HDV - JVC 24p GY-HD100U

filmy wrote on 4/18/2005, 9:17 AM
Some first info on this one:

GY-HD100U

The suggested list price for the GY-HD100U including 16:1 Fujinon Lens is $6,295. Delivery is expected to begin in July 2005.

The GY-HD100U utilizes three newly developed 1/3-inch CCD image sensors, each one featuring an array of 1280x720 pixels (approximately 1 mega pixel), with micro lenses.

The camera's gamma, detail and black levels can be adjusted to the user's preference. When combined with the correct lens filters and lighting techniques, film like performance can be obtained that's tailored to the mood of the scene. There is even a skin tone detection feature that automatically reduces the amount of enhancement in facial areas so that your subjects will not have a wrinkled, television-like appearance. All custom settings can be stored on an inexpensive SD memory card and transferred to another camera if desired.

Professional XLR connectors are provided for each audio channel. The GY-HD100U records CD quality audio at 384Kbps in the MPEG1 Layer 2 format. Independent input level controls are provided for each channel. Audio level indicators are visible in the viewfinder and on the flip-out LCD display.

JVC's exclusive smooth motion function captures images at double the normal rate when shooting in 30p or 25p (that is, at 60p or 50p). When the doubled images are merged, they are passed through a newly developed filter that smoothes out the subject's motion by retaining a small percentage of residual image. This eliminates the motion judder that typically appear in images shot at 30p or 25p.

Comments

filmy wrote on 5/23/2005, 3:03 PM
Just following up on this - anyone get to play with it at NAB?
farss wrote on 5/23/2005, 3:28 PM
Couldn't be bothered, if it's built by JVC we're decidedly not interested. If it was Sony or Panny or even Canon we'd be interested in that order but not JVC.
Bob.
Spot|DSE wrote on 5/23/2005, 3:36 PM
I played with it, and on paper, it looks like a great cam. Up close, it looks like a nice cam. But, they've played with the spec a LOT, they are departing from the norm A LOT, and worse, it's a JVC.
Granted, it *is* built in a new factory, not where they've build products before, but I'm still nervous.
Images at NAB looked great. On the other hand, they were supposed to bring one to the Post Production Conference at NAB for a Z1/HD100U shootout, and they bailed 10 minutes before the Post Production Conference shootout, citing that "The camera was needed elsewhere."
They also claim to be offering an HD/SDI card for this cam, that might be nice....but...
It's still JVC. For me, that's enough to not want one very much, but I would like to know more about it when it's available.
epirb wrote on 5/23/2005, 3:47 PM
JVC doesnt stand for Junky Video Camera's does it? ; )
mjroddy wrote on 5/23/2005, 4:07 PM
I played with it for a bit at NAB. I felt very comfortable with this camera on a ergonomic level. Spot knows so much more about the specs, as he said that JVC played with the numbers. Just handling the camera, though, I can tell you that I felt more comfortable with it than I do with the Z1 we own. But that's just me because I am so accustom to the Cannon lense. There are some definitely nice things about the JVC; I like the firewire, for example (6pin to 6pin, rather than 4 to 6); the lense made me happy; the layout was comfortable. As far as cameras go, everyone viewing it said, "JVC finally got it right."
I'm still looking forward to Cannon's splash into HDV. Wish that wasn't sooo far away...
Spot|DSE wrote on 5/23/2005, 4:23 PM
JVC didn't play with the numbers, just the spec. Things like the PCM audio, 24p, these are not part of the HDV spec, so it means additional hardware support.
The Canon lens is indeed very nice, and given the shoulder capability, it's really nicely packaged. But so was the 500. I've got all sorts of horror stories about that cam.
The 6 to 6 is a GREAT thing that I wish EVERY camera and laptop had.
the next thing is....how many people will be comfortable buying this cam, and then spending triple the price on an HD-resolved lens? For a 1/3 chip camera?
Although I do think the interchangeable lens is great, which is why I bought the XL1, we're now talking a different resolution, and tossing an SD lens on there just won't be the same.
And....it's still JVC. Prejudiced I realize, but their history hasn't been too good with us over the years.
Patryk Rebisz wrote on 5/23/2005, 5:23 PM
Just looks wise that cam looks GREAT!