JVC GY-HM790 ProHD ENG / Studio Camera (w/out Lens)

The GY-HM790 is equipped with a 68-pin chassis connector that allows various modules to be attached to the unit without external cabling. The KA-M790 multi-core studio interface module offers a 26-pin interface compatible with cables from JVC and Sony to connect with a camera control unit (CCU). Power, camera control, intercom, tally and a fully digital HD signal path are available through the RM-HP790 CCU. Other modules include the KA-F790 Remote Fiber Adapter, the KA-AS790 ASI Module, and the KA-MR100G SxS memory card recorder.

In a studio configuration, the GY-HM790 can be handheld or easily fitted with the KA-790 sled, a sleek and functional housing that supports a studio viewfinder, teleprompter and large lens if desired. JVC's VF-HP790 is an 8.4" high resolution LCD viewfinder with a digital interface to the camera.

Drawing from its experience in developing rack mount encoders used by major television stations, JVC developed a proprietary codec capable of providing highly efficient compression up to 35 megabits per second, a bitrate that can support full 1920 x 1080 sampling. This results in recorded images of exceptional quality. In the HQ mode, the encoder operates with a variable bit rate average of 35Mbps. The SP mode records at a constant bit rate of either 19.7Mbps or 25Mbps to ensure compatibility with a wide range of equipment.

When recording in the 720p 35Mbps mode, the camera can be set to record at a frame rate different than the playback rate. This capability makes it possible to record slow or fast motion when the recording is played back at 24p or 30p. Available frame rates are 10, 12, 15, 20, 24, 30, 40, 48, and 60 fps.

Responding to the needs of the industry, the GY-HM790, in addition to its capability as an HD recorder, offers standard-definition recording for maximum flexibility. Recording in SD provides a time-saving alternative to down-conversion of HD material for SD broadcasts, which is still an industry standard in many countries worldwide. This feature offers a fundamental advantage for professionals with time-sensitive SD workflows.

Numerous HD lens options are available from JVC, including the 13x Th13x3.5BRMU wide angle Fujinon zoom lens, a new 17x XT17sx45BRMK1 Fujinon zoom, 18x HTs18X4.2BRM Fujinon, 20x KT20X5BKRS Canon, 14x Canon KT14x4.4KRSJ, and adapters that allow 1/2" and 2/3" bayonet mount lenses to be used. Add the HZ-CA13U film lens mount adapter to the 1/3" bayonet mount, to enable mounting of 16mm film camera lenses to the GY-HM790, greatly expanding production lens options. The camera features an "image flip" function that corrects for the inverted image produced by prime lenses.

The GY-HM790 records on widely available SDHC Class 6 or Class 10 memory cards, presently available in capacities up to 32GB. The camera provides 2 memory card slots, for a total of up to 64GB of on-board storage--enough for more than 6 hours (in 19Mbps mode) of continuous HD recording. The camera automatically begins recording on the second card when the first card fills up. When the second card fills up, the camera will revert to recording to the first card slot, allowing for virtually unlimited recording lengths.

The GY-HM790 incorporates JVC's Native File Recording technology that stores video in the ready-to-edit file formats used by Apple's Final Cut Pro and other popular nonlinear editing systems. The HD and SD ".mov" files created in the camera can be easily dragged onto Final Cut Pro's timeline or clip bin without conversion or rewrapping, saving time while keeping the recorded material first-generation. There is no need to use an intermediate codec.

For users of other NLE systems, including solutions from Adobe, Avid, Canopus and Vegas, the GY-HM790 supports the MP4 file format, which can be edited without re-encoding. HDV-compatible M2T files can also be created from these MP4 files using the ProHD Clip Manager.

For standard definition applications, in addition to .mov format files, the GY-HM790 creates popular type-2 AVI files that import easily into most current and legacy NLE systems.

The optional SxS media recorder allows simultaneous shooting to SDHC and SxS media, providing instant backup or archival recordings. This compact recorder attaches directly to the GY-HM790 without an adapter. The compact media recorder provides status information on its built-in LCD screen as well as on the camera's viewfinder. Recorded video on the SxS cards can be played back on the camera's LCD monitor or viewfinder.

In this mode, the GY-HM790 continually records up to 20 seconds in cache memory. When the trigger is pressed, the live signal is appended to the cache recording, giving the shooter a head start in getting the shot. This feature is invaluable in capturing breaking events when the shot would be lost before a traditional camera could begin recording. When Pre Rec is activated, a "P" will be displayed in the viewfinder and on the LCD monitor.

In this mode, the GY-HM790 creates a single clip file from multiple trigger presses. This is ideal when "in camera editing" is preferred. The complete shot sequence is instantly available as a single clip. When recording in the Continuous Clip Mode, timecode can be either free run or in the REC mode.

The ProHD Clip Manager for both Mac and Windows makes it easy to manage MP4 clips on the GY-HM790's memory cards from your computer. With a few clicks of the mouse you can copy, move or delete clips, preview clip content, as well as view and edit clip metadata. A thumbnail view of all the clips in the current folder shows the content of each clip at a glance. Use the viewer to watch the whole clip, or change the clip's index frame used for the thumbnail. You can also manage folders to keep your clips organized, and check the remaining free space on a card.

