New and improved HD cameras for a variety of different production applications and a full line of new and established HD flat-panel LCD monitors and viewfinders in various sizes are among the many highlights of the IBC 2011 exhibit by Ikegami Electronics Europe GmbH, the world-leading manufacturer of advanced HD television cameras and production equipment for TV broadcasters, networks, and all other professional HD content creators. Established products on display will also include the tapeless, workflow-efficient GFCAM™ HD/SD ENG Flash memory camcorder, multi-format HD mega-pixel CMOS cameras, and HD cameras and equipment designed for the production of stereoscopic 3D programming.

The demand for HD content is ever-growing, and it impacts every production segment, from major sports to ENG, from TV studio productions to digital filmmaking. Ikegami is addressing all of these markets with new, technologically advanced, competitively priced HD cameras – including the new HDK-97A 3G-SDI 1080/50p HD studio camera – and a wide array of high-resolution, full-featured space-saving HD flat-panel LCD monitors in a broad range of sizes. Whether it’s a low-light HD POV camera, or a greater than ten-times-speed Super Slow-Mo HD sports camera, Ikegami is applying the world’s most advanced imaging technologies to provide the image-capture solutions the industry wants most.

New HD Unicam Camera Introductions

Leading off Ikegami’s IBC 2011 exhibit is its new top-of-the-line 3G-SDI 1080/50p HD studio camera, the HDK-97A (or “Unicam HD”). This 16-bit portable companion-camera employs new AIT CCD imagers and an all-new digital video processing system for superior picture detail and accurate rendition of color gradations. Delivering a choice of 1080/50p 4:2:2 or 1080/50i 4:4:4 color sampling, the new high bit-depth HDK-97A is designed for traditional-style multi-camera production applications. A docking-style camera, the new HDK-97A also features a 3G fiber-transmission system from the camera head to its (also new) CCU. Transmission options include an HD-SDI QTV signal for teleprompter (or vanity/program monitor) use and an HD-SDI “trunk channel,” which allows for connection of a second camera that doesn’t have its own built-in fiber transmission system (such as a POV camera, including one paired with the HDK-97A in a stereoscopic 3D application).

The Unicam HDK-97A is also offering a newly developed Digital Triax System consisting of DTA-55, dockable camera adapter which can be easily fixed to the camera head, and the 1.5U 19” Basestation BST-55.

The advantages of 16-bit digital processing are also seen in Ikegami’s new HDK-79EXAlpha (EU-Version) HD studio and field camera, which provides improved gradation for a superior transfer characteristic, and accurate color reproduction, particularly in dark image areas. Configurable for either portable use or as a “hard” field/studio camera, the HDK-79EXAlpha (EU-Version) employs three 2/3-inch, 2.3 mega-pixel 1920 by 1080 AIT CCD imaging sensors. Multi-format output is available by adding an option board to the CCU. A newly developed special Chromatic Aberration Compensation Function is also available.

Yet another major Ikegami new-camera introduction at IBC 2011 is the Hi-Motion2 Super Slow-Mo HD camera, a cooperative development with NAC Image Technology, a world leader in the development and production of advanced imaging and motion-analysis systems. Designed to meet specialized HD super slow-motion production applications, the Hi-Motion2 system features a unique three-CMOS sensor camera head with built-in memory, delivering greater than ten-times-speed (“10x”) for thrilling super-slow-motion playback of HD sports action. This dual format 1080i/720p camera features parallel live and replay feeds for use as both a “traditional” portable/field HD camera and Super Slow-Mo (or “X-MO”) camera that can work side-by-side with other Ikegami HD cameras on sports trucks to deliver the visuals today’s HD sports viewers demand.

Also for HD sports applications, as well as POV camera traffic-and-weather applications is yet another innovative Ikegami HD camera for IBC 2011.

The new HDL-45E box-style-camera. This three-CCD 1080i camera features Ikegami’s revolutionary new AVC (Automatic Video Level Control) and ATW (Auto Tracing White) image-processing features for advanced automatic camera control for low- and high-light outdoor image-capture environments. This sophisticated Ikegami AVC and ATW digital signal-processing technology controls the gain, shutter, and white balance of the HDL-45E to compensate for light level and color temperature changes. Digital extender, column adding, and frame-accumulation features provide enhanced detail, imaging sensitivity, and low-light performance benefits. The HDL-45E also includes image-flip capability (as does the Ikegami HDL-51 multi-format POV camera) for use in 3D rigs.

The HDL-F30 is a top-of-the-line multi-purpose compact 3CCD HDTV camera equipped with high resolution 2.3 million pixel AIT sensors and incorporates the AVC function as well. The HDL-F30 has super high sensitivity, starting with F10 sensitivity sensors, and offering +54dB gain up, Column Adding, and Frame Accumulation functions. The super high sensitivity combined with a Digital Extender feature make the HDL-F30 ideal for airborne gyro stabilized ENG and law enforcement use.

Also the Horizontal Reverse and Frame Delay features will support 3D video production.

The new MKC-210HD is an ultra compact high performance camera system for professional use. Using a single chip CMOS sensor with unsurpassed picture technology and true to life color rendition. The MKC-210HD offers an optimal cost quality ratio for different kind of applications.

Other Ikegami equipment designed for the production of stereoscopic 3D programming will include a new 3D option for the OCP-200 network-control panel. This option enables 3D users to assign one OCP 200 to two cameras (for left- and right-eye stereoscopic views). Front panel switches are used to select one camera for fine adjustment and camera matching, and then select both in parallel for actual camera operation to facilitate 3D production.

The Ikegami GFCAM™ model HDS-V10 HD camcorder for ENG continues in popularity, and will also be prominently exhibited at IBC 2011. Using MPEG-2 compression and the MXF file format for an open-codec HD/SD recording architecture compatible with a large number of leading editing systems, the GFCAM™ is part of the GF-Series product line for ENG and other workflow-efficient, tapeless HD production applications.

Ikegami’s innovation in tapeless camcorders goes back to its co-development of the industry’s first such camera, which was shown in Montreux 1995. In January 2011, Ikegami shared a NATAS Technology and Engineering Emmy® Award for this singular achievement. Ikegami’s long history in tapeless acquisition ensures superior technological performance, whether for digital cinematography, ENG, or other applications.

For Studio/EFP application a fiber optics transmission system FE-C10/FE-B10 for the GFCAM™ will be exhibited.

An added innovation of the GF-Series is Ikegami’s new HDS-F90 Camcorder featuring a 4/3” Large-Single-CMOS-Sensor (4K) with PL-Mount. It adopts MPEG-2 Codec (4:2:2) for video compression. Long GOP 50Mbps or I frame only 100Mbps are selectable.

These and other industry-leading Ikegami products will be exhibited throughout IBC 2011 at Booth 11.A31 in the Holland Hall of the Amsterdam Convention Centre from September 09 – 13, 2011.

www.ikegami.de