Introduction; Overview; Advanced Digital Signal Processing (Adsp) Using 12-Bit A/D Conversion; Sony Design Criteria For Advanced Digital Signal Processing (Adsp) Cameras - Sony BVP-900 Series Product Information Manual

1

INTRODUCTION

1-1. Overview

The BVP-900 full-size studio model color video camera and its
companion portable version, the BVP-950, are the flagship models of
the Sony CCD camera system. Developed for both studio and outside
broadcasting applications, this camera system is based on several
independent units, each of which has its own unique function. They
include pickup devices, camera heads, camera control units, a video
selector, master set-up units and remote control panels. With the
appropriate choice of units a wide variety of systems can be
implemented - from a single stand-alone camera to installations using
a total of 96 studio and portable models.
(Note: the BVP-900 and BVP-950 are for operation on 525 lines, 60
fields using the NTSC color standard. The BVP-900P and BVP-950P
versions are for operation on 625 lines, 50 fields using the PAL color
standard.)
1-2. Advanced Digital Signal Processing (ADSP) using 12-
bit A/D Conversion
Easy set-up and high reliability: With digital processing,
parameters are held in a digital memory and stay constant for long
periods of time. As a result the need for operator adjustment is
dramatically reduced.
A further advantage of using digital processing is that it is much
easier to implement this circuitry in ICs and LSIs, achieving benefits
in reliability.
Precise adjustment: The value of camera set-up parameters can be
defined with great precision by digital processing. Moreover,
variations between cameras, which are very difficult to avoid in
analog models, can be reduced to a minimum with digital processing
by simply equalizing parameter values.
Flexible signal processing and parameter setting: A significant
advantage of digital processing is that it can provide very flexible
operation. Many camera parameters can be controlled and each
parameter setting can be varied over a wide range of values.
1-3. Sony Design Criteria for Advanced Digital Signal
Processing (ADSP) Cameras
DSP cameras have tremendous potential to provide outstanding
improvements in camera operational efficiency. So when considering
the basic design concepts of its new DSP cameras, Sony laid down
the following design criteria.
* The BVP-900 Series must provide higher picture quality than
conventional 10-bit digital cameras. Operationally, it must be
compatible with previous Sony cameras.
* Digital system architecture should be consistent with current 10-
bit digital cameras so that both types can be mixed together
without picture matching difficulties.
* Camera peripherals should have a consistent design approach.
* To take full advantage of 12-bit digitization, as many camera
processes as possible should be digital; particularly gamma,
detail and so on.
Sony has taken these design criteria very seriously, introducing 12-
bit ADSP cameras with unprecedented performance and reliability,
3
and which are largely immune to physical factors such as
temperature changes and time.

1-4. Features of the BVP-900/900P

Easy-to-change CCD unit: The CCD unit is a separate block from
the camera head, so changing the aspect ratio from 16:9 and 4:3 and
vice versa is simply a matter of exchanging units. No readjustments
are required after the change under normal operating conditions.
The 1038H (NTSC/PAL) FIT Power HAD™ 1000 CCD Imager is
incorporated in the BVP-900/900P. (refer to Section 3)
Easy-to-operate design: The body design inherits the features of
previous generations of Sony cameras. A lower viewfinder position
decreases parallax between the lens and viewfinder. Also, the angle
of view from the camera operator's position is wider, as the total
height of the camera is lower.
High picture quality: A newly developed 12-bit/36 MHz video-
processing VLSI for broadcasting cameras assures the high quality of
pictures required for a studio-use CCD camera. (refer to Section 4)
High signal-to-noise ratio: A high signal-to-noise ratio of 65 dB
(NTSC)/63 dB (PAL) has been achieved as a result of the use of a
top-performing Power HAD CCD, a new video-processing VLSI and
12-bit A/D converter.
Wide dynamic range: Automatic and manual control of knee point
and knee slope enables the clear reproduction of high-luminance
subjects at up to 600 % of nominal exposure level.
High sensitivity: A sensitivity of F10.0 at 2000 lux with OHB-
750WSA/P, OHB-730WS/P and OHB-730/P (typical) is achieved. For
OHB-750A/P, F8.0 at 2000 lux (typical) is achieved. When the video
gain is raised by +18 dB, a video level of 100% is obtained with
minimum subject illumination of 5 lux. (OHB-750A/P: 7.5 lux)
High vertical resolution: The vertical resolution can be improved
to 450 lines for the BVP-900 (550 lines for the BVP-900P) by use of
the EVS (Enhanced Vertical Definition System) function. The Super
EVS function, available when a FIT CCD block is installed, enables
the vertical resolution to be adjusted to a desired value between 400
and 450 lines for the BVP-900 (with an OHB-750A/750WSA CCD
Unit installed) or between 480 and 530 lines for the BVP-900P (with
an OHB-750AP/750WSAP CCD Unit installed).
High horizontal luminance resolution: 900 TV lines is achieved
with an OHB-750A/P or OHB-730/P CCD Unit installed.
Imperceptible vertical smear level: -145 dB by using the well
proven Power HAD 1000 CCD (FIT), with additional technology
enhancements.
Ver y high depth of modulation: 80% at 5 MHz is achieved.
Automatic set-up and filing function: Built-in microcomputers
give quick and precise automatic set-up, and also reduce the time
required for maintenance. The adjusted data can be stored in the
camera filing system.
Electronic shutter: An electronic six-speed shutter (from 1/60 or
1/100 second to 1/2000 second) is provided with the BVP-900/900P.
A rapidly moving object can be clearly shot by selecting the optimum
shutter speed. The shutter also has an ECS (Extended Clear Scan)
function. Using this function, the shutter speed of the BVP-900 can
be adjusted in 510 steps (from 1/30 to 1/58.3 and from 1/60 to
1/7000 second), and that of the BVP-900P in 607 steps (from 1/25 to
1/48.7 and from 1/50 to 1/9000 second). Appropriate shutter-speed