JVC GY-HM710U ProHD Compact Shoulder Camcorder with Canon 14x Lens

The GY-HM710 utilizes three precisely aligned 1/3" progressive-scan full-HD CCDs – one each for red, green, and blue primary color – and outputs full resolution in 1920 x 1080, both interlace and progressive. JVC's advanced ProHD capture technology incorporates a new patent-pending Adaptive Pixel Correlation Technique (APCT), and combined with TRIPLEX Offset technology it delivers exceptional resolving power, comparable to cameras with larger image sensors. The highly efficient ProHD form of H-V pixel shift, where the Blue pixels' sensor array is shifted 1/2 pixel horizontally, while the Red pixels' sensor array is shifted 1/2 pixel vertically (both referenced to the Green array), enables recovery of additional luminance detail between the photosites of each pixel. By applying the Adaptive Pixel Correlation Technique, the camera achieves a remarkable improvement in image texture and resolving power in the 1080i/p modes. The TRIPLEX/APCT system differentiates between "object directions" in high-frequency areas of the image, to the extent that it's vertical, horizontal, diagonal (left) or diagonal (right), and then applies pixel compensation for lost pixels in high-frequency areas. Furthermore, using a global shutter, the design minimizes wobbling during quick pans and fixed pattern noise in low-light conditions, contributing to a more stable image

Drawing on its long experience of developing dedicated encoders for the broadcasting industry, JVC has equipped the GY-HM710U with a powerful MPEG-2 encoder capable of compressing full 1920 x 1080 HD video at up to 35 Mb/s. The result is the pristine picture quality that professional users demand, from a surprisingly compact and lightweight shoulder-mount camcorder. MPEG-2 long GOP is the most widely accepted broadcast-standard HD compression, supported by all popular editing systems and broadcast servers. In HQ mode, the encoder operates with a variable bit rate average of 35 Mb/s. The SP mode records at a constant bit rate of 25 Mb/s to ensure compatibility with a wide range of equipment.

The GY-HM710 supports major signal formats including 1920 x 1080, 1440 x 1080, and 720 x 480

Backwards compatibility with SD is an oft-overlooked feature that's a necessity for a lot of professionals. The GY-HM710U, in addition to its capability as an HD recorder, offers standard-def 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

The GY-HM710U includes a detachable 14x Canon KT14x4.4KRSJ HD lens that's based on the superb optics found in more expensive HD lenses. Its superior MTF provides higher resolution than typical "stock" lenses. The lens has improved lateral and longitudinal chromatic aberration characteristics and is ideal for full 1920 x 1080 imaging. Canon's internal focusing system minimizes "breathing" compared with typical focusing systems. Internal focus also makes possible a more efficient light-blocking lens hood. ENG shooters will be pleased with its wider angle and consistent brightness from 4.4mm (wide) to 62mm (telephoto) with no F-drop. Operation is the same as with all professional lenses, with mechanical control of focus, and servo or manual control of zoom and aperture.

In addition to the GY-HM710's standard detachable 14x Canon lens, numerous lens options are available from JVC including the 13xTh13x3.5BRMU wide-angle Fujinon zoom lens, a new 17x XT17sx45BRMK1 Fujinon zoom lens, an 18x HTs18X4.2BRM Fujinon zoom lens, a 20x KT20X5BKRS Canon zoom lens, 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-HM710, greatly expanding production lens options. The camera features an "image flip" function that corrects for the inverted image produced by prime lenses

Dual hot-swappable cards means the recording never has to end. The GY-HM710 records on widely available SDHC Class 6 or Class 10 memory cards, presently available in capacities up to 32 GB. The camera provides two memory card slots, for a total of up to 64 GB of on-board storage – enough for hours of continuous HD recording. In relay mode, 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. Separate flip-open covers protect card slots from dust, moisture, and they open separately for each card. If a cover is opened while the card is being recorded to, a warning message is displayed on the VF/LCD.

SDHC cards are economical, highly reliable, and make possible a recording system that consumes up to 20% less power than tape- or HDD-based systems. The per-minute cost of SDHC memory is comparable to professional video tape. Moreover, SDHC media is the first practical solid-state solution for a physical archive

The GY-HM710 incorporates JVC's Native File Recording technology that stores video in the ready-to-edit file formats used by Apple's Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, 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 or Premiere'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 Avid, Canopus, and Vegas, the GY-HM710U 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. 4:2:2 uncompressed digital video is provided via the HD-SDI output, for recording onto an external recorder.

