JVC Professional Video
With JVC's GY-HC500 Series, church tech teams gain the ability to record ProRes 4K 4:2:2 at 10-bit. Cameras like the GY-HC550, shown here, enable that in a camcorder design that accommodates operators of all abilities and experience levels.
In the professional video world and especially in the world of church tech right now, it's critical to know that somebody's looking out for the end user. It’s even more reassuring when you know they’re thinking ahead a step or two. JVCKenwood USA works hard to be that somebody within the sphere of professional video for churches.
Church Production connected with National Marketing Manager Craig Yanagi with JVC's Professional Video Division to get a feel for the company's newest initiatives and its commitment to church end users and systems designers. Yanagi reported on the importance of church streaming outreach, especially in our current reality, and shared the company’s focus for the future.
Church Production: Tell us about JVC's process of creating camera technology that makes life simpler for church end users. This has never been more critical than now.
Yanagi: The path that JVC Professional has chosen is based on having numerous streaming distribution solutions to match the sophistication desired by the operator. In addition, the solutions, like our Connected Cam concept as an example, are flexible and scalable, so the system can be expanded in accordance to the needs of church customers.
Craig Yanagi, National Marketing Manager, JVC Professional Video Division, Wayne, NJ
For instance, all JVC Professional streaming camcorders can be controlled via IP through our RM-LP100 Camera Controller, IP streaming switchers, or individually by using any smart device or computer. If you add on additional camcorders in the future, our system devices will support them.
“… all JVC Professional streaming camcorders can be controlled via IP through our RM-LP100 Camera Controller, IP streaming switchers, or individually by using any smart device or computer.” Craig Yanagi, National Marketing Manager, JVC Professional Video Division, Wayne, NJ
In the event the industry changes from the current H.264 platform to HEVC/H.265, you can continue to use our current IP bridge products without the need for modification. This is extremely important and powerful for current and future financial operation and infrastructure planning.
Church Production: Social media and JVC product development and offerings are tightly intertwined. And right now in history, streaming has moved from a secondary function of many church production teams to the primary production element of importance. What are you seeing?
Yanagi: Audiences are diversifying as video content viewing devices expand. We identified the need to enable our creators to access the world’s largest social network with our camcorders, even before the dire circumstances with the virus began, which led to our product development of the GY-HM250 camcorder. Our GY-HM250 camcorder can essentially “log-in” to Facebook Live – making it the first professional camcorder with this capability. This is another way that JVC Professional’s innovations and forward thinking have removed barriers and are empowering our customers to reach their distribution goals.
For more sophisticated programming, we have our IP Studio Switchers with multiple camera and source inputs, motion transition graphics, and the ability to easily connect and distribute content to numerous Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) simultaneously. This covers the widest distribution of programming to as many social media sites as possible.
Church Production: Tell us about the recent firmware update to your KY-PZ100 PTZ camera. In regard to streaming, how will it make the church end user's job easier?
Yanagi: JVC has added two new features in the latest firmware update. The first being the additional ability to stream the RTMPS protocol, the standard for Facebook Live. The second feature enables users to preset the camera shot at startup. This is particularly useful when a particular shot is preferred when the camera’s streaming starts or is restarted.
Church Production: Is the firmware update free, and is it currently available? Also, at what URL can users obtain the update?
Yanagi: The answer to both questions is: “yes.” We have made the firmware update hot link available on the KY-PZ100BU or KY-PZ100WU product web page at pro.jvc.com. Additional technical documentation is also accessible on the same web page to help with the operation and system integration of our cameras.
Church Production: Let’s drill down into developments and offerings around the Connected Cam concept you first introduced at the NAB tradeshow in last year. What’s important for church tech teams to know about your work in that area.
Yanagi: We have been continuously growing the breadth of products to expand the Connected Cam line and system solutions. The GY-HC500 Handheld 4K camcorder we rolled out at NAB in 2019 comes in three distinct configurations: the standard version with the capability of recording 4K in the industry-standard ProRes format onto SSD media, a sports production and coaching version, and a third design with a built-in WiFi adapter that enables direct streaming and two-way communication for ENG and EFP applications.
We also introduced a new Connected Cam Studio IP switcher with six inputs that can directly stream to multiple CDNs simultaneously. The Connected Cam Studio incorporates touchscreen operation – making it an extremely intuitive solution for younger operators – and “Zero Config” technology that instantaneously identifies and links JVC Professional PTZ and streaming camcorders to the device for ease of set up.
