JVC Announces NDI-Compatible HC500 Broadcast Cameras

Camera News

by Jürgen MoorsFebruary 15^th, 2023

JVC announced a new NDI-compatible version of their existing HC500 broadcast camera series. The new NDI (Network Device Interface) cameras will be presented at this year’s NAB from 15th – 19th April 2023 in Las Vegas.

In case you are not familiar with JVC’s HC500 broadcast camera series, essentially it consists of classic small camcorders, each with a one-inch 4K CMOS sensor, and integrated 20x zoom lens with built-in ND filters with manual zoom, focus, and iris control rings and XLR audio connectors. There are 3 different models available, the GY-HC500UN with all the basic functions, the GY-HC550 with built-in wireless LAN and external antennas, and the GY-HC500SPCN designed for live sports events, with live score overlays and customization for live streaming.

JVC GY-HC500UN – main features:

• 10-bit ProRes 422/422HQ/422LT, at 4K UHD resolution and 59.94p/50p/29.97p/25p/23.98p
• recording to M.2 SSD
• 4K UHD 29.97p/25p/23.98p 4:2:2 10-bit or 4:2:0 8-bit (150Mbps) and various HD recording to SDHC/SDXC card
• HDR recording, HLG or J-Log1 (10-bit)
• Backup recording to SSD
• Clip Continuous Record mode
• 1-inch (effective) CMOS sensor with high-picture quality
• F11 Sensitivity
• Newly-developed 3-ring 4K lens with 20x zoom (f=28mm-560mm 35mm equivalent)
• 40x lossless dynamic zoom
• 4-inch high-resolution LCD monitor
• LCOS Quad VGA viewfinder
• XLR audio connectors
• High performance 1080 60p/50p live streaming (4K Rec + HD streaming + 4K HDMI output)
• Secure Reliable Transport (SRT) QoS for reliable, quality streaming
• Facebook Live streaming with secure RTMPS protocol
• Low latency and high-quality streaming up to 20Mbps with SMPTE 2022 Forward Error Correction
• LAN terminal (Streaming/IFB/Remote) in addition to USB host
• HEVC/H.265 encoding for streaming with 50% reduction in bit rate—or—contribution quality 4:2:2 10-bit streaming at up to 24Mbps (via optional KA-EN200G)
• Return over IP (Return video and IFB)
• Auto FTP to upload native video clips automatically

JVC GY-HC550 – additional features:

• Built-in wireless LAN (2.4GHz/5GHz) MIMO with external antennas
• High performance 1080 60p/50p live streaming with Zixi™ error correction
  (4K Rec + HD streaming + 4K HDMI output)

JVC GY-HC500SPCN – additional features:

• Live score overlays and customization for live streaming and recorded video
• GY-HC500SPCN offers lower-third score overlays for recorded or streamed HD video output without an external CG or production switcher.
• The camcorder comes with graphics pre-installed for various sports, including football, basketball, baseball, football (soccer), ice hockey and others.
• The overlays are controlled using a browser-equipped device such as a tablet or smartphone.
• JVC’s software utility lets customers upload team logos.
• If desired, the overlay can only be placed over the streamed video, leaving the recorded video without graphics.
• JVC has released PC application software that enables the user to store up to 30 team names and logo bitmaps within the camera.

New cameras with NDI available

NDI can already be found in several of JVC’s newest PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras. NDI is a technology that allows hardware- and software-based video devices to communicate and collaborate over any standard Ethernet-based network. Among the benefits of NDI, is the reduction of hardware required to operate and the ability to send multiple video streams over a single connection. It also allows for multiple video sources to be managed in real-time, with the easy-to-use NDI Discovery function of the network.

Existing JVC HC500 cameras upgradeable

The new NDI-compatible versions ensure that broadcast studios, clubs, churches and any other facilities can incorporate the cameras within their already existing IP infrastructure, as a source for live video with tally and IP remote control capability. Current JVC HC500 camera series users can also have their cameras upgraded by JVC to implement the new NDI capabilities.

Price and availability

The NDI-enabled JVC GY-HC500 cameras will begin shipping on the 24th of March 2023, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $3,895 for the GY-HC500UN, $5,900 USD for the GY-HC550, and $5,020 for the GY-HC500SPCN.

Current GY-HC500 camera series users will also be able to have the NDI capability added to their cameras by JVC at a cost of $450.

If you are new to NDI, please check out this link for further information about NDI.

If you want to know more about the existing JVC HC500 camera series please check out this link for further information.

So what do you think about the new NDI function of the JVC HC500 camera series? Is it an interesting additional feature that you would like to use? Drop us a comment in the section below!