1 Zoom control on the top handle
2 Optional floating lens image stablizer like in the canon.
3 720p60 hdv

Let's see... SDI 4:2:2 output? Lenses that don't cost more than the camera itself? A camera that actually will work with other equipment would be nice... Pay attention here Canon! Basicly, I just want something affordable that works the way it is supposed to, right out of the box- not sometime in the unforseen future.

1 Zoom control on the top handle
2 Optional floating lens image stablizer like in the canon.
3 720p60 hdv

Two of those three wishes already exist. There is an optional zoom control for the top handle(at least there was). That was the first shortcoming I pointed out after seeing the camera at NAB last year.

720p 60 is available via component output to a dedicated capture card. You just can't pump that much through a firewire pipe. FW is limited to 720p 24 and 30 frame modes.

-gb-

Really, you can order one? Or is mine just missing it for some odd reason?

It would also be sweet if they had a firestore that captured the 4:2:2 output.

no I'm really dreaming.

also maybe a bottle cap opener on the side ;)

Really, you can order one? Or is mine just missing it for some odd reason?
The very first HD100s I received back in August of 2005 DID NOT have a zoom control on the top handle. Their serial numbers started with "12"
I then swapped both units a couple of weeks later because of split-screen calibration issues, and the new ones had the zoom rocker on the top handle. These new units started with serial numbers "13."

I'm not sure if any of the early European models have zoom controls on the top handle, since they were released months before Canada or the U.S.

Do you think they will upgrade me.....?

Is it built into the handle or strapped on?

no pun intended.

The very first HD100s I received back in August of 2005 DID NOT have a zoom control on the top handle. Their serial numbers started with "12"
I then swapped both units a couple of weeks later because of split-screen calibration issues, and the new ones had the zoom rocker on the top handle. These new units started with serial numbers "13."

I'm not sure if any of the early European models have zoom controls on the top handle, since they were released months before Canada or the U.S.

FWIW, the HD-100 on loan for our Texas Shootout did not have the top handle zoom control. It did have the A mod in it though.

If you look back at some of Chris' pictures from NAB 2005 in the photo gallery, you can see the optional zoom rocker attached.

-gb-

Do you think they will upgrade me.....?

Is it built into the handle or strapped on?

no pun intended.

Do you think they will upgrade me.....?

Is it built into the handle or strapped on?

no pun intended.

It is built into the plate with the Focus Assist and REC buttons.

Frankly, I wouldn't worry too much about it. It is a very "consumer-like" feature and I have never personally had a need for it. In fact, I hardly ever engage the servo.

How is this possible with a Fujinon lens?
Is there a separate cable running into under the lens connector?

How is this possible with a Fujinon lens?
Is there a separate cable running into under the lens connector?
Servo control is on three of the pins in the Fujinon connector. This allows the camera to control zooming.

Normally I would agree but one thing I liked about the xl-2 is I can ski with it grasped by the handle and pull out. (although it took alot of practice for me).

If I can get JVC to correct mine, why I got an older one I don't know, It would help me.

Thanks though. Good to know that it is there.

Frankly, I wouldn't worry too much about it. It is a very "consumer-like" feature and I have never personally had a need for it. In fact, I hardly ever engage the servo.

With all due respect Tim, most 'consumer' cams don't even have a top handle to put a rocker switch on. :-)

I always use the handle zoom for framing low angle shots. In fact, I used mine this past weekend during some behind the scenes stuff at our Texas HD Shootout.

I suppose it depends on the type of projects or shots you normally do with your camera.

-gb-

Right now (for ENG work) we use a small two channel Bluetooth receiver/transmitter mounted on the camera. One channel (receiving) is hooked into the camera (headset jack), and the other channel (sending) goes via a headset with mic to a Bluetooth enabled "earwig" the on-camera talent uses (talent can hear via the wireless earwig, talk via the wireless handheld mic). Operator can hear what the mic is picking up (including talent) on the camera circuit and talk to talent via the paired send/receive Bluetooth device.

Just a built in Bluetooth sending circuit feeding off the audio monitor would be nice and eliminate headphone WIRES.

