Camcorders of Hitachi-Denshi Company

By Andrey Mirolyubov

Review contents:

Computer with lens Camcorders of Hitachi-Denshi Company High Definition Ikegami camcorders Ikegami camcorders — a realization of any creative tasks Camcorders of the format D-9 and camcorder heads of the JVC Compact HD-camcorder JVC JY-HD10 with 720/30p format Professional DV series camcorders of JVC company New Panasonic camcorders High speed camcorders from Redlake (USA) New generation of the camera heads Sony DXC series New DVCAM camcorders from Sony Company Modern HD camcorders from Sony for E-cinema Camcorders of Grass Valley a Thomson Brand company

In Russia the trademark Hitachi is associated, basically, with consumer electronics. As a rule, the camera systems used by Russian TV companies are produced by other companies such as Sony, Panasonic and JVC. But meantime, Japanese company Hitachi-Denshi, which plants are situated in Germany, produces the whole spectrum of the professional shooting equipment, it is enough popular not only in Europe, but also all over the world. So, studio camcorders Hitachi SK series are used by some well known companies, such as CBS, MPTV, NASA (USA), CBC-TV, NHK, Nippon (Japan), RAI (Italy), Canal SUR (Spain), TRT (Turkey) and many others. Particularly strong positions in Germany and Europe are for compact camcorders of this company (for instance, camcorder model HV-D15 is used by German broadcasting channel ZDF and Finnish channel YLE).

Amongst studio camcorders Hitachi follows to note the digital models SK-777 and S-3000/S-3000W. In both camcorders the modern digital technology is used, allowing to place the processor of the digital signal processing (DSP) and encoding device on single chip. Such a decision enables to reduce the dimensions of the camcorder, reduce the power consumption and enlarge the parameters stability.

The camera head SK-777 includes CCDs with frame-interline transfer of a charge and microlenses (640000 pixels in NTSC and 740000 pixels in PAL) that provides excellent sensitivity, high level of horizontal resolution (from 800 to 850 TVL) and low smear level. Wide dynamic range and high signal/noise ratio are reached due to 12-bit A/D. The format of the model pictures is switchable 16:9/4:3. Removable flash-card allows keeping the settings of rehearsed scene in memory and subsequently reproducing them on shooting. The high quality of the pictures is supported due to built-in function Dyna Chroma, Auto Knee and Knee Aperture, which provide the broad dynamic range, allow to save the detail and restore saturation of the colour for more natural playback. This model have been controlling due to automation a whole (the automatic functions of electronic shutter, iriss and adjustments of the white balance), ergonomic design and low weight (2.7 kg) that does it suitable for transportation and shooting with shoulder. In studio configuration this camcorder is used in conjunction with triaxial station TU-Z3, adapter CX-Z3, control panel CP-7/CP-7JU, controller SU-2100 and 5" viewfinder VF-506.

Due to new 2/3" CCDs of 620000 pixels with microlenses and digital signal processing with double oversampling the camcorder S-3000/sec-3000W provides the horizontal resolution of 750 TVL. The Model S-3000 works in mode 4:3 and provides the resolution 900 TVL. In all other aspects the models S-3000W and S-3000 possess by the same features. Both camera heads can be used as camcorders, having plug to them video recorders of the following types: Sony BV-V5, DSR-1, Panasonic AJ-D90, JVC BR-D40 and others. For models S-3000W and S-3000 the following studion configurations are recommended:

S-3000 camcorder

• New studio system (switchable 16:9/4:3): base station RU-Z2, camera adapter CA-Z32, CCU RC-Z2A/RC-Z21A, 5" viewfinder GM-51;
• Low scaled studio system (switchable 16:9/4:3): RU-Z1 CCU, camera adapter CA-Z31, CCU RC-Z1/RC-Z11, 5" viewfinder GM-51;
• Also, Hitachi-Denshi produces a wide line of the industrial camcorders, broadly used in industry, medicine, observation and checking systems and for other areas.

Amongst them it is necessary to note the 13-bit digital model HV-D15. Three 1/2" CCDs (410000 pixels in NTSC and 470000 pixels in PAL) and digital processing with double oversampling provide the broadcasting resolution 800 TVL. Due to new digital technology for noise reducing the signal/noise ratio of 63 dB in NTSC and 61 dB in PAL is reached. This gives become clear picture with good sharpness even in mode of the high gain. The camcorder is equipped by automatic function of the white balance (White Gate), color correction (Masking, Dyna Chroma), chrominance gain (Chroma Gain, Auto Knee, Auto Shading) and level autochecking (Auto Level Control) that allows the shooting under significant change of luminosity and provides high resolution of the pictures.

