JVC GY-HM890U ProHD Camcorder

JVC is releasing two new camcorders primarily aimed at the fast-paced news market, where being the first to air footage is the name of the game. The ProHD GY-HM850 and ProHD GY-HM890 have built-in networking protocols so you can attach available USB modems/Wi-Fi adapters and stream live footage while simultaneously recording to readily available SDHC/SDXC media.

The GY-HM850 and GY-HM890 cameras are almost identical and feature an interchangeable 1/3” format lens mount, and come with a newly designed Fujinon 20x zoom lens with a 35mm equivalent zoom range of 29 to 580mm. The lens features servo and manual control of focus and iris, built-in Optical Image Stabilization, and has a maximum aperture of f/1.6-f/3.0. The camera records four channels of audio with two XLR inputs and two aux inputs. It includes a color LCOS viewfinder and a flip-out 4.3” LCD viewscreen. The cameras are designed to sit comfortably on your shoulder while you shoot handheld.

These cameras from JVC offer built-in features and options that are more suited to full-sized ENG cameras. The ProHD GY-HM850/890 use three 1/3” CMOS sensors with 12-bit processing to capture Full HD at up to 60p. JVC’s Falconbrid processor provides the power to simultaneously record two different formats.

These are flexible cameras that fit many niches including ENG, EFP, and studio applications, and easily convert to studio cameras with the addition of an optional Studio Viewfinder and Studio Sled Support. They accept the standard 26-pin control cable for remote control, or you can outfit them with an available optical fiber or Multicore interface unit.

However, in the basic configuration, these cameras are suited for work in the field. News coverage often requires setting up the camera and waiting— for this situation, the 10-second pre-record feature lets the cameras continually record events, then it saves up to ten seconds of footage from before you press the Record button, so you can still capture what you would otherwise have missed. The cameras record to standard formats that are native to many NLE systems, recording to your choice of Mov, XDCam EX-compatible MP4, as well as AVCHD Progressive, and H.264 Extreme High Quality at up to 50 Mb/s.

The two built-in SD media slots allow you a wide range of recording flexibility. In addition to recording high-quality footage, you can also simultaneously record a duplicate version for backup, record in two different formats, or use the two media card slots for relay recording, which allows virtually limitless recording with enough media cards.

Both cameras feature Genlock in and Timecode in/out, allowing them to integrate into a traditional multi-camera workflow. The 890 adds an SDI input that the 850 lacks, which allows you to record the output from another camera or, with the optional USB modem or LTE/3G adapter, stream or FTP the other camera’s output wirelessly.

JVC has built a camera that's versatile enough to be at home in the field, at a press conference, and in the studio. It offers the tools and options that take advantage of emerging delivery methods and content outlets, while still maintaining a traditional tapeless workflow.