First glimpse of new file based JVC palmcorder

It’s been nearly 2 years since we’ve seen anything new camera’s from JVC

If you are looking for a file based camera with up to 6 hrs of recording capability in HD on to media that costs about the same as DV tape then read on!

The GY-HM100 is truly a palmcorder!

This uses 3 x 1/4″ CCD sensors recording on to low cost high capacity SD HC cards.

Additional GY-HM100 Features:

* Newly designed JVC s original Optical Image Stabilisation

* JVC patented Focus Assist

* Colour viewfinder and LCD display

* 2-Channel balanced audio inputs, mic/line switchable with built-in phantom power supply

* HDMI output

* USB 2.0 interface

You can choose to record Apple ready quicktime .mov on to the SD HC cards. This means that if you edit the files straight off the card in FCP. There is no need to transcode files or re-wrap them before editing in FCP. This speeds up the workflow significantly.

SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity, SD 2.0) is an extension of the SD standard that appeared in June 2006. SDHC allows standard-compliant capacities in excess of 2 GB. SDHC cards are often formatted with the FAT 32 file system which means it can be easily read by both MAC and PC.

It uses the same physical and electrical form factor as SD cards, but the SD 2.0 standard in SDHC uses a different memory addressing method  thus theoretically reaching a maximum capacity of up to 2 TB (2048 GB). Currently the SD Card association has artificially defined the maximum limit of SDHC capacity to 32 GB, however the SD card specification states that “SD Memory Cards with a capacity greater than 32 GB will be available with updated versions of [the specification]. The SDHC trademark is licensed to ensure compatibility.

Preliminary GY-HM700 Features:

1. Compact shoulder form factor of less than 4 kg (8.9 lbs.) in operation
2. High quality 1/3″ progressive 3CCD with unique JVC s H/V spatial offset
3. Newly developed 14x high-quality interchangeable lens by Canon
4. Newly developed high-quality LCOS viewfinder
5. Newly developed large LCD display
6. Double-memory hybrid recording system using optional KA-MR100G SxS memory card recorder
7. HD SDI output, SD down-convert capability over IEEE 1394 interface, USB 2.0 interface

The camera is expected in March 2009.

These Camera’s are aimed at the professional market (as it stands currently it’s unlikely these cameras will be accepted for HD Programme acquisition in the UK for the BBC HD, Sky HD, C4 HD or ITV HD based on current Guidelines. ie minimum of 1/2″ sensor size and minimum 50mb/s compression standard) - However for non Broadcast Tapeless HD then these offer a rich feature list.

I’d buy one!

-Den