In addition to announcing a new line of DT-U Series 4K monitors at IBC 2018, JVC also announced two new 4K camcorders in the CONNECTED CAM range – the GY-HC500 and the GY-HC550 – which offer unparalleled IP connectivity in a handheld camcorder form factor. IBC being a major broadcast related exhibition makes it the perfect launchpad for such camcorders.
Both the JVC GY-HC500 and the HC550 feature a 1-inch 4K CMOS sensor which is paired with a newly-developed 20x lens with 3 independent rings for zoom, focus and iris control, resulting in excellent imaging performance and shooting flexibility.
The new Connected Cam models come supplied with a high-resolution viewfinder helps you nail focus and exposure. JVC claim their new GY-HC500/550 camcorders can achieve up to 12 stops of dynamic range, with support for BT.709, BT.2020 and BT.2100 HLG colour spaces for HDR acquisition compliance.
Using the latest generation codec that’s also used in the GY-HC900 shoulder mount CONNECTED CAM, the new GY-HC500/ HC550 can record to SSD media in a wide variety of formats, including 10-bit ProRes 422 at 4K 50/60p.
A number of other codecs and recording formats are also available, including H.264 and MPEG-2, ensuring a wide range of workflows can be supported.
Both the GY-HC500 and GY-HC550 deliver an advanced, class-leading set of IP connectivity functions, with both models offering live streaming, FTP file transfer and remote camera control over IP.
The latest CONNECTED CAM technology now adds return video over IP, high-quality IFB audio return, and the ability to stream at up to 1080p50/60 at 20Mb/s, giving a uniquely high-quality contribution stream over IP, directly from the camera.
The GY-HC550 furthermore adds in an additional range of features, including Wireless LAN antennas, built-in broadcast graphics overlays, and Zixi protocol support for streaming applications.
The GY-HC500 and GY-HC550 add to the first model in the CONNECTED CAM range, the GY-HC900, which is a high-quality shoulder mount camcorder, ideal for a wide range of live production applications.
The GY-HC900 has 3 x 2/3” CMOS sensors offering outstanding low high capability, and supports an industry standard B4 mount, allowing a wide range of broadcast lenses to be utilised.
It is also billed as “the most advanced 2/3 shoulder camcorder” and a major contender to the Sony 2/3rds inch shoulder cams, which are widely considered the sort of Mercedes Benz of shoulder cams, so some more healthy competition is going to be a good thing in this segment.
The professional shoulder mount form factor of the GY-HC900 will appeal to those users requiring a highly reliable, flexible ENG solution, with all the benefits of the CONNECTED CAM IP technology.
The GY-HC900 can also be easily adapted to use as a studio camera, through its unique docking system for fibre studio connection.
The new GY-HC500 and GY-HC550 are scheduled to ship in early 2019 and add to the CONNECTED CAM range of products, with the GY-HC900 shoulder mount model shipping in October 2018.
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