By site editor Dan Chung:
If you have been following Sony’s camera latest lineup you will aware that many new models such as the F55, F5, PXW-Z100 and upcoming FDR-AX100 utilise a video compression format called XAVC (and the consumer version XAVC S). The performance enhancements of XAVC over older codecs allow it to record 4K (4096×2160) video sampled at either 4:4:4 or 4:2:2. It is also capable of high frame rates and is said to be highly efficient. XAVC S supports up to 3840 × 2160 (otherwise known as quad HD).
But how does XAVC work? and how does it fit into established workflows? Sony have helpfully published this lengthy video explanation by Hugo Gaggioni, CTO of Sony Professional Solutions of America
The video is quite technical, but what is does reveal is that XAVC is actually the latest implementation MPEG-4/H.264 codec. It is a open format which can be licensed – something Sony say they have done to encourage wider industry adoption.
Will XAVC become a widely used standard in the future? only time will tell.
