Grass Valley LDK 3000 Camera Makes Use of Xensium CMOS Imagers

Grass Valley has launched the LDK 3000 camera series at NAB, the company’s first LDK-family system camera application to use the in-house developed Xensium CMOS imagers – the same imagers first seen in the Infinity Digital Media Camcorder (DMC 1000).

The functionality of the new LDK 3000 camera (built on the same physical platform and to the same uncompromised standards) has been tailored to allow the price to be significantly lower.

The LDK 3000 camera uses three 2.4 million pixel CMOS imagers which allow the camera to switch between shooting 1080i and 720p. A low-cost commercial option will add the ability to shoot film-style in 25p and 29.94p later. The LDK 3000 is also using the high performing HD Triax transmission system to allow cable runs up to 1200 meters.

As the LDK 3000 is physically compatible to the other Grass Valley HD cameras, it can use all existing accessories like the SuperXpander. The camera can be controlled from a standard Grass Valley OCP 400, by using Grass Valley’s unique Ethernet-based C2IP control network.

“At Grass Valley we have always thought of innovation with our customer’s needs in mind,” says Jeff Rosica, Senior Vice President of Grass Valley. “We have invested a great deal into an innovative CMOS imager which met our very exacting standards, and has enabled us to introduce the LDK 3000 — a remarkable HD camera at a highly affordable price point.”

The camera is priced at $73,000. Deliveries of the new camera will start in the third quarter of 2009.