JVC GY-HM890U ProHD Camcorder

Product Description

The JVC GY-HM890U ProHD Compact Shoulder Mount Camera with Fujinon 20x Lens is a 1/3" video camera that is as comfortable in the field as it is in the studio. This versatile camera uses three 1/3" CMOS sensors with 12-bit processing to deliver Full HD 1920x1080 video at up to 60p. The removable 1/3" format Fujinon 20x zoom lens provides an impressive 35mm equivalent zoom range of 29 to 580mm. The GY-HM890U offers a full complement of broadcast features, including HD-SDI input with 4:2:2 sampling, a 3G-SDI output, HDMI output, timecode, genlock, and variable frame rates.

The camera provides dual SDHC/SDXC memory card slots which allow for a wide range of recording options. In addition to recording high quality footage, you can also simultaneously record in two different formats, for lower resolution proxy or web-ready files, or use the two media card slots for relay recording. With built-in network protocols, all you need to do is attach available USB network adapters to begin streaming live from your shooting location, while simultaneously recording to SDHC/SDXC memory cards. Optional studio components add another layer of professional functionality, making the GY-HM890U suitable for both field and studio work. A compact shotgun microphone comes included.

Modular Design

The GY-HM890U is equipped with a multi-pin interface that allows you to attach optional modules without any external cables. The KA-M790G multi-core studio interface module provides a 26-pin interface compatible with JVC and Sony CCU Cables for connecting to a camera control unit. Power, camera control, intercom, tally, and a fully digital HD signal path are available through the RM-HP790 camera control unit. KA-F790 Series Remote Fiber Adapter modules are also available.

Full HD 1/3-inch CMOS Sensors

The three 1/3-inch 2.07 effective-megapixel CMOS sensors are capable of capturing Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution video at up to 60p. Featuring 12-bit processing and a high f/11 sensitivity (60 Hz mode), the camcorder renders color with minimal aberration. For improved CMOS sensor performance, flash-band compensation is also supported.

Fujinon 20x Optical Zoom Lens with OIS

The GY-HM890U is equipped with a wide-angle Fujinon lens with an impressive 20x zoom range covering a 35mm equivalent focal range of 29 to 580mm. The lens mounts onto the 1/3" bayonet lens mount, and features built-in optical image stabilization and chromatic aberration correction. To aid in low light recording, the lens offers a fast f/1.6-3.0 aperture. It also features a servo zoom and manual focus and iris rings.

FALCONBRID Image Processing Engine

The on-board FALCONBRID engine processes large amounts of video data at high speeds. Working in conjunction with 2D DNR processing and dynamic range compensation circuitry, the GY-HM890U is built to deliver high-quality images.

MPEG-2/AVCHD Recording and Dual Codec

The camcorder supports both the popular MPEG-2 Long GOP format (at 35, 25, and 19 Mbps) used by television broadcasts, and the efficient AVCHD progressive format, compatible with a wide range of playback devices and NLE systems. This gives you the flexibility to meet a variety of workflow demands. The Dual Codec feature allows the camcorder to simultaneously record HD and SD video or HD and Web video, producing full HD files on one memory card while creating smaller, web-based files and lower resolution proxies on the other.

H.264 50 Mbps Recording

The GY-HM890U can record using the H.264 Extreme High Quality (XHQ) 50 Mbps codec for twice the compression efficiency as MPEG2. The codec offers excellent motion prediction, useful for smoother capture of fast moving subjects, with reduced block noise. The 50 Mbps bit rate is also high enough to support Full HD 1920x1080 resolutions up to 60p.

Multiple File Formats for Native Workflows

Choose the file type that works best for your workflow. The camera records to standard formats that are native to many NLE systems, including your choice of QuickTime MOV, XDCAM EX compatible MP4, AVCHD Progressive, and H.264 Extreme High Quality at up to 50 Mbps.

Dual SDHC/SDXC Memory Card Slots

Dual SDHC/SDXC memory card slots enable simultaneous recording and relay recording. In relay recording mode, you can shoot continuously over multiple cards. When one card is full, the camcorder switches seamlessly and automatically to the other card. And because cards are hot swappable, there is effectively no limit to the continuous recording time. You can even start transferring or editing footage off one card while shooting to the other.

Compact Shoulder Mount Form Factor

The shoulder-mounted form factor of the camera makes it well suited to ENG style shooting, in a size that is still compact and light. This allows you to shoot longer with less fatigue than when using larger, heavier shoulder-mounted cameras. Zoom and REC buttons are also available on the handle for low-angle shooting.

0.45" LCOS Viewfinder

The GY-HM890U is equipped with a high-resolution (852 x 480 x 3) LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) 0.45" viewfinder, for crisp images with higher vertical resolution and color reproduction than traditional LCD viewfinders. The viewfinder's native aspect ratio is 16:9, with safe area indications available for popular aspect ratios including 2.35:1. In the record mode, audio level indications, battery level (when using digital batteries) and estimated time remaining for each memory card are displayed in the viewfinder.

