Sony DXC-D30 User Manual

The DXC-D30/D30WS incorporates state-of-the-art digital

camera processing technology which is designed to fully

exploit the benefits of DSP (Digital Signal Processing).  

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The TruEye digital signal process employed in the DXC-D30/

D30WS is a true innovation in camera signal processing,

made possible by Sony digital signal technology.

In conventional RGB analog or digital processing, some

nonlinear signal processing occurs after gamma correction,

such as white clip and knee correction, and can result in hue

factor distortion - a phenomenon that is particularly obvious in

extreme high-light conditions.  This significant problem is

totally eliminated by the TruEye process which manages video

signal data according to three factors - brightness, hue and

saturation - so that color in even a wide dynamic range can be

reproduced as faithfully as by the human eye without hue

factor distortion.

Based on the TruEye system, the DXC-D30/D30WS also

offers a unique feature called DynaLatitude™ which adaptively

manages the contrast of each pixel according to a histogram of

video signal level distribution.  The DynaLatitude feature

brings a new dimension to other technologies such as

Dynamic Contrast Control (DCC).  The DynaLatitude feature

optimizes video level distribution based on video signal

histograms in order to utilize the limited dynamic range of the

video signal standard. 

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Even though the DXC-D30/D30WS was designed to be highly

reliable, it employs a powerful self diagnostic system which

informs the operator, in real time, of the connecting conditions

of the LSI (Large Scale Integration) circuits and printed circuit

boards, as well as electrical connection conditions between the

camera and a VTR.  Even if the operator is not familiar with

digital circuitry, the DXC-D30/D30WS informs them of exactly

what is happening.

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The horizontal resolution and the signal to noise ratio of the

DXC-D30/D30WS are ranked among the highest in the

industry.  The Modulation Depth of the DXC-D30 is 55%

(typical) at 5MHz and that of the DXC-D30WS is 70% (typical)

in the 16:9 mode.  The newly developed digital circuits

drastically reduce the aliasing phenomenon, which was found

even in conventional digital cameras, while maintaining the

high resolution. 

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Having DSP technology, the DXC-D30/

D30WS assures a high degree of stability

through its video output.  The picture

tone is kept uniform among multiple

DXC-D30/D30WS’s.  

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The Skin Detail function in the DXC-D30/D30WS gives the

subject a pleasing facial complexion, while maintaining the

sharpness of the other areas.  The designated active area of

Skin Detail can be set with the digital circuits by simply

adjusting the Area Detect Cursor on the viewfinder screen and

SKIN SET button on a camera side panel.  The color range of

the Skin Detail active area and Skin Detail level can be also set

by the viewfinder menu system.  The range of color detection

for detail correction is 360 degrees.

The DXC-D30/D30WS provides edges with a natural line and

appropriate thickness in areas with extreme dark-to-light or

light-to-dark transitions, by digitally optimizing the level of

detail signal to each of the transition points, not by just

clipping the detail signal.  Consequently, the ‘Black Halo’ effect

which is seen as thick black edges surrounding an extremely

bright object, as well as a stepping diagonal edge, have been

dramatically reduced.  

The Vertical Detail Correction signal, which is digitally created

from both the Green and Red signals, assures image

sharpness when shooting highly saturated subjects or subjects

bathed in red light.

The Horizontal Detail Frequency can be controlled by the VF

Menu System according to the user’s preference.

Power HAD CCD 

(DXC-D30 only )

The DXC-D30 incorporates three Power HAD CCD sensors.

These sensors feature a minimal smear level equivalent to

conventional FIT CCDs, which addresses the tough demands

of the high-end production field.  The total performance of the

Power HAD CCD sensor approaches that of the standard FIT.

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Vertical Smear Level of the DXC-D30 is -125dB which is the

same level as conventional FIT sensors. This feature will give

the operator more freedom to shoot subjects in high light

situations.

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The Power HAD sensor in the DXC-D30 achieves a high

sensitivity of F11.0 (at 2000 lx, 3200K) and minimum

illumination of 0.5 lx.  This feature affords a greater

opportunity to shoot under extremely low-light conditions.  

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The improved CCD process combined with the camera’s new

digital circuits means a reduction in CCD noise.  The signal-

to-noise ratio is improved to 63dB, one of the highest

specification in the industry.  

Enhanced Ease of Operation

Responding to the increasing demands for more automatic

functions in a professional level camera, the DXC-D30/D30WS

boosts several new and improved functions sure to please the

most demanding camera person.

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Even if the incoming light exceeds the range of the automatic

iris control either above or below, by using the iris control in

combination with Auto Gain Control (AGC) and CCD AE (Auto

Exposure, the application of variable shutter of CCD), the

DXC-D30/D30WS offers proper picture exposure.  This

function is called TLCS.  While still maintaining low-noise

characteristics, TLCS affords ease of operation for this high-

end professional camera.

The DXC-D30 is a digital signal processing camera, and its sister
model DXC-D30WS is a wide-screen camera for the 16:9 aspect ratio
with a switching capability to also capture the image in a 4:3 aspect
ratio.  Both models have the following features.

Sony State-of-the-art Digital Camera Signal
Processing Technology 

Programmable

Auto Iris

AGC

AE

Auto Iris

Conventional Camera

Programmable

DXC-D30
DXC-D30WS