Camcorder News

Reliable sources have confirmed that a camcorder named the GY-HD100U which JVC Professional is teasing on their homepage will have three 1/3 in. CCDs. JVC has been attempting to create buzz around their new product by placing a small ad and gradually releasing information on their website for the new camcorder which will use a new system called ProHD. The new ProHD system is compatible with the HDV format, but it supports additional features including 24 frames progressive scan – a feature which the new camcorder will have. A new picture of the camcorder has appeared on the web as of March 30th, but we are unable to confirm if it is the model or not.

The reliable source confirmed reports that the camcorder will include a stock lens of either 13x or 16x optical for under $10,000. The source also confirmed that the camcorder will record 16:9 aspect ratio.

People following the camcorder throughout the web have been speculating about the camcorder’s CCD size. While Canon’s XL2 and Sony’s HDR-FX1 both include three 1/3 in. CCDs, many professionals are looking for an affordable HD camcorder with larger 1/2 in. or 2/3 in. CCDs.

According to the source the new camcorder will also have dual XLR inputs, a flip-out LCD screen, and features that "go beyond HDV." While the new camcorder will be HDV compatible, it will utilize a new HDV format called ProHD.

JVC was the first company to introduce a consumer HD camcorder with their consumer GR-HD1 and prosumer GY-HD10U. The compression used by those camcorders was transformed into the HDV format which records an HD signal to MiniDV tape. Sony, JVC, Canon and Sharp have agreed to produce camcorders under the format and Sony introduced the first official HDV camcorder with their HDR-FX1.

This publication reported earlier this month that Panasonic will also be introducing a sub $10,000 HD camcorder titled the AJ-HDX100. Their new camcorder will also record 24P, however the new Panasonic camcorder will not record video to MiniDV tapes with the HDV format, but rather use Pansonic’s P2 tapeless card format.

JVC had no official comment on the new camcorder.