“JVC’s ongoing collaboration with the Facebook Live technology team enables continued creation of solutions to provide our church customers with seamless access solutions to the world’s largest social media platform.” Craig Yanagi, National Marketing Manager, JVC Professional Video Division, Wayne, NJ
In addition, we have provided powerful firmware feature enhancements at no additional cost, such as the one mentioned above. For the Connected Cam line, this includes an added ability for the GY-HM250 to stream directly to Facebook Live through a WiFi hotspot or Ethernet connection that expands a viewing audience from local to worldwide. In addition, the zRAMP Streaming Management Servers enable two to four simultaneous CDN connections. With these latest updates, we can now address an extremely wide range of sophisticated productions without multiple devices, saving time and money in numerous ways.
The GY-HM250 and select models also can apply lower-thirds as well as full-screen graphics that can be used to identify the location, speaker, or event. In addition, the graphics can provide signage for messages, lyrics, and advertising to help in monetizing churches’ activities. This JVC exclusive feature is contained within the camcorder and can be controlled with any smart device or computer without the need for additional components or software.
These standard features are another way in which JVC provides value and sophistication without the need to purchase additional devices or software.
Church Production: Give our readers a bigger picture view of church streaming and JVC advancements there, since streaming is a front-and-center production focus at this time.
Yanagi: Through the close work with our major broadcast customers at large, we have found that enabling wireless video transmission is paramount with the rapid development of streaming programming to personal devices. House-of-worship applications for this technology were definitely a consideration at the onset, being mindful of utilizing the existing IP infrastructure to its maximum potential while keeping product costs and complexity to a minimum.
Equally as important: keeping top of mind our customers’ needs. This latest firmware update [to the KY-PZ100 PTZ camera that we talked about above] is a direct result of listening to and answering the call from our customers.
JVC’s ongoing collaboration with the Facebook Live technology team enables continued creation of solutions to provide our church customers with seamless access solutions to the world’s largest social media platform.
Keeping to our commitment of enabling our products to function to their fullest potential for our customers is paramount. This is evident in the fact that our latest firmware update was developed and released in five short months.
Church Production: What will 2020 look like for church content creators, in general? What technological features and uses will be the most sought-after in the effort to crank out superb content week in, week out?
Yanagi: I believe the key for technology is to simplify the process of creating content at the highest quality possible. The marketplace has been asking for the ability to record ProRes 4K 4:2:2 at 10-bit for a number of years, and now our GY-HC500 Series enables that in a camcorder design that [accommodates] various operator abilities. Producers can take this camcorder into their hands or attach it to select robotic systems with which JVC Professional has collaborated, to provide sophisticated, controlled productions.
“Our church tech users are advised to make sure they visit our pro.jvc.com website often to ensure their firmware is up-to-date. Firmware updates posted on our product pages are always provided at no charge to our customers.” Craig Yanagi, National Marketing Manager, JVC Professional Video Division, Wayne, NJ
In addition, the need to deliver content beyond traditional distribution methods is constantly growing. JVC’s streaming solutions provide the gateway to access those distribution networks for today and tomorrow, from single-operator camera programming to events requiring multiple camera switching. Additionally, all content can be recorded for editing, including images captured by our KY-PZ100 PTZ camera onto its onboard microSD slot. All video files can be set to record in the .MOV format, fully supported by all major non-linear editing (NLE) systems for efficient, hassle-free editing.
Church Production: Now more than ever, church end users will need support at a moment's notice. How is JVC Professional prepared for this inevitability?
Yanagi: We have a toll-free number for our customers to contact with issues regarding their operation: (800) JVC-JVC5 (582-5825). Inquires can also be made via email at proinfo@jvc.com. A full listing of professional equipment services can also be found on our Professional Support website: http://pro.jvc.com/prof/support/index.jsp.
Church Production: In closing, are there any other new products or services that you want churches (or those who help design their systems) to know about at this time?
Yanagi: JVC continues to develop enhancements for our existing products, including those mentioned in this article.
Our church tech users are advised to make sure they visit our pro.jvc.com website often to ensure their firmware is up-to-date. Firmware updates posted on our product pages are always provided at no charge to our customers.
