Today, the transition from standard-definition (SD) to high-definition (HD) represents one of the important issues in the entire video industry. The XDCAM HD system is suitable for all types of users – including cinematographers, broadcasters, and video professionals – and complements the other products in the Sony range such as the HDCAM-SR™/HDCAM® Series for high-end video production and the affordable, entry-level HDV™ Series. The Sony XDCAM HD system uses an optical disc as a recording medium. Users of the widely adopted SD version of the XDCAM system, from broadcasters, production facilities, and corporate to government and educational facilities, have been enjoying the tremendous benefits of its disc-based operations, such as instant random access and network capability to name just a few. The new Sony XDCAM HD products are intended to bring these disc-based benefits to HD programming, providing much improved workflows and cost efficiencies as well as offering striking-quality HD images.

The PDW-F350 is the newest addition to Sony's camcorders brings selectable frame rate recording to the CineAlta family line up. Commonly known as "overcranking" and "undercranking", Sony calls this function Slow & Quick Motion. In addition, not only does the PDW-F350 record in true 24P, but also 25P and 30P at 50i or 60i. And because the XDCAM system is file based recording, users can realize all the associated benefits. To name a few; instant random access and replay of clips, IT network capability and "Proxy data". Proxy data, a lower resolution of the material, can be conveniently used for immediate logging on location, off-line editing, daily rushes and sending the material via FTP for client approvals and more. The PDW-F350 offers HD recording in 1080/59.94i, 50i, 29.97P, 25P and native 23.98P and the operator can also select the desired bit rate to record in, either 35, 25 or 18 Mb/s depending on the desired picture quality and recording length. Being a dual format camcorder, it can also record in SD mode at 25 Mb/s (DVCAM™).

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