A round-up of the some of the camera, mic and recorder news unveiled at IBC by Sony, Panasonic, Thomson, EVS, JVC, Steadicam, Sachtler, Codex, HHB, Vision Research and Snell and Wilcox.

  • Panasonic used IBC to launch the AG-HMC151E, a tapeless professional handheld camera that uses the new AVCHD recording format. Based on the design of the DVX100 the new camera features a newly developed Leica Dicomar zoom lens, providing the widest angle of any 1/3-inch camcorder. It weights 1.7 kg and to SD/SDHC memory cards. AVCHD records 1080i and 720p signals and was established jointly by Panasonic and Sony.

  • Sony has announced the launch of a new mid-range compact 'hybrid-ready' HDV camcorder as a replacement for its Z1E. The HVR-Z5E builds on the Z1E by incorporating elements of the HVR-Z7E, which launched last year and featured 3x one-third inch ClearVid CMOS sensors and a hybrid workflow which offers HDV or DVCAM or DV recording onto either tape, Compact Flash or hard disk drive. The camcorder features an optional attachment for Sony's HVR-MRC1K memory recorder unit which, while previously available just for the Z7E, has been reworked to fit all the firm's HDV camera range.

  • JVC plans to launch a memory card recorder, the KA-MR100G, as the company's first product featuring native Sony XDCAM EX file recording and an SxS memory card slot. The KA-MR100G will attach to current JVC ProHD GY-HD200/250 series professional high definition camcorders via a specially designed adapter. It will be available in March 2009 in Europe with a suggested retail price under 2,500 euros (£2000).

  • Thomson Grass Valley has teamed-up with CineForm to develop a JPEG2000 workflow for the Thomson Infinity camcorder. The I-J2K Suite plugs into Apple's Final Cut Pro and Adobe's CS3 software to allow the software to work in real-time with the 10-bit, 4:2:2 JPEG 2000 files captured by the Infinity.

  • EVS has announced that its XT[2] server is now able to ingest two Thomson Grass Valley LDK 8000 SportElite HD 2xSLSM cameras simultaneously. The cameras are two-speed Super Motion HD camera with 1080i and 720p recording capabilities. The XT[2] production server regularly acts as the main platform for ingest, review, and replay of video on the production and broadcast of sporting events.

  • Codex Digital is providing support for recording Arri's new Arriraw T-Link, the raw data recording system offered on the Arriflex D-21 digital film camera. This allows users to take Codex Digital's data-recording, capture the highest-possible resolution and dynamic range of the D-21 and deliver material directly into the post-production chain.

  • HHB has shipped its 10,000th FlashMic, with one tenth going to the BBC. First launched at IBC three years ago, the innovative digital recording microphone records to a built in Flash drive in the shaft of the microphone handle. The BBC, which now has over 1000 units, purchased 500 in the first half of 2008 alone.

  • Steadicam has introduced FLYER-LE for small and mid-sized cameras. Based on the Steadicam Flyer technology, the LE features a newly designed sled assembly (camera mounting platform) that has a robust carbon fiber no-tools extendable post.

  • Sachtler is celebrating 50 years of company history with the introduction of two products: Combi Ped 1-40; and the artemis ACT 2 vest and the carbon upgrade for the ACT 2 spring arm. The Combi Ped 1-40 is a 20kg, portable, easy-to-steer camera pedestal that can carry a 35kg payload when used with a Sachtler Video 25 Plus FB fluid head. The new ACT 2 spring arm is claimed to be the first to be made from carbon fibre, which makes it 1.2kg lighter and stiffer. It also has upgraded internal electronics to handle higher wattage cameras, such as the RED One.

  • Vision Research used IBC to show-off the first CMOS-based high-speed camera capable of taking 1,000,000 pictures-per-second. Version 12.1 of the Phantom is capable of 6242 fps at full 1280x800 widescreen resolution, 1,000,000 pictures-per-second at reduced resolution and has sub-microsecond exposure, down to 300 nsec.

  • Snell & Wilcox has unveiled a compact version of its Kahuna switcher for Mobile, studio, and news production applications. Billed as an entry-level, cost-effective option, the Kahuna 1 mix/edit HD SD and HD has been designed with live production in mind and offers all the performance the full size Kahuna switcher.

For more try the IBC Daily.

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