JVC Ships HD Everio GZ-HM400 Camcorder For $999.95

We know the raft of summer vacations is sadly over, but there's always a need to capture those Thanksgiving get-togethers and holiday pow-wows, right? JVC has today announced a new Full HD camcorder designed to hit the sweet spot between high-end cams and consumer-level SD cams.

The HD Everio GZ-HM400, which records to an SD/SDHC card and includes 32GB of internal memory, features a 10.3MP CMOS sensor which can take 9MP still images and record video up to 600fps (for slow-motion playback). The core image sensing device for this camera is a 1/2.33-inch 10.3-megapixel CMOS sensor with Bayer Array RGB Color Filter, and the 24 Mbps recording capability of this engine (UXP mode) — the highest bit rate possible for AVCHD video — delivers detailed images with fluid motion.


Optically, the GZ-HM400 features a KONICA MINOLTA HD LENS that provides a high-resolution image source, and there's also a JVC-developed optical image stabilizer to keep things steady. There's also Face Detection, One Touch Upload to YouTube and One Touch Export to iTunes features, not to mention compatibility with the SHARE STATION DVD Burner. The JVC HD Everio GZ-HM400 is available immediately for $999.95; the full specifications and press release is listed below.

JVC Launches New HD Everio Memory CameraFor Video Enthusiasts
New HD Everio GZ-HM400 offers Full HD, 9 MP stills and slow motion.
WAYNE, NJ, September 14, 2009 – JVC today announced a new videocamera that offers the performance, features and handling demanded byvideo enthusiasts. The new JVC HD Everio GZ-HM400, availableimmediately, emphasizes image quality and usability in a design thatvideographers will find allows comfortable extended use.

The HD Everio GZ-HM400, which records to an SD/SDHC card andincludes 32GB of internal memory, features a 10.3-megapixel CMOS sensorthat delivers nine-megapixel still images and 1080 TV lines ofhorizontal resolution for Full HD video. High-speed recording of up to600fps is also possible for slow-motion playback of sports and otherfast action. The camera’s features are easily accessible through anintuitive user interface that features analog-like dial adjustment anddirect-access buttons.

The core image sensing device for this camera is a 1/2.33-inch10.3-megapixel CMOS sensor with Bayer Array RGB Color Filter. Thistranslates into obvious advantages in digital still photography, asnine-megapixel stills are possible without any need for interpolation.

For video, the high-speed image processing of 5.3 million effectivepixels applied by the HD Gigabrid Premium II Engine’s super high-bandprocessor results in 1080 TV lines of horizontal resolution — thetheoretical maximum level of 1920 x 1080 Full HD. What’s more, the 24Mbps recording capability of this engine (UXP mode) — the highest bitrate possible for AVCHD video — delivers detailed images with fluidmotion.

Optically, the GZ-HM400 features a KONICA MINOLTA HD LENS thatprovides a high-resolution image source. But perhaps more noteworthy isthe JVC-developed optical image stabilizer that uses two active prismsto correct camera shake at the lens entrance before the image entersthe lens. The two prisms, compensating in the horizontal and verticaldirections, provide the same effectiveness throughout the entire zoomrange, from wide to telephoto.

On the top of the camera are three buttons, “A”, “S” and “U”, forselecting shooting modes. “A” selects the Aperture Priority Setting,“S” is for selecting the shutter speed, and “U” is User-Assignable,which lets users assign their own frequently used settings to thisbutton. Positioned next to the lens barrel are controls for manualbrightness and focus adjustment; just tilt a lever switch to selecteither brightness or focus, then turn the manual adjustment dial in thedirection desired. This “analog” type control provides more intuitiveoperation and allows fine-tuning of both settings. What’s more, whenused in conjunction with the SET button, this same dial allows easysetting of various other functions with menu-free simplicity.

Zoom is controlled by a seesaw-style zoom lever, which providessmooth zooming. The body is sculpted to offer a sure-grip contour, andsize-balanced to afford extended operation with reduced fatigue.

Three different high-speed recording modes are available forslow-motion video playback: 600fps, 300fps and 120fps. For instance, at600fps, motion occurring over a mere 2.4 seconds is slowed down to 24seconds (10 times as long), enabling the user to capture crucialmoments that are not visible to the naked eye. This function can beused as an effective tool for sport technique analysis, nature studies,and much more.