On the other hand, I REALLY like the built in headphone (and easy to reach/use channel selector) on the HD-100, it's so much better than the usual camera ENG built in monitor. Very nice touch JVC!

All,

JVC Pro offers a top handle-mounted zoom rocker control. It is the HZ-ZS100. List price is $279, and you can order it from any authorized JVC Pro dealer. It is in stock at JVC. Here is a link to our page that describes it.

http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/features.jsp?feature_id=01&tree=&itempath=null&model_id=MDL101597

Regards,

Carl

Sweet, thanks!

Another request: Is it possible to have a portable hard drive that would connect to the component instead of firewire so we can get the 720p with 60 frames?

I would guess such a unit would suck alot of power. I know it would probably be bigger but if it could fit in a pocket or packpack with it's own battery we would have a realistic portable 720p60f solution.

Maybe the size of the JVC portable hdv deck. Actually if the drive was big enough maybe it could be used to dump footage from the focus type drive.

Like maybe hold 18 hours. that way if you were on location and it filled up you don't necessarily need a computer and firedrive to clean it off.

Just thinking out loud. Actually at this point if it had a small lcd screen that would be pretty cool too. You could play it back on location without having to stop shooting. Good for sporting events or videographers.

The only other complaint is I wish somtimes the lcd was on top instead of the side. But I guess I could just buy a second lcd screen.

The sad fact of the moment is that no camera below Cinealta or Varicam price does everything we want it to for a price we're willing to pay. But until something does (then again...will we ever be satisfied), this little guy is pretty amazing. For less money than the HVX or XL-H1 this thing delivers a far more complete package for indie production. That said....

There are workarounds for most flaws on most cameras. It sucks to drop a lot of cash on a camera to get 80% of the functionality we're looking for. But hopefully forums like this will point the manufacturers in the right direction. I was prepaid for an HVX before I saw it, and saw this, and quickly rushed to switch sides to JVC. I'm happy I did.

For me, the only issues that don't yet have good workarounds are frame rates and bandwidth. JVC shot themselves in the foot by trying the lever into the HDV standard. You have a camera which leapfrogs anything else out there in so many aspects, and cram what could be a magical picture into the worst possible format. My advice:

Keep the HD100, add a model with variable rate recording and compete with XDCAM HD. Jack the price a bit, who cares! People will complain about ANY price, no matter what, but if you can put all that lovely data down at Sony's max 35mbps or even 50!!!!!, you'll win over a lot of people on the fence. Yes, the 1/3" vs. 1/2" chip debate will rage, but from what people are saying, so far the XDCAM HD looks like 1/3" chips with really really high detail and a better than HDV codec.

In terms of frame rates, offer SOME solution to capture variable frame rates. Panasonic released the baby varicam, and we all have a case of jealousy. Now that we know it's possible (relatively) cheaply, why not make that type of recording natively available on a FAR better camera, the JVC. Better yet, solve both problems above, as well as battery life by:

Redesign the rear battery mount. Include space for a firestore-type unit molded in and produced by JVC. The catch would be instead of using fixed drives within, copy AVID and sell hot-swappable drive trays. Users could order as many trays as they want, and feel like they're getting a good deal becase they can use whatever brand and size drive they want, FUTURE PROOF (as long as we have hard drives around). By doing this, JVC could allow a proprietary HDV-based file format with unlimited flexibility...a-la-wafian, and record multiple frame rates at 4:2:2. Oh, and with removable storage, nobody could knock them about basically anything. Even now, if you compared 3.5"hdd's to XDCAM discs or HDCAM tapes, you'd find that using your own drives "consumably" (i.e. as your archival media, like tapes), it would probably costa about the same dollar per minute archival. yes it would be more expensive than DV tapes, but then again, when you start hanging cables and converters off the back to interface with recorders etc..etc...etc, you end up paying a LOT MORE. Plus, the tape mech. would still be built in, so like the HVX, if you needed to you could still use tapes....and brilliantly JVC allows HDV recording to tape, so it's STILL one up.

Oh, and the best part about redesigning the butt of the camera? JVC could ditch the HD100 batteries, and with their newer more pro-oriented model step to 3-pin batteries (gold mount).

