JVC demos GY-HM600, launches HM650 Mobile News Camera with WiFi and FTP at NAB

Sure, you can always roll up with a full-blown sat truck or a camera tethered to a ViaSat SurfBeam 2 Pro Portable, or you can pick up the JVC GY-HM650, which lets you beam those video bytes back to base with any ole hotspot. The company's Mobile News Camera packs a trio of 1/3-inch 1080p 12-bit sensors, a 29-667mm lens, 3.5-inch LCD, SDXC compatibility and HD-SDI outputs, but it also includes WiFi connectivity with FTP server support, letting you record then automatically transmit footage back to a newsroom for editing and broadcast. The camera itself is very compact, considering that it's primarily suited for professional news applications, and also includes all the standard audio hook-ups, like dual XLR jacks, a shotgun mic holder, headphone jack and a separate connector for a wireless mic receiver, along with GPS and Android/iOS app control. JVC also launched another model, the GY-HM600, which offers similar features, save for those wireless connectivity bits. Both cameras look nearly identical, though the company only had the less-abled 600 on display at NAB. That camera will retail for $4,695 when it hits in the fall, while the 650 will cost you $1,000 more, with a winter 2012 shipping estimate. We weren't able to peek at the WiFi model at the show, but you'll be able to get a fairly good idea of how that camera will look in the glass-enclosed HM600 shots below.

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JVC Introduces Handheld Mobile News Camera At NAB 2012

WAYNE, NJ (April 16, 2012) – JVC Professional Products Company, a division of JVC Americas Corp., has ushered in a new era of mobile newsgathering with its new GY-HM650 ProHD handheld mobile news camera, which can shoot and deliver news footage faster than ever. Equipped with dual codecs, it produces full HD files on one memory card while simultaneously creating smaller, Web-friendly files (1/4 HD) on a second card. With built-in FTP and Wi-Fi connectivity, the GY-HM650 delivers the footage back to a station without a microwave or satellite connection.

With a built-in Fujinon wide angle 23x zoom lens, superior low-light performance, and excellent sensitivity (F11 at 2000 lux), the GY-HM650 has ideal optics for challenging shooting environments. The HD lens has a focal range of 29mm-667mm (35mm equivalent) and includes manual focus, servo zoom, and iris rings, along with three ND filters and a removable hood. Other features include JVC's auto-focus with face detection and an optical image stabilizer.

Equipped with three, 1/3-inch 1920×1080 12-bit CMOS sensors, the lightweight GY-HM650 records HD or SD footage in multiple file formats, including native XDCAM EX™ (.MP4), Final Cut Pro™ (.MOV), and AVCHD, to non-proprietary SDHC or SDXC media cards. It also records .MXF files with rich descriptive metadata that is optimized for asset management. The camera also includes HD-SDI and HDMI outputs for easy monitoring of HD footage.

"Newsgathering and independent production continue to evolve. One or two-person teams have become commonplace, and many shooters are capturing images for TV, the Internet, and mobile devices," said Craig Yanagi, manager, marketing and brand strategy. "With built-in Web connectivity, simultaneous recording of a Web-friendly video file, and .MXF files with rich descriptive metadata, the GY-HM650 is ideal for today's file-based workflows."

Designed for versatility, the GY-HM650 features a 1.22 MP color viewfinder and color 3.5-inch LCD to handle run-and-gun and tripod-based stand-ups. The Pre Rec (retro cache) feature continuously records and stores up to five seconds of footage in cache memory to help prevent missed shots of breaking news, while a second trigger and servo zoom control on the built-in handle makes it easy to record while holding the camera at low or high angles.

In addition, the GY-HM650 provides a number of essential audio features. Its built-in stereo microphone is ideal for capturing natural sound on location, but the camera also includes two XLR inputs with phantom power and a shotgun mic holder, as well as a headphone jack and separate input for a wireless mic receiver.

The GY-HM650 will be demonstrated at the 2012 NAB Show (Booth C4314), which runs April 16-19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev. It has a suggested list price of $5,695 and will be available in Winter 2012.

JVC Introduces Advanced Handheld Camera At NAB 2012

WAYNE, NJ (April 16, 2012) – JVC Professional Products Company, a division of JVC Americas Corp., today announced the GY-HM600, a next-generation handheld ProHD camera that delivers exceptional imagery and features for news, sports, and independent production. It features a built-in wide angle 23x autofocus zoom lens, delivers superior low-light performance, and provides excellent sensitivity (F11 at 2000 lux) in a comfortable, versatile form factor. The new HD camera will be demonstrated at the 2012 NAB Show (Booth C4314) in Las Vegas, Nev., April 16-19.
The lightweight camera records HD or SD footage in multiple file formats, including native XDCAM EX™ (.MP4), Final Cut Pro™ (.MOV), and AVCHD, to non-proprietary SDHC or SDXC media cards. In addition to relay mode for uninterrupted recording, the GY-HM600 allows simultaneous recording to both memory cards for instant backup or client copy.

"JVC understands the needs of today's video professionals, and our new GY-HM600 delivers innovation without compromise," said Craig Yanagi, manager, marketing and brand strategy. "It sets a new standard of performance for handheld cameras with incredible optics, intuitive operation, and the industry's fastest shoot-to-edit workflow."

With a 1.22 MP color viewfinder and color 3.5-inch LCD, the GY-HM600 is versatile enough to handle tripod-based shots and run-and-gun situations. A second trigger and servo zoom control on the built-in handle make it easy to record while holding the camera at low or high angles, while the Pre Rec (retro cache) feature continuously records and stores up to five seconds of footage in cache memory to help prevent missed shots of breaking events.

The GY-HM600 is equipped with three, 1/3-inch 12-bit CMOS sensors, each with 1920×1080 pixels. The built-in Fujinon HD lensfeatures a wide focal range of 29mm-667mm (35mm equivalent) and has manual focus, zoom, and iris rings, along with three ND filters. Other features include auto-focus with face detection and an optical image stabilizer.

A built-in stereo microphone is ideal for capturing natural sound, but the GY-HM600 also includes two XLR inputs with phantom power and a shotgun mic holder, as well as a headphone jack and separate input for a wireless mic receiver. The GY-HM600 is equipped with a LANC remote connector and is compatible with JVC's ProHD Compact Studio ProHD seven-inch monitor for an affordable studio system. Plus, the camera includes a time-code synchronization input as well as HD-SDI and HDMI outputs.

The GY-HM600 has a suggested list price of $4,695 and will be available in Fall 2012.