January 9, 2009
JVC is expanding its ProHD camcorder lineup with two professional solid-state camcorders that store files in the native QuickTime format for Apple's Final Cut Pro onto reliable and inexpensive SDHC media cards.
The compact handheld GY-HM100 3-CCD camcorder is expected to ship in April with a list price under $4,000. The compact shoulder-mount GY-HM700 is scheduled for introduction in February and delivery in March; pricing and shipping detail should be announced at that time.
Both camcorders record 35Mb/s high-definition video and uncompressed audio directly to inexpensive SDHC media cards in the native QuickTime format used by Apple Final Cut Pro.
Product Concept
The growing trend in the professional video market is to record directly from camera to solid-state memory, and the current leading solutions, which on proprietary media and file formats, have made the workflow quite expensive for most users. In addition, compatibility with major nonlinear editing systems requires codec converting or re-wrapping format files, a process that significantly slows down the postproduction process. Professional users are yearning for a simple, fast solution that allows instant editing of recorded material without file conversion, and a media cost approaching the economy of tape.
To meet this demand, JVC has adopted the Apple QuickTime file format used in Final Cut Pro. And, to keep media costs as low as possible, JVC selected the reliable yet inexpensive SDHC media card—one of the most widely used solid-state memory cards on the market today.
“We are pleased to support a seamless experience for professional videographers working with Final Cut Studio 2,” says Hiroyuki Takekura, managing director of JVC's Professional Systems Division. “We expect that pro video users will find huge workflow benefits as this optimized workflow bridges the gap between production and postproduction tasks."
“For the first time, Final Cut Pro editors are able to work with a camcorder that records video as native QuickTime files, eliminating the need to transcode or re-wrap prior to editing,” explains Rob Schoeben, Apple’s vice president of Applications Product Marketing. “With the combination of JVC's new camera and Final Cut Studio 2, the industry’s leading video production suite, the promise of file-based acquisition can finally be realized.”
GY-HM100 / GY-HM700 Common Features
Industry’s first native support QuickTime file format for Apple’s Final Cut Pro
Both camcorders natively record the file format used by Apple QuickTime for Final Cut Pro. Users will be able to drag video clips directly from the storage media onto the NLE timeline, eliminating the need for transcoding that can consume excessive time and disk space. With this workflow, video files will maintain first-generation image quality.
Enhanced MPEG-2 Long GOP Encoder
Drawing from its experience in developing encoders currently used in broadcast applications, JVC developed a proprietary codec capable of providing highly efficient compression up to 35Mb/s, a bit rate supporting full 1920x1080 encoding in the HQ mode. This results in recorded images of extremely high quality. MPEG-2 Long GOP encoding is the most widely implemented broadcast standard compression and is currently supported by all popular editing systems and broadcast servers. Additionally, both cameras can record 720p (19Mb/s and 35Mb/s) and 1080i (25Mb/s) in SP mode, assuring compatibility with today’s most popular professional NLE systems.
SDHC Media Card
Both units record on widely available SDHC memory cards, presently available in capacities up to 32GB. The cameras provide two memory card slots, currently allowing up to 64GB of onboard storage—enough for up to six hours of continuous HD recording. The cameras automatically begin recording on the second card when the first card is full. Also, unlike other professional solid-state media, the per-minute cost of SDHC memory is comparable to professional videotape. Moreover, SDHC media becomes the first practical solid-state solution for physical archiving.
GY-HM100 Features
Ultra-Compact 3 lb. Handheld Form Factor
The GY-HM100, the smallest professional format 3-CCD camcorder available, is about the size of a lens for a 2/3-inch imager camera. This makes it ideal for applications where a full-size camera would be impractical, such as in tight quarters and when operating in potentially unsafe situations. For a smaller footprint and less conspicuous shooting, the handle can be removed easily, and the audio can be recorded via the built-in two-channel microphone.
Three 1/4-Inch Progressive CCDs
Three newly developed 1/4-inch progressive scan CCDs provide rich, accurate colors. The red and blue pixel locations are spatially offset relative to green, enabling the sampled luminance information to be significantly increased in both horizontal and vertical directions. This setup results in higher-resolution images compared to prior CCD designs. To separate primary colors, JVC has incorporated a high-quality glass prism and a proprietary mounting technology.
Fujinon 10:1 Zoom HD Lens
The GY-HM100U utilizes a high-definition Fujinon lens with three aspherical elements. In addition, the lens surface's Electronic Beam Coating (EBC) greatly reduces degradation caused by light reflecting off the lens surfaces, leading to greater light transmission and reduced flaring and ghosting. To protect the lens, a flip-in cover is integrated in the lens hood, eliminating the need for an external cap.
Focus is controlled manually or automatically. A smooth servo zoom is controlled with a conventional rocker on the hand grip, or manually with the lens ring. For close-up shooting, a macro mode allows for shooting subjects as little as 2 in. from the lens. Exposure (iris) is manually or automatically controlled, allowing the shooter to adjust the depth of focus by selecting the appropriate F stop. In the manual iris mode, the current F stop value is displayed in the viewfinder.
Professional controls and layout
Despite its size, the camera's hand grip has an ergonomic shape, accommodating hands of all sizes. Control and switches are placed with professional users in mind. To conserve space, a single ring is used for both manual focus and manual zoom. Additional manual controls include white balance, shutter, gain and audio levels.
Additional GY-HM100 Features
- Newly designed JVC Optical Image Stabilization
- JVC-patented Focus Assist
- Color viewfinder and LCD display
- Two-channel balanced audio inputs, mic/line switchable with built-in phantom power supply
- HDMI output
- USB 2.0 interface
JVC GY-HM100 Intro Video
Preliminary GY-HM700 Features
- Compact shoulder form factor of less than 4 kg (8.9 lb.) in operation
- 1/3-inch progressive 3-CCD with JVC’s H/V spatial offset
- Newly developed 14x interchangeable lens by Canon
- Newly developed LCOS viewfinder
- Newly developed large LCD display
- Double-memory hybrid recording system using optional KA-MR100G SxS memory card recorder
- HD-SDI output, SD downconvert capability over IEEE 1394 interface, USB 2.0 interface
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