Sony's HXC-FZ90 Cameras Score a Home Run for the Reno Aces
Sony's HXC-FZ90 Cameras Enhance Live Sports Broadcasting at Reno Aces
The Reno Aces, a Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, have upgraded their live sports broadcasting with the deployment of Sony's HXC-FZ90 camera system. These portable, 4K/HD studio cameras offer advanced autofocus capabilities, multiple output formats, and high frame rate options, enhancing the production quality and flexibility of live sports broadcasts.
The HXC-FZ90 cameras are designed with a B4 lens-mount system, compatible with the existing 2/3-inch glass in-house, simplifying the jobs of the technical team. They are also compatible with other Sony cameras, offering integration and requiring minimal adjustments.
One of the key features of the HXC-FZ90 cameras is their 4K UHD and HD video output, with resolutions up to 3840 x 2160 at 59.94p. This versatility provides broadcasters with a range of format options, including multiple frame rates and interlaced modes.
The cameras also boast advanced autofocus capabilities, including subject shift sensitivity, transition speed control, and AF Assist, ensuring sharp and smooth focusing during fast-action sports. Slow and quick motion functions, with selectable frame rates up to 240 fps in HD, allow for detailed slow-motion sequences of fast-paced sports moments.
Clear Image Zoom, allowing approximately 1.5x zoom in 4K and 2x in HD without losing quality, is another valuable feature for close-up shots without physically moving the camera. The cameras also feature a wide white balance range (2000 K to 15000 K) and gain control (-3 dB to +36 dB), enabling adaptation to changing lighting conditions.
The compact, lightweight design of the HXC-FZ90 cameras facilitates ease of deployment in live sports environments, such as baseball stadiums. Four camera-system chains with compatible camera control units (CCUs) have been deployed at center field, high home, low first, and low third.
The HXC-FZ90 cameras offer XLR audio inputs for adjusting gain and running natural sound, and they allow full ND control from the CCU and the ability to control different scene files. The cameras also have an auto iris feature, which was a significant selling point for the Reno Aces, especially when a dedicated camera shader is not available.
The HXC-FZ90 cameras feature a 2/3-inch type 4K CMOS image sensor, enabling the capture of rich, vibrant colours during games, even during sunsets, springtime thunderstorms, and other weather conditions. Once MiLB or the RSN moves to 4K, the Reno Aces won't need to buy new cameras; they can purchase an upgrade license to shoot in 4K.
The HXC-FZ90 cameras have a touch-panel menu for quick and simple engineer mode adjustments, and they allow for seamless adjustment of the iris to handle both shadows and bright light, even when they are in frame simultaneously. The cameras are smooth, easy to use, and have a nice layout, making them user-friendly for operators, from novice to experienced.
With the HXC-FZ90 cameras, the Reno Aces can look forward to enhanced image quality and flexibility for live action capture, ease of use for on-site production teams, and the ability to integrate smoothly into multi-camera live broadcast setups, ensuring high-quality sports telecasts. The cameras' durability and reliability also ensure they will last a long time with proper treatment.
- The HXC-FZ90 cameras, employed by the Reno Aces, are designed to enhance live sports broadcasting with their 4K/HD capabilities.
- These cameras offer advanced autofocus features, such as subject shift sensitivity and transition speed control, for clear and smooth focusing during fast-action sports.
- The HXC-FZ90 cameras are compatible with various gadgets and technology, including Sony cameras and UHD-compatible lenses, making integration seamless.
- The cameras feature XLR audio inputs for natural sound adjustment and offer full ND control, while the auto iris feature aids in adapting to varying lighting conditions.
- The HXC-FZ90 cameras are portable and lightweight, facilitating deployment in different sports environments like baseball stadiums.
- With technology advancements, the Reno Aces can upgrade their HXC-FZ90 cameras to shoot in 4K without needing to purchase new cameras.
- Operators, both novice and experienced, find the HXC-FZ90 cameras user-friendly, given their smooth operation, touch-panel menu, and easy layout.
