FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JVC BROADENS PROFESSIONAL DV LINE WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF TWO NEW HIGH-PERFORMANCE CAMCORDERS

PROFESSlONAL DV Now Supports 16:9 Shooting

Las Vegas, NV (NAB, April 10-13, 2000) -- JVC PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS COMPANY is expanding its extremely successful PROFESSIONAL DV line with the introduction of two new camcorders. These new camcorder models add convenience and performance features to the line, and underscore JVC’s commitment to bringing additional products to the PROFESSIONAL DV line.

The PROFESSIONAL DV line is based on JVC’s belief that professional digital video production can be achieved by all segments of the marketplace, and that no professional should be compelled to settle for consumer camcorders. JVC’s PROFESSIONAL DV line utilizes the Mini DV cassette and maximizes the potential of the DV format to deliver remarkable results in professional applications.

GY-DV700W Switchable Aspect Ratio Camcorder

Underscoring the versatility of JVC’s design approach, tapes recorded in PROFESSIONAL DV are fully interchangeable with those shot on DVCAM and DVCPro, enabling the seamless use of the PROFESSIONAL DV format in existing DVCAM and DVCPro installations. The GY-DV700W camcorder features three new 2/3-inch Interline Transfer CCDs and is switchable between its native 16:9 aspect ratio and the traditional 4:3. With enhanced sensitivity, the GY-DV700W

provides additional functionality to broadcasters and independent producers. The ability to shoot in the 16:9 aspect ratio make this camera very attractive to the growing independent movie production community, which has been buoyed by the success of "The Blair Witch Project."

Drawing on JVC’s heritage of extraordinary camera design, this PROFESSIONAL DV camcorder does not sacrifice quality or performance. The GY-DV700W achieves a sensitivity of F11@2000 LUX. The camera portion of the GY-DV700W delivers the equivalent of 750 lines of horizontal resolution and a wealth of professional, broadcast features, including 14-bit digital signal processing, Full Auto White, Black Stretch/Compression, built-in Genlock, zebra level indicator and JVC’s renowned LoLux low light performance. The camera can either be operated in the full manual mode, made easy because of its professional-standard ergonomic design, or, for added convenience, can be switched to Full Auto Shooting.

GY-DV550 Camcorder Offers 26-Pin Interface

Responding to customer's demand for studio remote control capability, JVC introduces a companion to its famed GY-DV500 PROFESSIONAL DV camcorder, the new GY-DV550, with a built-in

26-pin interface. Based on the same cost/performance philosophy as the GY-DV500, the

GY-DV550 offers users the advantages of professional component digital video acquisition and editing, at a fraction of the cost that had been the industry norm.

The GY-DV550 is the only DV camcorder in the world to offer full CCU control. With its 26-pin interface, the GY-DV550 will be able to be used in a studio environment where multiple remote camera and ISO-Cam operations are required. In addition, recording on DV benefits customers who use this system either in live broadcast situations, live webcasting or ENG applications, as well as assignments where post production work is required later. This ability to "multi task" is a huge benefit that JVC offers with this system.

In addition, the GY-DV550 camcorder, like all PROFESSIONAL DV products, provides IEEE 1394 "FireWire" in and out, allowing direct to computer or direct to non-linear editor convenience. This is

a key feature for event videographers, and multimedia producers, empowering them to digitally spool directly to a non-linear editing platform without loss, and then to download directly back to videotape using the camera alone.

Because it is a true professional camcorder, the PROFESSIONAL DV GY-DV550 provides for two

channels of 16-bit digital PCM audio at 48 kHz, and SMPTE time code reader/generator. In addition, the camera can accommodate interchangeable lenses, via a standard ½-inch bayonet mount, as well as XLR mic inputs, audio outputs, headphone output, and both composite and Y/C output. There is a SMPTE-type color bar generator and manual audio and mic level adjustments.

"Super SceneFinder"

Both the GY-DV700W and the GY-DV500 camcorders offer "Super SceneFinder." This is a feature exclusive to PROFESSIONAL DV. The GY-DV500 keeps track of individual scenes as you shoot, then records them to on the head of a standard min-DV tape. When it’s time to edit, or to batch digitize, your work becomes much easier. You can even flag "Takes" and "No Good" scenes as you shoot, up to 134 scenes per cassette. In addition, scene data from the past six cassettes is stored in the camera memory so that it can be recorded to the cassette at a later time.

 

BR-DV600 VTR

Rounding out the PROFESSIONAL DV family is the BR-DV600 video tape recorder. The BR-DV600 is ideal for interfacing with virtually any editing system--linear or non linear. It offers IEEE 1394 in and out, allowing direct computer connectivity. This is a key feature for event videographers and multimedia producers, empowering them to digitally spool directly to a non-linear editing platform, and then to download directly back to videotape with no loss of quality. This digital interface also permits dubbing tapes to and from other DV products, including all JVC's Professional DV camcorders. The BR-DV600 also supports JVC’s exclusive "Super SceneFinder."

When JVC previewed its remarkable PROFESSIONAL DV camcorder -- the GY-DV500-- to a few select insiders at NAB 1999, and later introduced the unit at the INFOCOMM show in June of that year, the industry snapped to attention. JVC had truly harnessed the potential of the DV format, and had boldly packed genuine professional performance and features into a very affordable DV-based system. This allowed the industry to do more. To do it better. And, excitingly, to do all of that, in the case of the GY-DV500, for about $5,000.

"The PROFESSIONAL DV line closes the gap between high-cost professional cameras and consumer camcorders that just don’t have the features and performance a professional needs," noted Jim Turner, JVC’s National Marketing Manager. "One look will tell you that this is a true professional system, packed with high-end professional features. Yet the price is such that virtually any serious video professional – from small market broadcasters to wedding and event videographers and even multimedia producers – can afford to have at least one of these fine camcorders in his or her arsenal. For both seasoned professionals and those who are ready to step up to the professional level, JVC’s PROFESSIONAL DV is the ideal camcorder, offering all of the features they could ever need."

For the future, JVC plans on further extensions to the PROFESSIONAL DV line, including additional decks and a field editor. These new PROFESSIONAL DV products represent JVC's commitment to smaller market broadcasters, to cable MSO's and operators, to independent producers, and to entry-level digital video users.

The suggested list price for the GY-DV550 is $7,000 without lens, and the suggested list price for the

GY-DV700 is $11,000 not including the lens.

 JVC PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS COMPANY, located in Wayne, New Jersey, distributes a complete line of broadcast and professional equipment. For more information about JVC’s new

GY-DV700W or GY-DV550 PROFESSIONAL DV camcorders or any other JVC products from the Digital Broadcast and Professional Systems Division, call (800) 582-5825; or visit JVC’s web site at www.jvc.com/pro.

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