For still image shooting, up to 60fps 5.3-megapixel stills canbe shot in a continuous burst of up to 11 images. Or, if preferred,continuous shooting of up to six nine-megapixel stills at up to 15fpsis also possible. It is also possible to shoot 5.3-megapixel stillssimultaneously while recording 1920 x 1080 Full HD video.



JVC’s K2 Technology, a proven technology in the audio field thatrestores fine sound details that are lost during compression, has beenincorporated for the first time in a camera.

Other noteworthy features of the GZ-HM400 include Face Detectiontechnology that identifies up to 16 faces to accurately adjust thefocus and exposure, as well as One Touch Upload to YouTube™ and the OneTouch Export function to easily export videos and stills to an iTunes®Library.

In addition to the SHARE STATION DVD Burner that allows easy AVCHDDVD burning without using a PC, this year JVC offers a new option forplayback and enjoyment of GZ-HM400’s recordings. The new CU-VS100 HDMedia Player plays back AVCHD video saved on an SD card, with doubleslots for uninterrupted playback from two cards. HDMI connection to anHDTV assures maximum quality enjoyment without complicated wiring.

PC users will appreciate the GZ-HM400’s Everio MediaBrowser, asingle application for everything from simple editing to file playbackand management.

The JVC HD Everio GZ-HM400 is available immediately at a nationally advertised value of $999.95.

About JVC U.S.A.
JVC U.S.A., headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey, is a division ofJVC Americas Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Victor Company ofJapan Ltd. JVC distributes a complete line of video and audio equipmentfor the consumer and professional markets. For further productinformation, visit JVC’s Web site at http://www.jvc.com or call 1-800-526-5308.

Specifications– JVC Everio GZ-HM400

 

Format	Video	Video: [AVCHD] MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Audio: Dolby Digital (2ch)
	Stills	JPEG
Storage Media		32GB Internal Memory SD/SDHC Memory Card (not supplied)
Image Sensor		1/2.33” CMOS, 10.3 Megapixel
Lens		KONICA MINOLTA HD LENS
Zoom Ratio		10x Optical / 15x Dynamic / 200x Digital (max.)
Video Recording Modes		UXP: 1920x1080i, Avg. 24Mbps (VBR) XP: 1920x1080i, Avg. 17Mbps (VBR) SP: 1920x1080i, Avg. 12Mbps (VBR) EP: 1920x1080i, Avg. 5Mbps (VBR)
Still Image Sizes	4:3	3456x2592 / 3072x2304 / 2592x1944 / 1600x1200 / 640x480
	16:9	3456x1944 / 3072x1728 / 2592x1456 / 1920x1080 / 1280x720
LCD Monitor		2.8” 207K-pixel Color LCD
Interfaces		HDMITM Out (mini), AV Out, Component Video Out, USB 2.0/1.1, Headphone Out, Microphone In, SD/SDHC Card Slot, DC In
Power Consumption		4.0W
Dimensions (W x H x D)	Without battery	2-11/16” x 2-7/8” x 5-3/8” (67mm x 72mm x 135mm)
	With battery	2-11/16” x 2-7/8” x 5-9/16” (67mm x 72mm x 141mm)
Weight	Without battery	0.89lbs (400g)
	With battery	1.1lbs (485g)

 

Available video recording times

Rec Modes	Internal Memory	SDHC Card
	32GB	32GB	16GB	8GB
UXP	2hr 56min	2hr 40min	1hr 20min	40min
XP	4hr 9min	4hr	2hr	1hr
SP	5hr 53min	5hr 52min	2hr 56min	1hr 28min
EP	14hr 44min	14hr 40min	7hr 20min	3hr 40min

 

Number of storable still images

Image Sizes		Internal Memory	SDHC Card
		32GB	32GB	16GB	8GB	4GB
4:3	3456x2592 (Fine)	7730	7810	3860	1930	960
16:9	3456x1944 (Fine)	9999	9999	5180	2570	1270

 

Software System Requirements (Windows^®)

OS:   Microsoft^® Windows^® XP Home Edition (SP2/SP3)/XP Professional (SP2/SP3) (pre-installed). It must be equippedwith a standard USB2.0 interface.

   Microsoft^® Windows Vista^® Home Basic or SP1/Home Premium orSP1 (32-bit edition, pre-installed)

CPU:   Intel^® Core™ Duo, at least 1.66GHz

           Intel^® Core™ 2 Duo, at least 2.13GHzrecommended

RAM:   Windows^® XP: At least 1GB

Windows Vista^®: At least 2GB