If JVC doesn't do it, I will. I promise!


But in the meantime, HUGE respect to JVC for an ergonomically AWESOME camera with the best feature of all - real focus aid! Who cares what rez the lcd/evf is, the focus assist feature is the best thing put into a dv/hdv camera EVER! In the end, what good are all those XL-H1 pixels if you can't get sharp focus? Charts are charts and resolution is one thing....but this camera rocks in the real world, which is the only place we're using it that matters.

WOW, thanks JVC! I like when manufacturers listen. Can't compliment them highly enough. Looks like I'll be upgrading.

(on Dec 2005)

I say lets call it the GY-HD200u :-D

you are clairevoyant..! :)

they just did release Gy-HD200U (http://snipurl.com/jvccomparison)

you are clairevoyant..! :)

they just did release Gy-HD200U (http://snipurl.com/jvccomparison)
You've short changed the HD-100 on your chart. It's highest possible color and framerate are 422 @ 60fps out of the component connections (just like the HD200). The HD-250 brings HD-SDI, genlock and word clock into the equation.

The 60fps component out on the HD-100 gives incredible results.

thanks stephen - i've updated it...

thanks stephen - i've updated it...
Great Ram.

I have another few updates for your chart. The HD-100 uses the same 384 audio as the other two. Timecode is written to tape and DTE on the HD-100 as well. JVC targeted the HD-100 for HDTV production primarily.

Hi Ram,

Thank for putting together the chart. Here's a few comments / corrections / additions:

The GY-HD250 will also have image invert. And, it will have time code in / out, and full CCU control.

Also: The included battery system with the GY-HD100 is not intended to be a permanent solution for a professional user - rather it’s a “starter battery.” Professional battery systems have been available for some time now for the GYHD100, so how about removing the “poor battery” part on your sentence at the top of the chart?

Also: The included 16X lens is an “entry level” HD lens,and it has proven in independant tests to be as good or better than the included lens on any other HD camera in this price range. Thousands of customers are making their living with this lens everyday. Because it uses an industry-standard bayonet mount, you can easily upgrade to a “high-end” HD lens. So, how about removing the “bad lens” part at the top of the chart?

Regards, Carl

Also: The included battery system with the GY-HD100 is not intended to be a permanent solution for a professional user - rather it’s a “starter battery.” Professional battery systems have been available for some time now for the GYHD100, so how about removing the “poor battery” part on your sentence at the top of the chart?

Unless that system comes as a standard feature I agree with the comment. The problem isn't the battery mount, its the batteries you can buy. I have created a 12,000mAH battery for the JVC mount. That capacity will last about the same as a 80WH Vmount. The problem is that JVC don't make or sell such a battery so you are forced to make your own or buy a thrid party system.

you can easily upgrade to a “high-end” HD lens. So, how about removing the “bad lens” part at the top of the chart?
A high end lens costs over US$10K. Maybe you are more fortunate but I do not find it "easy" to earn that amount of money to buy the lens to upgrade too, and that is the reality of the camera. An upgrade is only as 'easy' as the affordability of the upgrade. Same goes for the battery system. Over AU$800 for the VMount adaptor without any batteries.

Unless that system comes as a standard feature I agree with the comment. The problem isn't the battery mount, its the batteries you can buy. I have created a 12,000mAH battery for the JVC mount. That capacity will last about the same as a 80WH Vmount. The problem is that JVC don't make or sell such a battery so you are forced to make your own or buy a thrid party system.


A high end lens costs over US$10K. Maybe you are more fortunate but I do not find it "easy" to earn that amount of money to buy the lens to upgrade too, and that is the reality of the camera. An upgrade is only as 'easy' as the affordability of the upgrade. Same goes for the battery system. Over AU$800 for the VMount adaptor without any batteries.
Guy,

I wish you would have jumped on board last year. The HD-100 (and subsequent camera's) are a huge step from the the DV5100. It's like night and day between HD and SD. Are you considering any of the new camera's or are you holding out for a bigger CCD?

S.Noe

I really wish I could have too, but alas children came first....

