JVC are pleased to announce the availability of a new firmware update for the GY-HM600 that adds a second camera mode which optomises the camcorder for use in ideal lighting situations. Also included are a range of new features and the correction for 1080 25p recording.
Pre-Defined shooting modes to give the user instant access to optimum settings for the most common applications:
– “Standard Mode”: For shooting under controlled lighting conditions optimizes iris range and gain for best results.
– “Extended Mode”: For news shooting under non ideal lighting situations with the emphasis on maximum gain and image capture under difficult conditions.
– New “Flash Band Compensation” function for Photo Flash
– New “Focus Assist” function while in “Full Auto” mode
Various improvements of camera functionality and signal processing for even better performance and image quality.
– Bug fix for 1080p25 scanning mode
The firmware should be downloaded onto an empty, formatted SD/SDHC card for installation in the camera. Full instruction are included with the file. The update can easily be done by your customers in the field and units will not be required to be returned to either JVC or to dealers. Customers are required to register their unit to gain access to the firmware as part of the download process.
Let me explain…
In Standard mode you will not be able to access -3 and -6dB, it only starts at 0dB but the overall noise has been reduced..less sensitive but better pictures. Best image performance in normal lighting conditions.
In Extended mode you get -3dB, -6dB giving you more manual control over your gain, increases sensitivity for low light.
NOTE : Many of you were hoping for 1080 50p well this has not been dismissed, JVC Japan are looking into this so lets hope they can work this into the 600 range sometime during 2013 along with syncro scan.
http://www.service.jvcpro.eu/public/document.cfm?prog=ProdSoft.cfm&Model=GY-HM600E
Excellent! Look forward to it. I’m still on the market for this camera. Been looking at the Panasonic AG-AC160A, which is a nice camera in its own right. Panasonic has nice colors in their picture. I like that it also offers 1080/60p. Quite bulky build though, maybe too big. I’m rooting for the JVC actually to succeed in the marketplace once it irons out its quirks. I want to try one soon. Please share your experiences with the 650, as well. Happy Holidays!! Thanks
really interested in this announcement too!
1080p60 would seal the deal for me on this camera too vs similar models from sony & panasonic.
I bet its 1080/50p (60p) – this is the only thing really missing from this cam. I hope its not just upscaled 720p though!
How dare a 2012 camcorder not to offer 1080-50/60p in these days?
Thats a true marketing error.
Lets hope it will be announced.
Dudes, you have two lines of sharing options under the posts 🙂
Do these enhancements apply to US based models as well? One more question…Are you liking the Canon XF100/105 still? Thanks for all your comments.
This news is disappointing – 1080/50p is what is really needed.
I will pass on a purchase for now..
If you are based in the US please speak with your local sales agent or your local JVC office.
For those who are wanting 1080 50/60P please bare with us. We are looking at this and we should have some info soon. Our priority has been to implement the new advanced firmware ASAP whilst maintaining our production schedules.
The GY-HM600 is a stunning camcorder with a bag of features and as someone who has spent a lot of time with this camcorder over the last few months, its my belief that nothing can come close to it when you consider price and performance.
Have loaded the new firmware and it has certainly improved the camera’s pictures – much less grain.
Sensitivity in low light is very good and the lense is lovely.
the pictures are great when exposed between f3 and f5.6 but satrt to look a little shabby if the exposure is not spot on – not very forgiving , if something is bright in the picture and you stop down detail deteriorates more than compared to the little HE100 I have.Good on Kris and Mike for beavering away at Japan HQ to sort the firmware out.
Be nice to see some picture presets ?
I cannot think of any other manufacturer in the last thirty years that’s ever been so responsive to customer comment – both before and after the launch of a new camera. Full marks to JVC for this exciting camcorder, which keeps on getting better still.
Hi tim,
Thank you for your feedback. Remember to use your nd filters when exposed to minimise lens diffraction. Also don’t forget that you have a “spot meter” feature that you can assign to a user button. This feature will show you the high and low spots in your frame.
