JVC just unveiled it’s latest Blu-ray player, the JVC XV-BP11. Now you can have Blu-ray playback at an affordable sub $200 price. Read on for more details.

JVC today announced the availability of a new entry-level Blu-ray player. The new JVC XV-BP11 is a truly versatile high definition player, offering playback of high definition Blu-ray discs, plus playback of the AVCHD format, the high definition format widely used for HD camcorders, including the JVC HD Everio line.  New XV-BP11 player offers AVCHD file playback.

The new JVC XV-BP11 Blu-ray player is available immediately for $199.95.

Reprinted from a JVC press release.

JVC is the latest company to offer pocket camcorders. They’re calling theirs “Picsio”. The GC-FM1 is the first model, offered in Black Ice, Blue Steel and Purple Passion.

The camcorders utilize CMOS image sensors. They record in 1440×1080, progressive, and take 8-megapixel stills. Electronic image stabilization is provided, and the camcorder includes a 4x digital zoom. The video is stored on SD/SDHC cards, encoded as H.264 and saved with a QuickTime wrapper. There’s an HDMI output, and a USB port for transferring video and charging the camcorder.

So, are pocket camcorders the netbooks of the camcorder world? Just something that’ll get the job done but will be a passing fad for the current economy? Or are they here to stay? And if so, what’s their role? First camcorder to give a kiddo? The camcorders they’ll eventually be passing out to students on the first day of school? Gateway drug of choice for someone who thinks they want a camcorder? You be the judge, our lines are open.

Reprinted from a JVC press release:

New HD Everio GZ-HM400 offers Full HD, 9 MP stills and slow motion

JVC today announced a new video camera that offers the performance, features and handling demanded by video enthusiasts. The new JVC HD Everio GZ-HM400, available immediately, emphasizes image quality and usability in a design that videographers will find allows comfortable extended use. Read the rest of this entry »

After a well received pre-release in January, JVC has officially announced the details of their professional GY-HM100, and GY-HM700 camcorders. The big news on both of these models is that they record to low cost SDHC cards (avoiding the expensive proprietary memory card formats of their competitors), and that they’re capable of recording directly into Apple’s Quicktime format for instant editing with Final Cut Pro. The MPEG-2 long GOP compression runs at 35 Mb/s, compared to HDV’s 25Mb/s, it also records audio into a LPCM 16bt, 48K signal.

The GY-HM100 is a handheld model, sporting 3 1/4″ CCDs. As you would expect with JVC’s pro line, there are XLR audio connectors and manual controls galore. This model is designed for professionals who need a low-profile camcorder to get into tight spots or to take into sensitive areas where a large shoulder mount camcorder would not be welcome. It sports a 10x Fujinon lens, and can record in almost every flavor of HD out there. (1080i, 1080p: 24, 25, 30, 720p: 24, 25, 30, 50, 60. It will be available in April for about $3,9995.

The GY-HM700 is a shoulder mount model, similar in size and form to JVC’s well respected HD100/HD200 series. This camcorder has interchangeable lenses, and comes with a stock Canon 14:1 lens. The HM700 records the same base frame rates as the GY-HM100, and is equipped with 3 1/3″ CCDs, HDSDI output, and offers variable frame rate recording. It will be available in March for $7,995.

At CES 2009, JVC announced it’s line up of Everio consumer camcorders. Included in this release are some interesting features, such as dual SD memory card slots, allowing you to put two SDHC cards into your camcorder at the same time. In addition there’s a one touch setting to export your video clips to you iPod, and uploading to YouTube, as well as a very usefull calendar view feature, that allows you to see an overview of all your video clips on the days that they were taken. Also included is AVCHD recording at the maximum data rate of 24Mbps, allows you to get the best image quality from the AVCHD codec.

Press Release Below: Read the rest of this entry »

News from IBC today, JVC Professional has announced it will support Sony’s XDCAM EX format that uses MPEG-2 video and SxS flash memory cards for storing video. JVC’s first XDCAM EX product will be the KA-MR100G docking media recorder, that will attach to current JVC Pro Camcorders, allowing the tape based cameras to record directly to SxS media.

Can a native XDCAM EX camcorder made by JVC be far behind?

 From a JVC Press Release:

JVC Announces Alliance with Sony to Support XDCAM EX
Professional Video File Format which Records on SxS Memory Cards
KA-MR100G Media Recorder to be First JVC Native XDCAM EX File Based Device

IBC, Amsterdam (September 12, 2008) - Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. (JVC) announced today its alliance with Sony Corporation to support the XDCAM EX MPEG-2 professional video file format^*1 and SxS (S-By-S) solid state flash memory cards^*2. JVC is committed to develop products based on the XDCAM EX file format utilizing SxS memory cards to bring this high quality, high bit rate recording option to JVC professional video product customers^*3. The compact SxS memory card provides high speed data transfer capability designed especially for professional video camera applications.

“JVC is committed to collaborating with world-class partners to provide the best solutions and the widest range of options for our professional video customers,” stated Hiroyuki Takekura, Managing Director, Professional Systems Business, Victor Company of Japan. “Our goal is to offer a variety of recording options including major video file formats and field-proven media. We are extremely pleased with our alliance with Sony Corporation to support the XDCAM EX file format and the SxS memory card and thereby expand our professional application capabilities.”

Read the rest of this entry »