Sony just announced the PDT-FP1 – a 5G-compatible portable data transmitter. The transmitter can send camera data using a LAN port or over a 5G network using a 5G sim. For now, it seems that the PDT-FP1 supports at least FTP delivery and live streaming. It also seems that the interface for the transmitter is the same interface you get from Sony’s Creators’ App. This announcement puts Sony in an ever-growing video transmission market, along with TeraDek, Atomos Connect, the Blackmagic Cloud, and a whole slew of other cloud-workflow companies). Let’s jump in.
The Sony PDT-FP1 transmitter promises low latency, even overseas
The PDT-FP1 supports various bands, such as domestic and international 5G millimeter wave bands, Sub6 communication, standalone 5G communication, and local 5G. Sony claims the transmitter is equipped with a unique antenna that is optimized for low-latency performance, including overseas bands.
The PDT-FP1 also supports a dual-SIM setup, even though it only has one physical SIM card slot. To use a dual-SIM setup, the PDT-FP1 allows you to use an eSIM instead of a second physical SIM card. Depending on radio wave conditions, the transmitter can automatically switch between the two SIMs to select the best one for the situation. Sadly, I did not see any sim bonding features, so you’d probably fall over to the better-performing sim vs. getting a combined speed.
PDT-FP1 cooling system
The PDT-FP1 has a built-in fan and heat sink to ensure the device will perform even in environments up to 40 degrees Celsius. You can adjust the fan to auto, cooling priority, or silent priority, depending on your needs.
PDT-FP1 workflow with Sony cameras
You can connect the PDT-FP1 to any of the supported Sony cameras and automatically transfer the data to a specified FTP server or to the recently updated Sony cloud services. This should allow for a team-oriented workflow similarly to working with Frame.io or any of the tools I mentioned in the intro. The supported Sony cameras can work with either of the two transmission options, so it’s your choice which one to use. It is curious to see if Sony is heading in the same direction as Blackmagic and their cloud, trying to snatch a bigger piece of the production pie.
PDT-FP1 IO ports
The PDT-FP1 is equipped with a LAN port, an HDMI, and two USB-C ports, one of which is a charging port. This will allow you to connect the PDT-FP1 to your camera with one port and charge the transmitter with the other. There is also a convenient 1/4-inch screw hole for mounting at the back.
Sony PDT-FP1 specs
Size (height x width x thickness)Approximately 170mm x 80mm x 26.6mm
weightApprox. 308g
OSAndroid (TM) 13
CPUSnapdragon(R) 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform
Built-in memory (RAM/ROM)8GB / 256GB
external memoryUp to 1 TB (microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC) *
batteryLithium-ion battery (5000mAh)
SIMnanoSIM / eSIM
Dual SIM specificationDSDS
BluetoothBluetooth(R) 5.3 wireless technology
displayOLED (1080×2520), 6.1 inch
GPSA-GPS, A-GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS
Wi-Fi(R)IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4/5/6GHz *7
Number of devices that can be connected to Wi-Fi tetheringMaximum 10 units
Compatible band (4G)1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 *8
Compatible band (5G Sub6)NSA: n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n25, n28, n30, n38, n40, n41, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79 *8 SA: n1, n2, n3, n5 ,n7 , n8, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79 * 8
Compatible band (5G millimeter wave)n257, n258, n260, n261
Maximum throughput (5G)Uplink: Max. 1.1 Gbps / Downlink: Max. 8.1 Gbps
USB Type-C (TM) terminal (data transfer)USB Type-C (TM) (SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps (USB3.2))
USB Type-C (TM) terminal (CHARGE)USB Type-C (TM)
HDMI(R) terminalType-A: 3840×2160 (60p/50p/30p/25p/24p), 1920×1080 (60p/50p/30p/25p/24p), 1280×720(60p/ 50p/30p/25p/24p), 720×480 (60p), 720×576 (50p), 640×480 (60p)
LAN terminal10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T
typedc fan
fan thicknessApproximately 5.0 mm
PDT-FP1 Price and availability
Sony did release some images of the PDT-FP1 with cameras like the A9III and FX3 (two of Sony’s best cameras), but it feels like there is more to come from this device, and I am eager to see it in the market fully integrated. In the meantime, Sony did share that the PDT-FP1 is scheduled to be released on March 22, 2024, and preorders will start on February 7, 2024. Its suggested retail price is 159,500 yen or about $1080.
