NAB 2017: Grass Valley To Roll Out New HD Compact Cameras; Improved STRATUS, EDIUS, Ignite
New cameras join LDX C86 series to provide comprehensive compact solutions for HD, 4K and beyond.
Grass Valley will hit NAB with its most feature-rich HD compact cameras to date via the LDX C82 series and the LDX C86N series. The new cameras join the recently upgraded LDX C86 series to provide a fully comprehensive compact solution to the challenges broadcasters face in HD, 3G, 4K and beyond.
“Now more than ever, broadcasters have to be prepared to capture the action wherever it takes place and provide better angles that really make the viewer feel the action.” Says Neerav Shah, senior vice president of strategic marketing, Grass Valley. “The LDX C82, C86N and C86 Series cameras provide the flexibility and key features required for the highest quality image acquisition in a format that addresses the need for image capture where it’s impractical, or impossible, to have a camera operator.”
The LDX C82 Series is available in two versions: Premiere, for switchable formats, and Elite, for artistic formats; and WorldCam functionality is also available through the GV-eLicense program. Each model includes WCG (wide color gamut) support as a standard feature for even more natural color reproduction in all modes, as well as the optimal HDR (high dynamic range) functionality with a full 15 F-stops (available by eLicense only).
The LDX C86N features three native UHD 2/3-inch imagers and utilizes DPMUltra (an enhancement to Grass Valley’s Dynamic Pixel Management) to manage the acquisition format. When it’s time to combine the footage into a cohesive program, the LDX C86N Series is fully compatible with the LDX 86 and LDX 86N Series cameras to match perfectly in color reproduction and wide-gamut acquisition.
In keeping with compatibility among camera models, the newly upgraded LDX C86 Series are more aligned than ever with the LDX 86 Series for improved transition between cameras. The LDX C86 HiSpeed and LDX C86 XtremeSpeed cameras offer 3x speed and 6x speed, respectively, as well as WCG and HDR capabilities (available by eLicense only); and the new LDX C86 WorldCam offers the ultimate HD performance in all formats including 1080i/720p, 1080p and the creative Psf formats.
“These three series of cameras provide a means for broadcasters to capture images from difficult, but impactful angles where only a compact camera can fit,” adds Shah. “In any application, these cameras use well-shot, high-quality images to tell a better story and provide a unique experience that viewers couldn’t even get if they had a ticket to the live event.”
GV’s Eye on News
Broadcasters have more competition than ever before in the news category and the stakes are high to keep viewers’ eyes on the screen. Breaking news becomes old news faster than ever as broadcasters strive to keep up with each other, the 24-hour news cycle and social media journalists. Grass Valley is looking to meet changing needs with newly upgraded versions of GV STRATUS 5.7, EDIUS 8.5 and Ignite v10.
“If you picture a news broadcast 25 years ago you probably imagine one reporter sitting at a desk, reading to a camera on the five o’clock program. In a very short time news has exploded from a half hour broadcast to 24-hour coverage on TV, digital and social, including up-to-the-minute data and real-time graphics.” says Shah. “Broadcasters have a lot to consider to keep viewers engaged and we’re always considering those same factors to optimize our news solutions for their needs.”
As news breaks, broadcasters require flexible, collaborative solutions to keep up with the pace and create quality programming. The latest upgrade to GV STRATUS adds transcoding options to the world-class video and workflow orchestration platform. The XRE Transcoder is now fully integrated into GV STRATUS, enabling broadcasters to ingest a wide range of UGC, leveraging the concept of “edit anything,” a philosophy that has been a unique feature of Grass Valley’s EDIUS platform for over a decade. GV STRATUS 5.7 also introduces a new web application for desktop and mobile.
And now EDIUS Pro and EDIUS Workgroup are faster than ever and able to export, decode and add metadata in more formats than before. Among other usability improvements, the editing platform now includes “PQ Gamma” support of Primary Color Collection video filter for High Dynamic Range (HDR) editing. EDIUS 8.5’s companion personal content management tool, Mync, has also been enhanced to feature more storyboard export options.
Lastly, Ignite v10 brings more flexibility where breaking and unscripted productions are concerned and now supports a completely customizable UI, letting users configure a unique layout for every show. Additionally, Ignite PT (Persistent Templates) allow operators to make last minute changes to production events directly inside the Ignite rundown, removing the need to go to the NRCS for changing live broadcasts. The Ignite playlist has been redesigned with speed in mind, featuring lightning-fast playlist updates – less than one second regardless of rundown size. The combination of these and other version 10 enhancements means that Ignite is the only solution on the market which can handle scripted, unscripted, and chaotic productions where change is a constant.
“Today’s broadcasters are expected to meet the news where it’s happening, when it’s happening, knowing that the next big story is just around the corner” adds Shah. “Grass Valley consistently provides fast and flexible workflow, editing and asset management tools, giving them more capabilities in the field so they can package and distribute stories quickly.”
The competitive edge of broadcast news makes it critical to work faster and smarter on the scene. Through better management of assets, better integration of metadata and better ability to deliver content to multiple platforms, Grass Valley is helping broadcasters improve the experience for loyal viewers.