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
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