The JVC GY-HD100U ProHD camera features interchangeable lenses. You can
decide what glass to use for the look you want. The camera is shipped
with a 16x Fujinon lens. If you need a wider angle, you can use the
optional 13x Fujinon wide angle lens. As an accessory, JVC offers a
1/3-inch to 1/2-inch adaptor so you can use your favorite 1/2-inch
lenses, or you can use the P+S Techniks Mini 35 adaptor and go for
Prime lenses. Pick your look and then pick your lens. By the way, make
sure you set back focus whenever you change lenses. And please remember
to clean the glass— HD sees everything!
STEP 2: Set your frame rate
Decide on the look you want. This camera records 1280 x 720 progressive
in 30, 25 and true 24 frames. The frame rate is easily set via the
menus. Push the menu button on the side of the camera and hold it in
for three seconds. Then use the shutter control wheel to scroll through
the menu selections. Push the shutter button to change the frame rate,
scroll to execute and push again. Note: changing the frame rate will
cause the camera to power down, reboot and power up. This usually takes
about 20 to 30 seconds. As a general rule of thumb, if you are shooting
30 frames progressive, turn motion smoothing on. You’ll find this under
advanced processes on the camera processing menu. If you’re shooting 24
frames progressive and going to a video display, try the Cinelike and
Gamma settings. If you’re going directly to Film Out, use the Film Out
settings.
STEP 3: Set viewfinder controls for 16:9 and 4:3 guides
Since you’ll be shooting 16:9 natively, it’s important to "protect"
your 4:3 image. Go to the LCD menu and set your safety guides to both
16:9 and 4:3. I also always turn the center mark on; it never hurts.
STEP 4: Use high-quality media
The HDV format in the progressive mode is recording 720p information
onto mini DV tape using MPEG-2 compression. The JVC GY-HD100U camera
uses a short GOP of only six frames, so this gives you extra confidence
in recording. Even so, I suggest you use high-quality media. It’s your
image after all.
STEP 5: Use focus assist
The three 1/3-inch CCD chips natively resolve 1280 x 720. The
viewfinder and LCD screen can’t resolve this high a resolution.
Therefore, focus becomes critical. You may think you’re in focus, only
to find out in post that you were soft. This has happened to me, and
it’s why I love the Focus Assist feature. When you turn this on, the
viewfinder goes black and white, and as you rack into focus the object
will be highlighted in green, red or blue (menu selectable). Think of
this as a sort of peaking for focus. Use it on every shot— trust me,
it’s critical. In the past, I’ve been burned by trusting my eye rather
than the camera.
STEP 6: On your shoulder or not?
This camera has a professional design. It features an adjustable
shoulder rest, natural hand
placement on the lens, adjustable
viewfinder and innovative ear pad
for audio monitoring. The end result is that if you’re shooting
handheld in shoulder mount mode, you have four points of contact with
the camera to stabilize the shot. If you’re more comfortable with
traditional cinema support, this camera works equally well on a tripod,
dolly, jib or any number of camera supports.
Support Gear: 13x Fujinon wide angle lens; P+S Techniks Mini 35 adaptor; Prime lenses
YOUR GUIDE
Bernie Mitchell
President
Silver Platter Productions, Inc.
President, DVD Association
Back in the dark ages, when he had hair on his head, Bernie graduated
from UCLA film school. He began working in radio, film and TV, and is
an Emmy-nominated producer/director/writer. His career took a left turn
when, in 1981, he founded Silver Platter Productions, Inc., to create
interactive programming. Silver Platter Productions has a number of
projects in development and various phases of production. (He was the
first person to register an interactive video script with the Writer’s
Guild of America.) Over the years he has produced in almost all forms
of media, for clients world-wide.
As President of the DVD Association
(www.dvda.org), Bernie heads an international
trade association for the DVD industry with regional chapters around
the world and international awards programs.
Bernie Says Keep In Mind...
Setting the camera to capture the look you want is critical. However,
you don’t have to remember your settings, because the camera does. The
next time you power on, the GY-HD100U will automatically return to the
last camera set-up. And if the requirements for your shoot today have
changed, you will need to change those settings.
Silver Platter Productions, Inc. www.silverplatterproductions.com
10243 Thimble Fields Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37922
ph. 865.599.6343
sales@silverplatterproductions.com
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