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Sony FR7 in remote production workflows

    Home Blog Sony FR7 in remote production workflows

    Sony FR7 in remote production workflows

    By Jordan Thomas | Blog | Comments are Closed | 14 December, 2022 | 36

    The highly anticipated Sony FR7 is almost here, and we’ve been able to get an early hands-on experience, courtesy of Sony Professional Europe!

    At IBC 2022 back in September, Sony announced the launch of the FR7, the world’s first ever PTZ camera that combines a full-frame image sensor, lens interchangeability and remote shooting functionality. The announcement rocked the industry and was one of the most talked about subjects at the four-day show.

    The FR7 being demonstrated by Sony at IBC 2022 in September

     

    The FR7 took the industry by storm in a number of ways, particularly due to it being the world’s first full-frame PTZ camera that lets you switch lenses – completely redefining the creative and cinematographic possibilities of live events, reality TV and fixed rig productions! 

    The evidence of the FR7’s cinematic capabilities doesn’t end there. In early December it was announced that the FR7 had been added to the Netflix approved camera list, making it the first PTZ to be approved as a primary camera within Netflix productions. 

    As with the Sony FX6, the FR7 also features a built-in variable ND filter which can be completely remotely controlled. The intensity varies from 1/4 to 1/128 with an automatic ND feature also available.

    With the impressive specification of the FR7 understood, it was time to test the Sony FR7’s integration with the Quicklink ST150 for easily gathering professional remote contributions and it’s use within the Quicklink Manager portal to enable remote production, also known as REMote Integration (REMI). Integrating the FR7 into the Quicklink ST150 will allow us to remotely control the FR7 from any global location without any additional network configuration by using the web-based Quicklink Manager.

    The Sony FR7 boasts a 12G–SDI BNC output that can be easily connected to the SDI input on the rear of the Quicklink ST150. The onboard RJ-45 (LAN network) connector for network communication allows the FR7 to be discoverable for remote control and integration within the Quicklink Manager. Also available is audio-in (5-pin XLR), timecode-in, and GPI.

    The Sony FR7 installed, connected and positioned in the Quicklink Studio using a Sony FE PZ 38-135mm f/4 G OSS lens

     

    After very little configuration, the pan/tilt/zoom, chromakey, focusing and other aspects could be controlled remotely using the Quicklink Manager. This is made possible through the Quicklink ST150’s support for any camera using the VISCA Protocol.

    Sony FR7 being controlled from within the Quicklink Manager user interface

     

    From the Quicklink Manager, selecting the Camera Settings opens the FR7 web application for advanced pan, tilt, zoom, focus and record control. From here, up to 100 camera position presets can be configured. Camera access is achieved using QRTP (Quicklink Reverse Tunneling Protocol) making the camera accessible anywhere even when behind NAT and firewalls with no configuration required.

    Sony FR7 web application interface for advanced control

     

    Once we have configured our shot setup, the Quicklink Manager can be used to manage virtual rooms to connect the Quicklink ST150, with incorporated FR7, to a Quicklink Studio Server (ST100, ST102, ST207, ST200) facilitating a high-quality two-way connection for broadcast output via HD-SDI, HDMI and IP (NDI, MPEG-TS). 

    For more of a hands-on control, the FR7 can be paired with a Sony RM-IP500 control panel, connected using Ethernet or GPI. The RM-IP500 includes physical controls for all essential functions of the FR7, such as a joystick for PT control, knobs for zoom, focus, ND filter and more. 

    After spending a significant amount of time using the Sony FR7, here’s our thoughts summarised…

    What we like

    • Back-illuminated 35mm full-frame CMOS image sensor Exmor R with approximately 10.3 effective megapixels and wide 15+ stop latitude.
    • Audio inbuilt 5–pin XLR allowing 2 mics to be connected including 48v phantom power setting with full gain using the Quicklink Manager
    • Lens interchangeability. Support for E-mount lenses, compatible with up to 70 Sony E-mount lenses that cover a range of 12 to 1200mm. Limited to fixed and PT on certain E-mount lenses as noted below.
    • Can memorise up to 100 camera position presets (camera direction, zoom and focus) with fantastic recall using the web application.
    • The price-point of the FR7 is very reasonable. Of course, the lens cost also needs to be factored, however the FE PZ 28-135mm F4 G OSS lens is excellent and can be packaged by Sony and other dealers as part of a kit.
    • Very easy plug-and-play integration into Quicklink’s ST150. Allowing the gathering of professional contributions using the Sony FR7 with full remote management from any global location using the Quicklink Manager web portal. More information here.

    To be noted

    • To achieve a true PTZ remote control, and not only PZ, the FR7 requires a Power Zoom lens. Sony currently offers three full-frame Power Zoom lenses; FE PZ 28-135mm f/4 G OSS lens (SELP28135G), FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G lens (SELP1635G) & FE C 16-35mm T3.1 lens (SELC1635G).
    • When using the 100-400mm GM, 200-600mm G, 400mm F2.8 GM and 600mm F4 lenses, the pan/tilt must be fixed with the camera locking mechanism due to the lens size and weight.
    • Availability. Due to the well-deserved anticipation for the FR7, it may be difficult to get your hands on one if you do not already have your pre-order. You can discover local Sony dealers who may stock the Sony FR7 here.

    Conclusion

    The Sony FR7 has taken the industry by storm and has re-written the possibilities of PTZ cameras and their place within professional productions. With the cinematic look and feel becoming increasingly the norm in broadcasting, the FR7 certainly brings the PTZ camera into the cinematic realm as claimed by Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions at Sony Electronics Inc. 

    The combination of the full-frame image sensor and lens interchangeability options make the Sony FR7 an exceptionally impressive piece of kit. We are certainly extremely excited to see the professional remote contributions and remote production workflows using the Sony FR7 and ST150, controlled using the Quicklink Manager without the need for network configuration.  

    You can learn more about the Sony FR7 on the Sony website, here. For more information about the Quicklink ST150, click here, or to get in touch with the Quicklink team to discover more, click here. 

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