Hz to 6000 Hz.

PRESET MATRIX: Factory-Preset Matrix files are provided allowing operators to instantly set up camera parameters that match common lighting situations, such as STANDARD, HIGH SATURATION, FLORESCENT, etc.

MULTICORE CCU FULL END TO END SDI CAPABILITY: With the CA-D50 camera adaptor attached, the DXC-D55/D55WS can be remotely controlled from the CCU-D50 Multicore Camera Control Unit using a CCZ-AD cable (26-pin). The video and audio output of the CA-D50 Camera Adaptor are transferred to the CCU-D50/D50P Camera Control Unit as a component digital-SDI signal through a CCZ-A cable up to 75 m long OR UP TO 150m with CCZ-AD cable. This combination allows the establishment of a full digital-acquisition system.

REMOTE CONTROLLERS: The RCP-D50 and RCP-D51 have been specifically designed for use with Sony DXC-D50/D50WS/D55/D55WS cameras. The RCP-D50 is a joystick-type controller, while the RCP-D51 is a dial-type controller. Both are equipped with a 3.5-inch color touch panel LCD screen and offer extensive control of camera functions through easy-to-use menu-based operations. The LCD also allows the incoming camera image to be monitored - a feature that comes in handy when identifying which RCP is controlling which camera in multi-camera systems.

Memory Stick System: Another convenient feature is the Memory Stick system, which allows various scene files to be stored on and recalled from the Memory Stick media and loaded to either a different RCP-D50/D51 controller, or to a DXC-D55 camera.