(JVC) is pleased to announce the launch in early March of the "GR-HD1" high-definition digital video camera, the first consumer digital video camera in the world to record and play back digital high-definition images, and to be announced in the United States later this year. By utilizing a newly developed 1/3 inch-type 1.18 million pixel progressive scan CCD and JVC proprietary processing, the new camera records and plays back 750/30p (1280x720/30p viewable) digital high-definition and 525p progressive wide images to mini DV tape. Adding to the traditional way of enjoying high-definition content by "viewing" and "recording", the "GR-HD1" offers a new way to enjoy high-definition images through "creating."

The Picture Shows "GR-HD1", High-Definition Digital Video Camera

The "GR-HD1" records digital high-definition images (750/30p) to mini DV tapes using MPEG 2 compression, recording and playing back digital high-definition images while maintaining conventional 525i DV standard recording times.

2. Newly developed zoom lens with optical image stabilizer and 1.18 million pixel progressive scan CCD

The "GR-HD1" comes with an optical 10X zoom lens and built-in optical image stabilizer. It also uses a newly developed 1/3 inch-type 1.18 million pixel (1.14 million effective pixels) progressive scan CCD. Because of its JVC original signal processing circuitry and driving system, it can record multi-format high-quality, high-resolution images.

3.  3 recording modes ("HD mode", "SD mode", and "DV mode") according to camera person's requirements

"HD Mode" records 750/30p digital high-definition images, "SD Mode" 525p progressive wide images, "DV Mode" at conventional 525i DV standard. Users can freely select among the 3 modes according to their requirements.

4. "Down converter" and "Up converter" functions adapt unit to any monitor

Up converter functions convert 750/30p digital high-definition images and 525p progressive wide images to the 1125i high-definition standard; Down converter functions convert images to the conventional 525i broadcast standard, enabling images to be enjoyed on any monitor.

5. "Rotating grip" for stable filming at all times

The camera's grip section rotates by up to 90 degrees so camera operators can film at low angles without removing their hand from the grip. The grip adjusts its position to suit the operator during filming, enabling more stable filming at all times.

Digital high-definition broadcasting and high-definition displays such as PDPs, as well as terrestrial digital broadcasting scheduled to launch in Japan in December 2003 are expected to expand the high-definition market even farther.

World>

JVC's four goals in developing of this product:

1. To create the first high-quality High-definition digital video camera for home users
2. To maintain compatibility with conventional DV standards
3. To provide for a stable filming position no matter the situation
4. To provide an easy-to-use High-definition editing environment

The "GR-HD1" High-definition digital video camera employs a high-performance zoom lens with a newly developed optical image stabilizer and a 1/3 inch-type 1.18 million pixel progressive scan CCD, achieving levels of quality and sharpness never before seen in consumer digital video cameras. The accessory kit "VU-HD1K" sold separately also comes bundled with "MPEG Edit Studio® Pro 1.0 LE" software to enable editing of high-definition images on ordinary personal computers.

JVC presents the "GR-HD1" as a new video tool allowing users to enjoy creating their own high-definition images", expanding the boundaries of conventional digital video cameras.

# # #

<Contents of accessory kit "VU-HD1K">
AC adapter/ charger, battery pack, remote control unit,
4 a C size batteries for remote controllers x 2, SD Memory Card, CD-ROM, UBS cable, AV/ S/ editing code, extension code for editing, D terminal code, audio extension code, shoulder strap, exclusive handle, lens cap

<Content of CD-ROM comes bundled with the accessory kit "VU-HD1K">
  • MPEG Edit Studio® Pro 1.0 LE
  • HD Capture Utility
  • Audio converter
  • ImageMixer DVD
  • USB Video Streaming Drive
  *For compatible OS, refer the "working environment for application software" section for attachment

Attachment

MPEG Edit Studio^® Pro 1.0 LE, the first digital high-definition-compatible consumer MPEG2 software to offer frame-level editing, comes bundled with the accessory kit sold separately.

The basic software consists of MPEG Edit Studio^®Pro 1.0 LE for easy, high-speed, frame-level editing of MPEG2 files and an "HD Capture Utility" for capturing digital high-definition images and overwriting them back to tapes. GR-HD1 users do not just take videos, they create them!

[Main features of Application and Driver Software]

1. MPEG Edit Studio^® Pro 1.0 LE (developed by KDDI R&D Laboratories)

MPEG Edit Studio^® Pro 1.0 LE is a professional, non-linear MPEG2 editing package that has been customized for the GR-HD1. It is able to edit MPEG2-TS (transport stream) files captured from the GR-HD1, and also enables easy, high-speed, frame-level editing of all MPEG2 files from SD to HD format. The software has additional functions to convert files to MPEG2 - PS (program stream) format, which can be used by ImageMixer DVD for easy production of original DVDs.

2. HD Capture Utility

Uses an IEEE1394 (i.LINK) connection from the GR-HD1 to capture MPEG2-TS images and overwrite them back to tapes. It also has functions to automatically store data in separate files should it detect different data types or unrecorded sections during capture.

3. Audio Converter

Converts audio files so that background music and sound effects can be added to videos. It provides conversion to and from conventional audio file formats and the MPEG1 Audio Layer 2 files used by "MPEG Edit Studio^® Pro 1.0 LE."

4. ImageMixer DVD

5. USB Video Streaming Driver

A USB driver required for Internet video communication.

[Working environment for application software]