SONY BVW-D600 Digital Signal Processing Camera / Betacam SP recorder.
The BVW-D600 Camera/Recorder is a combination of a digital signal processing colour video camera, which uses FIT type Hyper HAD sensor CCDs, with a Betacam SP portable video cassette recorder. Its high image quality and sensitivity, portability, and dust- and water-proof construction makes it ideal for ENG and EFP applications.
| Imager | 2/3 inch Frame Interline-Transfer type Hyper HAD CCD |
| Imager Configuration | RBG, 3 CCDs |
| Picture Elements | 1038 (h) x 504 (v) (520,000) |
| Spectral System | f 1.4 Prism System (with quartz filter) |
| Built In Colour Filters | A: 3200K Cross Star B: 3200K C: 4300K D: 6300K |
| Built In Neutral Density Filters | 1: Clear 2: 1/4 3: 1/16 4: 1/64 |
| Electronic Shutter Speed, Normal Mode | 1/100, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 |
| Clear Scan Mode | 260 speeds from 60.1 to 7000 Hz |
| Extended Clear Scan Mode | 248 speeds from 30.4 to 58.3 Hz |
| Super EVS Mode | 1/60 |
| Lens mount | Sony bayonet type |
| Sensitivity | 89.9% reflection chart, 2000 lux at f/8 |
| Minimum Illumination | 1.9 lux at f/1.4, 30dB gain |
| S/N ratio | 62 dB (typical) |
| Horizontal Resolution | >850 TV lines at centre |
| Registration | .05% or better for entire screen area |
| Geometric Distortion | None identified (excluding lens) |
| Smear | -120 dB (typical) |
| Viewfinder | 1.5 inch monochrome quick-start |
| Viewfiner Horizontal Resolution | 600 TV lines at centre |
| METAL TAPE | OXIDE TAPE |
| Bandwidth Luminance | 30 Hz to 4.5 MHz | 30 Hz to 4.1 MHz |
| Chrominance (R-Y, B-Y) | 30 Hz to 1.5 MHz | 30 Hz to 1.5 MHz |
| S/N Luminance (component) | 51 dB minimum | 48 dB minimum |
| Chrominance (amplitude and phase modulation) | 53 dB minimum | 50 dB minimum |
| Differential Gain | 2% maximum | 3% maximum |
| Differential Phase | 2 degrees maximum | 3 degrees maximum |
| K-Factor (2T pulse) | 2% maximum | 3% maximum |
| Y/C Delay | 20 ns maximum | 20 ns maximum |
| LONGITUDINAL TRACKS | METAL TAPE | OXIDE TAPE |
| Frequency Response | 50 Hz to 15 kHz | 50 Hz to 15 kHz |
| S/N (at 3% distortion) | 72 dB minimum | 50 dB minimum (Dolby off) |
| Distortion (at 1 kHz) | 1.5% maximum | 2% maximum |
| Crosstalk (at 1 kHz) | -55dB maximum | -55dB maximum |
| Wow and Flutter | < 0.15% rms | < 0.15% rms |
| AFM RECORDING | METAL TAPE ONLY |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Dynamic Range | 80 dB minimum |
| Distortion (at 1 kHz) | 0.5% maximum |
| Crosstalk (at 1 kHz( | -65dB maximum |
The D600 uses three 520,000-pixel FIT-type Hyper HAD Sensor CCDs to ensure high image quality suitable for EFP. These CCDs are selected for their high sensitivity and S/N ratio, and for their very low smear and flare.
Digital Signal Processing is performed through 10-bit AD/DA conversion, at a sampling frequency of 18 or 36 MHz. Picture quality, stability, and reliability are improved in DSP cameras, as there are no "pots" to drift out of alignment. Instead, menus are displayed on the viewfinder screen, making it easy to make adjustments. (And to return the camera to factory specs!)
