|
CQ : Latest technologies or innovations being
introduced in the Field for pre- production as well as post production?
Paul : As a leader in the Broadcast and Content Creation
industry, Sony has a commitment to provide the “right tool for the
job”, while always being at the forefront of the trends and
innovations.
When it comes to acquisition, there are many aspects of field
production that will determine what should be the right media to use
and what camera should be used to achieve the desired objectives.
If you are an owner/operator who also edits, then the most time
efficient media to use would be solid state or HDD. Sony’s SxS and also
Compact Flash (HDV) offer a fast turnaround solid state workflow, which
is also supported by all common NLE vendors.
For long form, high quality, file-based SD or HD acquisition, the way
to go is with XDCAM. Sony’s professional optical disc has been field
proven as the most reliable and cost effective acquisition system that utilises low cost optical disc media.
The XDCAM SD and HD codecs are fully supported by all major NLEs and
file-based server systems. At the same time, we must not forget
tape-based acquisition as tape is the cheapest acquisition media. If
one is not overly concerned about time, then tape is still a viable
alternative. VTRs can be controlled by editors for frame accurate
timecode-based ingest and well as fast linear editing capabilities. The
options are all yours, depending on your budget and your workflow
requirements. Tape has been around for a while and most facilities can
handle most of Sony’s tape formats.
CQ : How much is India prepared to handle
these innovations? We observe that the world is going for HDTV and now
3DTV is also catching up but, is India ready for the change?
Paul : It will be some time before 3D TV will come to the
home. Before 3D, and to prepare for the 3D experience, a HD
infrastructure needs to be in place.
The upcoming Commonwealth Games coverage will highlight the benefits of
the wide screen HD experience. The Indian audiences will have the
opportunity to immerse themselves in the HD viewing experience. Sports
has been the leading reason for HD adoption. The viewer gets the
feeling of actually being there at the game or event.
CQ : About 500 TV channels in India are a
reason good enough to increase the demand for broadcast equipment, why
are we still dependent on our imports? Do we lack as regards
infrastructure? If yes then what’s the way out?
Paul : The Broadcast business is a global business.
Bollywood, Tollywood and Indian Broadcasts cater to millions of Indians
around the world. There are certain expectations when it comes to
program quality and consistency. There are Broadcasting industry
standards (SMPTE, ITU, EBU) and many years of development that go in to
the hardware and software that leading Broadcast equipment providers
supply. Duplicating this on a local scale, for what is a limited market
is not commercially viable.
All the Broadcast equipment suppliers, including Sony, see India as a
very important and emerging market. The Indian Broadcast industry is
maturing at the most opportune time–a time where all the products’ R&D
have been paid for by the Western markets, this coupled with economies
of scale, India will benefit from aggressive pricing and reliable and
mature products.
CQ : Do we have sufficient companies
developing software for post production facilities?
Paul
: Sony has served the post production facilities for many
years. From editors to VTRs to grading monitors. Sony will continue to
develop products to enhance the post production workflow.
CQ : When India has the capability of
assembling cars here then why can’t cameras and other related
equipments be assembled here?
Paul : This is a very good question and not entirely
impossible. It could be something that Sony may explore at a corporate
level in the long run.
|
