FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JVC introduces New
Final-Cut-Pro 6™-Ready Solid State Camcorders
Next Generation ProHD Camcorders
Natively Record Quicktime for Apple's Final Cut Pro Directly to SDHC
Memory Cards
Wayne, NJ (January 8, 2009) -- Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
(JVC) further expands its ProHD camcorder line-up by introducing two
professional solid state camcorders, the industry's first to store
files in the native Quicktime format for Apple's Final Cut Pro™ onto reliable and inexpensive SDHC media cards.
The compact hand-held
GY-HM100 3-CCD camcorder is introduced in January 2009,
while the compact shoulder GY-HM700 is scheduled for introduction in
February 2009. Both camcorders record 35Mbps 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 have made the
workflow quite expensive for most users, relying on proprietary
media and file formats. In addition, compatibility with major
non-linear editing (NLE) systems requires codec converting or
re-wrapping format files, a process that significantly slows down
the post production 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 for 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,” said 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 post production 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,” said 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.
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.
Three ¼-inch
Progressive CCDs
Three newly developed ¼-inch
progressive scan CCDs provide rich, accurate colors. The red and
blue pixel locations are spatially off-set relative to green,
enabling the sampled luminance information to be significantly
increased in both horizontal and vertical directions. This 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 lens by Fujinon, a world leader in HD lens technology.
This lens features three
aspherical elements. In addition, the lens surface has a new Electronic
Beam Coating (EBC) that 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 handgrip, or manually with the lens
ring. For close-up shooting, a macro mode allows for shooting
subjects as little as 2-inches away 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’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
The GY-HM700 is scheduled for delivery in March 2009. More details will be released in February 2009.
ABOUT
JVC PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS COMPANY
JVC
Professional Products Company, located in Wayne, New Jersey, is a
leading manufacturer and distributor of a complete line of broadcast
and professional equipment. For more information about this, or any
other JVC Professional Products Company product, contact JVC at
(800) 582-5825; or Steven DeRosa at PFS Marketwyse 973-812-8883,
ext. 259 or visit JVC’s Web site at http://www.jvc.com/pro.
[Notes]
Apple and Final Cut Pro are
trademarks of Apple Inc.
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