Pro HD LoLux : gain up to 30 - 36 and 42 db !
 

I think this firmware update is for hd 200 serie.

http://www.studiodaily.com/main/news/8205.html

Does anyone tried to shoot by night with those new gain levels ?

We've had discussions about this firmware upgrade in this forum before. So far, nothing has appeared on the JVC website, and calls to tech support at JVC hasn't shed much light, so to speak, on the subject. Most of them are as in the dark as we are.

I can't find anything except that one article. Is there any new info on this?

I never use more than 9db gain anyway. Is LoLux even worth using for professional videography?

I've recently done a series of shoots at *ahem* adult entertainment clubs for a client. Obviously there's a serious lack of lighting in such establishments. I used the HD200 (17X lens) in DV mode, with gains varying from 3 to 15. Gains in 3 to 9 had acceptable levels of grainyness (is this a word?) for the shoot. Even 15 made a nice effect in one bar.
What I find desirable from the LoLux is the increased light sensitivity with lower levels of noise. I could have really used that in this shoot and with upcoming projects. Anything that makes an image better in lower light levels is a great improvement, in my opinion. However, I still haven't heard anymore on this from the JVC website or any other source.

Perhaps with a tripod, by night and without moving... to shoot sleepy towns. Or perhaps especialy with moving things for strange effects... if the quality is there.

As I said earlier in the other post. I talked to the technician at JVC who's involved in new firware updates. He said it was a test some time ago, but not good enough to release at that moment.

It was implemented for ENG shooters like Scripps TV that bought 150 HD250s. It's not for EFG shooters.

Steve, can the rest of us get this upgrade?

I didn't mean NOT for us -- I mean't not of much value for us.

I assume it will be available for everyone.

So why don't they hurry up and give it to us already? Why is JVC refusing to acknowledge this upgrade?

any word on a version for HD110U?

"Called LoLux, the software gives the user 30, 36 and 42 db of gain, specs offered on more expensive cameras, in addition to the gain settings that ship with the camera’s standard software. LoLux is comprised of half electrical gain and half light accumulation through the shutter."


"JVC has developed new firmware for its ProHD cameras."

It actually doesn't say the current models are "upgradeable" -- only that "new firmware" has been developed.

Perhaps no assumptions should be made until we read something from JVC. It will only be for 200-series or perhaps 250 -- not 110.

Why? Is the image processing between the 100 & 200 that different?

As I remember, 14-bit DSP vs 12-bit DSP?

There seem to be a lot of guys interested in this LoLUX, which I bet is aimed at News applications. Or for the people that shoot "Cops" type programming.

I agree with Mr. Mullen. Dollars for donuts this is for 200/250 series and I bet it will cost extra.

If it's a firmware upgrade, why will it cost anything? The last upgrade was a simple download free from their website. I don't see why this should be any different. I, for one, would like the enhanced images in low light situations.

Marc, you mentioned you know a firmware tech at JVC who says the upgrade isn't ready yet. We're going on the info from that Studiodaily.com article that says it is. We're not doubting you, we're just wondering what the real story is behind this. I wrote to the article's author again, asking him what his source of information was. After many internet searches, his article is the only place I can find that mentions this upgrade. He has yet to reply.
Can this news be bogus?

I've realized that the phrase "light accumulating" doesn't mean a slower shutter. It is a phrase that describes many methods of reading-out sensors. Here is a brief description of a Sharp patent that works with IT (Interline Transfer) CCDs.

"The present invention provides a method of driving an interline transfer type CCD imager. According to the present invention, the maximum transferable amount of signal charges in the field accumulation mode can be increased."

Here's what's interesting -- can such techniques be applied only by a change to firmware? These big ENG deals can involve the promise of an upgrade in near future to the camcorder -- an HD250A. I doubt Scripps took delivery of 150 units the next day. JVC might only be talking about something it will show at NAB 2008.

In a similar fashion -- Sony's XDCAM EX may be being developed for an HD ENG network. (CNN launches their HD news channel this fall.) Details are really not known until the org signs-off on what they want.

I've read that CNN is purchasing a bunch of Sony XDCAM HDs for their transition to HD. I believe CBS and ABC will as well. There was no mention of the new EX model, but with its 1/2 chips, I can see where it can be a cheaper alternative to the networks' affiliates.

According to the article that started this thread, the LoLux upgrade is indeed a firmware-only update. There was no mention of any other modifications needed to the HD200 line.

Nobody has explained why LOLUX won't be released for the HD100/110 models. Doesn't the DV5000 have LOLUX? Isn't the encoder on the HD100 better than the DV5000?

Probably because hd 200 and 250 are new models, and they want people to buy these new cameras... and don't want to improve older ones.

But we will see, when (if) this update will be released.

Well, that shouldn't make any difference. The HD100/110 is the model most people have. It's part of the same series.

Either way, it sounds like a fun feature to play around with, but I doubt I would ever find it useful in my production business, unless it helped with the lower gain settings.

Actually it's not. The 200-series has a new enclosure, new DSP, new firmware that makes use of the new DSP, and a new encoder. And, possibly new CCDs.

The 110 is part of the 100-series.