Sony PMW-500 Manual

Page 1
Sony PMW 500
Operator guide
Production Support
Acquisition
Advice ■Support ■Innovation
London & HQ: 02 26161 (Option 2)
Bristol: 01 47911
Salford: 01 60200
Production Support Online
Email: [e-mail]
Emergency Tech Support: 07786 171250
Introduction
The Sony PMW 500 is the latest shoulder mounted camera offered by Production Services. It is
tapeless, HD and complies fully with BBC HD requirements.
Operationally it’s similar to other shoulder mounted cameras and so far has revealed no major
problems for programme makers to deal with.
This Guide will help in the setting up and operation of the Sony PMW 500 and also gives a summary of
good operational practice. Depending on your experience, the guide is just one part of a learning
experience, which should include:
Starting from scratch or from Z1 experience
Converting from the EX or XF 305 cameras
An Operational training course
A Camera manual handling course
Discussions with colleagues and Production
Support Specialists
A Rushes Review following initial shooting
A Production Support conversion session
A Camera manual handling course
Discussions with colleagues and Production
Support Specialists
A Rushes Review following initial shooting
If there are recommendations in this guide that don’t make sense to you or that differ from your
previous experience, contact Production Support for advice or to organise a coaching session.
This guide has been written by the team from BBC Production Support, with input from BBC Academy
Sony PMW 500

Page 2
Sony PMW 500
Operator guide
Production Support
Acquisition
Advice ■Support ■Innovation
London & HQ: 02 26161 (Option 2)
Bristol: 01 47911
Salford: 01 60200
Production Support Online
Email: [e-mail]
Emergency Tech Support: 07786 171250
Index
Page no.
Set up and preparation
1.1
Batteries
3
1.2
Charging batteries
3
1.3
Initial Menu set-up
4
1.4
User Menu
7
1.5
Media Cards
7
1.6
Inserting and removing cards
8
1.7
Formatting cards
9
1.8
Setting Rec Format, System Line, and Frequency
9
1.9
Clip naming
11
1.10
System time and date
12
1.11
Timecode
12
1.12
Viewfinder, LCD and shoulder pad physical
adjustments
13
1.13
Viewfinder picture adjustments
14
1.14
Standard viewfinder text
15
1.15
Lens Options and preparation
15
Operation
2
Zoom
17
3
Focus
17
4
Exposure & scene files
19
5
White balance
23
6
Audio
25
7
Assign buttons
29
8
Special recording modes
30
9
Playback
32
10
Pre-shoot checklist
34

Page 3
Sony PMW 500
Operator guide
Production Support
Acquisition
Advice ■Support ■Innovation
London & HQ: 02 26161 (Option 2)
Bristol: 01 47911
Salford: 01 60200
Production Support Online
Email: [e-mail]
Emergency Tech Support: 07786 171250
1.1 Batteries
Various batteries can be used with the PMW 500 although Production Services mainly supplies IDX
Endura.
These batteries will last around 2 hours. Larger batteries are available for the PMW500 but are banned
from commercial air travel.
The remaining capacity is indicated as a
percentage in the viewfinder top right.
To get the right warnings, and avoid the camera suddenly dying,
the menu needs to be set to match the batteries.
If sufficient warning is not being given before the battery dies,
change the menu.
*Type* means type of battery
Info = Sony Info Lithium BPGL65
or similar
Sony = Sony BP-L60 or similar
Other =Any non-Sony battery
*Warning* means on screen text and flashing red light
For IDX Endura 9 batteries (Other):
Battery before end warning = About 5 mins filming left = 13.5V
Battery End Warning = Less than a minute left = 12.5V
1.2 Charging batteries
Chargers may be for 2 or 4 batteries. The charger can also be used as a power supply (with a special 4
pin XLR cable) but not at the same time as charging.
The batteries take about the same time to charge as to use, however some chargers only do one
battery at a time so 4 batteries can take about 8 hours to charge.
Menu > Ma > Battery > *Type* > *Warning*
Section 1: Set up and preparation
Press the CHECK button for
a rough indication of charge.

