Sony HDCAM-SR format is the high end of High Definition television. Models include SRW-5000, SRW-5500, and the SRW-5800. This VTR also allows recording and playback of the well-proven HDCAM format. Applications range from HDTV to digital cinematography. Key features include high-quality 1080i, 1080PsF, or 720P recording and playback, a wide array of internal format conversions, including 4:4:4 to 4:2:2, legacy playback of Digital Betacam tape formats.

Cross conversion in HD High Definition is also possible using HDCAM-SR ability to convert 1080 to 720. This is useful in transferring HDCAM, HDCAM-SR to other HD formats like Panasonic D5, Panasonic DVCproHD, and Sony HDV. 3:2 pull down can also be managed in cross conversions.

The SRW-5800 HDCAM-SR Studio Recorder is equipped with the same key features as SRW-5500 and SRW-5000 recorders in the series. This deck records 1920 x 1080 resolution 10bit HD signals using MPEG-4 Studio Profile with visually loss-less compression. Video data rate is 440Mbps and 880Mbps is also possible with HKSR-5803HQ option. 12 channels of 24-bit discrete uncompressed audio can be recorded. Multiple frame rates are supported i.e. 1080 23.98/24/25/29.97/30PsF, 50/59.94/60i and 720 50/59.94P. 1080 50P and 59.94P are also supported with HKSR-5803HQ by using double speed recording mode. RGB4:4:4 signals can be recorded and played back with option cards. The HKSR-5803SQ supports 4:4:4 SQ mode only and the HKSR-5803HQ supports both 4:4:4 SQ and HQ mode. By using HKSR-5802 option, it can playback HDCAM and Digital Betacam tapes. Up-conversion output is possible when playback Digital Betacam tapes. HKSR-5001 format converter option for SRW-5000 and SRW-5500 can be used for SRW-5800, too. This versatile format converter allows 2-3 pull down and 1080i or 1080PsF to 720P conversion or vice versa. Color space conversion between 4:4:4 and 4:2:2 is possible as well. HKSR-5803HQ option enables X2 transfer of Video, Audio and Timecode to specified server in 1080 50i (25PsF), 60i (30PsF), 24PsF and 720 50/59.94P over HD-SDI dual link by using 880Mbps mode.

Here are some of the features:

1080 recording and playback at multiple frame rates: 23.98PsF, 24PsF, 25PsF, 29.97PsF, 50i, 59.94i in HDCAM and HDCAM-SR formats.

720P recording and playback (HDCAM-SR only)

Switchable 4:4:4/4:2:2 recording

High quality MPEG-4 studio profile compression

High quality audio recording: 12 channels, 24-bit audio at 48kHz in the HDCAM-SR format

Internal format conversion including up and down conversion, 4:4:4 to 4:2:2 conversion. 10 bit 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 recording. 12 x 24 bit audio channels. Down conversion and cross conversion to 4:2:2 and SDI.

Playback of Digital Betacam format tapes

Long recording time on a single cassette of up to 155 minutes at 1080/24PsF

Frame accurate insert and assemble editing

Dynamic tracking playback

Dynamic Motion Control (DMC) playback

Pre-read editing

Confidence playback

Selectable picture modes including squeeze, letter box and edge crop

Audio output channel routing: can route audio to any HD-SDI or SDI output

Dual-sync operation

Off-speed playback capability

Built-in tele-file read/write capability

Metadata handling