Camcorder News

Las Vegas, NAB, April 25, 2006 - JVC Professional Products Company expanded its ProHD line with the introduction of the GY-HD200U and GY-HD250U HDV camcorders. The GY-HD200U is targeted at independent filmmakers and stringers, while the GY-HD250U is intended for studio use as well as electronic news gathering.

The GY-HD200U has the 'Compact-Shoulder' form factor popularized by the GY-HD100U. Due to the implementation of JVC's new 'Super Encoder,' developed for the latest line of ProHD products, it is capable of HDV720/60P true progressive image acquisition. The GY-HD200U utilizes all of the accessories currently available for the GY-HD100U, including the new 1/3' mount HD lenses being introduced at NAB 2006. To further enhance the HD200U's ability to utilize multiple types of lenses, JVC created an exclusive optional lens adapter - HZ-CA13U - specifically designed for the 1/3' bayonet mount of JVC ProHD camcorders, which enables the use of 16mm film prime lenses with a PL (Positive Lock) mount to address the needs of the cinematography community. The GY-HD200 is also capable of inverting the image from a prime lens, rendering special editing functionality unnecessary. 

The GY-HD200U's EVF.

Additionally, the GY-HD200U has Enhanced Cinema Gamma capability, which allows the photographer to enhance the captured image. The camcorder also records in both SD - including 24P and 24PA - and HD, and has JVC's patented focus assist function, which enables the user to focus precisely on each scene by highlighting details in the viewfinder. Finally, the HD200U features 2 XLR connectors for each audio channel and records CD quality audio at 384Kbps in the MPEG1 Layer 2 format. Audio level indicators are visible on the viewfinder and the flip-out LCD display.

The GY-HD200U is tentatively priced at $7995 and will be available in October 2006. A suggested list price for the HZ-CA13U lens adapter has not been determined.

The GY-HD250 in profile.

'We designed the GY-HD250U with multiple applications in mind,' said Craig Yanagi, National Marketing Manager, Creation Products. 'The fact that the camera has flexible connectivity, is lightweight, and can record in multiple progressive formats is certain to meet the various needs of the professional industry. The options on this camera are sure to make this the camera of choice for a wide range of studio, facility, and field production.'

A new advanced codec provides ultra efficient compression without visible motion artifacts, allowing the GY-HD250 to record true 1280 x 720 progressive at 60 frames per second. This camera has built-in gen lock capability and component and HD-SDI output, with professional connectors mounted on a magnesium die cast chassis. The GY-HD250U also features several interchangeable lenses, enhanced cinema gamma, external time code synchronization, BNC connectors, built-in mount for a 14.4V professional battery, and a patented focus assist feature.

The GY-HD250 on the NAB show floor draws a crowd.

In the tradition of the popular GY-DV550U professional DV camera, the GY-HD250U can easily be converted to a cost effective studio camera. The camera's optional CCU provides connection to industry standard 26-pin multi core cabling for power, gen lock, R/B gain, black level, and intercom up to 330 feet. An optional pan and tilt head and 16:9 LCD studio viewfinder make it ideal for educational, religious, cable, and broadcast studios.

The suggested list price for the GY-HD250U is $8,995. Delivery is expected to begin in October 2006.

JVC’s second new model announced at NAB, the GY-HD250U, offers studio capabilities and features 720/60p capture and recording for electronic news gathering.

A control panel on the GY-HD250.

                                                   
Right side of the GY-HD250.