In the end I think it will work out better for me in the long term. We are still waiting for a HD delivery format to establish itself, more cameras and better options are becomming avaliable and I havn't lost any business due to lack of HD capabilities yet (I do list it as an option as I can always rent equipment).

It is also making me get closer to my 5 years life out of my DV500 I origonally wanted. Low light sensitivity with HD is also a problem for me.

At the moment I am more interested in something like a Sony A1 or even a H3, if only JVC had an equivalent. If I get something like an A1 or even H3 it probably means I end up going the Sony equipment route rather than JVC. As much as I want progressive, I also need a range of viable cameras to pick from, including cheap little cameras like the H3 to use as B roll, static cam etc and even to just play tapes for capture.

Hence why I am also dissapointed that there are no new JVC handycams at NAB even if it not the best show for such a release.

I tell you what though, if XDCAM HD supported a better quality SD mode (DVCPro 50 or better quality) and 50/60p capture in HD with a native 1440x1080 1/2" progressive block I'd start saving for it tonight.

I'm not sure where I will head. I am pretty sure I know what I want, when I will want it and what I will be able to pay. Unfortunately I know these will not meet nicely in the middle and I will have to compromise somewhere (time, money of features). One thing I do know is that I will levitate heavily to any camera that has native tapeless operations (excludes P2 due to cost). XDCAM and HDD are my preference.

I had a dream last night.
JVC annaunced a promotion to rearly adapters of HD-100 users who bought the camera before April 23, 2006.
JVC will change the encoder inside the camera, and they upgrade the firmware too. All this for $2000. So this way we can record 720/60p.
They called the updated camera HD-150
Nice dream.... VERY NICE dream. But unfortunatly I woke up...

Laszlo

We can't take all the credit because JVC does have its own consultants. However, as we had hoped, it was confirmed to me at NAB that representatives from JVC consulted our wishlist thread for inspiration and implemented some of our ideas into the new 200/250 models. It looks to me like at least 50% of our most popular requests were added.

Some features we asked for in this thread that I know will be in the HD250 are:

BNC connectors
SDI OUT
Timecode IN/OUT plus GENLOCK for slaving multiple cameras
720P60 encoding/recording to HDV tape (also on HD200)
Image Inversion for use with 35mm homebuilt adapters (like redrock micro, G35, etc.) (also on HD200)
Studio 26-pin configuration (KY-HD250 Studio Adapter) with remote CCU control
Higher capacity battery included as standard (A/B mount is now standard on HD250)
RCA audio out instead of the 1/8" jack
4-pin XLR battery connector



There are a few suggestions that were not mentioned in the press release, so we probably won't know if any of these have been included until the camera's release.

LCD & EVF active at the same time option
TC Preset and LOAD SCENE FILE assignable as USER BUTTONS
Burn-In Visual TC on Video Output (this is really important to me!!!!)
PCM 48Khz recording in HDV mode (as described in the brochures as ProHD XE)
4x3 SD compatible output with letterboxing instead of anamorphic only
2nd set of zebra stripes for black level clipping
Denser built in ND filters.



Since NAB I have been thinking alot about other features I would love to see in the HD250 that cater to a filmmaker with a film background. Here they are:

20P or 22P frame rate (I undercrank these frame rates all the time on film for fight/stunt action and I think it would be quite easy to implement a 2:1 pulldown for 20P - I'm not sure about 22P.)
Graphical representation of gamma response curve as you adjust the settings. This would help people understand how the curve is affected as they make adjustments.
Film camera style shutter ANGLE mode (along with STEP or VARIABLE) that is locked to the frame rate. For example, 180° would be the default, and therefore 1/48th when shooting at 24P, but would automatically switch to 1/120 when shooting 60P. Other popular shutter angles would be 11.2°, 22.5°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 105°, 120°, 135°, 144°, 172.8° and possibly even 360°. I think Panasonic put something like this in the HVX200.
WB tweaking in 100K intervals. This would be a great feature that would negate the use of warm cards or cool cards.
ND filter indications in standard log format (ND3, ND6)

I scored:
9: 4pin XLR 12v DC power connector (you missed this one Tim)
3: VMount Plate on the back as standard (well the AB mount which I believe can take a VMount?)

