JVC Introduces World's First Consumer High-Definition Camcorder, The GR-HD1

5-Feb-03

JVC Company of America has solidified its position as the leading U.S. supplier of high-definition consumer electronics by announcing the introduction the GR-HD1, the world's first consumer high-definition (HD) camcorder.With this introduction, JVC is now the only manufacturer to supply the U.S. market with a way to shoot and edit ATSC HD content (using the GR-HD1 and MPEG Edit StudioÆ Pro LE), record and save that HD content (HM-DH30000 D-VHSÆ D-Theaterô), and view the content on a variety of HD digital televisions, including CRT, rear-projection, front-projection, and plasma models. ""For the consumer who demands HD quality in their home entertainment, JVC is the only complete solution,"" said Jerry Barbera, Vice President, Consumer Video Division, JVC Company of America. ""Finally, professional and amateur videographers have a high-definition camcorder choice,"" said Rob Payesko, Merchandising Manager Consumer Video Division. ""Previously, only broadcasters had that option. Now, because of our advances in progressive scan technology we are able to deliver a consumer HD solution.""The GR-HD1 records in both NTSC and U.S. ATSC HDTV video on a standard Mini DV cassette. Recording can be done in 4:3 480i (DV compression), as well as 16:9 480p/60 fps (frames per second) and 16:9 720p/30 (MPEG-2 compression). In analog component it plays back in 480i (NTSC) and 480p/60, 720p/60, and 1080i (ATSC), making it compatible with virtually all display devices. Its digital i.Link outputs 480i (NTSC), 480p/60, and 720p/30 (ATSC) to D-VHS or computers via the ubiquitous FireWireÆ connection.The GR-HD1 is the world's first consumer camcorder able to record and play back 720p/30 viewable (750 total progressive scanning lines) digital high-definition and 525p progressive wide images using Mini DV tape. Important factors in making this possible are a newly developed, 1/3-inch, 1.18 million-pixel progressive scan CCD and JVC proprietary signal processing. To maximize its application potential in the field, and assure seamless transfer to a variety of post-production environments, the GR-HD1 is equipped with three ATSC compatible shooting modes: ""HD Mode"" that records 720p/30 digital high-definition images, ""SD Mode"" for 525p progressive wide images, and ""DV Mode,"" which records at the conventional NTSC 525i DV standard. This ability to record at the ATSC broadcast data rate of 19 Mbps on widely available and relatively low-cost Mini DV cassettes is sure to be an invaluable asset to individuals and organizations that use the GR-HD1. High-efficiency, six-frame group of pictures (GOP) HD MPEG compression allows the same recording time for HD on Mini DV cassettes as for SD Mini DV recording.The GR-HD1's up-converter scales 720p/30 digital HD images and 525p progressive wide images to the 1080i high-definition standard for viewing on the latest HD display devices. The down-converter scales images to conventional NTSC 525i broadcast-standard video, enabling images to be enjoyed on virtually any monitor.The GR-HD1 features a newly designed, high-definition 10x optical zoom lens with low distortion and high color purity, edge to edge and across the entire zoom range, with light gathering ability that varies between just f/1.8 and f/1.9. Its built-in optical image stabilizer provides ample zooming capability, coupled with the non-degrading image stabilization of an optical system. It also incorporates a newly developed, single 1/3-inch, 1.18 million-pixel (1.14 million effective pixels) progressive scan CCD with patented progressive color filtering, as well as JVC's original signal processing circuitry and driving system. All together, this constitutes a system finely tuned to gathering high-resolution, high-quality images.The camera's grip section rotates by up to 90 degrees, with smooth, uninterrupted motion from high to low angle, to allow stable shooting at all times, all the while the operator's hand remains on the grip, with fingertip control of zoom and auto/manual focus rings, auto/manual white balance, AE exposure, and shutter speed features.Included among the GR-HD1's provided accessories is MPEG Edit Studio Pro LE, the industry's first MPEG-2 HD editing software package for digital hi-def images. This is the first consumer MPEG2-TS software to provide frame-accurate editing capabilities using short six-frame GOP HD MPEG compression. The software also allows HD content to be saved on D-VHS, or burned on DVD at 16:9 480p/30 with ImageMixer DVD software for viewing and sharing digital movies on any progressive scan DVD player.With the advent of digital broadcasting, the consumer electronics industry is evolving at a rapid pace. With those changes also come inevitable digital improvements for both viewing and recording. Now, with JVC's GR-HD1, people can own and shoot with a thoroughly up-to-date digital camcorder, record and edit hi-def images on their own PC that will stand the test of time, and view and share their personal digital movies on D-VHS or DVDs via a wide variety of display devices. All this innovation is made possible using standard Mini DV cassettes because of JVC breakthroughs in high-tech CCD, optics, HD MPEG compression, and unique HD editing software.The GR-HD1 will be available in May at an MSRP of $3499.95.For more information about JVC Company of America, visit www.jvc.com.

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