Phoenix Affiliate Brings in Host of JVC Cameras

Scripps station KNXV, the ABC affiliate in Phoenix, is using a complement of JVC ProHD cameras in the field and studio for local HD news production. Although the station has been broadcasting its local news in HD for almost three years, it transitioned its ENG operations to HD with the purchase of JVC GY-HM700 and GY-HM100 camcorders.

For its multimedia journalists – individual reporters who write, shoot, and edit their news packages independently in the field – KNXV purchased eight handheld GY-HM100 camcorders. The station also purchased 20 GY-HM700s for ENG work, and it has been using two GY-HD250 cameras in the newsroom and one on a jib in the studio.

The GY-HM700 in particular “makes a very good HD image,” according to Ryan Steward, chief engineer. He says the camcorder has noticeable improvements over the GY-HD250, including better balance and an enhanced color viewfinder. Initially, he was concerned with its smaller, lighter form factor, but Steward says the camcorders have held up very well against the trials of everyday ENG use.

An important consideration for KNXV’s new camcorders was weather. “When you work in the desert, your camera has to be able to withstand extreme temperatures,” Steward explains. The Phoenix area can get extremely hot during the summer months, which can cause some recording technologies to malfunction.

Steward conducted extensive tests with the JVC GY-HM700 – and at one point left a camcorder outside to record footage in the full sunlight of a 116-degree day for about 45 minutes.

“The media itself is very handy to be able to move files around in that fashion,” says Steward. “We just grab our clips and go. We like it a lot.”

KNXV is also using the new camcorders in conjunction with Apple Final Cut Pro, which speeds up the editing workflow because personnel do not have to ingest footage or download clips that will not be used.

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