NAB 2015: JVC Marks 10th Anniversary of ProHD, Looks to Future with New 4kcam Product Line


WAYNE, NJ – JVC Professional Video, a division of JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation, has defined ENG for a decade with its ProHD line of cameras and accessories. Celebrating its 10th anniversary at the 2015 NAB Show, the ProHD line has dominated the broadcast news market for many years, a result of our commitment to outstanding image quality, durable cameras, professional features, and world-class support.



When ProHD was originally introduced in 2005 – back when tape was still the prominent recording media in the industry – JVC representatives spent a lot of time explaining that ProHD was not a new tape format. It was a product line grounded in a philosophy, a revolutionary approach to ENG and production workflows anchored in non-proprietary digital media, open architectures, long-GOP compression and low bit rates for manageable file sizes, and reasonable prices.



Broadcasters and other video professionals quickly got the message and embraced the ProHD philosophy. By the time JVC introduced tapeless ProHD cameras with native file workflows, which used SD media cards instead of expensive proprietary recording systems, JVC's affordable HD attitude had already ended the days of $30,000 ENG cameras and $100,000 studio cameras.



Built-In HD Streaming Soars



In 2012, JVC delivered more innovation, launching the era of IP-based newsgathering with its 600 Series ProHD mobile news cameras. Today, broadcasters across the country use JVC's built-in streaming capabilities – paired with 4G LTE modems or mobile hotspots instead of costly bonded cellular solutions – to deliver live ENG reports from the field:



NBC affiliate KSEE and CBS affiliate KGPE, which serve the Fresno-Visalia, Calif., market, share 15 JVC GY-HM650 cameras to provide live ENG reports. "We're ready to go live wherever the cameras are," explained Chad McCollum, KSEE/KGPE news director. "This has really been a game changer."



Salt Lake City ABC affiliate KTVX uses six JVC GY-HM890 shoulder-mount camcorders in conjunction with the JVC BR-800 ProHD Broadcaster server powered by Zixi. Although the station has four microwave trucks and two satellite trucks, photogs in the field have been trained to use the GY-HM890's built-in HD streaming capabilities first for ENG reports, a move that has "dramatically" reduced operating costs, according to George Severson, news director.



KBZK and KXLF, the CBS affiliates serving Montana's Butte-Bozeman market, use four JVC GY-HM650 mobile news cameras for live ENG reports. Engineer Michael Regan said the JVC cameras have essentially replaced the station's microwave truck for live shots, because they are more versatile and cost effective. Bryan Zehntner, technical director, estimated the stations now produce at least two or three live shots per week, compared to two or three live shots per month when the microwave truck was the primary source for live shots.



WDBJ, the CBS affiliate in Roanoke-Lynchburg, Va., has 16 GY-HM890 cameras paired with 4G LTE modems that connect directly to the cameras via USB. Alan Novitsky, WDBJ7 director of engineering and IT, said one of the cameras delivered "flawless live shots that looked absolutely fantastic" when it was used for coverage of the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. It also eliminated a roughly 2,300-mile round trip for the station's satellite truck, which provided significant operational cost savings.



JVC's ProHD line continues to evolve, with lightweight but durable (and ergonomically sound) shoulder-mount camcorders, compact handheld cameras, and mobile news cameras. Later this year, JVC will provide firmware updates for its streaming camcorders that include adaptive bit rate technology for more reliable streaming, support for Real Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP), which allows a direct connection to a number of content distribution networks (CDNs) for live streaming, and a high quality 12 Mbps mode. Plus, its BR-800 ProHD Broadcaster server powered by Zixi has been upgraded to provide multi-view status monitoring, so multiple live streams can be viewed on a single monitor screen with drag-and-drop output switching.



The company is also proud to introduce the JVC Private MESH Video Network at NAB. An ideal solution for wireless, multi-camera coverage of sports and other location shoots, the independent, isolated network is built around the use of mobile MESH nodes that can communicate while moving without any kind of fixed infrastructure. Each node in the JVC system is a Silvus Transceiver Radio that serves as both transmitter and receiver, creating a flexible, self-managing, and self-healing network that provides bandwidth up to 85 Mbps, which is significantly more than traditional cellular and even bonded cellular transmission systems.



