BBC Buys 500+ JVCGY-HM650 Camcorders

Over the course of this year, the BBC will purchase more than 500 units of JVC Professional’s GY-HM650 ProHD network-enabled camcorder, to be used in their newsgathering operations both throughout the United Kingdom and globally.

Key features of the GY-HM650, according to JVC, are flexible dual codec capability and network connectivity.

John Kelly, General Manager, UK & Ireland, Scandinavia and MEA said: “We are delighted by the success of the GY-HM650 camcorder. Following on from the recent announcement that the GY-HM600 series camcorders meet EBU requirements for journalism, this provides further confirmation of its suitability for broadcast news production.”

The dual mode ProHD camcorders feature a wide angle 23x autofocus zoom lens with low-light performance of F12 at 2000 lux in Extended mode.

The lightweight cameras record HD or SD footage in multiple file formats, including native XDCAM EX (.MP4), Final Cut Pro (.MOV), and AVCHD, to non-proprietary affordable SDHC or SDXC media cards. The 650 model also supports MXF files for rich descriptive metadata.

Where fast recording in formats suitable for broadcasting is essential, the GY-HM650 ProHD handheld mobile news camera offers dual codecs. It can produce full HD files on one memory card, while simultaneously creating smaller, Web-friendly files (1/4 HD or SD) on a second card. With built-in FTP client and network connectivity, the GY-HM650 delivers the footage back to a station without a microwave or satellite connection.

With the ability to act as a secure Web server built-in, the GY-HM650 also allows operators to take full control of the camera — including zoom, Rec start/stop and metadata editing — via any browser-enabled device such as a tablet or smartphone.

The two user selectable shooting modes (Extended and Standard) allow the cameras to be adapted to different shooting environments, with Standard mode ideal for controlled environments with regulated lighting, and Extended mode optimized for situations where conditions might be variable and more challenging.
The GY-HM600 series models feature a 1.22 MP color viewfinder and color 3.5-inch LCD. A second trigger and servo zoom control on the built-in handle make it easy to record while holding the cameras at low or high angles, while the Pre Rec (retro cache) feature continuously records and stores up to fifteen seconds of footage in cache memory to help prevent missed shots of breaking events.

The cameras are equipped with three, 1/3-inch 12-bit CMOS sensors, each with 1920×1080 pixels. The built-in 23x Fujinon HD lens features a wide focal range of 29mm-667mm (35mm equivalent) and has manual focus, zoom, and iris rings, along with three ND filters. Other features include auto-focus with face detection and an optical image stabilizer.

The built-in stereo microphone is ideal for capturing natural sound, but the GY-HM650 also includes two XLR inputs with phantom power and a shotgun mic holder, as well as a headphone jack and separate input for a wireless mic receiver. They are also equipped with a LANC remote connector and include a time-code synchronization input as well as HD-SDI and HDMI outputs.

The GY-HM600E and GY-HM650E are now both available for order from authorized JVC Professional dealers.