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JVC's Dave Walton talks about company's latest HD cameras
Both models record to standard SDHC memory cards
By John Virata
JVC recently introduced two ProHD camcorders that can record files to standard SDHC memory card that you can buy at virtually any discount department store or shopping mall. The handheld HM100 and the shoulder mount HM700 will be showcased at the upcoming NAB2009 show in Las Vegas. DMN spoke with JVC's Dave Walton on aspects of both cameras. Read on for more information on JVC's offerings.
DMN: Both the GY-HM100U and the HM700 record video to pretty standard fare SDHC memory cards that you can buy at your local office store. Why did JVC go the standard route that every one is already familiar with when it could have gone the proprietary route?
Dave Walton: When we introduced the ProHD concept back in 2004, we declared that the products must be able to utilize inexpensive, readily available media. Initially that meant tape, and we added random access capability with an optional HDD. We wanted to move to solid state only when we could offer the convenience and economy of tape, and the random access capability of a hard disk. It is finally possible to do that with SDHC memory. It's reliable, proven, and widely available in capacities up to 32GB. 16GB Class 6 SDHC cards are advertised for under $30. A pair of these cards will hold 1 hour and 40 minutes minutes of HD at the highest quality level.
A quick comparison of 1080/HD recording times tells the dramatic difference between SDHC and the "proprietary formats." Whereas proprietary format "A" costs about $50 per minute, and proprietary format "B" costs about $15 per minute, SDHC in the example about costs only 60 cents per minute. Our first two solid state camcorders, the GY-HM100 compact hand held and GY-HM700 compact shoulder record directly to SDHC cards. While the two cameras are internally quite different, they do share the same encoder meaning that the files created are interchangeable regardless of shooting mode. With the GY-HM700, we also offer a model that records to both SDHC and SxS cards.
DMN: The GY-HM100 is built around a Fujinon 10:1 Zoom HD Lens. What are some of the features of this lens that JVC took into account when pairing it with the GY-HM100?
Dave Walton: JVC has had a long standing relationship with Fujinon, one of the most highly respected lens manufacturers in the world. We worked very closely to develop this lens which features 3 aspheric elements that produce less distortion, ghosting, and flare. A new electronic beam coating (EBC) minimizes the stray light reflecting off the lens surfaces and further improves light transmission. With the GY-HM100, we wanted the camera to be very easy to use, so we added auto focus, while retaining the manual capabilities desired by professional shooters, including the ability to set iris, and shoot close-ups in the macro mode.
DMN: The GY-HM100U is fairly light at under 4lbs. It would seem ideal for those who need a camera in tight situations and where a larger camera would be too much to handle. Where does JVC foresee this camera in use? Does JVC have a target market for the camera?
Dave Walton: The GY-HM100 will appeal to a broad segment of the market. Because of its high picture quality--especially at 35Mbps--and under $4,000 price tag, budget conscious producers will choose it as their primary camera. However, we also see a significant number of production companies and broadcasters who will use it as a secondary camera, or "producer's camera" to complement their higher end gear. Because of its very small size, it can work in situations where it would be impossible to use a larger camera. The handle can be removed to create an even smaller footprint. Of course, smaller consumer cameras are available, but none can operate at 35mbps and record in native FCP or XDCAM EX formats.
DMN: What is the rated battery life for the GY-HM100U?
Dave Walton:One BN-VF823U Data Battery included with the camera will provide power for around 2 hours.
DMN: The GY-HM100U records to standard SDHC memory cards. Does it also have a built in hard disk to record to? Will the camera scale if/when the current SDHC memory card limit is raised? With a current maximum of 64GB of storage via the dual SD card slots, how many hours of video footage can the H100 record to at 19mbps? 25mbps? 35mbps?
Dave Walton: The camera requires Class 6 SDHC cards, presently available from 4 gigabytes to 32 gigabytes. Here is a chart showing the recording times in various modes. Since the camera has two slots, double the times listed for the maximum recording time:
DMN: Can you explain to me how dual format recording works on the camera. Can it record to both .mov and MPEG-2 Long GOP at the same time?
Dave Walton: The GY-HM100 can record either in the .MOV format, compatible with Apple's Final Cut Pro editing system, or in the .MP4 format used by Sony's XDCAM EX. It is not possible to record in both formats simultaneously on the hand held model.
DMN: How does the Focus Assist function work? The way I understand it is when Focus Assist is turned on, the image in the viewfinder turns monochrome and the elements of the image that are in focus are tinged a different color than the rest of the image. As you focus on other elements within the image, does the tinged color (that denotes that element is in focus) change with it? How fast is Focus Assist? Is that tinged color user changeable?
