Grass Valley has officially announced the launch of its latest innovation, the LDX 180, marking a significant milestone as the companys first purpose-built cinematic camera tailored for live production environments. This cutting-edge camera is equipped with a remarkable 51.8MP 10K Super 35 (S35) global shutter CMOS sensor and features a PL mount. In a notable advancement, the LDX 180 oversamples its high-resolution 10K sensor to deliver stunning 4K images, providing filmmakers with exceptional quality.

Designed specifically for the fast-paced demands of live production, the LDX 180 aims to provide a more cinematic aesthetic while maintaining the speed and precision traditionally associated with broadcast cameras. This dual functionality is essential for productions that require both artistic visuals and reliable performance.

In the competitive market of live production cameras, Sony has long been a frontrunner, offering various S35 sensor and PL mount options for years. Additionally, industry giants like ARRI and RED have also made strides into the live production space, each contributing to the evolution of production technology.

The LDX 180 builds on the foundation set by previous versions of the LDX 100 Series, which supported traditional film settings like a frame rate of 24p and reduced shutter angles. However, these traditional settings often prove impractical in live environments due to the rapid pace of events. Consequently, the industry is shifting toward achieving a shallower depth of field, which is influenced by the lenss focal length and the size of the imager.

Interestingly, even smaller 2/3-inch imagers can sometimes yield a depth of field that is too shallow for practical use. In contrast, larger sensors may create an even shallower field, necessitating precise focus to avoid unwanted blurriness. Therefore, the most effective strategy is to choose cameras with imager sizes that perfectly align with the specific needs of the production at hand.

One of the most noteworthy features of the LDX 180 is its global shutter operation, which is critical for certain shooting conditions, particularly in LED wall and augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) applications. This global shutter technology effectively mitigates challenges such as motion blur, which is vital in dynamic live production settings.

The LDX 180 is constructed on the established LDX 100 Series camera platform, yet it comes equipped with a novel imager developed in-house by Grass Valley, along with advanced Creative Grading capabilities. The proprietary Xenios CMOS imager offers oversampled UHD resolution, while the integration of Creative Grading allows operators to see the effects of every shading adjustment in real time, accompanied by graphical controls that enhance user interaction.

Moreover, the LDX 180 is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing LDX Series cameras, such as the LDX 135 and LDX 150, ensuring consistency in colorimetry and shared transmission throughout a single production. It is compatible with XCU and NativeIP technologies, providing a wide range of connectivity optionsfrom SDI to SMPTE ST 2110making it easy to fit into established live production workflows. This design philosophy eliminates additional complexity in integration and reduces setup time, allowing crews to focus on delivering outstanding content.

Built upon Grass Valleys award-winning technology innovations, the LDX 180 is positioned as an ideal solution for full cinematic productions utilizing multiple units of this model, as well as hybrid productions that comprise a combination of LDX 135, 150, and 180 systems. The LDX 180 upholds all the features and capabilities found in other models within the LDX 100 Series, including optional NativeIP operation and JPEG XS compression, both of which enhance workflow efficiency and video quality.

Additionally, the camera offers a variety of flexible licensing optionsranging from daily to perpetual licensesallowing production teams to adapt their camera setups to meet diverse production requirements. An NFC-based status display is included, facilitating easy monitoring of the cameras performance, along with a suite of advanced features tailored to the demanding nature of live production.

Importantly, the LDX 180 also supports HDR functionalities, including HDR/SDR LUT processing options like PQ, HLG, and S-Log3, further expanding its versatility in professional environments.

Price & Availability

The Grass Valley LDX 180 is slated to hit the market during the northern hemisphere summer. As of now, no pricing information has been disclosed, leaving potential buyers eager for details.