The Sony Technology Centre in Wales has produced high-spec HD broadcast cameras that were used in the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
New 4K cameras and equipment will be manufactured by Sony at its Technology Centre in Wales.
It will create the higher specification HDC3170 and HDC3500 broadcast camera models at its site in Pencoed. These cameras will be designed to be used in some of the world’s leading sporting contests like the FIFA World Cup, as well as news and entertainment stories.
The new models will support premium high dynamic range picture quality and use a higher frame rate than previous models. They are also backwards compatible, unlike the old camera control unit models. Sony UK TEC’s production team is also set to create the new Triax Camera Control Unit, HDCU3170, which will advance the capabilities of a previous version launched earlier this year.
As well as the two new 4K cameras, the Pencoed site will also manufacture seven supplementary pieces of supporting camera equipment, which will then be shipped to customers worldwide.
Sony Technology Centre’s General Manager Gerald Kelly said that Sony’s decision will strengthen Wales’ reputation for manufacturing new 4K technology.
He said: “We feel that our selection for this project underlines the world-leading capabilities of our expert teams and state-of-the-art facility here in Pencoed and we look forward to supporting its continued growth and success over the coming years.
“The decision to manufacture the latest 4K models and peripherals here also reinforces Wales’s reputation as a manufacturing leader on the global stage, which we hope will translate into greater investment and growing economic prosperity across the nation in the future.”
This year was the 25th anniversary of Sony’s presence in Pencoed. The centre’s broadcast cameras were used at the World Cup in Russia and the Ryder Cup. Its 600-strong workforce manufactures over 6.4 million products including Raspberry Pis and the the 4K camera, HDC-4300. The factory is also the only Sony factory outside Japan to manufacture 4K cameras.
It also has a strong education programme. The Digital Competency Programme, along with the specialist General Coding workshops has assisted around 8,200 local school pupils almost in learning coding and technology skills.
Reporting by Harry Wise