For standard-definition applications, in addition to MOV format files, the GY-HM710 creates popular type-2 AVI files that import easily into most current and legacy NLE systems

In this mode, the GY-HM710 continuously records up to 20 seconds in cache memory. When the trigger is pressed, the cache recording is appended to the live signal, giving the shooter a head start in getting the shot. This feature is invaluable in capturing breaking events for which the shot would be lost before a traditional camera could begin recording. When Pre Rec is activated, a "P" is displayed in the viewfinder and on the LCD monitor

In this mode, the GY-HM710 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-HM710U'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 latest version of ProHD Clip Manager offers an even greater level of NLE compatibility by enabling MP4 files to be converted to M2T, widely supported by NLEs

The ProHD Log and Transfer plug-in is a software module for Apple's Final Cut Pro that lets you drop MP4 files recorded on the GY-HM710U 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

Weighing only 8.2 lb including lens, viewfinder, microphone and battery (battery sold separately, the GY-HM710 rests comfortably on the right shoulder, providing stable, steady shots. Unlike some oversized handheld models, the GY-HM710 becomes part of the shooter – similar larger cameras, but without the fatigue associated with them. The handle has been redesigned for better carrying balance, and to accommodate wearing gloves in cold weather

The GY-HM710 is equipped with a new, rugged high-resolution viewfinder based on a new 0.45", 1.22 million-pixel Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) panel (852 x 480 x 3). This new all-digital viewfinder displays images with more than 5x the resolution of typical color viewfinders. Its sturdy, reinforced die-cast aluminum chassis and LED light source ensure years of trouble-free operation. A serial digital interface means there's no quality loss, even with razor-sharp graphic overlays. The viewfinder's native aspect ratio is 16:9. Safe area indications are available for popular aspect ratios, including 2.35:1. In record mode, audio level indications, a battery "fuel gauge" (displays when using digital batteries), and estimated time remaining for each memory card are displayed in the viewfinder. The Zebra function now offers two patterns (selectable)

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 cross keys for settings.

Cross-key control makes menu navigation a breeze. The interface is very intuitive, with up-down/left-right buttons on the same control disc. Selections are made by pressing the center of the disc. When in the camera mode, a blue LED lamp outlines the disc. When in the media playback/management mode, the color changes to green. A Red display indicates that the camera is in USB or IEEE 1394 (slave) mode. (The LED can be turned off via a menu choice.)

Extensive image customization is available. Thanks to the oversize monitor screen, the user sees changes to the image as the setting is being made, eliminating guesswork. Individual user settings are stored on an SDHC card and may be restored to any GY-HM710, GY-HM750, GY-HM790, or GY-HM700 camera

When the camera is switched to 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 that has 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-HM710 to an empty state even while the other card is recording.

The Quick Review function is available in record-pause mode. It allows the videographer to play back the first 5 seconds or the last 5 seconds of each clip, or the entire clip. After playback, the last image is retained (frozen) until the menu is reactivated. If, during Quick Review, the record trigger is pressed, playback stops and recording begins immediately

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 four modes of spot metering: Max/Min, Max, Min, and Manual. In the Max/Min mode, the highest and lowest levels of the image are identified with color markers, red (high) and white (low), along with the video level (before knee & gamma). The same values can be obtained individually with the Max and Min settings. Manual lets the videographer set the portion of the image to monitor. For example, for 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-HM710U captures audio with the same uncompromising quality as it does video. Two-channel 16-bit/48 kHz uncompressed linear PCM (linear 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 live broadcast applications, or for monitoring, the GY-HM710 provides an uncompressed, 4:2:2 full-HD or downconverted SD signal via its HD/SD-SDI connector. The signal can come from either the camera or from memory playback. When 23.98p modes are selected, it will contain Varicam flags (1080p24 mode only) to facilitate postproduction. The HD/SD-SDI output is via a BNC connector and includes embedded uncompressed audio. It is also possible to output the menus and clip viewer via the HD/SD-SDI output.

The IEEE 1394 (FireWire) output is via a 4-pin connector and provides SD or HD, depending on mode. The audio output is HDV-compliant in HD mode and DV-compliant in SD mode

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.) Downconverted composite signals can be especially useful when providing an SD feed for a live webcast while simultaneously recording HD. The composite output can also be provided when playing back recorded high definition material

DV signals are available through the 4-pin IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connector when the camera is recording or live in the SD (DV) mode, or when playing back an SD recording. These signals can be recorded on most FireWire recorders and will be in the NTSC mode. The IEEE 1394 connector also outputs an HDV-compatible transport stream when the camera is live or recording in SP (25 Mb/s) mode. No signal is available when playing back an HD recording

The VF-HP790 (sold separately) is an 8.4" XGA (1024 x 768 pixels) LCD studio viewfinder designed to work with the GY-HM790, GY-HM750, GY-HM710, or the GY-HM700. Designed to mount to the camera using the optional SA-K790 bracket, it is equipped with a large tally indicator and a screen hood. A fully digital interface provides all of the camera's viewfinder indications: safety markers, focus assist, plus power and clip management. The VF-HP790 is also provided with an HD-SDI input for monitoring an external signal from the HM710

A 6-pin remote connector provides a through-the-lens (TTL) interface to an optional JVC RM-LP25U or RM-LP55U control unit (both sold separately). Extensive control options are available, including shading, paint, iris, gamma level, knee, gain, shutter, and black level. Functions vary between the two units