JVC has added three new high definition camcorders to its HD Everio line, including a pair of dual-format models, one of which records up to 50 hours of AVCHD Full HD video.
Two new models, the GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30, are the first AVCHD / MPEG-2 dual-format camcorders allowing access to the long time compression afforded by AVCHD, as well as MPEG-2's superior editing and post-production environment. Both offer 1920 x 1080 Full HD recording in both formats to a 120GB (GZ-HD40) or 80GB (GZ-HD30) internal hard disk drive. The third new model, the GZ-HD10, offers 1440 x 1080 recording in the AVCHD format to a 40GB hard drive.
Technologies behind the scenes include new CMOS imaging chips with interpolation technology, the HD Gigabrid Duo chip that includes codecs for AVCHD in all camcorders and MPEG-2 in the
GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 as well as noise reduction technology, and 1920 x 1080/50P output for all camcorders via HDMI (V.1.3 with x.v.Colour). Ease of use innovations include Intelligent
Grouping, which sorts and groups together similar themed scenes for easier access, and Digest Playback, which creates a video montage of scenes, much like a "coming attractions" clip, when
they?re burned to a DVD.
JVC designed the GZ-HD30 to meet the needs of a broader segment of people who shoot video, including family users. More compact than the GZ-HD40, it offers all of the performance and nearly
all of the features of that model, except it has a slim 80GB internal hard disk for a maximum 33 hours of Full HD recording, and does not come with a docking station. As of June 2008, it is the world?s smallest Full HD camcorder with 1.8"HDD.
JVC provided the GZ-HD40 with a 120GB hard disk drive for up to 50 hours of AVCHD Full HD video recording, and a docking station with the requirements of the prosumer or high-end
enthusiast in mind.
JVC designed the small sized HD Everio GZ-HD10 thinking of the needs of budget-conscious users, but offering a high quality KONICA MINOLTA HD LENS and a 40GB hard disk that provides
up to 16 hours of high-definition recording. The GZ-HD10?s 1440x1080 AVCHD recordings are also up converted for playback at 1920 x 1080/50P via HDMI.
All three of the new HD Everio camcorders can connect to the optionally available CU-VD50 Everio SHARE STATION with stand alone playback. The new HD Everios can also connect to the
JVC CU-VD3 SHARE STATION to offer an even more cost-efficient archiving and playback solution. The combinations offer a PC-less solution for AVCHD and MPEG-2 burning
and playback, with AVCHD DVD discs that can be shared with commonly available AVCHD compatible/Blu-Ray players.
The GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 both have three AVCHD
recording modes that all record Full HD 1920 x 1080
video. The only difference among modes is the bit rate,
and while using the highest bit rate yields the highest
quality results, the image quality is remarkable even
using the lowest bit rate EP mode. And since 1920 x
1080 is truly native HDTV resolution, it requires no
conversion on the part of the display device to show
high definition images.
The GZ-HD40 and GZ-HD30 also have the FHD mode
for recording Full HD 1920 x 1080 MPEG-2 Transport Stream video with MPEG-1 Layer 2 audio. The GZ-HD10 records solely in 1440 x 1080 AVCHD format.
By connecting the GZ-HD40/HD30/HD10 directly to an optional CU-VD50 or CU-VD3 HD Everio SHARE STATION via USB, the user can burn 12cm AVCHD discs from all cameras, or MPEG-2 data discs from the GZ-HD40 and 30 to make backups and permanent archives of selected scenes.
There are several options for selecting clips to be burned to disc ? all clips, manually specified clips, clip files not yet copied, by date, video playlists created in-camera and comprised of multiple user-selected clips, or by event type for
those clips that have been tagged with an icon representing an event category (e.g. birthday, baby, graduation, vacation, etc.).
Created AVCHD discs can be played on AVCHD compatible/Blu-ray players. The CU-VD50 can also be used as an external DVD drive/burner when connected to a PC. The CU-VD50 plays back
on a TV via HDMI in 1920x1080 50p and with x.v.ColourTM, analogue component and as well in standard definition video. The slim CU-VD3 offers the same burning features, but with playback via the camcorder.
All three models are equipped with USB2.0 and HDMI digital interfaces on the camcorder. The Docking Station supplied with the GZ-HD40 is equipped with USB2.0 and i.LINK (IEEE 1394).
The GZ-HD40, GZ-HD30 and the GZ-HD10 will be available worldwide in August. For the U.S., prices are $1300 and $800, respectively.