The GY-LS300, due out next year, marks a significant new development for JVC.
The company first announced the GY-LS300 earlier this year, at NAB. Then, the 4K-capable, Super35mm camcorder was at the concept stage. Now, JVC has developed fully working prototypes. European product manager, Gustav Emrich, showed Audio Video Pro around the prototype model at this year’s IBC.
The JVC GY-LS300 is based around a sensor developed in-house by a JVC group company, AltaSens and which is capable of 4K output. The sensor is Super35mm; in fact, according to Emrich, it is slightly larger than Super35mm, although JVC is not yet disclosing exact sensor sizes. However, the stated resolution is 13.6 megapixels.
Recording from the camera will be at 24, 25 and 30 fps, based on the current prototype image processor. JVC has also confirmed that the new camcorder will feature the dual recording and dual codec technology fitted to its news-focused GY-HM650 and GY-HM850 cameras.
This gives the potential to record HD and SD, for example or HD and proxy files, although at this stage, the camera is not expected to support multiple 4K recording streams or simultaneous 4K and HD recording. JVC says that it will support 4K recording on standard, low-cost SDHC media, as long as they are U3 class.
The external output of the prototype camera is via a professional, locking BNC delivering SDI, although JVC has not yet revealed which form of SDI output the camera will support.
Next: lens mounts and video interview with JVC’s Gustav Emrich
