Despite price sensitive Indian market growth in sales of HD cameras is remarkable

The HD cameras have taken a centre-stage in the Indian broadcasting industry with plethora of channels gaining popularity, adaptation from analog to digital television broadcasting; new ways to distribute content, such as Internet protocol television (IPTV) and mobile TV; and number of HD channels available on DTH platforms ensures that this segment will continue to grow at a faster pace. The major players in the HD camera segment are AGIV representing Canon and Ikegami in India; Sony; VTIPL representing Panasonic and Hitachi in India; Thomson Grass Valley; and Mhatre Electronics representing JVC in India.

AGIV

GF cam- Tape-less camera HDS-V10 from Ikegami with flash memory technology, open solution, and workflow innovation

GF cam-HDS-V10 with flash memory provides stable high speed recording with superior reliability and high performance in harsh environments. Memory management and error correction technology developed for Toshiba's flash memory video server "On-Air Max" ensures no data loss in case of power off and provides quick start recording. There are a number of NLE systems made by a variety of manufacturers. To achieve wide spread compatibility with these NLE systems, the GF series adopts MPEG-2 compression and MXF file format.

With the GF series, you can change from an existing VTR system to an innovative tape-less system step-by-step. The migration to tape-less provides remarkable work efficiency and time savings.

With advanced memory technology developed by Toshiba featuring ECC (Error Correcting Code) and wear-leveling, the GFT series provides excellent reliability and prevents data loss due to power anomalies.

With special consideration for rain and dust resistance, the GF-cam can operate in harsh environmental conditions with outstanding resistance to shock, vibration, rain, and sand, compared to conventional tape based products. The GF-cam is designed with a low center-of-gravity and well placed shoulder pad, providing stable ENG shooting.

The SP-002 shoulder pad is designed to slide back and forth with 20mm adjustment range. It provides a well balanced feeling with relatively soft material, and it can be easily adjusted with the thumb lock above the shoulder pad. Buffer memory built into the camera can record for 30 seconds without a GF-pak. The camera employs the same 2/3" image sensors as Ikegami's top-end HDTV cameras with high sensitivity for ENG applications. Three different capacities, 16GB/32GB/64GB, are available. The GF-pak displays remaining capacity without power, and includes a high-speed S-ATA interface for use within the camera, and industry-standard USB2.0 interface for external connection to a PC for editing, and copying.

All clips recorded to a GF-pak can be played on the 3.5" LCD monitor by simply selecting clips using thumbnail images and instantly play back according to a play list.

XL1HA and XL1HS camcorders from Canon

The XLH1S and XL H1A have a wider range of image control settings and options, combined with the new genuine Canon 20x HD video zoom lens III with professional L series fluorite. To back up that superb lens are three 1/3" native 16:9 CCDs with 1.67M pixels and Canon's exclusive DIGIC DV II HD image processor. The XL H1A is the natural choice for anyone seeking to produce the best in high definition video. The features include:

• Professional quality 1080i HD output (50i, 25F). High resolution 1/3" 1.67 mega-pixel 3CCD system
• HD 20x L IS III zoom lens with separate focus, zoom and iris rings
• DIGIC DV II image processor for fast, accurate HD data handling
• Uncompressed HD/SD SDI 4:2:2 color output with embedded audio and time code
• Gen lock in, time code in/out (XL H1S only).
• Full cine control with 23 custom presets:
• HD 6x L wide angle zoom lens
• EF lens adaptor for use of Canon EF lenses
• PAL/NTSC switch able supporting 50i/60i/24F/25F/30F

Thomson Grass Valley

LDK 8300 super Slo-Mo high-definition cameras and systems

The LDK 8300 3X super slo-mo; high-speed camera is the latest member of the successful LDK 8000 family. The LDK 8300 not only operates in 3X speed but is switch able among 1X, 2X, and 3X speeds. This makes the LDK 8300 perfect for all slo-mo in sports production while offering unmatched operational flexibility and maximum utilization.

Based on its unique HD-DPM+ sensors, the LDK 8300 can be natively switched between the 1080i and 720p formats. The LDK 8300 makes use of the same camera control system and is compatible with all LDK 8000 system parts. The key features include multi-format support for 1080i or 720p;1X, 2X, 3X speed switch-able, unique any-light anti-flicker feature, high-quality HD acquisition, S/N ratio for HD broadcast standards; supports third-party digital disk device for recording and storing HD images; enhanced cooling system; and robust digital fiber transmission and communication.

LDK 4000 Elite - single format camera for affordable HD production

The LDK 4000 Elite is designed for small- to medium-sized broadcasters, digital production studios, and media-creation companies that have chosen a single format for their HD productions. An affordable complement to the LDK 8000 multi-format camera, the LDK 4000 Elite supports 1080i or 720p production. It features low power consumption and Emmy Award-winning HD-DPM+ technology that produces images unrivaled by any camera in the industry. The key features include single-format HD camera supports either of two formats (1080i and 720p); dynamic air control for optimized system cooling; unrivaled video sampling; three 9.2-million pixel HD-DPM+ CCDs; 14-bit A/D sampling; 34-bit digital signal processing resolution; dual skin contour circuitry makes talent look its best; dynamic anti-aliasing-on-sensor processing reduces artifacts; optical-effect filters; unique viewfinder focus-assist tools; crawler for creating an active edge around all objects in focus; instant push-button electronic zoom for enlarging a subject to focus on fine details; flexible HD transmission system; supports standard triax up to 3,900 feet (1,200 meters); supports hybrid fiber SMPTE 311 up to 13,000 feet (4,000 meters); super-Xpander large-lens adapter enables configuration with full-size studio or OB lenses as well as accessories, outputs SD images to HD output; variable master gain and master color temp; online leaking-pixel correction; continuous auto-black balance and all digital auto-white balance; dockable system for optional adapters such as the HD wireless camera system.