Along with the Alpha 1, Sony has also announced the Xperia Pro, which they say is the first smartphone in the world with dedicated HDMI input.
HDMI input
This is something people have been wanting to see for a long time, and finally we have a phone with an HDMI input. If only Apple would do it with their phones. Being able to use a smartphone as a monitor makes a lot of sense. Yes, you could previously monitor images on a smartphone, but only wirelessly or through a myriad of conversion blocks.
It makes a lot of sense to have a fixed solution, as most modern smartphones have very bright and color accurate screens. This makes them very suitable for use with smaller cameras.
We first saw it shown at IBC 2019, where Sony is showing an Xperia 1 that is directly connected to a Sony VENICE.
With an HDMI input, users can enhance their workflow by connecting the phone to a Sony Alpha camera or any other HDMI device. Not only can you use the Xperia Pro as a monitor, but you can also enable a 5G data link so you can broadcast video in real time. To do this, you must have a compatible live third-party program.
The Xperia PRO’s high-quality 6.5-inch 4K OLED monitor lets you monitor images via the pre-installed External monitor software for host applications.
This software has a screen lock function, screen brightness, zoom functions, adjustable grid lines, and more.
Video & Stills
Xperia PRO uses the same imaging technology as the Xperia 1 II. According to Sony, the phone was developed with the help of the Alpha camera engineers. The Xperia PRO integrates technology like Real-time AF on both humans and animals. It also features an interface with a variety of manual controls and has the ability to take up to 20 fps with 60 times per second autofocus / auto exposure calculations and RAW support.
Based on the expertise of Sony’s Digital Cinema Camera engineers, the Xperia PRO offers video preferences for color management, 21: 9 movie recording, 4K HDR in 24, 30, 60 and 120 fps slow motion, and an intelligent wind filter. The 6.5-inch 4K HDR OLED screen has a 21: 9 CinemaWide aspect ratio and supports the BT.2020 color space.
5G mmGolf & 5G Sub-6
The Xperia Pro supports 5G mmWave and 5G Sub-6 for fast data transfer and the phone is designed to optimize signal reception.
The Xperia PRO has a 360-degree antenna design that covers all four sides of the device. This 360-degree antenna provides the most efficient way to record 5G mmWave signals with high band frequency. In addition, the low dielectric constant material used in the chassis of the Xperia PRO enables radio waves to pass through more easily. Together, these technologies help ensure an optimal 5G signal strength connection, regardless of how the user is holding the device or where it is positioned.
The Network Visualizer feature developed for Xperia PRO provides easy-to-understand visualization of the signal direction, communication method, and communication speed of the device to help on-site camera operators locate the best location for live broadcasts. This function shows the current signal reception, indicates the direction of the 5G signal received and provides communication throughput and histogram. A keyboard shortcut is located on the side of the Xperia PRO, which can be assigned to launch a frequently used feature, including Network Visualizer.
Other features
The Xperia PRO combines water and dust resistance of IP65 / 68. It has Corning Gorilla Glass 6 on the front for protection.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G Mobile Platform and the Snapdragon X55 5G Modem RF system allow users to play, capture, cross-connect and connect at 5G speeds with multi-gigabit. There are improved performance from a 25% faster CPU and GPU than on the previous Xperia model.
The phone has a 4,000mAh battery and is compatible with the optional UCH32C fast charger. It also has two technologies to keep the battery healthy for longer. Battery Care prevents the phone from overcharging, while Xperia Adaptive Charging monitors the phone while it charges to make sure the battery is not overcharged.
Price and availability
The new Xperia PRO 5G will be available for purchase and sale to customers on January 26, 2021, and will sell for approximately $ 2,499.99 USD. Customers can purchase Xperia PRO from a select group of Sony’s authorized dealers in North America.