4.3" LCD Monitor

Complementing the viewfinder is a large 4.3" 800 x 480 resolution LCD flip out monitor that can be used in recording, playback, clip management, and menu operation. The monitor provides a wide array of monitoring and setup indications. It is designed to reduce surface reflections and glare to maintain a clear, visible, bright view during outdoor recording. Menu items are easily selected using user-friendly setting cross keys. Thanks to the oversized monitor, you can see changes to the images as you change settings.

Pre Rec and Interval Rec Modes

In Pre Rec mode, the GY-HM890U continually records up to 10 seconds in cache memory. When the trigger is pressed, the live signal is appended to the cache recording, giving the shooter a head start in getting the shot. This feature is invaluable in capturing breaking events when the shot would be lost before a traditional camera could begin recording. Interval Rec allows you to record single frames at set intervals to capture time-lapse recordings.

Variable Frame Rate Recording

When recording H.264 1080p 50/35 Mbps or MPEG-2 720p 35 Mbps, the camera can be set to record at a frame rate different than the playback rate, making it possible to record slow or fast motion when the recording is played back at 24, 25, or 30 fps. Under-cranking in the MPEG-2 1080p 35 Mbps mode is also available.

Simultaneous 3G/HD/SD-SDI, HDMI Output

For live broadcast applications, or for monitoring, the GY-HM890U provides an uncompressed, 4:2:2 Full HD or downconverted SD signal via its 3G/HD/SD-SDI connector. An HDMI connector outputs the same signal as the BNC connector, which is useful for monitoring while shooting live events. The HDMI output can be switched to RGB mode when monitoring via a computer. The signal can come from either the camera or from memory playback. The 3G-SDI output includes embedded uncompressed audio. It is also possible to output menu and clip viewer via the SDI output.

HD/SD-SDI Input (Digital Pool Feed)

Digital audio and video signals from another camera or other SDI source can be recorded or streamed by the GY-HM890U thanks to its HD/SD-SDI pool feed input. This is useful at press conferences or other venues when shooting with a limited number of cameras. When recording from the SDI input, analog audio inputs are disabled.

Genlock Input and Time Code In/Out

For multi-camera productions, a genlock input and TC input/output are available. Time codes can be preset from within the GY-HM890U's menu, or can be input from an external time code generator - useful in isocam recording applications. The camera can also be used as a master TC generator, providing a time code output for other cameras or audio recorders to sync to. When using a KA-F790 Fiber Transceiver, external time code may be provided from a master generator at the base station and becomes available through the camera's time code output as well as for iso recording onto SDHC cards.

Wired Remote Control Operation

In addition to JVC's wired remote system, the GY-HM890U also supports LANC remote controllers for flexible camera operation in a variety of setups.

4-Channel Audio System

The camera is equipped with two XLR audio inputs that are switchable between microphone (with phantom power support) and line input, a stereo 3.5mm AUX input. The audio from each of the inputs can be assigned to an independent channel, enabling commentary or narration to be added in the field.

ProHD Supporting Software

The ProHD Clip manager makes it easy to manage MP4 clips on the SDHC/SDXC memory cards from your computer. You can copy, move, delete, preview clips, and edit clip metadata. The clip manager is compatible with both Mac and Windows. The ProHD Log and Transfer Plug-in works with Apple's Final Cut Pro to enable MP4 files recorded on the GY-HM890U to be dropped into the clip bin and automatically converted to QuickTime format.

Direct File Transfer from Shooting Location

With a built-in network connection engine, all you have to do is connect either a Wi-Fi, 4G-LTE/3G modem, or USB-RJ45 adapter to the USB hot interface to begin transferring files directly from your shooting location.

Camera Control and Metadata Editing via Network

View your footage live on an iOS/Android smartphone or tablet when the camera is connected to Wi-Fi (using an optional adapter). You also have control over camera functions such as record, pause, and zoom, as well as editing metadata. A GPS unit is built-in to the camera, enabling location information to be recorded as metadata along with the video data.

Advanced Streaming and Cloud Services 
Besides recording high-quality video to SDHC/SDXC memory cards, the GY-HM890U can also transfer live streaming video/audio when optional adapters are attached. When added to the compact size of the camcorder, the wireless capability enables faster delivery of live video for ENG applications. In addition to UDP/TCP support, the GY-HM890U also supports RTSP/RTP and Zixi protocols. With a built-in Zixi engine, connecting to a 4G-LTE/3G or Wi-Fi network is as easy and plugging in a USB network adapter, sold separately. The camera can also be used in conjunction with Zixi's cloud delivery service which enables reliable video delivery over the internet simply by entering a single IP address.

Product Specifications