JVC has announced the GY-HD250U, an affordable studio-level camera. Of course, it can’t be classified as a studio camera unless it features HD technology, and luckily it does. The unique thing is that the camera offers functionality in both High Definition and Standard Definition, so users who are used to SD won’t have a hard time adapting to the new technology. It’s an overall top notch camera, and as such boasts a pretty heavy price tag. That’s a bummer, but you really can’t blame JVC with all that they’re offering here.


The GY-HD250U records in 720p, with a beautiful resolution of 1280 x 720. Everything is done at 60 frames per second, so you’re getting very smooth high quality shots. The camera is based on an HDV recording system, and as such uses miniDV cassettes. In case this doesn’t suit your more professional needs, there’s an optional DR-HD100U attachment. Here, you’ll be able to transfer all of your data on to hard disk, and use “Direct-to-Edit” technology to immediately make changes to your work. The GY-HD250U is even further customizable with an optional pan and tilt head, along with an LCD studio viewfinder (16:9). Finally, the 1/3-inch bayonet is super sweet, as it allows you to change lenses and other accessories from third parties. Don’t get too excited, as the price is set at $9,000. Expect it this October.

JVC is really offering a great package here. Aside from the technical mumbo-jumbo, the most important thing is that this is a camera that allows 720p recording on miniDVs. The miniDV format is very cheap, and as such you’ll be able to fool around a lot with the high quality recording. I also love the customability offered in this model. I want interchangeable lenses, and I want to be able to choose how I record video. This is all offered in the GY-HD250U. The only real problem is that this beast costs 9 g’s. While it may be out of our reach, I’m sure that some independent filmmakers could really start to dig something like this. The rest of us can drool in respect.

New professional HD camera by JVC, GY-HD250U[Akihabara News]