The handheld cameras, which feature full 50Mbps recording and thus meet the new RTÉ production guidelines, are expected to be in high-demand among those working in the Irish audio-visual industry when they are released by Sony later this month.
Visual Impact Ireland will have the cameras available for supply and currently stock the Sony PMW-500, which also meets the RTÉ guidelines.
The guidelines, released earlier this year, state that the specified bitrate of all HD productions for the broadcaster must meet the 50Mbps standard. This brings RTÉ’s standards in line with global broadcasters such as The Discovery Channel and the BBC.
Prior to this the bitrate standard was 25Mbps with most filmmakers recording on cameras such as the Sony PMW EX1R and Sony PMW-EX3. They have been able to continue using these cameras by mounting a NanoFlash HD recorder on to their device.
The NanoFlash has now become an essential part of most Irish productions, as it can capture the 50Mbps requirement from most HD cameras with an SDI out, without having to completely upgrade to a new camera model.
Visual Impact Ireland also stock the NanoFlash and have noticed a significant increase in their demand over the past year.
The company supplied Tyrone Productions with equipment for their upcoming show ‘Football’s Next Star’, which was one of the first Irish productions to shoot entirely at 50Mbps.
They are also working with Animo Television on the current series of ‘Celebrity Bainisteoir’ and supplying the company with Sony HXR-MC1P HD mini cameras, Sony PMW EX1R's, Sony PMW-EX3s, all equipped with a NanoFlash, as well as additional NanoFlashes for use with Animo's own cameras.
For more information on Visual Impact Ireland see their company profile on IFTN.