Page 4
Sony PMW 500
Operator guide
Production Support
Acquisition
Advice ■Support ■Innovation
London & HQ: 02 26161 (Option 2)
Bristol: 01 47911
Salford: 01 60200
Production Support Online
Email: [e-mail]
Emergency Tech Support: 07786 171250
Menu > Format > File System > UDF
1.3 Initial menu set up
If the PMW500 has been hired from Production Services, picture quality settings will already be
installed, and other operational controls (e.g. assignable buttons) will be set sensibly. Also, the User
menu is populated with useful shortcuts. The standard Production Services settings give the highest
picture quality for general production. For News use, contact News Location Facilities for advice.
`If the camera is hired from an external company or doesn’t have the BBC recommended settings
installed, get the settings emailed from Production Support. They need to be loaded into the camera by
using the camera menu and a USB stick.
Access the menu with the left-hand toggle switch under
the flap by the camera’s ON/OFF switch, and navigate
through the menu with the scroll wheel at front of the
camera. Push in to select items.
Alternatively use the pad under
the side flap
Please note that the USB functionality and highest picture quality are only available when the camera file
system is set to UDF, so this is the first stage in setting up the camera.
Plug an empty USB stick (4GB or bigger) into the camera –at the
back of the handle. Mini sticks are ideal as they are much less likely
to become physically damaged. If the camera asks for the stick to be
formatted, select OK, but be aware that all existing data on the
stick will be lost.

Page 5
Sony PMW 500
Operator guide
Production Support
Acquisition
Advice ■Support ■Innovation
London & HQ: 02 26161 (Option 2)
Bristol: 01 47911
Salford: 01 60200
Production Support Online
Email: [e-mail]
Emergency Tech Support: 07786 171250
Save out an All file into USB position 001, to
create the correct folder structure.
Take the USB stick to a computer and find the folder containing the ‘All’file that you just saved.
Delete all the files in this folder. Then paste into this same folder the Production Support files, typically
obtained via email.
Menu > Fi > All > All Save USB > Execute
Save to USB 001

Page 6
Sony PMW 500
Operator guide
Production Support
Acquisition
Advice ■Support ■Innovation
London & HQ: 02 26161 (Option 2)
Bristol: 01 47911
Salford: 01 60200
Production Support Online
Email: [e-mail]
Emergency Tech Support: 07786 171250
Eject the stick properly and plug it back into to the camera.
Load the All File BBC500MENUS.
Next copy the Scene files into the camera.
The Scene files must be recalled (loaded) into the camera
live menu, and then stored into the camera memory (Mem).
1. Recall GU from the USB stick. To see the
Scene Recall USB menu item, enter the
Scene menu and scroll down.
2. Select 001. GU and execute, to recall the scene
file into the camera
3. Select Scene Store Mem:
4. Store into Scene File Store position 001
5. Now go back to step 1 and load GG into the camera and then store it into
Scene File Store position 002
6. Finally, go back to step 1 and load GU HI SAT into the camera and then store
it into Scene File Store position 003
Menu > Fi > All > All Load USB > Execute
Menu > Fi > Scene > Scene recall USB > Execute

Page 7
Sony PMW 500
Operator guide
Production Support
Acquisition
Advice ■Support ■Innovation
London & HQ: 02 26161 (Option 2)
Bristol: 01 47911
Salford: 01 60200
Production Support Online
Email: [e-mail]
Emergency Tech Support: 07786 171250
This completes loading the Production Support settings.
Remember for News use, contact News Location Facilities for a News settings file.
1.4 User Menu
Once the Production Support BBC500MENUS all file has been loaded, the User Menu is populated with
useful items to help set up the camera.
Format cards
Name clips
Set up audio
Gain switch levels
1.5 Media cards
The PMW500 can take SxS cards for mainstream BBC Production, or SD cards (with an adapter) for
News use. To achieve BBC HD approved pictures the camera must be set to ‘UDF’ mode, recording at
50Mb/s.
The economical SxS-1 cards are recommended. Cards should be available
departmentally but if purchase is required, the cards are available from BBC
Quick Order. Contact Production Support if there are any problems ordering
cards.
Card capacity
A 32GB card can record 60 minutes in the high quality UDF mode at 50Mbs.
Card care and organisation
Try not to stick additional labels on the cards. Use a case or envelope system
to distinguish blank and recorded cards.
To keep media cards healthy always store media cards in the cases supplied
Prevent accidental recording by setting the WRITE PROTECT switch
on the card to the WP position with the red marker showing