4KCAM: The New Benchmark



Rather than resting on our laurels, JVC has launched 4KCAM, a complementary camera line that adheres to many of the same principles that have made ProHD the camera of choice for broadcasters, independent filmmakers, and more. The 4KCAM line provides affordable, high-quality HD and 4K video acquisition. Designed to empower visual creativity for all levels of professional production and photography, it combines the latest advancements in 4K imaging with efficient encoding for seamless workflow integration. Each camera in the current product line is designed to accommodate a variety of workflows, with recording options for 4K Ultra HD, HD, and SD, as well as dual SDHC/SDXC card slots, LCD display and color viewfinder, and two-channel audio recording.



The flagship camera for the 4KCAM product line is the GY-LS300, designed for cinematographers, documentarians, and broadcast production departments. It features JVC's 4K Super 35 CMOS sensor and and an industry standard Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mount. JVC's unique Variable Scan Mapping technology electronically adapts the active area of the Super 35 sensor to provide native support of PL and EF mount lenses, among many others. As a result, using third-party lens adapters, the camera provides almost limitless lens options.



Versatile and affordable, the new GY-HM200 has a 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS chip and built-in 12x zoom lens (24x dynamic zoom in HD mode) with optical image stabilizer. Its built-in HD streaming engine with Wi-Fi and 4G LTE connectivity allows live HD transmission directly to hardware decoders, the Wowza Streaming Engine, and the ProHD Broadcaster server powered by Zixi. A variety of streaming protocols including RTMP allows streaming directly to popular Web sites and content delivery networks (CDN) including Ustream, a popular live video platform for businesses and organizations, making the GY-HM200 an ideal camera for corporate video as well as ENG applications.



Compact but powerful, the GY-HM170 features a heavy duty body with professional control layout and comprehensive video profile settings for professional use. Keeping with JVC's commitment to native file workflows, it records footage in a variety of resolutions and frame rates. Other features include an integrated 12x optical zoom lens with two ND filters, built-in stereo microphone and 3.5mm audio input, and live 4K UHD output through a built-in HDMI connector.



Innovation and Essentials



Beyond world-class cameras, JVC offers a full range of accessories that turn any ProHD camcorder into a studio camera. Beyond cameras, we offer one of the most diverse lines of flat-panel displays, from studio monitors for critical image analysis to public displays and portable AC/DC field monitors. Plus, we offer a line of professional Blu-ray recorders that allow easy duplication and disc authoring without a PC. The decks can create Blu-ray or DVD discs directly from live video inputs or from video files stored on built-in hard drives.



JVC also continues to explore innovative ways to address industry equipment needs. At the 2015 NAB Show, JVC will offer a technology demonstration of a high dynamic range (HDR) reference monitor. While almost all other HDR monitors are flat panel LCDs, our solution uses rear projection, based on the powerful D-ILA technology found in our high-end projectors. While most of the industry has long abandoned rear projection technology, our HDR monitor routinely delivers images that exceed the quality of LCD-based images. JVC will also demonstrate potential HDR camera technology, as well as a high-end PTZ 4K camera system that could have applications in a number of production areas.



With our Broadcast Direct program, JVC continues to earn its place as a leader in broadcast HD camera and monitor sales by earning their business one customer at a time. Broadcast Direct customers gain access to numerous support options and special product features, connects stations and groups with JVC experts, and provide feedback to help JVC develop new products and remain a leader in the industry.



Workflows may change, but broadcasters will always need reliable video equipment that delivers performance and value. JVC continues to set the standard for broadcast news with quality and innovation. We are leading the industry with our proven and affordable IP-based ENG solutions, and we're moving forward with affordable and versatile 4K production choices.



ABOUT JVC PROFESSIONAL VIDEO

Headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey, JVC Professional Products is a division of JVCKENWOOD USA Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of JVC Kenwood Corporation. The company is a leading manufacturer and distributor of broadcast and professional video and audio equipment, D-ILA front projection systems, and Super LoLux HD video security products. For further product information, visit JVC's Web site at http://pro.jvc.com or call (800) 582-5825




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