Sony has officially announced a free firmware update for its FR7 full-frame pan-tilt-zoom camera. New features include Free-d protocol support for VR/AR systems, 3rd party lens controller compatibility, and the 709tone Base look for pro color/gamma settings.
What is slightly odd is that this firmware update is stated as having being released on the 28th November last year.
Now, I am not quite sure what the 709tone Base look exactly is and Sony doesn’t provide any direct documentation describing exactly what it is or what it is designed to do.
What I did find is a reference to 709 Tone/Color in a Japanese technical document that was discussing S-Gamut and S-Log2/S-Log3. To me it looks like the new 709tone Base is probably very similar to the old LC-709 look profile that you could use in the F5/F55.
Just to be crystal clear, the 709tone Base is a picture profile just like S-Cinetone. It is a standard Rec.709 picture profile that you record when you want a baked in look. It isn’t a LUT and you can’t use it when shooting S-Log3.
The LC-709, LC-709TypeA look profiles were designed to provide low contrast with broadcast color. That is what I believe the 709tone Base is similar to as they are more suited to broadcast environments. S-Cinetone is a higher contrast picture profile just like previous Cine+709.
We’ve just released a free firmware update for our FR7 full-frame pan-tilt-zoom camera! New features:
— Sony – CineAlta (@SonyCineAltaEU) December 13, 2023
🌐 Free-d protocol support for VR/AR systems
🎮 3rd party lens controller compatibility
🎨 709tone Base look for pro colour/gamma settings
Download now: https://t.co/hVwxSaGIDh pic.twitter.com/raHHo0icpf
Firmware Benefits & Improvements
- Adds free-d protocol support for VR/AR systems
- Adds support for 3rd party lens controllers to operate manual zoom lenses
- Adds support for Zoom Sync (Synchronized transition of pan/tilt/zoom) when restoring a preset position
- Adds support for adjustable Zoom/Focus speeds when restoring a preset position
- Adds support for the Stop function from the Web App when restoring a preset position
- Adds support for the PTZ trace function to the record/playback framing operation when restoring a preset position
- Adds the base look 709tone which makes it easier to set the color/gamma profile to professional cameras
- Adds the following support for shutter control:
- Remote Control Panel: RCP-1500/1501, RCP-1530, RCP-3100, RCP-3500/3501
- Master setup unit: MSU-1000, MSU-1500, MSU-3000, MSU-3500
- Camera Remote Control Software: HZC-RCP5, HZC-CSM10
- Adds support for Movie file names in the Camera ID + Reel# format
- Adds supports for Flexible ISO and Cine EI Quick in shooting mode:
- Allows you to record S-Log3 content with exposure settings by adjusting ISO sensitivity
- Allows you to record at a base ISO setting the same as Cine EI, with the base ISO adjusted automatically in conjunction with EI value
- When the shooting mode is set to Flexible ISO, Cine EI, or Cine EI Quick, adds support for recording a 3D LUT file to the same memory card with the base look used during shooting as the shooting data, at the same time
- Adds more AF frame rates during Slow & Quick Motion
- Adds support for RTMP/RTMPS protocols
- Improves the operational stability of the camera
