JVC has launched two relatively inexpensive camcorders, the GY-HM700 ProHD camcorder and the GY-HM100 ProHD that offers users low prices and some technological firsts, according to Craig Yanagi, JVC's national marketing manager for creation products.
Both cameras "were designed and developed with native Final Cut pro recording capability," Yanagi said. "This is the first time that a professional camera manufacturer has been licensed by Apple to use this technology."
Apple's Final Cut Pro has become increasingly popular in the production community. Designing the cameras to record in the .mov file format means that post production can begin immediately after shooting. "There is no ingest necessary so there is zero downtime," he said.
The GY-HM700 is also the industry's first shoulder mounted camcorder to store files on inexpensive SDHC memory cards. "It allows you to record high bandwidth video at about a buck a minute, which is on par with Betacam SP but light years ahead in efficiency and operation," Yanagi said.
Yanagi also said JVC's alliance with Sony means it is possible for the GY-HM700 to record in Sony ZDCAM EX compatible files. "The professional market has been looking for some uniformity as regards to platforms," he said. "Our announcement with Sony last year at IBC was the first time that two professional camera manufacturers were converging and aligning on a single recording platform."
The GY-HM700 is priced at $7,995 and includes a new chip that JVC is calling a "dynamic digital signal processor" to improve imaging. The higher resolution imaging is complemented by a new Cannon KT14x4.4KRSI lens, which will be available in June. The camera supports all major HD formats and has a new LCOS viewfinder that can display images at over five times the resolution of typical color viewfinders, Yanagi said.
The GY-HM100 was previewed at the Final Cut Pro User Group SuperMeet at Macworld in January but was not formally announced until mid-February. This lighter, hand-held camcorder weights about 3.1 pounds and has a list price of $3,995.
Via Multichannel news.
From the JVC press release:
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. Video clips are dragged directly from the storage media onto the non-linear editor's timeline, eliminating the need for transcoding that can consume excessive time and disk space while maintaining original first generation image quality.
Enhanced MPEG2 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 35 megabits per second, a bit rate supporting full 1920 x 1080 encoding in the HQ mode. This results in recorded images of extremely high quality. MPEG2 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 (19/35Mbps) and 1080i (25Mbps) 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 2 memory card slots, for a total of up to 64GB of on board storage—enough for up to 6 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 video tape. Moreover, SDHC media becomes the first practical solid state solution for physical archiving.
GY-HM100 Features
Ultra-Compact 3.0 lb. Handheld Form Factor
The GY-HM100 is the smallest professional format 3-CCD camcorder available at 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 tight quarters and operating in potentially unsafe situations. For a smaller footprint and less conspicuous shooting, the handle can be easily removed and the audio can be recorded via the built-in 2-channel microphone.
Additional GY-HM100 Features
* Newly designed JVC’s original Optical Image Stabilization
* JVC patented Focus Assist
* Color viewfinder and LCD display
* 2-Channel balanced audio inputs, mic/line switchable with built-in phantom power supply
* HDMI output
* USB 2.0 interface
* The GY-HM100 is scheduled for delivery in April 2009, with a list price under $4,000.
Preliminary GY-HM700 Features
1. Compact shoulder form factor of less than 4 kg (8.9 lbs.) in operation
2. High quality 1/3” progressive 3CCD with unique JVC’s H/V spatial offset
3. Newly developed 14x high-quality interchangeable lens by Canon
4. Newly developed high-quality LCOS viewfinder
5. Newly developed large LCD display
6. Double-memory hybrid recording system using optional KA-MR100G SxS memory card recorder
7. HD SDI output, SD down-convert capability over IEEE 1394 interface, USB 2.0 interface
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