JVC News

JVC Ships HDTV-capable Camcorder For Under $4K
by Alexei Gerulaitis -- May 30, 2003

link: JVC Press Release

JY-HD10U is world's first camcorder to have HDTV capability for under $50K.  Significantly under - its list price is only $3,995.  Is it "true broadcast quality"?  Is it "true HDTV"?  Should you buy it?  The answers are "depends", "yes" and "yes", and I will attempt to justify them.

("Revolutionary" -- to deviate drastically and fundamentally from something conventional or traditional.)

JY-HD10U can be described as a fairly high quality single CCD SD/HDTV camcorder that costs less than $4K.  Because nothing like that ever existed, and nothing comes close to it, this camcorder falls under the description of "revolutionary".

As with anything really new and revolutionary, it's hard to paint a good picture of JY-HD10U. It does not replace, or even compete with XL-1, GY-DV500, or even a BVW-100, yet it can do things none of the bigger guys south of a $50K mark can: true HDTV quality.  At the very least, I'd look at it as a very cool new toy worth playing with, as it defines the shape of things to come.  Much like DV completely reshaped broadcast, and eventually brought broadcast quality video to the masses, I firmly believe that this camcorder is an early manifestation of major changes in filmmaking and videography.  Whatever are its shortcomings, JY-HD10U is a must have for any serious filmmaker or videographer, and it is the only way you can get a true 720/30P image for under $50K, and yet it is only $4K. It is certainly the first of many to come, and it represents new ways of making motion pictures.

Here are some additional thoughts:

• HDTV shooting modes allow JY-HD10U to obtain video quality previously unachievable with anything south of $50K. Based on some tests that JVC did, impressions of videographers at NAB, we can say that JY-HD10U is not a gimmick - it does provide video quality and resolution substantially higher than of Standard Definition camcorders.
• If we forget about HD for a moment, JY-HD10U still is a high quality high performance single-CCD SDTV camcorder. In other words, even if HDTV is not what you do for living, this camcorder is still usable.

The two features above alone justify its price, in my opinion.

JY-HD10U will not replace your trusty VX2000, PD-150, XL-1, GY-DV500, or BVW-100, however this camcorder is a new tool capable of things unimaginable with current camcorders.  Much as a Miata does not replace a Lamborghini or a Ford Explorer, JY-HD10U does not replace a broadcast or one of the popular 3-CCD DV camcorders.  As world's first "prosumer" HDTV camcorder, it is capable of acquiring true HDTV quality on a budget and stands in a class of its own.

JY-HD10U does have shortcomings:

• its color and light performance is sub par to that of a decent 3-CCD camcorder
• it lacks "pro" features found on full size broadcast cameras such as manual control over a number of color and light adjustments

In addition, editing and mastering of the HDTV material acquired using JY-HD10U is very limited. One must use JVC-supplied software to transfer and edit the HDTV material, and there is very little information on all the parts of the editing and mastering workflow. That said, I am very confident that editing mastering solutions compatible with JY-HD10U will become available, and to my knowledge, JVC is working to develop compatibility with popular solutions from major industry players.

In summary, I believe that aspiring filmmakers and professional videographers should give JY-HD10U a test drive and possible get one. If SDTV was all JY-HD10U could do, then it wouldn't be a great buy. HDTV capability however makes it a unique and revolutionary new tool worthy of a close look.

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Press Release from JVC Professional

JVC INTRODUCES GROUND-BREAKING HAND-HELD PROFESSIONAL HD CAMCORDER
Debut of the JY-HD10U makes it possible for all professionals to produce in HD

WAYNE, NJ (April 7, 2003) - JVC PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS COMPANY is demonstrating the world's first professional hand-held camcorder with full HD recording capabilities: the JY-HD10U.  

Sales of HD capable displays and projectors have been skyrocketing, but the cost to produce in high definition has been prohibitively expensive for most professional videographers.  JVC has responded by developing the 1 CCD (1.18 million pixel, 16:9) JY-HD10U, a flexible and affordable HD digital camcorder that will enable video professionals at all levels to enter the HD production market.  Now, videographers on a limited budget, in such industries as event, education, corporate, and government, can produce in high definition without a significant investment in equipment. 

Multiple Recording Modes Meet All Professional Needs
The JY-HD10U is a total solution for today's video professional; providing the unique ability to record in both HD and standard definition in three resolution modes; HD at 720/30p and SD at 480/60p or 480/60i. The two progressive modes (720/30p, 480/60p) use native 16:9 from the CCD with MPEG-2 compression, and the standard mode (480/60i) is 4:3 with DV compression. All recording is on common MiniDV tape.

Format Conversion Provides Flexible Playback Options
The JY-HD10U provides format-conversion while playing back through its analog component outputs, so it can upconvert or downconvert into virtually any format, including 1080i, 720/30p, 480/60p, and 480/60i.  Videographers that shoot in HD now have the flexibility to play back on any display with component inputs.

MPEG-2 Compression Provides Added Performance and Flexibility
Utilizing MPEG-2 compression, the JY-HD10U provides the optimal balance between full bandwidth (1280x720 pixels) with negligible artifacts, and all within a modest 19Mbps data stream.

As the industry's ubiquitous transport stream, MPEG-2 is compatible with D-VHS for archiving and distribution; and in the 480/60p mode, for DVD mastering. 

Included is a new non-linear editing (NLE) software package that permits easy, frame-accurate editing of the MPEG-2 footage.  Several mainstream NLE companies are creating MPEG-2 editing software packages compatible with JVC's camcorders.

JVC and CineForm, Inc. are collaborating to provide real-time HD editing with Adobe Premiere^®.  CineForm's real-time HD video pipeline works underneath Premiere to provide software-based real-time editing of HD content on today's fast PCs.  HD content is captured directly from the camcorder, edited in real time, and output in a variety of high definition and standard definition formats.

Additional Features Make the JY-HD10U a Total Package
The JY-HD10U also provides a wealth of features that makes the recording, editing, and archiving process a snap.

An optical image stabilizer system turns on and off with the simple flip of a switch, so videographers can capture quality images even in the most rugged conditions.  Still photo capture to an optional solid-state memory card is possible in a variety of resolutions, including 1280x720, 1280x960, 848x480 and 640x480 pixels. 

Two XLR connectors make professional audio possible and conveniently provide an audio level indicator right on the LCD monitor.

A convenient IEEE1394 bus interface offers easy, fast connection to D-VHS or a PC for simple downloading, and editing or archiving. 

"The JY-HD10U is a terrific advancement in HD production," said Juan Martinez, product manager for JVC PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS COMPANY.  "With the popularity of HD displays growing at such a remarkable rate, the push is on to make it even easier to produce in HD.  This camcorder, particularly when combined with Adobe Premiere through CineForm's real-time pipeline, makes it possible for any video professional?regardless of their budget?to capitalize on HD technology."

"We are immensely proud of our professional HD camcorder," states Robert Mueller, executive vice president for JVC PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS COMPANY.  "It further solidifies our position as the preeminent innovator of professional-grade video equipment."

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