We've always known that 'Full HD' 1080p video is just another stop on the road to ultra-high-definition TV. At JVC's stand at the CES 2011 trade show, the company demonstrated a 4K prototype camcorder that suggests we'll be reaching UltraHDville sooner than we might think.
The camera, which offers an image resolution of 3,840x2,160 pixels, shoots 8.3-megapixel frames at a rate of 60 frames per second. This is only possible because JVC has developed new processors that are more than twice as fast as previous models. As a bonus, these new chips use less power and are cheaper to make than the processors in current JVC camcorders.
We were blown away by how such a small camcorder could produce such an incredible picture. The camera is the same size as any semi-pro HD model from JVC's current range. Although it's not going on sale yet, it certainly looked like a finished product to us.
What amazed us most, though, was how crystal-clear the picture is. You can see how detailed it is by looking at the second image in our photo gallery above (a photo of an image displayed on a TV). The quality is so high that it looks like we popped to New York to snap some guy crossing the street.
That's not to say the camcorder's perfect, though. We noticed some colour fringing on certain objects, for example. Overall, however, the smoothness of the picture and remarkably crisp images are truly exciting. We really felt like we were looking out of a window when we viewed the images.
JVC first showed a prototype of this camera in 2007, so it's been quite a few years in the making. We can only hope that it goes on sale soon and that we can start throwing away all those rubbish Full HD TVs that are blighting our living rooms.
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Anonymous 10 January, 2011 16:15
Uhhh...Bullsh|t...
1st, if it does really output 4k resolution file, what's a prosumer going to do with them? They are certainly NOT going to edit them. Unless they happen to have a super freak of an editing computer lying around, the most they will do with the video files is down-convert them to either HD or SD and put them on the web or a DVD. So what's the friggin point?
2nd, is the sensor 4k naitively? Again, doubt it. They probably do what they did with the GY-HM700 and use a smaller sensor, then up-convert it to a 4k sized file. So that shallow DOF that you want...ya aint gonna get it unless you use a Letus or something.
I like JVC and all, but this jump to the whole "DSLR/Large sensor" area of filming sounds fishy to me.
Anonymous 13 January, 2011 12:44
Hello anonymous 1st poster. Does your ignorance span so deep that you have to broadcast it? Yes, these quoted specs are 4K output. Note that people were challenged to edit HD when the camera's came out. In fact, when I got the first mini-dv camera - the 3-chip Sony DX-1000, the image was great, but the promise of firewire editing hadn't been realized. I spent over 10k trying to get a working system before Finalcut 1 came out. Clearly this is a move towards the FUTURE (note the camera is still not released), with displays and editing capabilities certainly potential. Or - a tool for pros to use for SPECIFIC needs.
The sensor is probably not "native" 4k. After all, it's been well established that through mathematical interpretation of sensor arrays that near equivalent detail can be realized - this is not "upscaling" that is processed after capture. In any case, that is a sensor resolution factor - not sensor SIZE factor - which (currently) is the rage for shallow DOF that some people want some of the time. Trust me - more DOF is very frequently our friend - I doubt purchasers of this camera will want super freak assistants follow focusing with them everywhere they go. But maybe some will be influenced by the style in "CItizen Kane" ;^p
I'm quite sure it isn't a large sensor solution. Mind you, none of the "DSLR"s currently shoot 4k anyway. Large sensors have their place, and their cost. But, it's totally wrong to assume that the only reason people don't shoot imax for everything is the cost. This camera has NOTHING to do with "the whole "DSLR/Large sensor" area of filming "
It's not on my cards for the moment - but it's an important step in technology. It wouldn't surprise me if home theaters enter this 4k realm soon, and that pros find a use for an ultra compact reasonably priced 4k camera.
Anonymous 13 January, 2011 22:05
LOL! anonymous 1st poster. I have a 3-year-old 8-core Mac Pro that can easily edit 4K *TODAY*! Intel has 10GB/s Lightpeak ready *NOW*.
So what's your hangup? That *YOU* can't edit 4K on your $400 netbook?
anonymous 13 January, 2011 23:58
"Intel has 10GB/s Lightpeak ready *NOW*"
Check your facts. Intel just last week revealed that they're essentially reneging on their promise of LightPeak. In fact, they've taken the LIGHT right out and said, "Nah, let's just go with regular copper wires." Clowns.
Love it when the self-styled camera "experts" come out to snipe at each other. First of all, this "article" is utterly worthless because it doesn't tell us how the camera is storing these images. You can bet it's going to record some interframe-compressed codec at dog-crap bitrates. Does JVC make even an HD camera that records intraframe-compressed footage at a decent bitrate? No, they don't. Their best camera records MPEG-2 at 35 mbps. MPEG-2! Welcome to 1998, JVC! So what are the chances that they've figured out how to record anything near 4K resolution on a consumer crapcam? ZERO. That kind of throughput requires extremely fast and spacious storage and an assload of processing power that creates a lot of heat.
Do some minimal research on codecs and how they record video before attacking other people. But most importantly, do that research before BUYING a product. These vendors are still selling INTERLACED cameras! That's disgraceful. If you take the time to inform yourself and withhold your money from companies troweling out crap, we'll all benefit because products will improve.
Anonymous 14 January, 2011 03:40
1. The camera is not currently being released, so any comments on specs are moot. This includes but is not restricted to sensor size, actual sensor pixel count, compression codecs (Raw or baked), Color Space, and recording media.
2. What this does do is show that there are other companies out there looking at the 4K realm with the capabilities to put out a camera.
3