Specs for new GY-HM100 ProHD Camcorder

[Tim Dashwood]

Anyone who attended the Final Cut Pro Supermeet during Macworld 2009 was treated to the unveiling of the new JVC GY-HM100 ProHD Camcorder.

So why was this camcorder revealed during an Apple related event?
Because this camcorder can record both 720p and 1080i/p directly to SDHC cards in Quicktime files ready for immediate use in Final Cut Pro. This marks the first time Apple has licensed Quicktime for use in a HD camcorder. (At the moment I believe the HDV codec (mpeg2 long-GOP) for Quicktime is used in this mode but will confirm tomorrow during my hands-on test.)

So what about all the other editing systems?
Besides Quicktime the HM100 also records to an "ISO Based" Mpeg-2 Long-GOP Media File Format at up to 35Mbps for compatibility "with all major non-linear editing systems." The 'rumour mill' suggests that this is actually Sony's XDCAM EX format so I would guess that if your NLE works with Sony EX1/EX3 footage it will also accept footage from the HM100.

What pixel dimensions, frame rates and bit rates can this camera acquire and record?
1440x1080/60i 25Mbps
1440x1080/50i 25Mbps
1440x1080/60i 35Mbps
1440x1080/50i 35Mbps
1920x1080/60i 35Mbps
1920x1080/50i 35Mbps
1920x1080/30p 35Mbps
1920x1080/25p 35Mbps
1920x1080/24p 35Mbps
1280x720/60p 19Mbps
1280x720/50p 19Mbps
1280x720/30p 19Mbps
1280x720/50p 19Mbps
1280x720/24p 19Mbps
1280x720/50p 35Mbps
1280x720/60p 35Mbps
1280x720/25p 35Mbps
1280x720/30p 35Mbps
1280x720/24p 35Mbps

Audio? UNCOMPRESSED 16bit 48Khz LPCM 2 channel. Balanced XLR, internal mic and 1/8" mini jack.

How many SDHC card slots? 2

How fast do the SDHC cards need to be? Class 6 at least... even for 19Mbps 720p. (I recently bought some 4GB SDHC class 6 cards from Best Buy for $19.99 each. By my calculations 4GB would hold about 22 minutes of 19Mbps and 12 minutes of 35Mbps.)

How big is the CCD? 1/4"

How about the lens? Built-in Fujinon 10x3.7mm (equivalent to 39mm~390mm for FF35mm) F=1.8
Manual or Auto Focus. Focus Assist as well. 47mm filter size. Manual Zoom (switch toggles ring for manual focus or zoom.)

How big is it? Approx 5.5" x 7" x 14" (The 14" length probably included the boom mic.)

Weight? Around 3.75 pounds with battery.

Optical Image Stabilizer Yes

LCD? 2.8"

Still photos? Yes works as a digital still camera that records jpegs. 1/4 to 1/8000 shutter speed. ISO100,200,400,1000, up to 1920x1080 resolution.

Outputs and interfaces? Component video, HDMI, USB2 (miniB), XLR, headphone 1/8", mic in 1/8", dc in.

Digital Signal Processor? Most of the same features as a HD200.
Detail, Knee Auto-80-85-90-95-100%, Gamma off-standard-cinema, Gamma level, Color Matrix, White balance A, B, preset and FAW.

Shutter 1/4 ~1/10000
Gain 0,3,6,9,12,15,18dB ALC
Three User Buttons assignable as FOCUS ASSIST,COLOR BAR,TC SETTING,TELE MACRO,LOLUX,ZEBRA,CLIP CONTINUOUS OFF,NONE

ETA? April 2009

Here's the link to the intro video: GY-HM100 Intro Video
Press release: JVC Press Release - New Final-Cut-Pro™-Ready Solid State Camcorders
JVC detail page: http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/t...&feature_id=02

That's all I know for now. More tomorrow after I get it in my hands.

[Daniel Weber]

Tim,

Thanks for posting this. I look forward to your review.

This looks promising. I am not a fan of 1/4" chips, but I guess there has to be a draw back. You are getting a lot for a small price.

What is the footprint of the camera? How does it compare size wise to other cameras?

Thanks,

Daniel Weber

[Tim Dashwood]

Approx 5.5" x 7" x 14"

I don't have specs of other cameras to compare but it looks thinner than the EX1 but possibly an inch or so longer.

[Keith Moreau]

Originally Posted by Tim Dashwood

Approx 5.5" x 7" x 14"

I don't have specs of other cameras to compare but it looks thinner than the EX1 but possibly an inch or so longer.

