GEAR JVCHC500
JVC’s affordable new 4K camcorder is packed with spec tomake live streaming easier than ever STREAMING SUPERSTAR! CAPABLE CAMCORDER
SPECIFICATIONS Price: £3180/$3900 Sensor: 1-inch CMOS, 9.35megapixels
Formats: 4K 60/50p 10-bit, 4K 30/25/24p 4:2:2 10-bit 150/70Mbps H.264, HD to 120fps 4:2:2 10-bit 50-8Mbps, Apple ProRes 422, MPEG-4. MOV, MP4 Colour profiles: HLG, J-Log1, Rec. 709, BT. 2020 Dynamic range: 12 stops Storage: 2 x SDXC slots. SSD slot Lens: 20x zoom, 9.43- 188.6mm f/2.8-4.5 (equivalent to 28-560mm) Image stabilisation: Optical Autofocus: AFwith face detection, customisable AD speed, sensitivity and area Output: HDMI, 3G-SDI, ethernet Shutter range: 1/6-1/10,000sec Screen: 10cm/3.97-inch LCD Audio: Integrated microphones, 2 x XLR inputs with phantompower support Dimensions (WxHxD):
WORDS ADAM DUCKWORTH
F or independent filmmakers taking a tentative step into the potentially lucrative realm of live streaming, there’s a brave newworld of exciting – yet potentially complicated – emerging technologies. It’s only been in recent years that live streaming on social media platforms has become not only possible, but in high demand from clients. Whether it’s for streaming church services, sporting fixtures, product launches or gigs, there is a demand for professional streaming that’s superior to a smartphone – and there’s cash to pay for it. With broadbandWi-Fi, 4G (and soon 5G) mobile technology and even wired ethernet, it’s now possible to streamyour footage without massive expense. And of course, the general public use the same technology to see content on their smartphones, tablets, laptops or smart TVs. The reality is that live video streaming is not new at all and has been around for decades. It’s live TV, but this used to be the domain of broadcasters with finely honed technology, big outside broadcast trucks and satellite uplinks.
So, it’s perhaps no surprise that the camera company really leading the headlong charge into streaming for non-traditional broadcasters is one that has experience withmaking workhorse kit for TV companies. JVC has taken what it has learned from years of working with television and blended it with the latest large-chip sensor technology in its brand new range of cameras, like the GY-HC500 – themost affordable of the range. What youmight say was the predecessor to this camera – the JVC GY-HM660 – sold in bucketloads to TV firms who wanted broadcast- ready, ENG-style portable cameras that could be used by trained cameramen or news journalists grabbing a camera for run-and-gun work. The BBC alone bought over 700 of them, and they are still in daily use. But technology has moved on, and the demand is now for larger sensors, with their great low-light performance and shallow depth-of- field to give a cinematic look, plus 4K and HDR, as well as streaming. All those things are in the newHC500, which at £3180/$3900 is actually cheaper than the HM660, which uses three smaller sensors and has no 4K or HDR. It’s easy to understand why demand for the HC500 has been high since it was unveiled to the public. But filmmakers have to wait a little longer to get their hands on one, as the cameramay be available to pre-order, but its spec and firmware has not been finalised. We got our hands on a fully-functioning prototype, but as it’s not a final product, it would be unfair to take a critical look at the actual footage. But getting up close and personal with the camera shows it’s a seriously professional bit of kit, with a
195x230x445mm/ 7.68x9.06x17.5in Weight: 3.1kg/6.83lb
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PRO MOVIEMAKER SUMMER 2019
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