JVC's Interesting New High Definition Everio

[Jerry Jones]

http://tinyurl.com/y83rkp

January 7, 2007 - Today at CES, after much anticipation and teases, JVC unveiled the GZ-HD7, the first consumer high defintion camcorder to shoot in full HD 1920 x 1080i definition. It features three progressive, 1/5" 16:9 chip in a diagonal offset and a 60GB HDD. The camcorder is set for retail price of $1799 (MSRP) and is scheduled for an April 2007 release.

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Hulk]

Is this the one we've been waiting for? Another contender looks promising...

I wonder what the recording format will be? MPEG-2, H.264?
Who makes the lens?
Audio features?

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a winner.

[Jerry Jones]

I wonder what the recording format will be? MPEG-2, H.264?

The camcorder will feature three digital outputs, DV, HDMI, and USB. The 60GB HDD can hold up to 5 hours of 1920 x 1080 video, and 7 hours of 1440 x 1080. As JVC is not a constituent of the AVCHD format, which uses an MPEG-4/H.264 compression, video on the GZ-HD7 appears to use a new MPEG-2 flavor with a 30Mbps maximum data rate. HDV, the most common HD compression and also an MPEG-2 variant, has a maximum data rate of 25Mbps. AVCHD has a max rate of 24Mbps, though current models are only capable of a little more than half that. JVC also stated that the video from the GZ-HD7 can be archived to Blu-Ray discs using provided software and a Blu-Ray burner.

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Hulk]

Ah, I need to pay attention!

I like the fact that they are using a relatively high bandwidth MPEG-2 format. 30Mbps should provide very good video quality even if they use a "lazy" encoder.

Of course it won't be part of the HDV spec but that doesn't matter a bit since just about any NLE will accept any format MPEG-2.

Since they are not going with a tape based format they can even employ VBR recording. While it wouldn't improve video quality since max bitrate is capped at 30Mbps, it could lengthen recording time while keeping quality constant.

[Jerry Jones]

Of course it won't be part of the HDV spec but that doesn't matter a bit since just about any NLE will accept any format MPEG-2.

It's a really interesting model and not a bad value.

I suspect the full 1920 x 1080 raster is going to make a big difference over current consumer HDV camcorders.

What I wonder is this:

Ulead MediaStudio Pro has always been able to smart render most MPEGs.

However, I detected one exception: MicroMV, which was a failed format that didn't last.

This new Everio also records a high data rate MPEG-2.

Will Ulead be able to smart render such MPEG-2 video?

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Dr Mordrid]

Given enough CPU horsepower, PCIe graphics (faster) and no propriatory Sony header it shouldn't be a problem.

[Jerry Jones]

Right, Doc.

The devil will be in the details.

I also wonder why they're touting "Blu-ray Disc" burning in connection with this model, but no mention of "HD DVD."

What's with that?

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Dr Mordrid]

Prob. the BR keiretsu's influence

BTW: you guys hear that Matsushita (Panasonic) might be selling JVC to Kenwood?

[Jerry Jones]

Well, now.

Hold the horses.

Is it possible the source to which my earlier link pointed was incorrect?

AkihabaraNews.Com is reporting the JVC HD Everio is an AVCHD camcorder.

http://tinyurl.com/ya2pvf

The codec will be the AVCHD (the same that comes with the SD1 Panasonic video camera: Panasonic HDC-SD1, the first AVCHD camcorder with an SD card). It certainly is a nice product and the 60GB hard disk makes it very attractive. However, I’d be inclined to choose the Panasonic, which sports a better resistance to shocks with its SD card...

Hmmmm.



Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Jerry Jones]

AkihabaraNews.Com is probably incorrect because I now recall that the highest data rate supported by the AVCHD standard is 24 Mbps.

This camcorder must use MPEG-2 because the maximum data rate is 30 Mbps.

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Jerry Jones]

JVC's news release:

http://www.jvc.co.jp/english/press/2006/fullhi-vision_ccd.pdf

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Jerry Jones]

After reading the JVC news release, I expect this camcorder is probably going to produce a stunning high definition image.

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Jerry Jones]

JVC's USA Web site: http://tinyurl.com/2v75v4

For bright, realistic colors the HD Everio uses three 1/5-inch CCDs – one each for red, green and blue. In addition, to ensure precise prism/CCD registration, JVC has incorporated Fujinon mounting technology used in professional camcorders. Fujinon also supplies the HD Everio’s 10x optical zoom lens which provides superior optical performance and nearly the same brightness (F1.8-1.9) throughout its f=3.3mm~33mm zoom range by virtue of its three aspherical lens elements, one made of indexed glass. In addition, the lens surface is coated with a new Electronic Beam Coating (EBC) that greatly reduces degradation caused by light reflecting off the lens surfaces, leading to greater light transmission and reduced flaring and ghosting. To preserve that quality, the HD Everio features optical image stabilization, avoiding the signal degradation caused by electronic image stabilization, which might be particularly noticeable in HD footage. In short, HD Everio matches its high-definition recording capability with a proven HD lens section that has proven its value in the broadcast industry.

While the HD Everio offers fully automated operation for point and shoot simplicity, it also offers a wide range of manual controls. These include a manual focus ring, manual white balance, exposure control, shutter priority mode, aperture priority mode and sharpness control. In addition, a Focus Assist function displays the edge of the in-focus elements in color while the rest of the image is black-and-white, making it easy to check which image elements are in focus. And a Zebra function displays a striped pattern across highlight areas on the image in the LCD monitor, making it easier to manually set the exposure. Also included is a mic input for connecting an external microphone.

The HD Everio is equipped with three digital interfaces – USB, HDMI and i.LINK. USB is primarily for file saving, HDMI for digital viewing on large screen displays, and iLink streams high definition video in full resolution or 1440CBR mode. HD recorded material is down-converted for output in DV over i.LINK, or in standard definition via the analog component/ S-Video/ Composite output.

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net

[Jerry Jones]

Update on the JVC GZ-HD7 from AkihabaraNews.Com:

http://tinyurl.com/2ps287

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net