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Ursa Broadcast vs Sony PMW320

PostPosted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 7:11 pm
by Chris Bjork
I own several 320s with SMPTE fiber backs, HXCU-FB70 CCUs & RCP-920 remote panels. I'm thinking of replacing the Sony with BM Ursa Broadcast with fiber converters & camera control panel. Based on what I've read about here, I am concerned the UB/fiber solution will be a let down. Does anyone know how the BM will compare to the 320?

Re: Ursa Broadcast vs Sony PMW320

PostPosted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 2:59 pm
by Knut Bussian
Hi Chris,

I own a PXW-X320 the successor to the PMW-320 and know the PMW-320 fairly well. I am running a setup of 2 UB and 1 PXW-X320 and must say they can be matched pretty well. Colorwise the UB is superior since the Sonys tend to have the (Sony) typical magenta shift.

When it comes to lighting / sensitivity, the X320 blows the UB away. I did not do any testing, but from my feelings I would say, the X320 is at least 6-12 db more sensitive and has much less noise (even than the PMW-320). The PMW-320 compares pretty well to the UB concerning sensitivity and noise.

Of course, it also depends on the lense you put on the UB.

The BM fiberbacks / CCUs are working good. But don't forget you also have to invest in new SMPTE311 cable (I think the sonys have Neutrik Optical Con?). One thing which STILL is not solved:

It is not possible to use the fiber backs with a 3rd party intercom solution (Riedel, Bose, Clearcom you name it.) via the SUB-D 25 connector. The only problem is that the input is routed to the output. So whenever you press "Talk" you have a feedback. Furthermore the headphone amps are not loud enough in noisy venues. You need to throw additional cable for intercom. It would be possible to use a BMD intercom solution, but that doesn't make the amps louder and you would probably need a BMD Talkback-Converter.

I am using a Skaarhoj Colorfly controller instead of the BMD camera control panel. It is a little awkward to use at first (motor faders instead of joysticks) but much more flexible (shade cameras of different manufacturers) and you can use it without an Atem Switcher when fitted with an optional SDI I/O.

If I had a working setup like you, I would still be waiting until BMD fixes those issues.


Knut

Re: Ursa Broadcast vs Sony PMW320

PostPosted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 3:56 pm
by Xtreemtec
To give you some comparison between your current camera and the Ursa Broadcast i found online.


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