If you want to discuss more feel free to give me a call.
Hi Arran,
Thank you for your kind words……..
Other features are currently being considered to stay tuned for updates.
Hi kris
any news about release date on 650
Thanka
Hi Dennis,
We will be shipping the first orders this month. A couple of weeks from now.
Just a quick note to remind everyone to do a “reset all” after you install the latest firmware.
In the “camera process” menu you should then default to “Standard” mode with no negative gain options.
Hello, Thanks for your efoorts. Just wanted to ask if the HM600 has a color matrix for color adjustments? If it does, could you explain how extensive it is?
Thanks
Hi Tim,
Yes the color matrix can be adjusted in all modes (Standard, Cinema & Cinema Subdued)
You have control of Red, Cyan,Yellow,Blue,Green & Magenta.
Within the same part of the menu structure you can control Hue, Saturation & Lightness
Very intuitive and extensive for a small camcorder!
Thanks for your reply Kris. I shoot with Varicams and am trying to decide between an AC-160 or an HM600. I want the best feature set but also want the colorimetry to be close (or adjustable to match). The HM600 might have an edge for me if the autofocus is spot on and the zoom servo motor acts more like a broadcast lens rather than a camcorder. Tall order I know…
Also, I have been seeing the HM600 listed at B&H for quite some time as “will be shipped in 7-10 business days”. Is the camera available for purchase yet?
Futher Enhancements?
Hi Tim,
I did reply to your message however it appears that it was not posted…..
We have been shipping the 600 in the UK from late October. It may well be that B&H have simply sold through and waiting for a December delivery.
The best thing to do is to contact your local JVC office and ask for an ETA.
The Autofocus is bang on the money and the lens is superb for a 1/3” camcorder.
In my opinion the build quality of our camcorder is far superior to other vendors at this price…… infact its superior to camcorders that are around £800 more than ours.
When you consider everything our camcorder offers against the usual suspects, you will be hard pushed to find reasons not to buy it.
Hi Duncan,
Yes further enhancements using the new advanced firmware package.
Pre-Defined shooting modes to give the user instant access to optimum settings for the most common applications:
– “Standard Mode”: For shooting under controlled lighting conditions optimizes iris range and gain for best results.
– “Extended Mode”: For news shooting under non ideal lighting situations with the emphasis on maximum gain and image capture under difficult conditions.
– New “Flash Band Compensation” function for Photo Flash
– New “Focus Assist” function while in “Full Auto” mode
Various improvements of camera functionality and signal processing for even better performance and image quality.
I am in the US and just received the HM600. I, too, would certainly like to see 60p recording, though that’s not a deal breaker for me.
I agree, the build quality feels excellent and the zoom on the lens is certainly outstanding. I do find the autofocus a little slow in some situations (though i usually don’t use it). I love the menus and the controller on the LCD screen.
Probably what bothers me most at this point is the sound of the fan. I have used other cameras in this price range and don’t recall hearing the same. In quiet situations, the camera definitely picks up the sound of the fan. is there any chance that anything can be done about that?
I haven’t spent much time with the camera or the manual yet, but one thing I could not quickly figure out is if it is possible to make gain changes quickly on the fly (not using the presets). I would like to be able to make incremental adjustments when lighting conditions change without navigating through the menus. is there a way to do this? I was hoping for something similar to the way you can make shutter speed changes using the the up/down buttons.
Thanks!
Brian
Hi Kris, another small video production company waiting for a 1080 60/50p announcement. We’re upgrading two of our Panasonic 1/3 chippers in Jan 2013. 60frames per second IS a deal breaker for us, so our eyes are on the HM600 and AC160. We could settle for just an announcement now with the upgrade coming later in the year. We could go without 60p for a few months, but we need to know it is definitely coming to the camera! Do we need to all write JVC personally to get this to be critical to the camera’s success? Update?