The ProHD Log and Transfer Plug-in is a software for Apple's Final Cut Pro that lets you drop MP4 files recorded on the GY-HM790 into the clip bin of Final Cut Pro&. With the plug-in installed, you can view thumbnails of the MP4 files on a memory card from the Log and Transfer screen of Final Cut Pro. Simply drag and drop the thumbnails into the bin to automatically convert the clips to Quicktime, ready for use.

The GY-HM790 is equipped with a new, rugged, high-resolution viewfinder based on a new .45-inch 1.22MP Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) panel (852 x 480 x 3). This new all-digital viewfinder displays images with more than 5 times the resolution of typical color viewfinders. Its sturdy, reinforced die-cast aluminum chassis and LED light source ensure years of trouble-free operation.

Complementing the new high resolution viewfinder is a large LCD flip-out monitor that can be used in recording, playback, clip management, and menu operation. The 4.3" 800 x 480 WVGA LCD offers a 16:9 aspect ratio and provides a wide array of monitoring and setup indications. It is specially designed to reduce surface reflections and glare to maintain a clear, visible, bright view during outdoor recording. Menu items are easily selected using user-friendly setting cross keys.

When the camera is switched to the playback mode, a clip viewer appears on the large LCD monitor and in the VF. (This signal may also be output through the HD/SD-SDI connector.) Clips are identified by timecode and with a user-defined filename with numeric increments.

Detailed information is displayed about each clip including recording format, resolution, and timecode start/stop, user bits, and creation date/time. Clips can be protected from accidental deletion or deleted if no longer needed. Damaged clips (due to improper eject, etc.) may be repaired with the "restore file" function. Though no special formatting is required, memory cards can be re-initialized in the GY-HM790 to an empty state even while the other card is recording.

When shooting very high contrast scenes, the Spot Meter can be a very useful tool, letting the videographer monitor the dynamic range of an image on the LCD/VF and adjust the exposure of an object in the frame. There are 4 modes of spot metering: Max/Min, Max, Min, and Manual. For example, in a scene with varied illumination, the videographer may wish to meter an individual's face, and set the exposure accordingly. As the scene changes, the exposure can be corrected precisely to the desired subject.

The GY-HM790 captures audio with the same uncompromising quality as video. Two-channel 16-bit/48kHz uncompressed linear PCM (pulse code modulated) audio channels are recorded via the detachable shotgun microphone, or via a pair of balanced XLR connectors. Versatile input switching and independent channel assignment allow both mic and line-level sources (such as wireless receivers) to be connected, and phantom power is available on each XLR connector independently. Audio recording levels are controlled automatically or manually, with an audio level meter in the viewfinder and LCD monitor for easy monitoring.

Achieving exact focus with HD signals is critical. JVC's Focus Assist turns focusing into a fast, easy and accurate process. When Focus Assist is activated, the picture in the viewfinder becomes monochrome and all objects which are in focus take on a colored edge. Focus Assist works equally in the viewfinder as well as on the LCD panel. The Focus Assist function can be invoked by pressing the dedicated button on the control panel, or assigned to the RETURN button on the lens.

For multi-camera productions, the GY-HM790 provides a genlock input. The same connector can be switched to an auxiliary SD video input (standard definition), useful for recording composite pool feeds from other cameras. Recordings from the pool feed are made in the DV (.avi) or MOV format.

Timecodes can be preset from within the GY-HM790's menu or can be input from an external timecode generator--useful in isocam recording applications. The GY-HM790 can also be used as a master TC generator, providing a timecode output for other cameras or audio recorders to synchronize to.

Component HD signals can be output via the BNC connectors on the camera. The signal will always be in the format being captured or played back. (Cross converting to another format is not possible.) If a downconverted composite signal is desired, the output can be switched to provide NTSC (when HD is 23.98p/29.97p/59.94p/i) or PAL (when HD is 25p, 50p/i) signals. Downconverted composite signals can be especially useful when providing an SD feed for a live webcast while simultaneously recording full HD. The composite output can also be provided when playing back recorded high-definition material.

Downconverted standard-definition DV signals are available through the 4-pin IEEE-1394 connector. These signals can be recorded on most "Firewire" recorders, including the DRHD100GB100 dockable HDD recorder. Again, these signals will be in either the NTSC or PAL mode depending on the HD mode selected (60Hz or 50Hz) and can be output while recording full high-definition to the built-in SDHC memory cards, or when playing back HD material. When an SP high definition mode is selected (either 19.7Mbps or 25Mbps), the camera can also output an HDV transport stream compatible with the MR-HD100 through the IEEE-1394 connector.

The KA-M790 is a small and compact interface unit that enables Studio/EFP operation. It differs from the interface used with the GY-HD250 system in that all studio functions are now contained within a single unit attached to the camera body. The GY-HM790/KA-M790 system is now more mobile for EFP applications.

The VF-HP790 is an 8.4" XGA (1024 x 768 pixels) LCD studio viewfinder designed to work with the GY-HM790 or the GY-HM700. Designed to mount to the KA-790 Studio Sled, it is equipped with a large tally indicator and screen hood. A fully digital interface provides all of the camera's viewfinder indications: safety markers, focus assist, power and clip management. The VF-HP790 is also provided with an HD-SDI input for monitoring an external signal.

A 6-pin remote connector provides a TTL interface to an optional JVC RM-LP25U, RM-LP57U, or RM-LP55U control unit. Extensive control options are available including shading, paint, iris, gamma level, knee, gain, shutter and black level. Functions vary with each unit.