JVC Announces World's First HD Consumer Digital Video Camera in Japan

[Gregg Lengling]

U.S. launch to follow later this year
Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC) has announced the Japanese launch in early March of the GR-HD1 high-definition digital video camera, the first consumer digital video camera in the world to record and play back digital high-definition images. Monthly production is scheduled to be 1,000 units, and the suggested retail price is currently open.

The camera will be announced in the United States later this year.




Using a newly developed 1/3 inch-type 1.18 million pixel progressive scan CCD and JVC proprietary processing, the new camera records and plays back 750/30p (1280x720/30p viewable) digital high-definition and 525p progressive wide images to mini DV tape. In addition to the traditional "viewing" and "recording" applications, the GR-HD1 offers a new way to enjoy high-definition images through "creating."

Main Features
The first* consumer digital video camera in the world to record and play back digital high-definition images (750/30p)
*As of January 22, 2003

The GR-HD1 records digital high-definition images (750/30p) to mini DV tapes using MPEG 2 compression, recording and playing back digital high-definition images while maintaining conventional 525i DV standard recording times.


Newly developed zoom lens with optical image stabilizer and 1.18 million pixel progressive scan CCD

The "GR-HD1" comes with an optical 10X zoom lens and built-in optical image stabilizer. It also uses a newly developed 1/3 inch-type 1.18 million pixel (1.14 million effective pixels) progressive scan CCD. Because of its JVC original signal processing circuitry and driving system, it can record multi-format high-quality, high-resolution images.


Three recording modes ("HD mode," "SD mode," and "DV mode"), according to user preference

"HD Mode" records 750/30p digital high-definition images, "SD Mode" 525p progressive wide images, "DV Mode" at conventional 525i DV standard. Users can freely select between the three modes.


"Down converter" and "Up converter" functions adapt unit to any monitor

Up converter functions convert 750/30p digital high-definition images and 525p progressive wide images to the 1125i high-definition standard; Down converter functions convert images to the conventional 525i broadcast standard, enabling images to be enjoyed on any monitor.


"Rotating grip" for stable filming at all times

The camera's grip section rotates by up to 90 degrees so camera operators can film at low angles without removing their hand from the grip. The grip adjusts its position to suit the operator during filming, enabling more stable filming.


Bundled with the first consumer MPEG2-HD editing software; the newly developed MPEG Edit Studio Pro 1.0 LE

The accessory kit sold separately includes MPEG Edit Studio Pro 1.0 LE, an MPEG2-HD editing software package for digital high-definition images. This is the first consumer MPEG2-TS software to provide frame-accurate editing capabilities.

Developmental Concept
Digital high-definition broadcasting and high-definition displays such as PDPs, as well as terrestrial digital broadcasting scheduled to launch in Japan in December 2003 are expected to expand the high-definition market even further.

In anticipation of these changes in the high-definition environment, JVC has already launched a number of high-definition technologies enabling users to enjoy high-definition video. On the recording side it offers D-VHS high definition VCRs; on the viewing side high-definition televisions and PDPs with DIST (Digital Image Scaling Technology). The GR-HD1 represents the next step forward from "recording and viewing" to "creating" high-definition video.

JVC's High-Definition World
JVC's four goals in developing of this product: 1. To create the first high-quality High-definition digital video camera for home users 2. To maintain compatibility with conventional DV standards 3. To provide for a stable filming position no matter the situation 4. To provide an easy-to-use high-definition editing environment

The GR-HD1 high-definition digital video camera employs a high-performance zoom lens with a newly developed optical image stabilizer and a 1/3 inch-type 1.18 million pixel progressive scan CCD, achieving levels of quality and sharpness never before seen in consumer digital video cameras. The VU-HD1K accessory kit, sold separately, also comes bundled with MPEG Edit Studio Pro 1.0 LE software to enable editing of high-definition images on ordinary personal computers.

For detailed specifications, go to http://www.jvc.co.jp/english/press/2003/gr-hd1.html.

[Randy Spaulding]

Wow ... wonder how much this beauty's going to retail for. Need to get sub $1000's for me to be interested. Probably a few years away?