Dave Walton:The focus assist feature is activated by pressing a USER button and works instantaneously as you operate the manual focus ring on the lens. Portions of the image that are in focus will show a color fringe. The fringe color can be changed through menu selection. Note that only the viewfinder and LCD monitor turn monochrome and display the color fringe. The image recorded to the memory card appears normal throughout the process.
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| GY-HM700U |
DMN: The GY-HM700U is paired to a 14x Canon KT14x4.4KRSJ HD lens. What are some of the features of this lens that JVC took into account when choosing it? This lens is detachable. What are some of the other lenses that work with the HM700U?
Dave Walton:The GY-HM700 features a standard 1/3-inch lens bayonet mount and can accept numerous lenses from JVC and other manufacturers. Canon developed the KT14.4KRSJ lens especially for this camera to provide superior performance to the economy lens usually provided base packages. The lens has improved lateral and longitudinal chromatic aberration characteristics and is ideal for full 1920 x 1080 imaging. Best of all, its angle of view is 20% wider than our previous 16X "stock" lens. For customers wanting to upgrade, JVC offers a 13x (3.5 mm) wide Fujinon zoom lens, 17x Fujinon zoom lens, 18x Fujinon zoom lens (with and without a 2x extender), 20x Canon zoom lens, and adapters that allow ½-in and 2/3" bayonet mount lenses to be used. We also offer the HZ-CA13U PL mount adapter that enables use of 16mm prime lenses. This is an extremely high quality piece of glass that has a special appeal to filmmakers and cinematographers. When using a prime lens, the image is flipped upside down. The GY-HM700 features a built in circuit that inverts the image so that it can be viewed normally.
DMN: When recording on two memory cards, will the system alert you when it switches to the second memory card? And can you erase the contents of one memory card while the camera is recording to the other?
Dave Walton:There's a fuel gauge that constantly monitors the time remaining on the memory card. When the card fills up the camera automatically switches the second card provided space is available. (This can also be done manually.)
DMN: JVC offers an optional SxS Media Recorder that enables the HM700U to record to Sony's XDCAM EX MP4 format. Did customers ask for this option? Can the camera record to both formats at the same time with both the SDHC cards and the optional SxS cards in place? And are all HD signal formats supported by the camera?
Dave Walton: Customers asked for the ability to record to two media simultaneously. This provides an instant backup for archiving, or allows the shooter to hand an exact copy of the data to a producer or editor immediately after shooting. To address this need we decided to offer the GY-HM700 in two basic configurations, the GY-HM700U which records only on SDHC cards, and the GY-HM700UXT, which records to both SxS memory and SDHC cards simultaneously. The base model can be upgraded by adding the SxS adapter later. When the SxS adapter is installed, the camera can record in the XDCAM EX .MP4 format onto either or both SxS memory and SDHC memory. It is also possible to split formats and record .MP4 to the SxS card while recording .MOV to the SDHC memory card.
DMN: What are the more notable features on the GY-HM700U?
Dave Walton: One of the big improvements that comes with the GY-HM700 is the new LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) viewfinder. With 1.22 megapixels, it offers the highest resolution we've ever provided in a viewfinder. We've also increased the size of the flip-out LCD monitor to 4.3 inches.
We've increased the overall picture quality of the GY-HM700 so that you can create stunning 1920 x 1080 recordings at the highest bit rate of 35 Mbps (Our MPEG-2 Long GOP encoding is far more effficient than Intra Frame compression systems that require much higher data rates.)
DMN: The GY-HM700U is a little more than twice the weight of the HM100U. Who are your target users for the GY-HM700U?
Dave Walton:Like its little brother, the GY-HM700 will have broad appeal. It's an ideal camera for electronic news gathering, documentary production, or mainstream television production. Because of its extremely low media cost, it will have special appeal on projects with high shooting ratios. A documentary producer is able to shoot hundreds of hours of footage on a single project without off-loading the material to a hard disk or other storage medium.
DMN: What will JVC showcase at NAB 2009?
Dave Walton:Our primary emphasis will be the GY-HM700 and GY-HM100. However, we will show our other ProHD cameras, particularly the GY-HD250 in studio configurations. The 250 is the most popular HD studio camera in the U.S. and is used by many broadcast TV stations. We'll show 100, 200, and 700 series cameras in ENG, studio and cinematography configurations. We'll also be showcasing our popular DTV monitor series including our DT-V24L3, DT-V20L3, DT-V17L3 and the DT-V9L1. And, we'll have a few surprises that will include 4K and 3D products.
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