JVC's 4K GY-LS300 + GW-SP100

JVC has launched two new large sensor (Super 35mm) Ultra HD cameras with interchangeable Micro Four Thirds lens mounts. The GY-LS300 camcorder (pictured below), and the GW-SP100 miniature camera (above) and separate recording system, are part of its new range of 4Kcam camcorders. The other two (the live streaming GY-HM200 and compact GY-HM170) use smaller 1/2.3-inch sensors.

JVC's GY-HM200 + GY-HM170 4Kcam compact UHD camcorders

JVC Professional has launched its new 4Kcam (Ultra HD) product line, including two new large sensor cameras (the GY-LS300 and GW-SP100 - dealt with elsewhere), and two smaller models: the GY-HM200, which includes HD streaming and an SDI output; and the compact GY-HM170. All four should arrive early in 2015.

The GY-HM200 (pictured above) and GY-HM170 are essentially the same, but the HM200 will be the one to choose if you need to deliver breaking stories for broadcast or the web via WiFi, internet or mobile (3G or 4G) connections, or if you are working with other (SDI-based) broadcast equipment.

Panasonic HC-X1000 4K camcorder

Panasonic’s new HC-X1000 Ultra HD 4K camcorder is its first prosumer model that can record 4K 60p/50p video on an SD card.

It can record both UHD (3840x2160) at 50/60p and Cinema 4K (4096x2160) at 24p in MP4 at up to 150Mbps (50/60p) or 100Mbps (24p), plus .mov or MP4 in HD, which can use all-Intra compression for a maximum bit rate of 200Mbps, as well as AVCHD (1080p) at up to 28Mbps. Even if you are shooting for HD, recording in Ultra HD can be useful during editing, as you can then zoom in to a one-quarter crop without losing any HD resolution, or pan across the picture to follow movement.

LiveU LU² modular live links

The new LU² from LiveU is the first modular system for bonding cellular networks, for live transmission from the camera. It is being launched at NAB and will allow users to combine two LiveU field units for occasions where additional resiliency is needed. LiveU systems are widely used by broadcasters for news coverage.

LU² users will be able to increase the number of connections, and therefore boost the uplink bandwidth available, by connecting an additional LiveU unit via a standard Ethernet cable. This will work with its current units, so is available immediately.

Its first implementation, the LU40², combines two LU40-S units together in a lightweight backpack (under 4lbs/2kgs, including batteries), providing up to 12 cellular/network connections. The LU40² GUI is controlled remotely by a standard smartphone for greater flexibility and ease of use on-the-move.

This new development complements the Xtender, LiveU’s wireless external antenna, which can be combined with any LiveU product, and offers up to 13 cellular connections.

“The new LU² modular approach allows customers to add connections on the spot, as needed, in challenging scenarios such as crowded areas and remote locations,” said Samuel Wasserman, LiveU’s CEO. “This concept offers a highly flexible and cost-effective solution for HD live video transmission anywhere, anytime.”

By David Fox

Canon shows 4K to handheld at NAB

The annual NAB show in Las Vegas is America’s biggest broadcast expo, and Canon is using the opportunity to demonstrate everything from high-end 4K workflows to a three new handheld cameras that should be useful for professional use.

You can get the full details on the small new XA25, XA20 and Vixia/Legria HF G30 camcorders on our Canon XF Notebook blog, but these palmcorders should appeal because they promise to be an improvement on one of our favourite small camcorders, the XA10. Plus, the XA25 includes HD-SDI output for uncompressed signals for broadcast use.

Teradek VidiU live streaming encoder

Teradek’s latest live streaming encoder, the $699 VidiU has just gone on sale, although there will be limited supplies for the first month.

It is designed to enable you to stream SD or HD video (up to 1080p30 or 1080i/60) on the web without a PC or laptop, either direct from a camera (via a wireless link) or from a video switcher, making it easier to do live web productions (or to put live broadcasts on the web). 

It connects via HDMI and encodes video in real time using high profile H.264 compression and AAC audio from 250Kbps up to 5Mbps. Embedded HDMI audio, headphone output, and a mic/line input are supported.

VidiU has API level integration with the Ustream and new Livestream platforms, to make streaming to your channel on these platforms as simple as logging into your account. You can, of course, use any content delivery network, as VidiU has a generic RTMP interface.

For wireless use, VidiU streams over dual band MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) WiFi, Ethernet, or via a single 3G/4G USB modem. Its rechargeable Li-Ion battery allows users to roam cable-free for up to 90 minutes.

VidiU can also stream a second video feed to an iPhone or iPad, via a free iOS application, for monitoring your live broadcast. As VidiU acts as its own dual band Access Point, you can connect your device directly to it or to your local network.

It is compact enough to sit on a camera hot shoe, at 7.5cm (3-inches) wide, by 10cm (4-inches) deep, by 2.5cm (1-inch) high, and weighs 142g/5 ounces.

By David Fox

Cobham HD MPEG4 IP Encoder

The UK-based RF specialist, Cobham, has launched a new HD MPEG4 IP Encoder that features IP connectivity via 3G, 4G and LAN, and can be used on camera or stand alone.

It has been specifically engineered for broadcast use, and its high capacity, 3G capabilities should ensure access to fast wireless 3G internet connections from even the most remote locations.

“Our IP encoder provides even more bit rate efficiency with the added benefit of the ability to operate in standard, low and ultra-low latency modes,” claimed Cobham’s Broadcast Systems Director, Stuart Brown. “And with power consumption rated at a very low 7-9 Watts, this encoder is ready for extended periods of deployment in virtually any environment.”

