New XDCAM EX camera - JVC not Sony
 

New XDCAM EX camera - JVC not Sony.
I thought this deserved to be in the Sony XDCAM EX forum since it's a feature set some will want to consider and it CERTAINLY is XDCAM EX codec using camera. List Price is $7,995 so it's in the ballpark of the original EX1 release.

JVC HM700 description
JVC Professional Technical Description page

Pics
JVC Professional Attributes page

I'd thought I'd list some of the obvious differences to the EX cameras

Some differences:
Only 1/3" chips CCD
Real Shoulder Mount unlike Sony EX3
With optional SxS Media Recorder it'll record to SxS and SDHC simultaneously for archive.
Has Pre-Record Cache up to 3 seconds (2.9 in NTSC frame rates).
4 Mode Spot Exposure Meter in which user can select which part of scene to monitor in manual mode.
Supposedly FAST Focus Assist.
Optional Remote offering full paint features.
Over/Under Crank but it's not clear if that requires SxS or whether it can be done to SDHC.
Records to MOV for straight import into FCP without re-wrap. I think this may be the first camera to record to MOV natively for FCP compatibility.

Thanks, Craig. Looks like a nice camera - major step-up from my old HD100! Still, I'd have expected them to release it with 1/2" sensors.

Between the long lens, the body, battery, and SxS adapter, it's longer than I am tall!

Yes, it is nice, but I don't see this as being in direct competition with the EX cameras.

Dont know if I'm reading the info right, but will it only record the xdcam ex format with an optional adapter??

Stuart

awesome. thanks for sharing! this looks like the next best camera in the $7000 range. curious to see how Sony and Panasonic combat it during the rough economy.

definately will compete.
also it's ccd not cmos! no more jello or problems with flashes and strobes! I am excited because of the PL mount and the ability to flip the image. So no need for flip 35mm adapters.

CMOS vs CCD.
People now have a choice. Why not 1/2" CCD? For the same reason Sony couldn't do it in a small camera. HEAT. So you've got 1/2" CMOS in Sony for DOF control or 1/3" CCD in JVC if you don't like CMOS rolling shutter. Note that CMOS doesn't "smear/streak" when hitting hot spots so I don't necessarily consider CCD better. Different technology, different advantages/disadvantages. If you want 1/2" chips in a small camera it's CMOS.

It's nice to see a real shoulder mount. I suspect we'll see that in EX5.

I like the ability to record to SxS and SDHC (with optional recording driving up the price of course). It really does indicate SDHC as the "new tape" (archival).

I'm REALLY ANNOYED that Sony doesn't have Pre-Record cache. OBVIOUSLY it's possible with codec and cards!.

I'd love to find out if it can overcrank to SDHC. That would be another hit on Sony.

It certainly DOES compete. It gives people a choice between 1/2" CMOS or 1/3" CCD. It gives people a real shoulder mount form factor. Don't forget Sony is in "partner" with JVC so I think we may see some of these features in a future EX. I'd hope Pre-Record is added in firmware though.

wow, this looks really nice! love the shoulder mount as well.

Really thoughtful layout of functionality around the camera. Lots of key stuff that is buried in Sony EX1/3 menus that is on the side of the camera and in a sensible place.

EDIT:

Looks like the viewfinder is removable.

I like :
"Unlike some oversized hand held models, the GY-HM700 becomes part of the shooter "
:)

Personally, I much prefer the CMOS - never real had any problems with the "jellovision" problems others complain about. Not to say that I don't see it when looking at footage frame-by-frame, just that it isn't an issue. Also, I've been able to successfully mitigate strobe flash issues to the point where it's not an issue. I always hated the vertical smear of light inherent on the CCD cameras. It always seemed so unnatural and unprofessional, yet I was stuck with it until CMOS. I don't think I could switch back happily!

Also, I'd expect the overcranking to be successful. As we've learned, the EX cams have been the limitation on this working with SDHC cards. The cards are much more than fast enough, yet it seems the USB bus in the EX cams is crippled. I suspect that built in a more robust USB bus since SDHC is THE recording format and is to provide full functionality. The SxS option is just for going straight to MOV.

I'd like to see pre-roll added via firmware as well!

I expect that Sony and JVC have an agreement to not produce similar/competing cameras.
1/3" CCD compared to 1/2" cmos on the EX1.
However the preroll cache of 3 sec is very nice.
Hopefully one can get that on the EX series with a future upgrade.
Edit to add:
By attaching the optional SxS media recorder, the GY-HM700 will record in the .MP4 format used by Sony's XDCAM EX™ onto high speed SxS memory cards.

it's a shame really, even if it produces nice images it will always have the stigma of being a 1/3 inch camera.. Looks like it will be an awesome camera either way!

I note that in the technical specs they talk about a new design of optical block with pixel offset but when they mention the CCD's there is no mention of any new design or higher resolution. This hints at using existing 720 CCD's from their other cameras but with pixel shift to get better resolution. With small 1/3" CCD's it would be very difficult to get full 1920x1080, low noise and good sensitivity all at the same time, so this might be the best approach but it often leads to excessive aliasing and other issues. So we will have to wait and see how the pictures look.

I do like the form factor. Full shoulder but still a lot less bulk than a traditional full shoulder camera. I have a JVC HD101 and it does sit on my shoulder very well. I just wish the pictures were less "electronic".

Alister's comments had me searching the specs and I found this.
So I'm a bit confused. I take it that this new offering will shoot full 1920 x 1080 at 35Mbps, an improvement over the 25Mbps HDV I have been shooting with a Canon XL-H1a. That's basically the same compression rate of the older XDCAM. Alister hinted that the 1/3" sensors might struggle to produce good detail without problems.

Any others have an opinion as to what the image quality should be on this rig?

I'm definitely watching this camera, very interested.
~Records to SD or optional SxS recorder.
~Great glass available.
~HUGE LCD
~High res VF
~HD/SD SDI Output