However this is on the 250 only, not the 200 :-(

On this:
"LCD & EVF active at the same time option"
Not just a mirror image though, but ensure we have some alternative display options on the LCD like large audio levels (aka 5000), or even go as far as real time waveform monitors (possibly even seperate RGB) and vector scopes.

9: 4pin XLR 12v DC power connector (you missed this one Tim)
Oh yeah. I forgot all about that. Now I can use battery belts!

3: VMount Plate on the back as standard (well the AB mount which I believe can take a VMount?)
I think they are only offering the A/B Gold Mount, which is completely different from Sony/IDX Vmount.

Could you remove the plate and put a standard Vmount plate on it. I have only ever had VMount batteries so I am not familiar with how these plates and camera mounting points all fit together.

Tim- Don't you think it's odd, that they had an IDX promo for the 100, but only have AB for the 200 and 250?

We can't take all the credit because JVC does have its own consultants. However, as we had hoped, it was confirmed to me at NAB that representatives from JVC consulted our wishlist thread for inspiration and implemented some of our ideas into the new 200/250 models. It looks to me like at least 50% of our most popular requests were added.

Some features we asked for in this thread that I know will be in the HD250 are:

BNC connectors
SDI OUT
Timecode IN/OUT plus GENLOCK for slaving multiple cameras
720P60 encoding/recording to HDV tape (also on HD200)
Image Inversion for use with 35mm homebuilt adapters (like redrock micro, G35, etc.) (also on HD200)
Studio 26-pin configuration (KY-HD250 Studio Adapter) with remote CCU control
Higher capacity battery included as standard (A/B mount is now standard on HD250)
RCA audio out instead of the 1/8" jack
4-pin XLR battery connector



There are a few suggestions that were not mentioned in the press release, so we probably won't know if any of these have been included until the camera's release.

LCD & EVF active at the same time option
TC Preset and LOAD SCENE FILE assignable as USER BUTTONS
Burn-In Visual TC on Video Output (this is really important to me!!!!)
PCM 48Khz recording in HDV mode (as described in the brochures as ProHD XE)
4x3 SD compatible output with letterboxing instead of anamorphic only
2nd set of zebra stripes for black level clipping
Denser built in ND filters.



Since NAB I have been thinking alot about other features I would love to see in the HD250 that cater to a filmmaker with a film background. Here they are:

20P or 22P frame rate (I undercrank these frame rates all the time on film for fight/stunt action and I think it would be quite easy to implement a 2:1 pulldown for 20P - I'm not sure about 22P.)
Graphical representation of gamma response curve as you adjust the settings. This would help people understand how the curve is affected as they make adjustments.
Film camera style shutter ANGLE mode (along with STEP or VARIABLE) that is locked to the frame rate. For example, 180° would be the default, and therefore 1/48th when shooting at 24P, but would automatically switch to 1/120 when shooting 60P. Other popular shutter angles would be 11.2°, 22.5°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 105°, 120°, 135°, 144°, 172.8° and possibly even 360°. I think Panasonic put something like this in the HVX200.
WB tweaking in 100K intervals. This would be a great feature that would negate the use of warm cards or cool cards.
ND filter indications in standard log format (ND3, ND6)



Tim,

It was great to meet you and a few other HDVInfo.net people at NAB last week. Thanks for your support! And, thanks for the nice summary. I will be passing on the new "wish list" items to product management. I'm sure they will implement as many things as possible, keeping in mind the delivery dates that we are targeting.

One thing worth pointing out is that on the GY-HD250U; regarding power: It will definately have a 4 pin XLR, and it will have a provision for a direct mount of a professional battery system like Anton Bauer or IDX. I'm not so sure that it will come with either one as standard equipment. That has yet to be finalized. The user base has many people using AB, and many using IDX: We have to be mindful to serve both groups of customers equally well.

Regards, Carl

One thing worth pointing out is that on the GY-HD250U; regarding power: It will definately have a 4 pin XLR, and it will have a provision for a direct mount of a professional battery system like Anton Bauer or IDX. I'm not so sure that it will come with either one as standard equipment. That has yet to be finalized. The user base has many people using AB, and many using IDX: We have to be mindful to serve both groups of customers equally well.

