Professional DV series camcorders of JVC company

By Valery Golubkov

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

Equipment of Professional DV series, produced by JVC, for present-day day has occupied the significant niche on the market of professional video devices. This family includes the following models: GY-DV500E, GY-DV550E, GY-DV300E and GY-DV5000E.

The most forerunners to this series is GY-DV500E which represents monoblock design in strong and light body with removable lens, viewfinder and mike. This camcorder is successfully used in corporative TV, educational area, cable and broadcasting TV. GY-DV500E is equipped by three 1/2" CCDs with frame-interline charge transfer (IT), and is characterized by sensitivity 2000 lux under relative lens aperture F11 and resolution 750 TVL. Due to built-in 14-bit processor camera part reaches nearly same features, which are usually provided in more expensive camcorder only, for instance such as KY-D29. As on any professional device, on this camcorder the manual iris and white balance adjusting, gain and shutter rates, as well as autocontrol of all these functions in mode Full Auto are possible. For functioning in extreme low luminosity conditions the camcorder GY-DV500E has a function of the gain Lolux, providing high quality of picture recording on tape even in very heavy shooting conditions. The variable scanning frequency goes to the possibility of computer screen shooting without bands. Besides, it is possible even such functions, as processing of flesh-colored tone, help during focusing, including of the generator for producing of colour bands. Smooth Transition is one more function, which is responsible for non-occurance of sudden change of picture character under connection of an electronic signal amplifier, but, conversely, gain must slowly increase till desired value. This mode is comfortable to use at shooting, for instance, of soccer game, when ball flies from shade of the tribunes to brightly illuminated part of field.

The menu of settings has several levels, on which any specific adjusting of camcorder is possible, to switch on or switch off the different functions, to install the parameters of detalization, gains and shutter rates. It is possible to change the color matrix, black level and settings for autocontrol of iris as well.

For sound control there are strip indicators on liquid-cristal screen and in viewfinder.

GY-DV500E

GY-DV500E records pictures and sound in usual DV-format on standard miniDV cassettes. Two channels of the sound have the best quality for DV, which is 48 kHz, 16 bits. The power requirement is 20W in mode of the shooting. Thereby, batteries NP-1 of GY-DV500E provide enough long shooting without battery change.

The camcorder has a function SSF (Super Scene Finder). This function looks like ClipLink function of Sony Company. However, unlike ClipLink function SSF can not give index pictures of marked scenes. By means of SSF operator keystroke on camcorder already during shooting can bring the marks of the temporary code. First they are kept in camcorder memory, but at surge of the cassette are recorded in the beginning of tape. On one cassette it is possible to mark about 134 scenes. In process of the further functioning we can read SSF information by means of nonlinear editing system JVC. Then an editing system addresses only to marked scene, with time and memory saving.

Including 14-times lens, viewfinder, battery and cassette the weight of camcorder is 5 kg.

The universal camcorder GY-DV550E is designed on base of GY-DV500E. Unlike to GY-DV500E the GY-DV550E has 26-wire interface, allowing its using not only for TV reporting, but also in remote control mode in studio (in combinations with controller CCU RM-P210). Even in studio configuration the camera GY-DV550E can be used as camcorder, when signal is recorded on built-in video miniDV recorder. Such mode is identified as ISO-CAM recording. This possibility does the camcorder by suitable instrument for parallel shooting of concerts and other “direct” action. The combination “GY-DV550/ RM-P210” provides RTS-compatible joint for official communication signal, as well as output for TV-prompter.

GY-DV550

GY-DV550 can be synchronized with another camcorder GY-DV550, other models of camcorders or with external source. For this is required only stable composite videosignal, given on connector sync in, located beside front panel, with opposite from operator.

GY-DV550 has BNC-connectors of the input (TIME CODE IN) and output (TIME CODE OUT) of the temporary code that enables by force to install the time code of the other camcorder at multi-camera to shooting. This will allow to have in reserve shooting material with all camcorders that can be useful for the following editing of the program — appears the possibility to use the scenes, which were not included in direct translation.

The Integrated interface IEEE 1394 supports the transmission of digital picture and sound signals. Besides, there are outputs for analog video picture signal: composite and Y/C, as well as connectors (two RCA) for sound playback. The camcorder provides dual-link digital recording of sound (16 bits, 48 kHz or 12 bits, 32 kHz). As in any professional device, in GY-D550E camcorder the manual setting of the iris, white balance, gain and shutter rates, as well as autocontrol all these functions in Full Auto mode are possible. There are provided the following functions: shooting of pictures on computer screen without bands (variable scan view), processing flesh-colored tone (adjustable detail frequency), help at noise pickup on sharpness (precision accu-focus mode), gain LoLux (under its use to produce the shooting with minimum luminosity 0.75 lux at iris 1.4 is possible).

