""D-9 HD"" High-Definition Format Launched By JVC At NAB í99 Format Debuts With Switchable 1080i/720P Studio VTR, 1080i Camcorder, And 720P Camcorder
JVC Professional Products Company has launched the D-9 HD, an award-winning 100 Mbps component digital recording format for HDTV. At the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention in Las Vegas last week, JVC showed three models - a switchable 1080i/720P studio VTR, a 720P camcorder and a 1080i camcorder. All are designed to meet both the rigorous technological demands of the high-definition marketplace, as well as with heavy-duty hardware to ensure reliability and performance. ""The introduction of D-9 HD enhances JVCís position as an industry leader in technological innovation, providing high quality 100 Mbps HDTV products to an industry ready to make the jump to high-definition broadcast and production. D-9 HD is a remarkable stride forward into HDTV, and the next logical extension for our renowned DIGITAL-S (D-9) format,"" commented Juan Martinez, JVCís Product Manager VTRs and Recording Devices. ""Our visionary choice of 1/2-inch tape as the basis for the D-9 format has opened a world of possibilities in the high definition realm. It allows us to achieve a 100 Mbps data stream at a reasonable tape speed, and with maximum tape-to-head contact, ensuring the best picture quality with maximum reliability and virtually no drop outs. Systems based on 1/4-inch tape just canít compare."" JVC is convinced that the evolving marketplace for high-definition will unfold to include both interlace and progressive scan versions. In fact, the competing major broadcast networks in the United States have announced decisions to follow a variety of paths to high-definition. For that reason, JVC has developed D-9 HD as a ""switchable"" format - able to accommodate either the 1080i or 720p ""flavors"" of HDTV. This decision, announced at NAB ë98, has been heralded with several industry awards for innovation and functionality. Ultimately, JVCís D-9 HD format provides the widest range of users with a superior migration path to Digital TV and HDTV broadcasting by providing a fully integrated SDTV and HDTV solution at an incredibly affordable price. ""With the industry still in the decision making mode regarding interlace and progressive scan technology, we at JVC felt it would be best to support both schools of thought,"" noted Martinez. ""JVC is pleased that our switchable 1080i/720p VTR technology has been so well received by those who are in the know within the industry, including broadcast engineers and production specialists."" In addition to a new D-9 HD studio VTR, JVC will also unveil two new D-9 HD camcorders - a true 1080i camcorder and a 720p camcorder. Both will incorporate JVCís legendary camera performance, and tightly integrated D-9 HD VTR in a lightweight package. Despite their impressive 100 Mbps data rate, maximum recording time will be 60 minutes on each camcorder. D-9 HD is based on JVCís renowned DIGITAL-S format - known also by the SMPTE designation, ""D-9."" Using a 1/2-inch metal particle tape, D-9HD is uniquely able to record the volume of data necessary to achieve a true high-definition picture. By using a newly developed compression engine as well as all new ICís, D-9 HD achieves a 100 Mbps data stream and true HDTV performance. JVCís D-9 HD will be capable of recording a full hour of 100 Mbps HDTV on a single cassette ñ whether it be in the 720p or the 1080i mode. Significantly, JVCís D-9 HD will include eight independently editable audio channels. This is a crucial feature required for Dolby Digital surround sound mastering, as well as for multi-language dubbing and complicated production and post-production assignments. D-9 HD provides JVCís core customer base of installed DIGITAL-S users with a fully integrated path to high definition. Importantly, D-9 HD VTRs will also be capable of playback of previously recorded 50 Mbps D-9 (DIGITAL-S) tapes. This capability allows all users to preserve their current libraries, and helps television stations ease into HDTV broadcasting. Because of its data-rich 4:2:2 digital signal processing and mild compression, tapes recorded in standard definition DIGITAL-S achieve a richness of color and a striking clarity when mastering on MPEG-2 or upconverting to high-definition - a real bonus for producers and broadcasters alike. For more information about JVCís D-9 HD High Definition Recording Format, contact David Walton, at 1-800-JVC-5825 or see JVCís Website at www.jvc.com/pro.