There will be three models, with prices starting from about £3,000, and the device can be connected to any camera. The IP encoder has composite, SDI, HD-SDI and HDMI video inputs, while audio input options include balanced analogue audio running on 48-volt phantom power.

Broadcast-standard IFB (interruptible foldback) talkback is available as an option on all models. This takes advantage of Bluetooth and WiFi for complete wireless links between presenter, camera and the newsroom, including access to IT facilities, email and the internet that can be shared by the entire location crew.

The IP encoder also includes a USB port for high-speed file uploads or for use with a 3G/4G dongle. The encoder is available in three forms, a small brick unit, camera back or rack mount.

By David Fox

BBC buys 500+ GY-HM650 cameras

JVC has recently made a big breakthrough in broadcast news use with the order of more than 500 units of its GY-HM650 ProHD network-enabled camcorder by BBC News for use in newsgathering throughout the UK and globally.

The lightweight cameras record HD or SD in multiple file formats, including native XDCAM EX (.MP4), Final Cut Pro (.MOV), and AVCHD, to SD cards. The 650 also supports MXF files for metadata.

One of its advantages for news is that it has dual codecs, so that it can record full HD files on one memory card, while simultaneously creating smaller, web-friendly files (1/4 HD or SD) on a second card. It also has built-in FTP client and network connectivity, so that it can deliver the footage back to a station without a microwave or satellite connection (all it requires is a WiFi connection or mobile broadband).

It has a secure web server built-in, to allow you to take full control of the camera – including zoom, Rec start/stop and metadata editing – via any browser-enabled device such as an iPad or smart phone.

Other features include: three, 1/3-inch 12-bit CMOS sensors, each with 1920x1080 pixels; a 29mm-667mm (35mm equivalent) Fujinon 23x autofocus zoom lens with optical image stabilizer; manual focus, zoom and iris rings, plus three ND filters; auto-focus with face detection; good low-light performance (F12 at 2000 lux in extended mode); a 1.22MP colour viewfinder and 3.5-inch LCD; a second trigger and servo zoom control on the built-in handle to make it easy to record while holding the cameras at low or high angles; Pre Rec to continuously record and store up to 15 seconds of footage in cache memory to help prevent missed shots of breaking events; built-in stereo microphone plus two XLR inputs with phantom power; separate input for a wireless mic receiver; LANC remote connector; time-code synchronization input; plus HD-SDI and HDMI outputs. It also has Flash Band Correction, to avoid rolling shutter problems if you shoot an event there are flash guns going off.

The camera has been tested by Alan Roberts (whose reports are always worth reading) and met the EBU’s criteria under EBU Tech 3335 for journalism use (Tier 2J), and will also meet the requirements for general long form HD programming (Tier 2L), when used with a suitable external recording device supporting 50Mbps or greater recording (it records up to 35Mbps internally).

By David Fox

New slomo PoV with Polecam + Pico

High-speed cameras are small enough now to be usable on a hand-holdable jib arm, such as the lightweight Polecam, for use in places and ways they couldn’t have been previously.

The LMC Antelope Pico Point-of-View camera is particularly suitable for live sports production, and has been used for the German Bundesliga and Winter sports – a Pico was used on a white Polecam (to disappear into the background) at the start gates at the Alpine Skiing World Championship in Schladming. Polecam’s Founder, Steffan Hewitt (pictured above at BVE), also recently used the Pico in China, to cover the Rory McIlroy/Tiger Woods Duel at the Jinsha Lake Golf Club in Hengzhou.

“We had a full-size Polecam, with the Pico, and a Telecast Fiber PoV system – because the distance between the holes and the truck was kilometres, so we had to use fibre,” he explained.

The camera was primarily used above the players as they tee’d off, for slow-motion shots showing how their swings differed, for replay analysis. Because the system was so light, Hewitt, who was on his own, was able to just jump in a golf buggy between holes.

The Pico, which can deliver up to 340 frames per second from its 2/3-inch sensor, “worked great. It looked really good,” said Hewitt. “It’s the only really small high-speed camera that I know of.”

As it was on the Polecam, he could drop it right to the level of the green, where it was possible to see all the undulations that aren’t evident at normal camera height.

The current version of the Pico works with a pair of cables, but the next one will just require a single coax cable between the camera head and the CCU. “This will allow us to have much greater distances between the two, and use a longer Polecam,” he explained.

It will also be able to do live broadcast HD as well as slo-mo at the same time, so you can continue shooting HD while the high-speed shots are being cached for replay (which the current version can’t do), making it a much more practical proposition. “The new Pico will genuinely be live friendly.”

Given these developments, which should emerge at NAB in April, “I’m really excited about doing the high-speed stuff,” he added.

The slightly larger Phantom Miro slo-mo camera, from Vision Research, can also work on the Polecam (Vision Research were showing just such a package at BVE - pictured above), but it can’t be used as a direct feed for live production, although it does go up to 1,500fps.

Using the Polecam, operators can position the camera in places it wouldn’t normally be easy to go, such as over water, into a bird’s nest or in dangerous areas, to get close to the action.

One Polecam, being used with a Pico to cover a Bundesliga match, got closer to the action than it should have. During the warm up, the operator was rehearsing a shot above the goal, when one of the players used it for target practice, hitting it straight at the camera in beautiful slow motion.

“It completely bent the head in half. It cost £2,500 to completely rebuild the head, mainly with new parts,” said Hewitt.

By David Fox