The model GY-DV300, named as streamcoder, represents itself a small, light camcorder for shooting “from hands”, having possibility of stream broadcasting.

Three 1/3" matrixes are used in this model with efficient element number 440,000. New built-in 12-bit digital signal processor (DSP) practically completely avoids a vertical smear from bright light sources, typical for matrixes with line transfer of charge. High sensitivity of the F11matrixes greatly reduces the requirements to term of luminosity; at shooting inside buildings under normal luminosity the additional illumination is not required. With the help of 12-bit ACP the analog signal of matrixes is converted in digital form and is hereinafter transferred in DSP. The absence of the analog processing the videosignal provides the high quality of the picture gets high transmission of the details and avoids the noises under processing of the dark picture areas.

The camcorder is characterized by great flexibility in respect of color matrix, possible variety of gamma curve what guarantees the qualitative transmission of the details both on dark, and on light areas of the picture. 14-x lens with optical stabilization of the picture allows functioning in automatic (the focus and iris) and in manual mode. Moreover, focusing ring which has a big diameter provides the exact focusing. Blemish-correction up to 32 pixels, “rescaler” for turning of resolution in pixels, reconfigurable “zebra” with focus from 75 to 100 and with high contrast — all of this provides exceedingly broad possibilities of picture control.

The small weight of the camcorder (under 1.4 kg without battery) and ergonomical design guarantee high mobility in any conditions. All controls are located on external surfaces of camcorder and are easy available. The aim of developers was to provide necessary control operations by users “finger tips”. So this model can be described as unit which has many attractive properties (e. g., the same electronic base that is provided for popular camcorder GY-DV500).

Besides, this camcorder is eqiupped with by generator/device for reading of the time code EBU. There is built-in generator of the color bars. As a matter of convenience the viewing of record the function of searching on marks is provided. In purpose of the eliminating the twinkling at shooting screen with picture another standard then PAL (e. g., of computer screen), there is function of the variable frequency shutter with adjusting range from 50.1 to 2067.8 Hz. A dual-link digital sound recording is provided (16 bits/48 kHz or 12 bits/32 kHz).

When use the LoLux mode (at luminosity below 2.65 lux) gain on 24 dB is realized, that allows raising the camcorder sensitivity without essential increase of noise level. This mode is suitable for heavy shooting conditionssuch as almost in full darkness.

For data transmission to other equipment there is an output connector IEEE-1394, eqiupped by similar interface. (Model GY-DV301 is provided by interface IEEE-1394 which function both to output, and to input). The camcorder is provided with video outputs (composite BNC and Y/C), with audio output (RCA) and with earphones output (miniJack), as well as with built-in unidirectional mike by sensitivity -40 dB and two microphone inputs (XLR) with possibility of phantom power supply +48V. There are colour LCD-viewfinder and folding 2.5" colour LCD-display. Recording is realized on miniDV cassettes with 60 min duration time.

The camcorder differs by its additional part, which is-an adapter KA-DV300 for stream broadcasting, which can create the MPEG-4 videostreams in realtime and records video onto built-in flash-memory or transfer stream on network. Also simultaneous record on DV cassette is possible. Besides, the network kit provided with microprocessor for Linux environment, which is capable “to communicate” with computer by means of program Streamproducer. This program is a part of network package, which provides for users to conduct streaming transmission through Internet and has all functions of built-in web-server.

As for MiniDV camcorders GY-DV700E has unique size of the matrix 2/3" with efficient amount of the pixels equal to 570,000. The camcorder is intended for shooting in mode 16:9, but it is switchable to 4:3. In greater degree this device is positioned as not intended for reporters, but as oriented on art shooting in 16:9 format. On its functional features this camcorder practically in all repeats the camcorder GY-DV500E.

Recently JVC has launched a new shoulder camcorder GY-DV5000E, which satisfies to all professional requests. It provided with new tape-drive mechanism with under-cassette electric motor and perfecting system of autoadjusting that allows to use standard (JVC LA-DV276PRO) and DV mini-cassettes (JVC M-DV63PRO, 63 min) without adapter. It is possible to record on DV cassettes DVCAM, as well as playback the recordings made in DVCAM format. Tape rewinding in both directions can be produced under 100-times speed.

The new scheme of 12-bit ACP and 12-bit DSP have allowed to increase the dynamic range of input signal to 400% so on darkened and bright areas the picture details are well studied. Three 1/2" CCDs with line charge transfer, alongside with advanced 12-bit DSP on base of the algorithm of the parallel processing (used only in broadcasting camcorder), provide high resolution (800 TVL) and high sensitivity (F13 under 2000 lux). The signal/noise ratio is 60 dB.

