Sony Camcorders Gain Wireless Capability

Sony Camcorders Gain Wireless Capability

Sony has announced a new wireless adapter designed to optimise news and production workflows for its professional camcorder users, shares Kate Large

The CBK-WA100 wireless adapter aims to accelerate news and production workflows by enabling content transmission over wireless networks.

The CBK-WA100 adapter connects to the camera, allowing XAVC proxy files to be created and saved on its SD card. Users can then upload proxy content and the original high-res content in a range of ways, including 3G, 4G, LTE and Wi-Fi (with dongle) to a broadcast station, server or cloud. Wi-Fi connectivity allows the CBK-WA100 to be used with tablets or smartphones to interact with and control it via Sony’s Content Browser mobile app. Users can remotely control the camera, log metadata on-set and review content without a monitor.

The ability to log metadata could ease workflow, Sony says, by facilitating auto ingest at broadcast stations while providing search and preview of a range of data.

“Wireless connectivity is critical for streamlined production between the field and studio,” explained Fabien Pisano, Strategic Marketing Manager, Sony Professional Solutions, Sony Europe. He added that, with mobile devices now commonly used in every professional application, including ENG and EFP, "combining these two capabilities results in a new workflow for the future.”

Sony's new adapter is compatible with its XDCAM camcorders and field gear, and is expected to work with products featuring HD-SDI output, including the PDW-F800/700/680 and XDCAM EX models. Users of Sony’s new PMW-400 shoulder-mounted camcorder have their own version, the CBK-WA101, enabling one-action attachment/detachment of the adapter.

Ci SM, Sony's cloud platform, is available for customers in the US and Europe. In addition, the new BP-U60T battery is available which, addition to powering the camcorder, has an output cable, allowing it to power the new adapter.

The CBK-WA100 is available from October and the CBK-101 from November.