Archive notice: This article was originally published on April 21, 2005. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
With the new GY-HD100U camcorder and BR-HD50UHD recorder, JVC Professional underlines its ambitions in the HD market. Even the camcorder’s history is promising: In a Europe-wide study, JVC asked users ranging from wedding videographers to broadcasters how they would like an HDV camcorder to be. The company took these wishes into account, and for this reason, among others, uses an interchangeable lens. This also makes it possible to achieve the desired mechanical adjustment for focus and zoom.
The camcorder ships with a 16x Fujinon lens designed for 1/3-inch chips. An adapter also allows ½-inch lenses to be used. The GY-HD100U works with three 1/3-inch chips for 720p. In HD mode it supports 50 and 60 Hz, and in both operating modes it works with 24p/25p and 30p. Anyone who needs 1080i gets it through real-time conversion during output. One of the camcorder’s special features is that it can also be operated purely as a camera and then even offers a 50p output. In this case, recording takes place on an external recorder.
This feature exemplifies the philosophy of the Pro-HD concept: JVC wants to enable customers to make an affordable entry into the HDTV world and in doing so goes beyond the HDV concept – 50p output in HD-SDI is not provided there, nor is 24p recording. For the company, the two products presented at the show are only the beginning. JVC is already working on devices that also enable 50/60p recording. Likewise, 1080p and MPEG-2 with 40 – 50 Mbit recording onto a disc are envisaged.
In its current form, the camcorder also makes a very good impression in terms of the arrangement of the controls. All buttons are placed where they should be. In the audio area there is 48 V phantom power and two XLR connectors that can be switched from line to microphone. A novel headphone simultaneously serves to stabilize the shoulder-mounted camcorder, which offers two headphone connectors.
Many signal parameters such as Cine Gamma, Gamma, Color Matrix and Knee can be adjusted. The camera setup can be stored on an SD card, allowing the camera operator always to work with their individual settings. The focus assistant is very successful conceptually: Focus is indicated by a preselectable color, and what appears yellow is then also in focus. If it works, this method is a real help when working in HD. The camera is expected to cost 5,500 euros.
The BR-HD50UHD recorder is also distinguished by an interesting price, which is around 3,600 euros. In addition to digital input signals, it also offers composite and Y/C inputs as well as composite, Y/C and YUV at the output. An HDMI interface is also integrated, extending the area of application to high-quality playback.
The camera, like the recorder, is expected to be available in small quantities from June 2005.
Further Links:
- JVC Professional