Thanks for clearing that up Carl. I was going by the line in the press release "The built-in Anton-Bauer battery bracket provides compatibility with the most popular battery systems for ENG." The line seems to contradict itself, but I think it would be best if the ability was there to simply attach a battery mount of your personal preference.
It was great meeting you too. We are lucky to have someone from JVC on these boards who is so technically proficient.

Carl- Any word on whether the 250 will come with a lens?

Carl- Any word on whether the 250 will come with a lens?
The press releases are pretty clear that the HD250 for $8995 DOES NOT come with a lens. The HD200 at $7995 does.
Is this still true Carl?

The press releases are pretty clear that the HD250 for $8995 DOES NOT come with a lens. The HD200 at $7995 does.
Is this still true Carl?

Keith & Tim,

As of last week, the idea was that the GY-HD200U would be packaged with a 16X lens, like the GY-HD100U.

With the GY-HD250U, we anticipate that many will be sold in full studio configuration. Many of those customers will want longer lenses, so the thought is that the GY-HD250U will be sold as "head only" , and possibly in several package choices, similar to how we do it with the GY-DV550U.

This has not all been finalized yet.

C'mon Carl... throw us a lens? Maybe a Super 16 even??

As far as battery mounts go it's worth pointing out that PAG is also an option and is as popular in the UK as anything else, fitting your own choice of Cells via an adaptor is by far the best option in my books, keeps everyone happy.

We have 3 nice Sony 8020 field monitors without a 16:9 switch setting.
Dave B[/QUOTE]

Can you still get 4:3 converted to 16:9, or has that long gone out of fashion? There used to be a co in UK doing it.

I would like the next versions to have a way to connect 2 monitors to it. A real S-video or component out would help. As it is, the composite together with Y from component seems like a stupid idea and a engineering failure. Maybe it's just me, but I'm used o shooting with big pro cameras and they all have video and camera out.
Also 2 zebras settings is the way to go. I like to have one zebra set at over 100% and the second set at around 70%-80%. If you could at least assign the zebra functions to the custom keys, it would work. But one zebra only is really a limitation. Most if not all pro cameras have 2 zebras.

I would like the next versions to have a way to connect 2 monitors to it. A real S-video or component out would help. As it is, the composite together with Y from component seems like a stupid idea and a engineering failure. Maybe it's just me, but I'm used o shooting with big pro cameras and they all have video and camera out.


Michael, please keep in mind that at the price point of the GY-HD100U, it's not possible to include a large choice of output connectors.

The new GY-HD250U will have a separate composite video and component video output, so you could feed two monitors at once. It will have many other additional connectors and features. These nice things will all come at a higher price, of course. But, still it will probably cost less than the "big pro cameras."

Regards, Carl

Really? Just the addition of a separated composite connection would be that expensive? I would have never guessed. I thought the matter was most likely of lack of space rather than cost. I'm not asking for HD-SDI. I recognize it's unrealistic for this price level. But I would never have guessed a composite would be out as well.
How about the zebra?

Thanks for jumping in by the way.

at the moment, I shoot live concert type material. I know theres a flipout lcd, but it's susceptive to being broken off if one were to hit it too many times whilst squeezing between equipment and performers onstage. And the reason I say this, the current viewfinder has a matte type ring around the outside of the viewfinder which makes the image too small to shoot with the camera from the hip. And I know all things being considered that this is all done at a certain price point, but without adding too much to the cost, maybe a fliptop evf like the xhl1's, with a larger/higher res lcd. I know that its been brought before in this thread, but I don't know if it addressed the hip shooting problem as such.

An easy solution for this is adding a bigger LCD with an Israeli arm on the top. Since you only need it for framing any cheap will do. You can buy new ones for under 50 bucks on Ebay.

Has this wish been posted already?

Add an optional waveform overlay to the image so we can easily see if we are clipping whites or blacks. Or even a histogram would be useful.

I've considered carting around a WF/VS but so far, we've used zebras, but they are only so good.