With IP-based production in its sights, JVC announced it will debut three new 4K handheld camcorders with streaming capability at NAB New York this month: the GY-HC500 ($3,900); the GY-HC500SPC ($4,400), aimed directly at sports production; and the GY-HC550 ($5,500), with advanced streaming and graphics capabilities.
The 500 Series cameras share the same new one-inch 4K CMOS imager and 20x zoom lens (40x “dynamic zoom” is available when shooting HD) with three control rings and ND filtering built in. JVC rates them at 12 stops of dynamic range, and they support recording HDR using HLG or JVC’s 10-bit J-Log.
JVC’s GY-HC550 camcorder is the top-of-the-line offering in the new 500 Series.
All three cameras record 4K video at up to 60p to SSD media in formats including 10-bit ProRes 422; MPEG-2 and MXF recording are exclusive to the top-of-the-line GY-HC550. Slow-motion recording is available at 120fps in HD resolution. They support simultaneous recording of HD or proxy files to SDHC/SDXC media while 4K is being recorded to SSD, and clips can be uploaded during production via JVC’s Auto FTP feature.
“With the GY HM550, stations can deliver live coverage of breaking news in the field without a satellite or microwave truck, and then provide single-camera live coverage of regional sporting events complete with graphics without a mobile production unit,” said JVC Professional Video VP Joe D’Amico in a prepared statement. “For coaches, the GY HM500SPC provides stunning 4K/60p images with DV Sport and XOS Digital compatibility for more critical video analysis.”
JVC’s GY-HC500 and GY-HC500SPC look the same on the outside, but the SPC is designed specifically for sports production.
The GY-HC550 and HY-HM500SPC both have advanced graphics features allowing lower-thirds and full-screen titles to be added to recorded video or streaming output without an external graphics generator. The GY-HC500SPC adds score overlay templates to the mix, including the ability to customize graphics with logos or other elements, and scores can be updated via Wi-Fi from connected devices or Sportzcast Scorebot.
All 500 Series cameras have a four-inch LCD screen for menus and settings, a LCOS viewfinder, dual XLR inputs, 3G-SDI and HDMI video out, an M.2 drive slot for external SSD recording and unspecified future expansion hardware, and IPX2 water resistance.
The JVC 500 Series cameras are expected to ship in January 2019.
JVC: pro.jvc.com
