Sony HDC R Series and HDC-F5500V Accessories: Building a Studio and OB Position

Last updated: 3 October 2026. Specifications are from Sony's R Series launch materials (announced April 2026) and published product information. Prices are indicative, check the linked product pages for live Australian pricing and stock.

Sony's R Series system cameras, the HDC-5500R, HDC-5500RV, HDC-3500R, HDC-3500RV and HDC-3200R, along with the Super 35 HDC-F5500V, live on studio floors and OB positions, so the accessories that matter are pedestals and OB supports, prompting, monitoring, and power and light for everything around the camera. Here is how to build out an R Series position from the Black Flag Distribution range.

The R Series in brief

The R Series cameras use 2/3-inch three-chip 4K CMOS sensors with global shutter. The HDC-5500R and HDC-5500RV add 4K high frame rate, UHB transmission and 12G-SDI, and support video trunk over two 1.5G SDI lines. The HDC-3500R and HDC-3500RV support Sony's new HB+ transmission, carrying video trunk and prompter over one 3G SDI line or two 1.5G SDI lines. The RV models include a pre-installed variable ND filter, and the 5500R, 5500RV, 3500R and 3500RV have a slide mechanism for the large 7.4-inch HDVF-EL760 viewfinder.

The HDC-3200R completes the series. It now supports the S-Gamut3 and S-Gamut3.Cine wide colour gamut modes used across the HDC-5000 and HDC-3500 series, so it can be colour matched more precisely alongside the bigger models, and like the 3500R and 3500RV it can work with camera control units fitted with the HKCU-LUT35 board for 3D LUT colour adjustment. It is the natural choice for the additional positions in a multi-camera production where the 5500R covers the hero angles.

The HDC-F5500V is the related Super 35 system camera with a PL mount and built-in variable ND, for shallow depth of field in live production.

Studio and OB support: Sachtler pedestals and tripods

A system camera with a box lens, large viewfinder and prompter is a heavy, front-loaded build, and the support has to match. For studio and OB pedestal positions, the Sachtler Vario pedestals give smooth on-shot height moves: the System 25 Vario 1-70 and System 25 Vario 2-80, and the heavier System 60 Vario 1-70 and System 60 Vario 2-80. The 2-80 column gives the longer stroke for seated to standing moves. For tripod positions, the Video 25 EFP 2 and Cine 30 EFP systems carry heavier lens packages. Match the payload to your exact lens, viewfinder and prompter combination, and see our Sachtler OB systems guide for payloads and strokes side by side.

When the camera comes off the pedestal with an ENG-style lens for a handheld or roaming position, a 100mm head such as the aktiv18T flowtech100 or Video 18 flowtech100 system suits the lighter configuration.

Prompting: Autocue

HB+ on the HDC-3500R and RV can carry a prompter feed over the camera's existing transmission, which makes a camera-mounted prompter much simpler to run. Autocue's 19" Pioneer Studio Teleprompter and 19" Explorer Teleprompter suit studio positions, and the 22" Talent Monitor and Mounting Package adds a talent return. Allow for the prompter's weight when you size the pedestal.

Monitoring and wireless: SmallHD and Teradek

SmallHD production monitors suit floor managers, directors and engineering positions, with PageOS tools for checking HDR and SDR. For a wireless feed to a floor or director's monitor, the Teradek Bolt 7 takes 12G-SDI and delivers zero-delay video, with a dedicated 900MHz channel that can carry shading and telemetry data alongside the picture where your workflow supports it.

Power: Anton Bauer

Over SMPTE hybrid fibre, a system camera is powered from the CCU, so batteries are mostly for the gear around it: field monitors, wireless receivers, prompters on location and battery lighting. The Anton Bauer Dionic XT range and QUAD 6A chargers are the broadcast standard for that kit. See our Anton Bauer battery guide.

Lighting: Litepanels and Quasar Science

For studio and presentation sets, Litepanels Gemini panels give soft, full-colour key and fill, and the weather-resistant Astra IP 1x1 handles OB presentation positions outdoors. Quasar Science Rainbow 2 tubes are ideal for set dressing and background colour. See the Litepanels guide.

Crew and transport: Setwear, OpenMoon and Bagside

Setwear gloves for the rig and de-rig, the OpenMoon Crew Gear Box for cables, adaptors and consumables, and a Bagside Bagstation XL cart to move lenses and accessories around the compound.

An R Series position at a glance

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the HDC-5500R and HDC-3500R?

Both use 2/3-inch three-chip 4K global shutter sensors. The 5500R adds 4K high frame rate, UHB transmission and 12G-SDI, while the 3500R supports Sony's HB+ transmission, which can carry video trunk and a prompter feed. The RV versions of each add a built-in variable ND filter.

Where does the HDC-3200R fit?

It is the R Series camera for additional positions in a multi-camera production. It now supports S-Gamut3 and S-Gamut3.Cine for closer colour matching with the HDC-5500R and HDC-3500R, and works with CCUs fitted with the HKCU-LUT35 board for 3D LUT colour adjustment.

Is the HDC-F5500V part of the R Series?

No, it is a related Sony system camera. It uses a Super 35 4K sensor with a PL mount and built-in variable ND, and is used alongside 2/3-inch cameras for a cinematic look in live production.

Which Sachtler pedestal should I choose?

It depends on the full payload of camera, lens, viewfinder and prompter. Our Sachtler OB systems guide lists payloads and strokes side by side, and we are happy to help you size it.

Where to buy in Australia

Black Flag Distribution is the official Australian distributor of the professional film, television and production brands featured in this guide. We support our valued specialist retail partners and prefer that you purchase through them wherever possible: use the store finder to locate your nearest authorised dealer. If you would rather buy direct, we can also facilitate your order.