The KY-17U is a modestly priced, high performance ENG/EFP camera designed to dock directly with JVC's S-VHS portable VCRs, and with MII and Betacam SP portables (using optional adapters). It is a perfect "step-up" camera for those wanting to move into an economical high performance Camcorder

The KY-17U is JVC's second generation 1/2" CCD 3-chip camera. It is based on the overall design of the KY-15U and KY-20U series cameras, and shares most of the accessories (except lenses) with these cameras. By applying spatial offset technology and a new optical system, the KY-17U achieves a stunning horizontal resolution of 640 TV lines while maintaining an extremely quiet 59db S/N picture. Furthermore, JVC has incorporated a special anti-smear circuit which virtually eliminates the smear phenomenon found in many CCD cameras. A "zebra pattern" level indicator has also been added to the KY-17U.

CAMCORDER INTEGRATION

The KY-17U is enclosed in a rugged diecast aluminum body and is designed to dock directly with the BR-S410U S-VHS and the new BR- S420U S-VHS (C-type) portable recorders. The BR-S420U/KY-17U camcorder configuration is the lightest and smallest professional 3-CDD S-VHS camcorder ever offered. Using the KA-M20U adapter, the KY-17U can be used in conjunction with JVC's KR-M260U MII portable for truly unsurpassed performance. It can also be used with Betacam SP portables by using the KA-B20U adapter.

MULTI-FORMAT OUTPUT SIGNALS

To get the most out of the various recording formats in use today, the KY-17U can output a variety of signals:

- Composite video (BNC connector and 26 pin) - Separate Y/C 358 S-VHS signal (7 pin and 26 pin) - Component Y,R-Y/B-Y (internally switchable through 26-pin) - R/G/B signals (26-pin) - Test Signal (Composite, or R/G/B selectable through BNC)

MICROPROCESSOR-CONTROLLED AUTO SETUP FUNCTION

A microcomputer in the KY-17U controls automatic setup, including preprogrammed white and black balance adjustments. Simple "one- button" operation assures perfect results every time. If the button is pressed momentarily (less than a second) a quick auto- white setting is made. Holding the button for more than one second performs the complete auto-black and auto-white routine.

The white balance settings made with the auto setup function can be stored in two non-volatile memories. The camera person can easily switch between these settings as shooting is taking place. This can be very useful where the lighting varies in color temperature. There is also a third setting, PRESET, which overrides the auto- white settings.

A microprocessor also controls the auto-iris circuit, ensuring that it is always set for optimum exposure.

FOUR POSITION FILTER TURRET

For optical control over color temperature, a built-in turret has selectable filters for 3200K, 5600K, and 5600K with 25% neutral density. A "closed" position blocks all light to the image sensors.

"ZEBRA PATTERN" VIDEO LEVEL INDICATOR

To monitor the video level of the images being recorded, the KY-17U incorporates a circuit which shows the current video level with a constantly changing zebra pattern on the viewfinder screen. This indication can be defeated with an ON/OFF switch on the main operation panel.

2H VERTICAL CONTOUR CORRECTION CIRCUIT

Besides performing two line contour correction (enhancement) on the green channel, the KY-17U performs additional contour correction on the red channel. This improves color resolution. A "level depend" circuit makes sure that noise is not enhanced by the contour circuits.

MATRIX MASKING

A color matrix circuit is built into the camera to make the color response more closely resemble that of the human eye. FLARE

FLARE CORRECTION CIRCUIT

A flare correction circuit is incorporated in each of the R, G, and B channels to prevent flare due to highlights, etc. This stabilizes the black level, resulting in pictures with a higher overall quality.

WIDE-BAND R-Y/B-Y ENCODER

A wide-band R-Y/B-Y encoder system provides both color difference signals with a bandwidth of 1.3MHz. This yields a significant increase in signal transmission, improves the resolution of the chroma signal, and greatly reduces color spreading.

NEGATIVE/POSITIVE IMAGE REVERSAL

For special effects and film-to-tape transfers the KY-17U has the ability to convert positive color images to negatives and vice versa.

HIGH SPEED ELECTRONIC SHUTTER

While normal NTSC video has a field rate of 60 fields per second, with a CCD camera, it is possible to "expose" each of those fields for a much shorter period of time, resulting in much greater dynamic resolution of properly illuminated scenes. Shutter settings are normal (1/60th), 1/250th, 1/500th, and 1/1000th of a second. Using the fast shutter settings makes it possible to record fast moving subjects for later analysis in detail.

STEREO AUDIO CIRCUIT

The KY-17U incorporates a 2-channel preamplifier so that stereo sound can be recorded when used with a two channel VCR in a camcorder configuration. An optional stereo microphone, the MV- P602U, can be connected directly in the camera's hot shoe. For single channel operation, the circuit can be switch to monaural.

SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM WITH CHARACTER DISPLAY

The KY-17U has a sophisticated self-diagnostic system with a built- in character generator giving a full set of indications on the viewfinder screen. These messages include information about various settings of the camera, low battery condition, low light, and when used with a JVC VCR, information about the VCR.

OTHER FEATURES:

- RS-170A sync signal generator - Genlock with SC and H-phase controls - AUX video select switch - Three position VTR trigger select switch - Intercom headset terminal with level control - Audio output level select switch - Earphone jack