With consumer high-definition (HD) camcorders available for under $200, it's easy to forget that budget-minded professional HD camcorders have only been on the market for the past few years. JVC's ultra-compact GY-HM100 illustrates just how far we've come in so little time. This handicam-sized camcorder weighs 3.1 pounds, making it ideal for shooting in tight quarters, prolonged handheld shoots, and travel. Its compact body is enhanced by a streamlined, simple design and a user-friendly configuration that is especially handy for less experienced operators.
Recording Options
The HM100 boasts three newly designed ¼-inch progressive CCDs that capture both 1080p and 720p video at 24 and 30 frames per second (fps) and at 60 fps in 720p or 1080i. These HD formats can be recorded at multiple bit rates from 19-35 megabits per second (Mbps). The camera records to class 6 and above SDHC cards and features two card slots. The maximum capacity SDHC card currently available is 32 GB, which can hold upwards of four hours of 24p HD each, or eight hours of continuous recording when used in both card slots.
Video can be recorded in two different file formats including .mov files native to Apple's Final Cut Pro. The .mov files are ready to edit directly from the memory card without an intermediate codec. This maintains image quality and saves time. The .mov and MP4 files are also compatible with other popular editing systems. Audio is recorded as uncompressed 16 bit LPCM data at 48 kHz, in both the Final Cut Pro and .MP4 formats.
Design
In terms of design, the GY-HM100 resembles a down-sized version of other small professional HD camcorders, although it lacks some familiar features like manual white balance. To avoid cluttering its limited landscape with too many buttons and switches, many features are menu-based. Menu navigation controls are either on the 2.8-inch flip-out monitor or on the panel beneath it, and double as a zoom control and record button when in camera mode. This enables the user to operate the camera entirely from the display panel. There are also manual controls for shutter speed, iris, auto exposure level, and headphone volume on the back of the camera. The record button and mode selector are in the usual place, with the headphone jack and a mini-plug mic input in front of the hand strap. Other hardware controls include the neutral density filter, auto focus and white balance switches, two user-defined switches, and a built-in lens cover toggle.
The non-interchangeable 10x Fujinon HD zoom lens features electronic beam coating. This reduces image degradation due to reflections off lens surfaces. Image quality is further enhanced with JVC's patented Focus Assist for hands-free accurate focusing. It also includes built-in image stabilization for almost tripod-steady, hand-held shots. The macro mode and user-adjustable depth of field further enhance imaging options as do the wide array of setup options accessible via the menu. Three of these can be linked to the three custom user switches.
Audio
The HM100 records two channels of uncompressed 16-bit audio at 48kHz from microphones or a line source, and features a pair of standard three-pin XLR inputs. Audio levels can be adjusted automatically or manually using a pair of dials. Color-coded audio levels can also be displayed in the viewfinder to monitor audio while shooting. The HM100 also has a built-in stereo microphone suitable for ambient audio but not recommended for voice recording. For that and other critical recording a short shotgun mic is included with the camera package.
Shooting Situations
At a glance the HM100 looks a lot like other small pro HD camcorders with buttons and switches laid out in a familiar pattern. This makes it easy for an experienced camera operator to start shooting without first studying the manual. I wasn't hampered by the small size or tightly arranged switches and was able to quickly locate all the key controls, though the covered headphone jack in front of the handgrip is an unfamiliar location, based on my experience.
But the proof is always in the pudding, and in terms of overall image quality it is delicious, including color, resolution and contrast, even though some of my test footage was shot in fairly dull lighting. Even more impressive is the footage of a performance art event recorded in a dimly lit warehouse boosted only by a small LED camera light. It performs even better, however, in settings with ample but patchy light, especially when helped by a camera light. Then the color really pops, even when the image is somewhat underexposed.
One thing I really love about the HM100 is the easy field playback of the recorded video. While there are a few steps to starting the playback, they can be done quickly with one finger along the side of the screen. With the toggle alone you can shuttle through all clips in a sequence at up to three times the normal speed, forward and in reverse, and pause anywhere in between. This makes it easy to match shots recorded days or miles apart. It also makes it fast and easy to delete shots to free up space. And unlike tape, there is no wear and tear on the media and no danger of video dropout from repeated review.
Editing
Ingesting the video into a Mac or PC is also fast and facile. Using the provided USB 2 cable, files are moved into the bin or folder of your choice. The time required is determined by the copy speed, which is considerably less than it takes to capture and encode raw footage in real time. However, if you are in a real rush, you can import the files directly into the editing program or use the SDHC card as the source hard drive.
One minor disappointment was the widest angle of the 10X lens, which often didn't seem quite wide enough. I often felt that I needed to zoom out a bit more than it could. The camcorder design seems to trade the zoom range of higher-end cameras for optical quality and verticality, so it covers the middle focal ranges well, but not the extremes. Another initial surprise was discovering that it has only one lens ring to control either the zoom or the focus. A well-marked switch at the base of the lens barrel lets you choose whether to use it to focus or to zoom. I chose the former due to its nice tight action and slow rotation, which is great for holding focus, but not for zooming.
Another handy optical feature is the rotating eyepiece. The ability to rotate the eyecup upwards nearly 75 degrees makes it possible to get low-angle shots in tight quarters. This eliminates the nuisance of an eyepiece that tilts whenever bumped.
Conclusion
List priced at $2,995, the HM100 performs remarkably well in typical shooting situations, even in moderately low light. It captures crisp, beautifully colored imagery as ready-to-edit .mov or MP4 HD files, invaluable for situations where a fast turnaround is key. Its extreme compactness makes it handy in tight situations and travel, as well as for use in situations where larger, professional-looking cameras might attract unwanted attention. Moreover, its image stabilization makes it possible to shoot steady handheld shots. Its use of small, readily available, X-ray-proof SDHC (class 6+) media further makes this very portable camera ideal for travel as well as many applications closer to home. It can also readily connect to various monitors around the globe for playback via USB, HDMI and RCA inputs.
