Ikegami Electronics Co. displayed a wide range of new products at NAB. Highlights included additions to its GFSeries of tapeless HD Flash memory production tools, including the new GFStation Portable player/recorder, GFPlayer low-cost desktop playback machine, GFAdapter for direct media interface to tower PCs, the multi-slot Studio GFAdapter, and Ikegami’s Media Manager software for efficient GFSeries integration with large server-based production environments.

Additional new Ikegami products for NAB 2009 included the HDK-77EC economical portable multiformat HD CMOS camera (dockable to triax or fiber); the CCU-890T camera control unit for triax connectivity; the CCU-890M camera control unit for triax and fiber connectivity; the three-CCD HDL-F25 “separate optics” compact HD camera for gyro-stabilized aerial mounts; new HLM-2450W and HLM-3250W 24- and 32-inch full 1920x1080 resolution LCD monitors; and Ikegami’s exclusive demonstration of an optional 3G HD-SDI input for the new HLM-2450W LCD monitor that enables it to display the increased data rate of 1080/60p video (which was provided by Ikegami’s HDK-79EC/HS dual-processor super-slow-motion/standard-speed multiformat HD camera).

GFSeries Additions
Having introduced the industry’s first tapeless camcorder at NAB 1995, Ikegami has long led the industry in advancing workflow-efficient video acquisition. Now, Ikegami’s open-solution GFSeries product line—developed in cooperation with Toshiba, a world leader in Flash memory—brings the superior advantages of Flash to all HDTV production applications, including ENG and documentary programming, sports, commercials, episodic production, multimedia, corporate television and more.

The GFSeries, featuring HD 1080i/720p format support, an open codec HD/SD architecture, proxy video and metadata convenience, leverages the increasing integration of IT networking in the broadcast industry and delivers unprecedented file-based HD workflow efficiencies extending from digital video capture to nonlinear editing to content delivery.

On display was the GFCam HDS-V10 tapeless camcorder (this year featuring Bluetooth for instant export of thumbnail clips directly to a laptop application for fast logging, metadata insertion and other workflow advantages), as well as the GFStation GFS-V10 Flash memory studio deck, and the rugged, high-capacity GFPak HD Flash-memory media.

The new GFStation Portable player/recorder is a half-rack-wide full-function portable deck for field or mobile playback of GFPak video or the recording of external video sources (such as pool feeds) via HD or SD-SDI inputs. Featuring the same user interface as the larger GFStation studio deck, the GFStation Portable provides a jog/shuttle dial and other VTR-style controls, a front-panel USB connector and color LCD monitor with thumbnail display for quick access to individual clips, as well as audio and playback controls. The GFStation Portable provides the same built-in editing functions as the GFStation studio deck, such as cuts-only editing of GFPak video clips. An Ethernet port allows the GFStation Portable to transfer GFPak material via Gigabit Ethernet. A built-in up/down/cross-converter is included for playback of HD and SD content, as well as a composite video output for monitoring or playout.

Also joining the GFSeries line are the new GFPlayer GFS-V10PL, a low-cost desktop playback machine for producers or news directors to view raw GFPak footage (Ethernet, 9-pin RS-422 connectivity and DVI-D video output are included); the new GFAdapter for the convenience of direct plug-in of GFPak media into tower PCs with fast Serial ATA interface; and the multi-slot Studio GFAdapter, designed as an accessory to the GFStation or GFStation Portable in studio/facility applications, giving immediate access to multiple GFPaks.

Media Manager software for efficient GFSeries integration with large server-based production environments was also shown at NAB 2009. This PC application allows for efficient transfer of GFPak recorded material to cost-effective external storage devices at faster-than-real-time speeds, as well as metadata review and entry to individual recorded clips for fast and easy recycling of GFPaks in the field.

Multiformat HD Camera Convenience
Following on last year’s introduction of the HDK-77EX HDTV camera comes the NAB 2009 debut of the affordable HDK-77EC portable multiformat HD CMOS camera, designed to meet the demands of an increasingly varied HD market, including stadium/arena scoreboard, house of worship, education and other production applications. Featuring CMOS sensors for 1080i/720p HD format flexibility, lower power consumption and reduced operating temperature, the HDK-77EC is an economical docking-style camera that comes packaged with the new CCU-890T camera control unit for triax connectivity. Also introduced: the CCU-890M with built-in triax and fiber for convenient, lightweight mobile unit flexibility. Intended for use with the HDK-79EC, as well as Ikegami’s new HDK-77EC, the user’s choice of camera cable type is determined by a simple switch at the CCU, combined with mounting the docking TA Triax Adapter or FA Fiber Adapter to the camera head.

Ikegami’s innovations for the increasingly varied HD market also include a new camera designed for aerial applications. The new HDL-F25 is a “separate optics” 1080i HD camera featuring a compact optical block (80mm in physical depth) designed to mate with long telephoto lenses inside a gyro-stabilized mount (e.g., for helicopter or blimp applications). Separable from its “box-style” CCU by cable lengths as long as 50 meters, the HDL-F25’s optical block features three full-quality 2/3-inch CCDs for maximum sensitivity, signal-to-noise and colorimetry performance. This airborne HD camera is designed not only for broadcast use, but also for homeland security and law-enforcement applications.

Flat-Panel HD/SD Monitors
Continually advancing the state of the art in broadcast technologies, at NAB 2009 Ikegami displayed two new larger-size LCD monitors models: the HLM-2450W and the HLM-3250W. Measuring 24 and 32 inches, respectively, these versatile full 1920x1080 resolution monitors provide not only HD and SD video but also vector and waveform display, adjustable horizontal or vertical color-coded embedded audio meters, and—as an option—can output embedded audio.

3G HD-SDI
Given the increasing interest among broadcasters and audiences for 1080/60p sports and other content, Ikegami demonstrated an optional 3G HD-SDI input module for its new HLM-2450W 24-inch LCD monitor. The 1080/60p video was generated by Ikegami’s HDK-79EC/HS dual-processor high-speed CMOS multiformat HD camera. The standard HDK-79EC camera can be upgraded to the HS (high-speed) version with a plug-in module, adding 1080/60p—and, for super slow motion, 1080/120i and 720/120p—to its lineup of standard-speed formats. This innovation saves users from the need for a separate high-speed camera for the capture of slow-motion HD video.