Steve Mullen
June 16th, 2008, 03:34 AM
June 16, 2008 – JVC greatly expanded its high definition camcorder line-up today with the announcement of three new hard disk drive HD Everios. For the first time, the company joins the majority of camcorder manufacturers by allowing all new models to record in the AVCHD format. Two of the camcorders, the GZ-HD30 ($999 MSRP) and GZ-HD40 ($1299 MSRP), also record in the MPEG-2 TS format. The third, the GZ-HD10 ($799 MSRP), only records in AVCHD.
All three feature a newly designed CMOS sensor, also a first from a manufacturer that traditionally uses a three-chip CCD array.
The JVC GZ-HD30, with an 80GB capacity (10 hours recording in highest quality), and GZ-HD40, with a 120GB capacity (6 hours recording in highest quality), are aimed at the higher-end user. They can capture in full 1920 x 1080 in either AVCHD at a maximum average of 17Mbps or MPEG-2 TS at a maximum 27Mbps. Video can also be recorded in any format to a microSDHC card (not included). Both camcorders utilize a new 2.68-megapixel 1/3-inch CMOS chip.
The technology for a single camcorder outputting in both MPEG-2 TS and AVCHD is new. The camcorders use a single processing chip that performs part of the processing (motion estimation and motion compensation, specifically) before performing the remaining functions of the selected compression.
Like all camcorders, there are multiple quality settings that dictate the average bitrate. However, in the new JVC camcorders, settings with a low average bitrate can still peak at the highest possible bitrate. For instance, the lowest quality setting, EP, records at an average 5Mbps but is capable of a maximum bitrate of 18Mbps. The bitrate will increase from the average when the sensor detects a scene with high detail. Sample footage at the press conference in side-by-side displays of AVCHD at 17Mbps (average) and 5Mbps (average) showed only a small increase in artifacting.
Using technology JVC debuted on the GZ-HD3, all the new HD Everios will offer 1080/60P output through HDMI. The progressive output is not native. Rather, it uses an upconverting process borrowed from Genessa engine in its HDTV line.
The GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 feature a 2.8-inch LCD (207,000 pixels) and a 10x F/1.8 – 2.2 Konica Minolta HD lens. All three camcorders offer an accessory shoe, microphone input, headphone-out, HDMI, USB, AV-out, component-out, and microSD card slot.
All models are capable of recording still images to either hard disk drive or microSD. The GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 have a maximum resolution of 2432 x 1368. The GZ-HD40 also ships with a docking station that includes USB, AV-out, component-put, and Firewire (IEEE1394).
The GZ-HD40 retails for $1299 MSRP and the GZ-HD30 for $999 MSRP. All are expected to ship in August 2008.
These are definitely not an HD7 replacement! In fact, they seem kind of weird and IMHO won't sell because how many moms & pops can sort-out MPEG-2 -- that's not called HDV -- and AVCHD that may or may not be editable with current NLEs. The "new" JVC doesn't seem to have a clue about how they can compete with Sony. Being different isn't enough -- at least in the USA market. I can't imagine some pimpled kid at BB explaining this camcorder to a fat mom with a kid clinging to her screaming at the top of his little lungs.
But, the codec is clever and I'll bet we'll see it a "pro" handheld where it would serve a function.
All three feature a newly designed CMOS sensor, also a first from a manufacturer that traditionally uses a three-chip CCD array.
The JVC GZ-HD30, with an 80GB capacity (10 hours recording in highest quality), and GZ-HD40, with a 120GB capacity (6 hours recording in highest quality), are aimed at the higher-end user. They can capture in full 1920 x 1080 in either AVCHD at a maximum average of 17Mbps or MPEG-2 TS at a maximum 27Mbps. Video can also be recorded in any format to a microSDHC card (not included). Both camcorders utilize a new 2.68-megapixel 1/3-inch CMOS chip.
The technology for a single camcorder outputting in both MPEG-2 TS and AVCHD is new. The camcorders use a single processing chip that performs part of the processing (motion estimation and motion compensation, specifically) before performing the remaining functions of the selected compression.
Like all camcorders, there are multiple quality settings that dictate the average bitrate. However, in the new JVC camcorders, settings with a low average bitrate can still peak at the highest possible bitrate. For instance, the lowest quality setting, EP, records at an average 5Mbps but is capable of a maximum bitrate of 18Mbps. The bitrate will increase from the average when the sensor detects a scene with high detail. Sample footage at the press conference in side-by-side displays of AVCHD at 17Mbps (average) and 5Mbps (average) showed only a small increase in artifacting.
Using technology JVC debuted on the GZ-HD3, all the new HD Everios will offer 1080/60P output through HDMI. The progressive output is not native. Rather, it uses an upconverting process borrowed from Genessa engine in its HDTV line.
The GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 feature a 2.8-inch LCD (207,000 pixels) and a 10x F/1.8 – 2.2 Konica Minolta HD lens. All three camcorders offer an accessory shoe, microphone input, headphone-out, HDMI, USB, AV-out, component-out, and microSD card slot.
All models are capable of recording still images to either hard disk drive or microSD. The GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 have a maximum resolution of 2432 x 1368. The GZ-HD40 also ships with a docking station that includes USB, AV-out, component-put, and Firewire (IEEE1394).
The GZ-HD40 retails for $1299 MSRP and the GZ-HD30 for $999 MSRP. All are expected to ship in August 2008.
These are definitely not an HD7 replacement! In fact, they seem kind of weird and IMHO won't sell because how many moms & pops can sort-out MPEG-2 -- that's not called HDV -- and AVCHD that may or may not be editable with current NLEs. The "new" JVC doesn't seem to have a clue about how they can compete with Sony. Being different isn't enough -- at least in the USA market. I can't imagine some pimpled kid at BB explaining this camcorder to a fat mom with a kid clinging to her screaming at the top of his little lungs.
But, the codec is clever and I'll bet we'll see it a "pro" handheld where it would serve a function.