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Okay, the rules were like this: HD was really expensive and you couldn't get into the game for less than $350,000. An HD camera without a lens? $55,000. An edit system? Fuggetaboutit. Then one day, I'm at a JVC event and out pops Juan Martinez from behind the Wizard of Oz curtain with what I thought was one of the best new products in a decade: an HD camera that would retail for just under $4,000.
For $3,995, users get the JY-HD10 digital HD video camera and nonlinear editing software that allows them to edit their HD video on a well-equipped Windows XP computer. And, get this, another company is offering software to edit HD on a laptop computer! Oh, Lordy!
The Skinny
JVC's JY-HD10 is based on a new format that employs MPEG-2 technology to record and play back HD video on a standard MiniDV tape. This technology, developed by JVC, will soon be employed by JVC's competitors-Sony, Canon, and Sharp-but for now is offered exclusively by JVC.
The camera itself is a curious blend of both professional and amateur functions and features. It was introduced by the consumer division of JVC as a high-end camera for well-heeled Japanese aficionados. It seems almost as an afterthought that the camera was then taken to the Professional Products division with a comment like, "Let's see what you guys can do with this."
The camera is capable of shooting in three modes. The first mode is the common DV, recorded digitally in DV format in 480 horizontal lines at 60 fields per second (480/30i) interlaced. (Each frame is composed of two fields. Each field has half the lines, separated by gaps where the lines from the other field fit, or interlace.) The aspect ratios are 4:3 or 16:9 and can be seen on a conventional 4:3 TV set or widescreen set.
The second mode is SD, recorded in MPEG-2 format in 480 horizontal lines at 60 frames per second, 480/60p, but these frames are progressive. (Each frame is displayed completely and then gets replaced with the next frame-like film.) This mode produces a higher vertical resolution than the DV format (when there is motion), smoother motion and a higher-quality feel. The aspect ratio is 16:9 and is...