November 2013 www.tvbeurope.com


TVBEurope 13


News & Analysis Guest Opinion


UHD By Douglas I Sheer


AFTER YEARS of less than enthusiastic purchasing in studio and field cameras, in no small part due to the worldwide economic recession, sales of cameras are undergoing a re-awakening. This finding is revealed according to a newly published report called ‘Studio/ Box Cameras World 2013’. The annual study, conducted this summer, looked at camera purchasing as well as other camera-related factors across a worldwide, five region and seven segment research spread, including end-users in Broadcast/Cable, Production/ Post, Mobile/OB, Event Video, Independent, Institutional and Rental House, respectively. And again, the study was


organised by imaging sensor. The study not only looked at UHD in Super 35 and 4/3-inch sensor iterations but also all other sensor configurations currently utilised among the Owned, Bought and Planned units. The main thrust of this interest is definitely in Super 35


and not nearly as much in 4/3-inch sensors.


Motion pictures and episodic TV have been transitioning to an all- digital workflow, and that has been a driver to the Super 35 sensor. While this industry embracing of Super 35 is palpable and an exciting and market-moving development in cameras and for lens makers, the study also saw a rise in use and purchasing of more traditional 2/3-inch sensor cameras, as a rising tide of camera sales has ‘lifted all boats.’ So, even traditional solutions using smaller sensors have benefited by renewed spending on cameras. This has had a salutary effect on lens sales as well. On a global basis, from a sensor use perspective, Super 35mm sensor-using UHD cameras already represent 16% of all cameras owned/installed as of 2013, indicating a dramatic swing towards higher resolution and to the UHD level productions they enable, and one that obviously goes beyond purely motion picture and


re-awakens camera market


Super 35mm sensor-using UHD cameras already represent 16% of all cameras owned/installed


episodic TV applications. 2/3- inch represents 58%, ‘Other or Unknown’ sensors 21% and 4/3- inch represents 5%, respectively. The arrival of UHD and


larger image sensors has so far had no discernible impact on PTZ box cameras, but even there, it is expected that higher resolution — beyond HD — will be found attractive in the next few years and provide a boost to


those, already increasing, purchases as well, just as colour did once introduced. While cameras benefit, at the same time camcorder sales (which were suffering) are now also seeing somewhat of a rebound, based on similar factors. They were being primarily battered by the rise and popularity of DSLRs, which are capable of using interchangeable lenses,


allowing for a combination of primes and zooms. Now, however, with DSLRs slowing modestly, and many camcorders now deliverable with the potential of interchangeable lens use, they too are benefitting. Since the arrival of Super 35 sensors several years ago a debate has waged on whether their use would spill out of digital cinematography, where they are already penetrating the ranks of independents and into other segments such as broadcast and institutional and moving well beyond rental houses. And, the report underscores that a trend is already underway, and goes well beyond rental houses. Previous market interest in 3D turned out to be a dud, in cameras and other gear, and some fears were voiced by users that investments in UHD might be similarly ill-conceived. Despite those fears, however, end-users seem to be much more enthusiastic about UHD.


Bio:


Doug Sheer is CEO and chief analyst of DIS Consulting Corporation of Woodstock, New York.


Image ©: 2013 D.I.S. Consulting Corporation. All Rights Reserved


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