Setup menus control features like status displays, messages, and markers. The user can select whether or not items are displayed, and how they are displayed. For instance, an "!" indicator in the viewfinder can be set to report any of 6 types of events (such as the lens extender being in, or a gain level other than 0 dB being active).... by the operator. The setup menu can also be used to select settings or functions, and to operate a setup card.
Setup Menu data can be recorded in a 2 kB setup card, only 34 x 22 x 2 mm in size. (That's about the size of your thumbnail, for the metrically-impaired.) This card can store the complete setup for your camera, and can be used in a variety of ways. A DOP can save his favourite "look" on his own setup card, using it on any rented camera to duplicate the setup he prefers. An operator can configure viewfinder displays the way he likes them, and instantly transfer that setup to any camera he's using. It's ideal for matching multiple cameras.... Just setup the first camera the way you like it, transfer that setup to a card, and dump the data into the other cameras!
In addition to the usual shutter speeds, used for reducing the blurring of fast-moving objects, and the 1/100 shutter speed (ideal for shooting in countries where the AC current is cycling at 50 Hz), there are three special shutter modes on the D600.
CLEAR SCAN MODE is used for shooting monitor screens with vertical scanning frequencies between 60 Hz and 7000 Hz. This eliminates the black bar which is usually found while shooting monitors.
EXTENDED CLEAR SCAN MODE is used for shooting monitors with vertical scanning frequencies below 60 Hz. This is one of very few cameras to include this range of frequencies, which I've found to be very useful.
SUPER EVS MODE, or Super Enhanced Vertical Definition System. This produces sharper pictures with improved vertical resolution, ideal for shooting detailed graphics.
The setup menus allow you to select 3 of 9 gain settings, ranging from -3 dB to + 30 dB. You can then select from these 3 settings using the gain switch on the side of the camera. (I'm fond of 0, 6, and 12 dB)
Colour temperature conversion (CC) and neutral density (ND) filters are standard. What's new in this camera is that they're separate.... One wheel contains colour filters, another contains neutral density. Colour balance memories are tied to the colour filters.... so you can dial in an extra ND without adjusting your colour balance!
There are 2 sets of memory for white balance per colour filter, making a total of 8.... as well as a Preset for each filter. I use the Presets a lot, as I find they give me a very pleasing colour, and improved warmth in flesh tones.
An internal battery saves white balance memory while the camera is turned off, so there's no need to re-balance unless the lighting conditions change.
On those occasions when you need to use it, the reference value for the Auto Iris can be fine-tuned using the setup menus and the "UP/DOWN" buttons on the operator side of the camera. The lens automatically stops down during black balance adjustment.
A phantom-powered on-camera microphone is fitted as standard equipment. It's detachable, so you can replace it with the microphone of your choice.
The 2 inputs are independently selectable: Front Mic, Rear Mic, and Line inputs. The 2 Rear Mic inputs are capable of 48V phantom power, again independently switchable. The Front Mic always operates in phantom mode.
The recording level for Channel 1 is displayed in the viewfinder, and can be adjusted while shooting with a knob at the front of the viewfinder.
DOLBY - C Noise Reduction circuits are built-in.
The D600 is capable of recording on Metal (SP) or Oxide (regular) videotape, and the recorder automatically determines whether a tape is metal or oxide.
Using an oxide tape decreases the image quality to the Betacam standard. You also lose the AFM (Audio Frequency Modulation) audio tracks which are recorded on the chrominance track of a Betacam SP recording. (These are duplicates of the longitudinal tracks on the D600)
Regardless of what you record, you can play the tape back on any Betacam VTR. (Although extensive playback of metal tapes on non-SP VTRs isn't recommended!)
Both Longitudinal and VITC (Vertical Interval) Time Code are available.
USER BITS are stored in the VITC, independently of the time code.... Ideal for tape numbers, camera identification, or "time-of'day" or "real time" time code.
TIME CODE LOCK with other cameras or external generators is simple. A lithium battery inside the camera maintains the time code while the camera is off, for a period of about 5 years. (I haven't tested this!)
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