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Sony Betacam MPEG IMX FAQ's

Sony Betacam MPEG IMX FAQ's
  • Are the DVCAM files supported by Material xEchange File Format (MXF) for Ethernet file transfer?
    Yes, both DVCAM and MPEG IMX formats are supported.

  • Is MPEG IMX compression supported by the i.LINK interface?
    Yes, MPEG IMX compression is supported by i.LINK (File Access Mode).

  • Why is the transfer rate slower for 100Base-T than for the i.LINK interface?
    Although the theoretical maximum transfer rate of 100Base-T Ethernet is 100 Mbps, the effective throughput is around 30 Mbps. In the case of MPEG IMX format material recorded at 50Mbps, eight channels of audio and metadata increase the total load of 57.5 Mbps. This yields a transfer rate of 0.5 times real time. In contrast, the theoretical maximum transfer rate of the i.LINK (File Access Mode) interface is 400 Mbps and the effective throughput is around 90 Mbps maximum. Accordingly, MPEG IMX format material recorded at 50 Mbps will be transferred at 1.5 times faster than real times.

  • I want to convert MPEG IMX format material to DVCAM format material and output it at the i.LINK interface for my DV editing environment. Can I do that faster than real time?
    The conversion is performed in real time.

  • How do i get XDCAM video into an Avid NLE right now?
    Avid is supporting i.LINK (FAM) for Proxy, high resolution MPEG IMX, DVCAM and Metadata. Please check with Avid directly for their latest interoperability capability.

  • What type of compression does the Betacam MPEG IMX tape use?
    For MPEG IMX format video it is MPEG-2 (Moving Picture Experts Group), 4:2:2 Profile at Main Level, at 30, 40 or 50 Mbps. Proxy A/V data uses MPEG-4 SImple Profile video compression, and A-Law audio at total of 2 Mbps.

  • What is the maximum recording time on the Sony MPEG IMX tapes?
    68 minutes - MPEG IMX 30 Mb/s format
    55 minutes - MPEG IMX 40 Mb/s format
    45 minutes - MPEG IMX 50 Mb/s format

  • MPEG IMX data streams require a maximum of only 50 Mb/s, and the Professional Dic media's maximum transfer rate (using one laser) is 72 Mb/s, why is there a 22 Mb/s difference?
    To begin with, approximately 60 Mb/s is required for real time recording of MPEG IMX 50 Mb/s Video, eight (8) channels of Audio, Proxy AV Data, and Real-time Metadata. The additional 12 Mb/s is used as neadroom so that data can be accurately written to the disc even in the event of shock and vibration to the system or if defects are encountered on the disc.

    • Sony says: Why authorized media matters? It's your reputation.

    Note: This video explains the importance of using Sony media bought through authorized sources for your video projects, when to question the reliability of product in tampered cartons and how to locate an authorized Sony pro media dealer.



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