Fresh 4K Camera Offerings Hit Market via RED Digital, JVC

The recent CCW Conference in New York City is typically not known for having world debuts of products but two advances in 4K production at the show provided new options for 4K content creation professionals as well as some fresh product news.

RED Digital now offers a live 4K production configuration.

JVC, for example, launched three 4K Ultra HD cameras at the show, including the GY-HM200, a 4K camera can not only record 4K internal recording using a 1/2-.3-inhc BSI CMOS chip but also live HD transmission via built-in WiFi and 4G LTE connectivity. Also unveiled was the GY-LS300 that has JVC’s 4K Super 35mm CMOS sensor combined with a standard Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mount to provide greater lens choice. Lastly, the GY-HM170 4KCAM compact camcorder was introduced, with the same features as the GY-HM200 minus the WiFi/LTE connectivity.

RED Digital, meanwhile, unveiled its live 4K configuration via a new 4K Broadcast Module.

“What we’ve done with the broadcast module is allow a live image to pass through the built-in FPGA so it is processed and debayered into quad 4K,” says Michael Rintoul, RED Digital Cinema, field operative. “So we can stream live from a camera that was previously just file based.”

In addition, adds Rintoul, an external recorder or a video monitor can also be connected and it can also simultaneously output quad 4K, 1080p, and record on the internal drive at a resolution of up to 6K.

“That allows for three different uses at once,” he adds. “And it is also very compact and scalable so it can be as small or big as the user wants. There are lots of options for lenses, including big box lenses.”

Upcoming live tests with sports broadcasters will prove out the new concept as issues like remote control of imaging exposure have been finalized. Rintoul says it is important to give a sports market that has worked with the RED camera for non-live needs to see a new use.

“RED is not new to broadcast so it’s just getting people to realize the potential of the system and the proper application,” says Rintoul.