FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CES BOOTH #1237
JVC ADDS GR-DVL9000 DIGITAL CAMCORDER TO CYBERCAM LINE-UP
Las Vegas,NV, January 8, 1998... JVC is proud to announce the GR-DVL9000 - an ultra-compact digital video camera with a 4-inch LCD monitor. This exciting new addition to the popular CyberCam line-up offers unprecedented resolution - 500 lines (horizontal) by 480 lines (vertical) - thanks to its progressive scan CCD, progressive color filter, and high-band processor. The resulting quality of both full-motion video and still images sets a new standard for the industry, fully complementing the unit's enhanced multimedia connectivity.
High-quality recording
What makes high-quality recording possible is the advanced imaging technology of the GR-DVL9000 that allows users to benefit from the full potential of the DV format. Working in combination with the high-performance 1/3" progressive scan CCD is a progressive color filter that ensures higher vertical resolution (480 lines). Furthermore, a high-band processor raises horizontal resolution to 500 lines. Along with the introduction of progressive scan technology, JVC has equipped this CyberCam with a large-aperture F1.2 lens which, working in tandem with the progressive color filter, enables shooting in low-light conditions.
Progressive scanning is especially suited to the creation of video snapshots. Up to 600 high-quality Pro Snapshot digital stills can be recorded on a single cassette - each with 6 seconds of audio. But progressive scanning is also a good choice when shooting, say, a fast-action scene as the tape can later be paused during playback to freeze the action without the loss of clarity that normally results from pausing a videotape. In this mode, the GR-DVL9000 can effectively record over 100,000 high-quality still pictures, at a rate of 30 frames a second, on a single MiniDV cassette.
As well as the smooth 10x optical zoom, there is a 40x digital zoom and a 200x Super Digital Zoom, both of which employ spline interpolation for improved picture quality.
Ensuring that sound quality matches picture quality is PCM digital stereo audio, with a choice of either 2-channel (16-bit linear, 48kHz sampling) or 4-channel (12-bit non-linear, 32kHz sampling) recording. This increases post-production recording possibilities.
Other technical highlights
As an alternative to using the color viewfinder, the 4-inch color LCD monitor provides a clear picture, enhanced by JVC's anti-reflection and anti-glare coating.
JVC's emphasis on user-friendly design is clear from the outset: opening the monitor or pulling out the color viewfinder causes the lens cover to retract automatically, simultaneously powering up the CyberCam so that it is ready for shooting. Conversely, one can power down the camera by closing the monitor or returning the viewfinder to its initial position. This means that there is no need to worry about leaving the camera switched on by mistake. Battery power is conserved, and the lens is also protected when not in use.
In addition to the internal battery, there is an optional external battery pack that clips underneath the CyberCam and brings total recording time up to 3 hours. An optional high-capacity battery pack is also available to permit up to 6 hours of continuous recording.
During recording the GR-DVL9000 can create 4-frame and 9-frame snapshots (interlace mode only), pin-up snapshots and even negative snapshots. It is also possible to select from a wide range of digital effects: there are as many as 8 special effects (such as black & white, sepia, and strobe), and 17 scene transitions (fades, wipes and a dissolve). Many of these are even available during playback and editing, so they do not affect the original recording. Also, a 10x pinpoint digital zoom allows the user to zoom in on any part of the picture during playback, using the remote control to scroll the zoom area up or down, left or right.
Multimedia connectivity
As well as connecting to a TV for playback, the GR-DVL9000 can output digital image data with no loss in image quality. The JLIP terminal enables simple digital connection to the serial port of either desktop or laptop computers (running MicrosoftÌ WindowsÌ ) without the need for a separate docking station or capture board. In addition, a DV (IEEE 1394 based) output terminal allows direct digital-to-digital transfer to other equipment with DV input terminals such as JVC's GV-DT1 multimedia printer.
Supplied with this digital video camera are all the software (for WindowsÌ 95 and 3.1) and cables needed for capturing and processing video stills as well as preprogrammed editing of video footage.
JLIP Video Producer puts the user in the director's chair, allowing computer-based linear (video-to-video) editing and programmed playback - complete with digital effects - of up to 99 segments in any sequence.
JLIP Video Capture 2.0 "grabs" selected still images (in DVF format) from a recorded tape for conversion to BMP or JPEG files on the computer. Among the many advanced features of this software are unattended program capture, time-code management, 16-frame multiscreen generation, and motion-blur reduction.
The bundled PhotoSuiteÓ SE software from MGI allows processing of captured images - to sharpen or soften, add special effects, apply frames and templates, and even to create a slide show. It will work equally well with other graphics files.
Representing the 4th generation in the CyberCam series, the GR-DVL9000 employs a wide range of original technology to provide the ultimate in performance and usability. It reflects a considerable investment in expertise, built up over many years by JVC in the field of video camera design and manufacture. Without doubt, this digital video camera is a powerful product for the age of multimedia.
Progressive scan CCD
Virtually all camcorders, analog or digital, employ the conventional interlace scan system in which only half a frame (a field) is recorded at a time. Combining two fields results in smooth full-motion images, but pausing will always produce some blurring. To create razor-sharp still images progressive scan technology is needed. This simply means that an entire frame image is recorded in one scan.JVC has equipped this GR-DVL9000 with a high-performance 380,000-pixel 1/3" progressive scan CCD image sensor that provides quality equivalent to that of a conventional 760,000-pixel interlace scan CCD because it processes each line individually. It can operate in either interlace or progressive mode. So whenever the user wants to record stop-motion sequences or video snapshots in progressive mode, or make conventional recordings, the GR-DVL9000 will ensure images of startling quality.
Progressive color filter
Going hand in hand with the progressive scan CCD is JVC's own progressive color filter, which assures superior sensitivity to light. Because it produces a luminance signal from each row of pixels, this technology offers higher vertical resolution (480 lines) and sensitivity than the RGB filter system found on other DV cameras.
Conventional systems remove the high-band component of the luminance signal to avoid interference with the chrominance signal. JVC's special processor effectively preserves the high-band component, expanding horizontal resolution to 500 lines.
Spline interpolation
Digital zoom is a powerful tool, but it can lead to "jaggies" - zigzag contours that reduce picture quality. JVC has adopted spline interpolation to mathematically smooth such contours, making them look more natural. And since frame signals, not field signals, are processed, vertical resolution is increased, also improving quality.
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GR-DVL9000
Major features
| Specifications: | GR-DVL9000 |
| Format | DV (SD specification) |
| Image sensor | 380,000-pixel 1/3" progressive scan CCD |
| Lens | F1.2 (f=5~50mm)58mm filter (optional lens adapter) |
| Zoom ratios | Optical: 10xDigital: 40x; 200x |
| Viewfinder | 0.55" electronic, color |
| Monitor | 4" color LCD |
| Terminals | DV, S, AV, edit, JLIP (also used for digital still data) |
| Batteries | BN-V 814U, BN-V812 |
| Power supply | DC 6.3V (AC adapter)DC 7.2V (batteries) |
| Power consumption | 6.3W (w/viewfinder); 8.2W (w/LCD monitor) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 3-3/8" x 3-3/8" x 5-11/16" (86 x 86 x 145 mm) |
| Weight |
1.5 lb (670 g) without battery & tape 1.7 lb (780 g) including battery & tape |
Design & specifications are subject to change without notice.
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