Sony has today announced a new Video format that delivers unprecedented flexibility in post-production with extended tonal gradations and often at lower bit rates.

The new X-OCN (Extended Tonal Range Original Camera Negative) format is the perfect complement to Sony’s new AXS-R7 portable memory recorder, which was designed to take full advantage of X-OCN when used with Sony’s F5 and F55 motion picture cameras installed with version 8 firmware or later. The result is an easy and efficient workflow, with file sizes much smaller than F55RAW, long record times and highly cost effective post production.

“All creative professionals are interested in saving time and money, but never at the expense of image quality,” said Claus Pfeifer, Strategic Marketing Manager at Sony Professional Solutions Europe. “With X-OCN, there is absolutely no compromise. Smaller files result in faster transfer times, which leads to potentially significant cost and time savings for production, all while retaining the highest quality from the image sensor especially for High Dynamic Range (HDR) content creation.”

The X-OCN format processes camera original image data using a new, unique algorithm from Sony. The format fully supports S-Gamut3 Ultra Wide Color Gamut for precise image manipulation well-suited for native 16-bit workflows, including ACES and High Dynamic Range. S-Gamut3 is wider than Rec. 2020 for easy tone mapping for HDR grading with a significantly expanded color palette.

The X-OCN format will be available in two operating modes: X-OCN ST (Standard mode) and X-OCN LT (Light mode).

The Standard Quality level returns exceptional quality that is visually indistinguishable to Sony F55RAW at 30% smaller file size, and all while preserving the power and grading flexibility.

The Light variation of X-OCN is intended for workflows where the lower data rates and resulting file sizes are critical to the type of production, while maintaining the tremendous power and grading flexibility, and represents a 60% file size reduction over Sony F55RAW.

For wider use of X-OCN, Sony is providing technology and support to encourage other companies to develop X-OCN supporting products. At CineGear 2016, the following companies unveiled products with X-OCN processing features at the Sony booth:

• Blackmagic Design ( DaVinci Resolve)
• Colorfront (On-set Dailies)
• FilmLight (Baselight)

Key features of X-OCN:

• Scalable bit rates through two recording modes: X-OCN ST and X-OCN LT, with extended tonal gradations
• Visually indistinguishable from F55RAW (X-OCN ST)
• Various selectable operating frame rates supported up to 120fps
• Longer recording times due to significantly lower data rates than F55RAW
• Faster content transfer due to more efficient payload
• X-OCN uses the same industry-standard OP1a MXF wrapper as with Sony F55RAW, XAVC, SR File, and MPEG 50Mbps 422B
• Recording media for X-OCN is AXS memory cards including new AXS-A512S48 and AXS-A1TS48. Compatible with both A series (blue cards) S24, and new black series S48 cards
• Requires Version 8 firmware (F5, F55) and the AXS-R7 recorder
• Easy workflow with decoding and file management

The new X-OCN format is planned to be available in summer 2016, coinciding with the release of the AXS-R7 recorder. To learn more about the full Sony CineAlta line please visit pro.sony.eu/cinematography