JVC Introduces 16:9 Switchable Aspect Ratio Cameras
JVC Professional Products Company is supporting the industryís march to the 16:9 (1.78:1) widescreen DTV future with two switchable aspect ratio camera products: the renowned KY-D29W camera and the lightweight DY-90W D-9 (DIGITAL-S) camcorder. Both offer superb resolution and superior sensitivity in both their native 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, as well as in the traditional 4:3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio. ""JVC has long been a leader in advanced camera technology, having established the market for low light ENG cameras,"" noted Jerry Cohen, Manager of Product Development and Strategic Marketing for JVC. ""Now with the industry gravitating toward the widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio, JVC once again is offering leading edge products to help producers and shooters to be as flexible as possible so they can capture the very best raw footage possible."" KY-D29W DSP Camera Heading up JVCís comprehensive camera line is the KY-D29W digital signal processing camera.JVCís newest digital camera is switchable from its native 16:9 aspect ratio to traditional 4:3, offering the ultimate flexibility in image capture to broadcasters, producers and event videographers. The camera is currently available. This technologically advanced camera achieves widescreen capacity via three 480,000-pixel 16:9 CCDs, with a microlens over each pixel for maximum sensitivity and negligible vertical smear. This ability to deliver widescreen footage as a native format is a feature that is appealing to more and more users, from producers, to docu-drama shooters and to event videographers. Demonstrating its versatility, the KY-D29W can toggle back to 4:3 aspect ratio, making it the ideal camera for producers and shooters who continue to draw assignments in the more traditional aspect ratio. JVCís Cohen called the KY-D29W ""Standard equipment for the future."" He added, ""During the course of a day, a videographer can shoot in whatever aspect ratio is required - and can dock to almost any format - analog or digital. Serious videographers will appreciate the quality of this camera and value its versatility."" The KY-D29W uses 14-bit digital signal processing and 3-dimensional Digital Noise Reduction (3D DNR) circuitry for sharp, color-perfect images. The KY-D29W is able to shoot in light as low as a remarkable 0.35 lux, one of the highest sensitivity cameras ever developed. It achieves an incredible sensitivity of F11 at 2,000 lux, a signal-to-noise ratio of 65 dB (with its DNR function on) Another new feature is Skin Tone Detail, which detects where skin tone is located, so it can soften the details in a personís face. ""When we introduced the KY-D29W at NAB last year, we knew we had a winner on our hands,"" commented Cohen. ""The demand for this versatile and technologically superior camera has been incredible."" DY-90W D-9 (DIGITAL-S) Camcorder For those who prefer the convenience of an all-in-one camcorder, JVC is introducing the DY-90W D-9 (DIGITAL-S) fully digital camcorder. This full-featured camera delivers the digital power of JVCís renowned D-9 4:2:2 component digital recording format, for the highest quality raw footage. The DY-90W camcorder offers true 16:9 CCDs for full, performance when recording in widescreen applications. Since this camcorderís native capture state is 16:9, and its record end is D-9 (already established as a superior DTV widescreen recording format), there is no compromise on resolution or recording data to achieve pristine 16:9 images. ""Broadcasters and producers called for us to add a 16:9 product to our camcorder line because they love the performance and reliability of our 4:2:2 D-9 DIGITAL-S format, but needed a camera that could produce exceptional widescreen results."" noted Cohen. ""The DY-90W addresses all of their needs. We delivered a superior 16:9 camcorder, that records in 4:2:2 digital, with 4-channels of audio and a lightweight, sturdy package."" The rugged DY-90W is suitable for virtually all field acquisition projects. JVC believes the DY-90W will appeal strongly to the market that demands the highest quality widescreen digital performance. ""The DY-90W not only delivers superb sensitivity, resolution and performance, it delivers it on a robust 4:2:2 D-9 (1/2-inch) tape - perfect for high quality DTV applications,"" commented Cohen. ""With the introduction of the DY-90W switchable camcorder, and the widespread acceptance of our KY-D29W switchable camera, JVC is setting the standard for field acquisition in the 16:9 DTV arena."" Cohen pointed to the DY-90Wís superior sensitivity (F11 at 2,000 lux), and outstanding performance as further evidence of JVCís commitment to the highest quality field acquisition. ""With three 480,000 true 16:9 pixel CCDs, the DY-90W delivers the sharpest resolution and sensitivity,"" said Cohen. Additionally, the DY-90W features JVCís pioneering Full Auto Shooting Mode (FAS) with continuous automatic white balance that allows automatic shooting from 4 to 24,000 lux, from indoors to outdoors, and an extremely quiet 62dB signal-to-noise ratio. JVCís exclusive LoLux mode adds outstanding low light performance, down to 0.75 lux. ""The DY-90W incorporates advanced-generation 14-bit video processing. The DY-90ís 14-bit DSP provides natural enhancement of details, eliminates spot noise and gives exceptional reproduction including color in the highlights. ""These two superb units, the KY-D29W camera and the DY-90W D-9 camcorder, put JVC squarely at the forefront in delivering high-performance 16:9 widescreen acquisition products to the market,"" concluded JVCís Cohen. For more information regarding JVCís widescreen camera product line or additional JVC products, contact David Walton at 1-800-JVC-5825, or visit the D-9 (DIGITAL-S) Website at www.digital-s.com or the JVC Website at www.jvcpro.com.