Hitachi Denshi America Ltd. Broadcast & Professional Group recently introduced its two new low-cost multistandard camera models for high-definition applications. The SK-3100P camera features 2.2 million pixel IT (Interline Transfer) CCDs and offers simultaneous 1080i HDTV and NTSC outputs. The SK-3300P also offers multi-standard output with 2.2 million pixel CCD but FIT (Frame Interline Transfer). This latest model, the SK-3300P, was introduced with a 720p CCD chip.
The two camera models are for portable use EFP (Electronic Field Production) that allow configurations for study. They have a separate control feature to achieve all detail adjustments very easily. Both models have NTSC (480i) outputs both digital and analog.
The new Hitachi 3000 series of cameras provide separate processing and control of HDTV and NTSC signals. It offers as standard features two complete control sets: One for HDTV signals and a second set that independently adjusts the NTSC signal. This allows complete freedom of operation for gamut settings, black and white paint, detail, masks and skin tone details of NTSC and HDTV signals.
Designed for easy operation, these cameras automatically convert the image's aspect ratio between 4:3 and 16:9. The 1.5 Gbps digital output of the camera heads is carried to the control unit by means of a fiber optic cable. Within this unit, in addition to the standard analog and digital HDTV outputs, the signal is digitally converted from an NTSC (480i) rate of 16:9/4:3 aspect to the analog and serial digital outputs by components.
Both the SK-3100P and SK-3300P offer 1200 TVL resolution (HDTV), f8.0 to 2000 lux sensitivity and a noise signal of 54 dB. Field rates are selectable from 60 Hz to 59.94 Hz. Digital processing is performed with a single VLSI, a technology developed and manufactured by Hitachi. The VLSI achieves up to 30-bit accuracy in internal processing.
Ikegami HDTV Camera System
Ikegami has led the quest for better image quality, which is why it recently introduced the new HDK-790D/HDK-79D all-digital HDTV camera systems to ease the transition to digital broadcasting operations.
These cameras feature newly developed 2/3-inch 2,200,000-pixel (1080i) FIT CCDs. These CCDs allow selection for interlaced and progressive sweeping according to the broadcast format being used.
Thanks to the high performance of the up/down converters built into the CCU camera control unit, the HDK-790D/HDK-79D model can be operated as a camera for both studio and field applications that has the ability to support the current NTSC format.
It includes the state-of-the-art ASICs technology used to achieve the fully digital implementation of the video circuit. This advancement ensures a stable video signal all the time while reducing power consumption. It is an exceptional digital technology incorporated into this system that allows for simple operation and ease of use. The HDK-790D/HDK-79D is a fully digital HDTV camera system designed for 1080i/480i/480p and 720p outputs.
Some of the most important features of Ikegami's HDTV system are:
CCDs 2/3 inch at 2,200,000-pixel FIT
Image sensors are used to achieve superior frame quality. The CCD that records the information can be selected between the progressive or interlaced reading modes and the signal can be converted into the control unit (CCU) towards the different formats. When the main output is interlaced (1080i or 480i), the CCD will record the image under this sweep mode. Similarly, the CCD will record the signal when it is in progressive reading mode so that the originated image coincides with the output signal, whether it is interlaced or progressive.