Page 8
Sony PMW 500
Operator guide
Production Support
Acquisition
Advice ■Support ■Innovation
London & HQ: 02 26161 (Option 2)
Bristol: 01 47911
Salford: 01 60200
Production Support Online
Email: [e-mail]
Emergency Tech Support: 07786 171250
1.6 Inserting and removing cards/adapters
Slide the slot cover open and insert the card with the
label-side of the card facing towards the front of the
camera.
Insert gently and if any resistance is felt DO NOT
force.
The light next to the slot will go
O
O
OR
R
RA
A
AN
N
NG
G
GE
E
E
while the
camera checks the card.
If it is the active slot it will go
G
G
GR
R
RE
E
EE
E
EN
N
N
to show the card is ready for record or playback. If the card
is not in the selected slot the light will go out.
Record time remaining and the selected card slot (A or B) are shown in the
viewfinder.
When the card has just five minutes media left, the card indicator on screen
will say MEDIA NEAR FULL, and the WARNING indicator and the REC
indicator in the viewfinder will flash.
To remove a card, first make sure the card is not involved in recording or playing back. Then and
VERY IMPORTANTLY check the light next to the card slots. The light should be green or not lit.
If you are satisfied that you can eject the card open the slot cover and press the eject button to
release the lock. The eject button will pop out. Push it again to eject the card.
1.7 Formatting (wiping) cards
Ideally cards will be pre-formatted and ready for use. If not, or
the camera suggests a card needs formatting, proceed as
follows:
Select ‘Format Media’ in the User menu:
A
A
A r
r
re
e
ed
d
d l
l
li
i
ig
g
gh
h
ht
t
t m
m
me
e
ea
a
an
n
ns
s
s D
D
DO
O
O N
N
NO
O
OT
T
T R
R
RE
E
EM
M
MO
O
OV
V
VE
E
E!
!
!Data could be corrupted or lost
Menu > Us > Format Media

Page 9
Sony PMW 500
Operator guide
Production Support
Acquisition
Advice ■Support ■Innovation
London & HQ: 02 26161 (Option 2)
Bristol: 01 47911
Salford: 01 60200
Production Support Online
Email: [e-mail]
Emergency Tech Support: 07786 171250
N.B. The camera menu is slightly confusing as the item ‘Format’ refers to the camera recording mode.
The cards have to be formatted in the correct File System to match the camera Format Menu –UDF
for BBC production excluding News. A card formatted in the wrong mode will result in an
‘Unsupported Media’ message when the camera is in UDF mode.
Check that the camera is in UDF mode and the card is formatted in UDF mode.
1.8 Setting recording format, system line, and system frequency
Reading in a set up file does not set the recording formats and qualities, so these have to be changed
separately in the operation menu. There are five settings to select, as indicated on the picture below:
N.B. ‘System Frequency’ can be either ‘50i’
for smooth interlaced motion, or ‘25p’ for
progressive, filmic motion portrayal.
1. File system
2. HD System Line
3. System frequency
Menu > Op > Format > File System > UDF
Menu > Op > Format > System Frequency > 50i or 25p
Menu > Op > Format > HD System Line > 1080

Page 10
Sony PMW 500
Operator guide
Production Support
Acquisition
Advice ■Support ■Innovation
London & HQ: 02 26161 (Option 2)
Bristol: 01 47911
Salford: 01 60200
Production Support Online
Email: [e-mail]
Emergency Tech Support: 07786 171250
This sets the camera to shoot interlaced or progressive. The choice of 50i or 25p must be made before
shooting starts and then set in camera for the duration of the production. See our guide ‘Interlaced or
Progressive –Which One?’ on the Production Services website for more information and see section
4.21 for instructions on setting the shutter when shooting in 25p mode:
‘50i’ is for smooth motion, replicating the ‘video’ look of sport, news, many documentaries and soaps
like ‘Eastenders’.
‘25p’ offers more filmic, juddery motion, replicating the look of movies, drama and music videos.
4. Rec format
5. Country
Menu > Op > Format > Rec Format > HD422 50
Menu > Op > Format > Country > PAL area