For ensuring in parallel with Y/C standard composite output the coding of output signal is used. Besides, there is component output on connector D, where it is possible to choose between RGB, Y/R-Y/B-Y or Y/C. Composite output of synchronization signal together with starting signals H and V on connector D are also provided. Composite videosignal or signal of the black field to use as supporting for external synchronization circuit is possible. Due to built-in character generator, the information about shooting object or about position of the camcorder, as well as type of the output video is possible to display on screen (in lower or upper part). By means of interface RS-232C it is possible the functions of the camcorder to control by computer.

Recently, the Hitachi-Denshi Company has finished the development of the new studio and out-of-studio shooting kit on base of the models HV-D15 with viewfinder GM-51. Except camera head and viewfinder in kit the following devices are introduced: the adapter AT-21, camcorder control panel RC-Z3, Fujinon S17×6,6BRM or Canon YH16×7KRS lens, and system for the lens remote control ZL-7W (ZL-15WR). All devices are fixed on standard tripod produced by Vinten Company or other producers.

It is necessary to note that HV-D15 model is successfully used in newsroom of leading Finnish channel YLE (the branch in Tampere). Moreover, instead of usual tripods the branch specialists use solely remote operated systems Eagle (also development Hitachi-Denshi). This system consists of pan head and one or several controllers, which control not only head, but also practically all functions of the camcorder. In accordance to the opinion of Finnish broadcasters, this system beautifully copes with task of the news on-air issue, being, in ditto time, compact and it is enough cheap.

The Valex Engineering also uses these models in their own project. In particular, already about one year the HV-D15 in studio completing are successfully exploited by RK “Television and radio Kazakhstan” in conjuction with ASB of editing and on-air suite in Pavlodar. In the nearest future the construction of multi-camcorder mobile television complex for soccer alliance Kazakhstan is planned. The complex will include four HV-D15 camcorders in studio completing and with SDI-adapter, as well as two HV-D30 on Eagle pan/tilt heads.

The latest model to this series is a multi-purpose colour camcorder HV-D30. The whole process of the signal processing (from processor to coding) is realized on one chip that provides the small size, low energy consumption and high reliability. The camcorder is made in cubic shape that allows easy to build in different systems; it has the compact size (65×65×80 mm) and small weight (around 400 g). In ditto time, camcorder provides the high quality of the picture. Each of three 1/3" CCDs has 410000 pixels (470000 pixels in PAL). In combination with 12-bit ADC and 14-bit DSP this folows to 800 TVL horizontal resolution, but due to system of dynamic noise reduction the signal/noise ratio is 64 dB (62 dB in PAL). The Auto Shading function corrects the color deflections (the edging in upper and lower part of screen), which appear because of interaction of the lens and optometrists of the camcorder. The rest possibilities of the camcorder include 6-vector color correction (this function is optimum for use with microscope, where an accuracy of the colour is very important, autocontrol of signal level: gain, iris and shutter), automatic white balance regulation etc.

Amongst camcorders KR series it is necessary to stop in detail on supercompact digital camcorder KP-D8, which is used successfully for shooting of different sport events, and in particular, Formula 1 racing. Due to compactness the KP-D8 is fixed on car and into airplane easily.

KP-D8

This model is powered by 12V battery. Since a controller on camcorder is excluded, the camcorder installation in limited space conditions is easy. This model weighs 80 grams and occupies the volume approximately 42 cm³. CCD on 410000 pixels (470000 pixels in PAL) with microlenses provides the high picture quality under minimum 4 lux luminosity and horizontal resolution 470 TVL. The camcorder is equipped with automatic function of electronic shutter (settings from 1/60 (1/50 in PAL) to 1/180000s are possible) and white balance control, which is constantly adjusted to support the correct color reproduction when changing of luminosity and color temperature (from 2500K to 8000K) is occured. The user can choose Y/C or composite output. During shooting the clear sharpless picture is reached, without cross distortion, which are caused by usual NTSC-coding and the following decoding necessary when component signal is used. By means of standard built-in port RS-232C it is possible to control the camcorder completely and to choose the different functions. For this camcorder model the following lenses are recommended: TF812 with 32° visual angle, TF316 (72°), TF1214 (22°) and HS720JX (XE) with three-pin plug (38°).

Material is provided by Valex Engineering Company