JVC Expands Its Hard Drive Camcorders With 'World's First Full HD' Model
January 15, 2007
Wayne, NJ - JVC has expanded its Everio line of hard drive camcorders with the addition of the new HD Everio GZ-HD7 that provides full HD 1920 x 1080i imaging at 30Mbps(MAX), combined with the convenience of hard drive recording.
The tapeless HD7 features three 1/5-inch (16:9) newly-developed progressive scan CCDs designed for HD use in a diagonally offset pixel configuration.
The Red and Blue imaging CCDs are shifted a half-pixel both horizontally and vertically relative to the Green imaging CCD. Because the pixel-shift system uses progressive scan CCDs, signals are processed first as 1920 x 1080p progressive signals, then converted to 1920 x 1080i interlace signals for recording. (The number of effective pixels: 1952 x 1096, equivalent to a total of 2.14 million pixels.) As a result, JVC says the system records a higher resolution HD image than the interline (IL) CCD system.
The HD7 also features a Fujinon optical 10x zoom lens. The lens is coated with a new Electronic Beam Coating (EBC) for reducing degradation caused by light reflecting off the lens surfaces, leading to greater light transmission and reduced flaring and ghosting.
Available in April at a list price of $1,799.95, the HD7 incorporates a 60GB built-in hard drive that provides up to five hours of full HD 1920 x 1080i MPEG2 recording. There is also a Long Time Recording mode with a resolution of 1440 x 1080i and a capacity of nearly seven hours, and a 1440CBR mode with a resolution of 1440 x 1080i and a five-hour capacity. Other features include optical image stabilization, multiple digital connections, bundled editing and archiving software, and availability of an optional HD Everio SHARE STATION for easily transferring footage to disc.
A full array of manual controls is also featured, including manual focus ring, manual white balance, exposure control, shutter priority mode, aperture priority mode and sharpness control. A Focus Assist function displays the edge of the in-focus elements in color while the rest of the image is black-and-white, making it easy to check which image elements are in focus. And, a Zebra function displays a striped pattern across highlight areas on the image in the LCD monitor making it easier to manually set the exposure.
Also included is a mic input for connecting an external microphone. The HD Everio is equipped with three digital interfaces -- USB, HDMI and i.LINK. USB is primarily for file saving, HDMI for digital viewing on large screen displays, and iLink streams high definition video in full resolution or 1440CBR mode. HD recorded material is down-converted for output in DV over i.LINK, or in standard definition via the analog component/ S-Video/ Composite output.
The HD Everio camcorder also connects to an optional JVC DVD burner, the HD Everio SHARE STATION CU-VD40, with a USB 2.0 cable and is controlled directly through the camcorder. The SHARE STATION can be used to create HD data discs to archive HD video clip files and writes to both DVD-R and DVD-RW discs. It also allows for the creation of digital stills in a JPEG format.
Dual-layer DVD-R is also supported, which means the combination of the HD Everio and the CU-VD40 will provide a PC-less solution to the high-capacity archiving needs of HD content. Also, because it records in MPEG2, HD7 recordings can be archived onto Blu-ray discs using provided software and a Blu-ray recorder.
HD and still files can be played back in ultra-high quality via the CU-VD40's HDMI output without the use of a computer. The HD Everio SHARE STATION also allows easy playback of archived files, without having to use the camcorder. Separately from the HD Everio, the CU-VD40 can be used as a DVD burner for PCs.
For editing and archiving via PC the HD Everio comes with the Cyberlink BD Solution software suite for Windows. This includes PowerDirector for HD video editing, PowerProducer for authoring high definition Blu-ray discs and DVD- Video discs, and PowerCinema for HD file management and playback.
Optional accessories for the HD7 include a 46mm telephoto and a 46mm wide conversion lens, battery charger, and three additional batteries including standard, high power and extended power. Additional options include a stereo microphone. The HD Everio SHARE STATION CU-VD40 will be available at a $399.95. For more information visit JVC
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