Aside from standard 1.5" monochrome viewfinder (optionally), camcorder has built-in 2.5" folded back colour LCD-display, with functioning in three modes: imaging only video, video with indication of modes, or only the mode indication.

In this camcorder the function of stream broadcasting is realized (the option), for the first time is carried in GY-DV300. The adapter KA-DV5000U with network card PCMCIA is fixed between case of GY-DV5000E and battery. The formed signals of the picture and sound coded on standard MPEG-4 are transferred, in accordance with reception capacity of the network, at the speed from 32 to 512 Kbits/sec. There is possibility simultaneously with record on video cassette to form the MPEG-4 videostream and through wire or radio network to send it in Internet in real-time. As for traditional KA-DV5000 it provides the function Scene Capture, which automatically guides the CF log of the pictures to memory card, containing MPEG-4 videoclips and values of the time code at the beginning and end of each recorded picture on tape. The Program Scene Viewer (falls into standard software package) displays values of this code and MPEG-4 clips, and time codes as well, referring to all scenes, recorded on DV tape. Then the MPEG-4 clips can view and process them on personal computer. KA-DV5000 has a built-in server for stream broadcasting. Using simple program Media Player, ten users can be connected to one camcorder.

GY-DV5000 camera with plugged in DR-DV5000 disk recorder

To this camcorder can be “fastened” recently released JVC disc recorder DR-DV5000. It has a possibility to work with all camcorders of JVC family Professional DV (GY-DV500, GY-DV700) and is completely integrated with GY-DV5000, providing get full information on the general condition and condition of the playback through viewfinder and liquid-cristal display. This recorder allows producing record on disk directly or on disk simultaneously and on video cassette. DR-DV5000 has two 6-pin connector IEEE-1394 and safely protects the standard compact withdrawable hard disks by size 2,5" from vibration and influences of the external environment. Such 80 GB disk will provide over 6.5h digital recording. Beforehand, the DR-DV5000 can be configured by user for recording in “native” file format by any one of the main systems of the nonlinear editing, including Avid OMF-DV, QuickTime-DV, RawDV, AVI Type 1-DV, AVI Type 2-DV, AVI Type 2C-DV, and Matrox AVI-DV. After finishing outside shooting a hard disk can be connected to the nonlinear editing system, where instant access to shot material is reached without any additional data processing, which usually necessary for editing. Thereby, users spare time and facility, immediately shooting in format, which is ready for editing.

Either as any professional device, GY-DV5000E has manual settings of iris, white balance, gain and shutter rates, as well as possibility of the autocontrol of all these function in mode Full Auto within the range of luminosity from 3 to 18000 lux. In this mode an operator would be choose scaling only, focusing the picture and press the record button. The rest operations are executed automatically depending on luminosity. Within the range from 3 to 24 lux the system ALC is functioning (the automatic regulation of videosignal level). Within the range from 24 to 2000 lux the Automatic Iris system is connected (the automatic regulation of the iris), but after excess of 2000 lux value the EEL system is connected (the complex electronic regulation of the iris). Thereby, not adjusting gain factor, iris, white balance, it is possible to carry out the permanent video shooting in the dark, on light, indoors or on street.

For functioning in conditions of low luminosity (0.4 lux), GY-DV5000E is equipped by peculiar to camcorders JVC function of the gain Lolux (F1.4, +35 dB). Provided line of professional functions such as gain of the fine details, flesh-colored tone processing, expanding/compressing in the field of black, etc. Efficient six-axis color correction allows to compensate color distortion, caused by optics. They are provided four presettings of the color matrix: Standard/Cine/Warm (warm tones)/Off.

The Camcorder is eqiupped with standard 1/2" bayonet fastening the lens that allows using the high-quality removable Canon and Fujinon lens, for instance, YH16×7K12U, YH19×6.7K12U, S14×7.3B12U, S17×6.6BRM, S20×6.4B12U.

The digital interface IEEE 1394 (an output) allows to transfer the loss-free video- and audiosignals in system of the nonlinear editing or on DV-recorder. Besides, output for analog signal of the scene is provided, composite and Y/C.

The dimensions of GY-DV5000E (and GY-DV5001E — a modification with IEEE 1394 input) are 364×249×121 mm, weight 5.5 kg with viewfinder, battery, mike and cassette. The voltage of power source is from 10.5V to 17V, power requirement 20 W (at record mode).

Material provided by Era Company, HLS Medientechnik Company