Connectivity, the axis of JVC's new IP production solutions

At the forefront of the range of connected equipment that JVC presents at NAB 2018 is the new GY-HC900 Connected Cam, a new 2/3″ wireless broadcast camcorder.

Connectivity is at the core of new IP production solutions from JVC. At the forefront of the range of connected equipment that JVC presents at NAB 2018 is the new GY-HC900 Connected Cam, a new 2/3″ broadcast camcorder.

Designed as a comprehensive live news production solution for ENG journalists and reporters, it offers streaming performance of up to 20 Mbps with a powerful error correction section with the Zixi system and SMPTE 2022 protocol to ensure highly reliable transmission.

When paired with any other ProHD Bridge product, the Connected Cam allows 3 processes to work simultaneously: recording, low latency streaming and simultaneous decoding for video return with embedded audio (IFB). The latency level can be as low as 500 ms for both input and output video.

As a result of all this, a reporter on the ground in one part of the city can carry out a conversation in real time with a presenter located in the studio in another place. With the FS-900 adapter module attached to the camera, it handles multiple bidirectional 3G-SDI signals between the camera and a base station over fiber.

JVC has been working in the IP video production systems market since 2012, when it introduced the GY-HM650 mobile news production camcorder. It was the first camera on the market with built-in Wi-Fi and FTP connection capabilities. But at that time, the GY-HM650 handheld camera could not be considered a real alternative to microwave or satellite links; Now times have changed.

Today, with more powerful and higher-capacity cellular and bonded networks, TV stations such as KOAA in Colorado Springs-Pueblo, Colorado, USA, are using JVC cameras and ProHD Portable Bridge cellular uplinks to produce live ENG content in the field. For its part, the Mexican Televisa is already using 12 more Pro HD Wireless Bridge units to cover live EFP news in 21 different areas throughout Mexico.

ProHD Command Center

But beyond cameras with IP connectivity, JVC has the necessary equipment and components to provide an end-to-end IP solution. For example, the ProHD Command Center, introduced last fall, makes it easy to monitor and track JVC IP assets in the field, including cameras and ProHD Bridge units.

It features a full-screen, real-time Full HD map of all GPS-enabled assets in the field, enabling monitoring of specific camera parameters, offers an optional press room interface, and includes one-touch routing to central control, websites, and social media platforms.

From the optics to the Playout, all JVC connectivity goes through the ProHD Broadcaster, designed in collaboration with Zixi. Through its web interface, it receives the different streams from multiple JVC streaming cameras and routes them over decoders or content distribution networks (CDN) such as Facebook. The ProHD Broadcaster can also produce real-time transcoding, record content for video on demand and also provides multiple output streams.

BR-DE900 decoder

Another new component of JVC's IP workflow is represented by the BR-DE900 decoder. It supports H.265 and H.264 compression and has been designed with both portable and fixed-place use in mind. When combined with JVC's IP-capable cameras, the BR-DE900 becomes a powerful, ultra-efficient, bandwidth-saving and error-free streaming solution for any type of network, including the Internet. The decoding works 100% on hardware, providing optimal quality of service and low latency for ENG news production and general IP video applications.

ProHD Studio 4000

Comprehensive production solutions with IP connectivity also extend to the new ProHD Studio 4000, a portable and compact 4-channel system for production and live streaming that works with cameras connected by HD-SDI, HDMI and IP. The system features integrated camera control, ISO multi-camera recording, PTZ control for KY-PZ100 robotic PTZ cameras, plus simultaneous streaming and recording delivery.

Other notable features of the ProHD Studio 4000 include an audio mixer, character generator, 4 Key layers, dual monitor support, and direct-connect streaming for Facebook Live. And for sports production, the ProHD Studio 4000S includes SCOREPLUS software for live event coverage that generates dedicated graphics with real-time updating and slow-motion replays.

Scalability of IP solutions

The same technology on which large TV networks rely can also be rescaled and adapted to obtain equally excellent quality results for training centers, universities, centers of worship or public institutions. JVC offers a wide catalog of cameras with IP connectivity of various types and styles (handheld, shoulder-held or robotic PTZ) with a range of prices that adapt to any budget.

The ProHD Studio 4000 creates a compact control room for webcasts at houses of worship, student programs or coverage of official meetings.

An important part of the IP capability of JVC solutions is the JVC RM-LP100 remote control. Its joystick and zoom provide a feeling of total control and smooth and precise control over the movement of the KY-PZ100 robotic cameras. It also works as a virtual CCU for any other JVC cameras with IP connectivity. A 7-inch touch screen makes it easy to control camera parameters and preset settings, among other functions.

The RM-LP100 also represents a key component of JVC's SLIM studio camera system, an affordable approach to multi-camera studio production that relies on the use of camera control as a CCU for JVC cameras with IP connectivity.