From what I saw on the stage it seemed really small. I don't think it was 14" long (maybe if including the protruding mic?), it seemed to me to be about the size and shape of a Sony A1 HDV camcorder, maybe a touch bigger, no where near an EX1 from what I could see.

Thanks Tim for doing this, I'm intrigued by this camera. I need a CCD B camera for my EX1. I'm currently testing a Panasonic HMC150, which seems to be in the same class as this although with 1/3" CCDs. However the AVCHD workflow is harsh on Final Cut pro. I don't like the time to transcode to Prores nor the large Prores filesizes when compared to the XDCAM EX codec.

If the image quality of the JVC is at least as good as the HMC150 I'd get it. Will you have a chance to shoot and evaluate with the GY-HM100 and give us a hint about the video quality and feel? Perhaps comparing it to an EX1 or HMC150? Thanks for the help.

[Tim Dashwood]

Originally Posted by Keith Moreau

If the image quality of the JVC is at least as good as the HMC150 I'd get it. Will you have a chance to shoot and evaluate with the GY-HM100 and give us a hint about the video quality and feel? Perhaps comparing it to an EX1 or HMC150? Thanks for the help.

Yes I will shoot some footage. No I don't have any other cameras to compare at the moment.

[David Knaggs]

Originally Posted by Tim Dashwood

1920x1080/25p 35Mbps
1920x1080/24p 35Mbps

I'm very interested in your tests on these two frame rates. Especially compared to 720p24/25 on the 1/3" chips that we have currently.

Thanks, Tim.

[Jack Walker]

I am going to Berlin the middle of February to shoot some A scenes and a lot of B-roll for a web series. Please send me one of these cameras by the end of January to take with me.

Now I am taking a Canon XH-A1 and and HV-20. But back home I am using a JVC HD-110. I wish I could use this new camera and just shoot 1280x720/24p for everything, except what I will shoot at 60p for slow motion!

The version of this camera I saw a month ago seemed to be a bit smaller than a PD-150. In addition to all the format support, this camera seems to be about the perfect size and weight to work on a Merlin and all similar setups/situations where size and versatility are paramount. HD camera, steadicam, all media, sound gear (and even a Gitzo traveler tripod and 2180 head) in a 15 pound airline carry-on. This new JVC is just enough smaller than an XH-A1 (and way smaller than stuff like the EX1) to make it ultimately brilliant!

I believe Slumdog Millionaire marks the true and honest arrival of HD production, what with it's seemless integration of 35mm, digital, and digital SLR footage.

As web delivery and new media gains force, and new production styles become adopted, this new JVC camera fits into the scheme perfectly. An "A" camera for the discrete, and a "B" camera for everyone.

And uncompressed audio.

Sign me up, please.

[Alex Humphrey]

Was anything discussed on the other new camera, the GY-HM700 Features? 1/3 shoulder mount version with removable Canon lens? Do you or anyone think this means the HD-110 will be discontinued? If the 700 pans out to be what I think it might be, the 200 series might get dropped as well, or will the price of the 700 place it in the next higher bracket from the 200 series?

[Shaun Roemich]

I think I'll be buying one of each this year. The 100 will make a perfect POV camera and locked-off high-Jib shot. Here's hoping the 700 comes equipped with analog component out and possibly HD-SDI out for multicamera live switched.

EDIT: Just noticed the 700 is spec'd with HD-SDI... YAY! Here's hoping they keep analog component as well for monitoring.

[Tim Dashwood]

I've retracted a tiny tidbit of info regarding XDCAM EX until I can independently confirm it.

And yes there has been mention of a shoulder mount HM-700 with bayonet mount. We probably won't have specs on this until February.

[Mark Williams]

Except for the audio section in the handle its shape reminds me a lot of the Panasonic DVC30 which also had 1/4" chips.

[David Parks]

Full HD Everio Hybrid - GZ-HD7 - Performance

The HM 100: Looks like they used the base design from the HD7.

[Paul Izbicki]

I must be blind. Despite references by others to it's "low" price, I can't find anything here, in press releases, at the provided links or on the JVC List Price page that gives a projected price.

Anyone? Even a guestimate?

[Daniel Weber]

Originally Posted by Paul Izbicki

I must be blind. Despite references by others to it's "low" price, I can't find anything here, in press releases, at the provided links or on the JVC List Price page that gives a projected price.

Anyone? Even a guestimate?

$4000 list price.

[David Parks]

JVC | GY-HM100U ProHD Camcorder | GY-HM100U | B&H Photo Video


$3999.00 at B&H. Hopefully the price will drop.