BVE 2015: Ikegami Debuts HC-HD300 3-CMOS HD Studio Camera System

Ikegami’s HC-HD300 makes its first UK exhibition appearance at BVE 2015 in London, February 24-26. Introduced at BIRTV 2014 and now deliverable, the HC-HD300 is a docking-style camera for studio or field operation.

The HC-HD300 is equipped with a 1/3 inch bayonet lens mount and employs three 1/3-inch CMOS progressive-scan 1920 x 1080 native sensors in RGB prism formation. The camera delivers high quality pictures in all commonly used HD video formats: 1920 x 1080/50i, 1920 x 1080/59.94i, 1280 x 720/50p, 1280 x 720/59.94p, and 720 x 576/50i (PAL) 720 x 480/59.94i (NTSC).

Typical performance characteristics of the HC-HD300 in 1080/59.94i output mode are 1,000 television lines horizontal resolution, 58 dB signal-to-noise ratio and 2,000 lux sensitivity (89.9 per cent white reflection) at F10 aperture. Equivalent aperture in 1080/50i mode for this light level is F11.

Camera gain can be attenuated from mid level to -3 or -6 dB, or increased by +3, +6, +9, +12 or + 18 dB. Integral neutral density filters (100 per cent, 25 per cent, 6.2 per cent and 1.6 per cent) can be switched in as required, plus operator-selectable 3,200, 4,300, 6,300 and 8,000 kelvin electronic colour conversion. An electric shutter can be set to 1/100, 1/120, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1,000 or 1/2,000 second speed.

Supporting features of the HC-HD300 include the focus assist and lens aberration correction functions employed in Ikegami’s established UnicamHD range of cameras.

The camera can be operated under local control or in conjunction with a newly developed control system. This consists of an FA-300 fibre adapter and BSF-300 base station. Light in weight and compact in size (1.5RU), the BSF-300 base station is easily integrated into any studio, mobile truck, or portable flypack. When using a hybrid fibre camera cable, the base station provides power to the fibre adapter and the camera itself.

OpticalCON Duo connectors allow use of SMPTE hybrid camera cables at up to 350 metres with a 2 inch viewfinder or 250 metres with a 7 inch viewfinder. For longer links up to 10 kilometres between camera and based station, duplex single-mode fibre with common optical LC connectors for can be deployed.

The HC-HD300 weighs 4.5 kg including FA-300 fibre adapter and measures 139 x 270 x 337 mm (width x depth x height). Operating voltage range is 11 to 16 volts and power consumption (excluding FA-300) is 19 watts. The camera is designed for use within an ambient temperature range of -20 to +45 Celsius and 30 per cent to 90 per cent non-condensing operating humidity.

Ikegami HDK-97 ARRI Large-Sensor Broadcast Production Camera
Also on show on the Ikegami stand at BVE 2015 will be the HDK-97 ARRI camera. Jointly developed by Ikegami and ARRI, this is a new broadcast-style production camera with digital cinema characteristics. The HDK-97ARRI makes it possible to employ a large format sensor in a multiple camera operation. The result is a best-of-both-worlds image acquisition system ideal for use in multi-camera studio and field applications, including conventional broadcast camera operation and classic video operator control of multiple cameras.

Centered around ARRI’s Super 35mm CMOS sensor with its associated support circuitry, the system provides cinematic qualities such as natural colour rendering, very wide dynamic range and progressive frame rates such as 23.98p. Ikegami’s broadcast-grade distribution allows fibre transmission via up to 2 kilometres of SMPTE hybrid fiber/copper camera cable.

The HDK-97 ARRI incorporates a docking style camera head from the Unicam HD camera series plus Ikegami’s latest 3G FPGA-based DSP. Features include complete real time control of all grey scale, colour, and detail functions. A new 3G transmission system transports video from camera head to CCU, as well as 3G transmission from CCU to camera head.

NAC Hi-Motion II Sports Broadcast Camera
For slow-motion applications, Ikegami will exhibit the NAC Hi-Motion II sports broadcast camera. Jointly developed by NAC Image Technology and Ikegami, the Hi-Motion II delivers broadcast-quality slow-motion images at up to 20 times slowdown. The Hi-Motion II employs three-sensor 1920 x 1080 native technology and has a broadcast industry standard B4 lens mount. Features include simultaneous record and replay (96 gigabytes), up to 1,000 frames per second 1920 x 1080 capture, integral shutter and full remote control with paint, flicker suppression, and EVS system compatibility via an LSM panel.