Expanding media choice for XDCAM EX family

Sony’s innovative XDCAM EX professional product range is specifically designed to exploit the ultimate high speed performance and reliability of SxS PRO and SxS-1 media. However, SxS media is a professional format and not available from retail outlets, so in situations in the field where additional media is required or for cost-conscious users, where this ultimate performance is less important, Sony have developed the MEAD-SD01 adaptor to enable the use of consumer SD Card media.

The MEAD-SD01 adaptor is the same shape as SxS memory cards so as to fit within the media slots on XDCAM EX camcorders, with no protrusions, allowing the media cover to be in place during shooting. The adaptor can accept one high speed SD Card which simply slots inside.

At the time of writing (January 2010), Sony Professional recommends only the latest Class10 SDHC cards. Using 8-, 16-, or 32-GB media, approximately 35, 70, or 140 minutes of recording (in SP mode) can be achieved.

Please note, it is not recommended to utilise the Slow Motion recording function due to speed limitations of SD Card media. The nature of the adaptor and SD Card media will also mean slightly less reliability than SxS media – caution should be exercised when turning off XDCAM EX hardware during recording. XDCAM EX hardware will need a firmware upgrade to use MEAD-SD01 – please see specifications for more information.

HDW : Fantastic news this will bring a lot of hesitaters into the EX field…Sony are finally listening and responding to end users…the death nell sounds for the expensive, overrated …’Memory Stick’ !