Sony VENICE Firmware v5.0 Adds 6K High Frame Rates

For Cine Gear 2019, Sony has announced the details for the next firmware update to their top-tier large format digital cinema camera. Sony VENICE firmware v5.0 will give cinematographers the ability to use additional High Frame Rate (HFR) capabilities in 6K, new recording flavours for ProRes in HD as well as benefit from additional workflow flexibility.

Sony VENICE firmware update v5.0 is a good six months away, as Sony are planning on releasing it sometime in January 2020.

Firmware v5.0 will add 72fps HFR in 6K 1.85:1 and 90fps slow motion mode in 6K 2.39:1. The upcoming firmware update will also add Full HD ProRes 4444 recording options directly to the SxS PRO+ cards; thus not requiring the AXS-R7 recorder for more streamlined HD post-workflows, which do not require high resolution capture.

Sony Venice FF

Sony Venice on set of launch promo film

As a reminder, the current VENICE firmware v4.0 added 120fps at 4K 2.39:1 and 110fps at 4K 17:9 among other features via a high speed license.

“Through an ongoing dialogue with cinematographers, we have continued to evolve VENICE to meet the needs of top talent,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president for Imaging Product and Solutions Americas at Sony Electronics.

“To date, more than 100 features and episodic productions have been shot on VENICE. The new Version 5.0 firmware will allow the camera to be even more flexible, ultimately increasing its benefit and versatility to all cinematographers.”

Notable projects shot on VENICE include this summer’s action thriller from STXfilms “21 Bridges” (DoP Paul Cameron, ASC), Sony Pictures’ “Bad Boys for Life” (DoP Robrecht Heyvaert) and the Johnny Depp drama “Minamata” (DoP Benoit Delhomme).

Sony VENICE CIneAlta 6K FF

VENICE Version 5.0 Firmware Highlights:

  • 6K HFR Capabilities
    • 90fps at 6K 2.39:1
    • 72fps at 6K 17:9
  • Apple ProRes 4444
    • record HD videos in high picture quality with SxS PRO+, without Sony’s AXS-R7 recorder; this is especially effective for HD VFX workflow
  • 180 Degree Rotation Monitor Out
    • Flip & flop images via viewfinder and SDI
  • High Resolution Magnification via HD Monitor Out
    • Existing advanced viewfinder technology for clearer magnification is now extended to HD Monitor Out
  • Improved User Marker Settings
    • Menu updates for easier selection of frame lines on viewfinder

In addition to announcing the next firmware v5.0 update for VENICE, Sony also announced their VENICE has been fully ACES certified.

The VENICE joins Sony’s F65, F55 and F5 in earning the ACES logo, meeting the specifications laid out in the ACES Product Partner Logo Program; with a newly available IDT and properly configured ACES colour managed workflow, VENICE ensures a consistent colour experience that preserves the filmmaker’s creative vision.

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