Problems - summary

To be fair, I've just seen a camera that has no undue smear, no split screen and no dead pixels. The Chromatic aberration is definitely there. It's big, it's ugly and it's not clever. But at least you can change the lens. My take is that this camera is worth the asking price. I've used it to make some pretty decent pictures that stand up rather well next to DigiBeta footage.

That stock lens is rubbish, though.
 
I took the old chromatic-aberration page down, because the shots on there that weren't shot by me were -- well, not shot by me. So I can't verify for 100% how they were shot; therefore I don't want to be loudly proclaiming it. The one shot on there that I did was from a preproduction camera, so it's still not something that should be being shown off, now that I have my own and now that they're shipping in the US.

With that said, the chromatic aberration is mild to severe, depending on the focal length. I may at some time make a collection of aberration pictures but I would want them to be used in instructional ways (i.e., be aware that this can happen, and do this or that to minimize it) rather than have it be used to say "this is a piece of junk and you shouldn't buy it and these pictures show why". I do think potential purchasers need to be aware of the issues, but in an informational way, not in a "bashing" way.
 
Why should I be fond with JVC? They are a capitalistic company, that in the first instance wants to get my money. And up to now there was not any official statement about the problems with their GY-HD100. JVC is not fond to us. And 6.000 Dollars/Euros are a lot of money. Not all over the world the consumer has a 14 days right of return like here in Germany. So imagine, there is a man, who has saved all his money to buy this camera and then: split screen, dead pixels, chromatic aberration... - in this case who was bashing? Me or JVC?
 
Granted, we do seem too ready to accept that a lot of companies in many industries put out beta versions of goods - hardware and software - and let the early adopters pay the price. I now have first-hand experience with early and more recent models of this camera and I think that a great deal of the criticism is justified. However, the problems have been documented and I, for one, am happy to work around them. Robert, I agree that 6000 dollars is a lot of sweeties but in my opinion the camera is most definitely worth that even with the issues.

Yes, it's odd that there hasn't been some sort of public response to the criticism from JVC but let's just get on with sharing our constructive thoughts on how to work with the camera - faults included. Have you tried using the camera yourself? If not, you might be pleasantly surprised. I was.

Btw, i used a DVW700 the other day with a Canon broadcast lens. That lens alone costs more than the JVC HD100 with the IDX battery package and the upgrade 13x lens put together. It had a serious breathing problem and distinct CA.

It's great that we can identify technical problems but I think it's important that we don't let it get out of proportion. The HD100 is not a Varicam and a Varicam is not a Viper.
 
Flotsam, of course You are right: The camera has a lot of impressive features. No question. But I find it completely inacceptable, that JVC does not say a word about the problems with the camera. They are selling, while they are knowing, that there are some problems with it - that is an apparent deceit. To me it is.
 
All I'm saying is, let's present a balanced picture, not a one-sided bashing. My testing is far from conclusive, but right now, as-is, I'm leaning towards sending the thing back. I'm not too thrilled with it so far. But I'm going to give it a fair shot to prove itself, and I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt as far as I can.

The thing is, what one person may find unacceptable, another person may find it perfectly okay for their needs. So for my part at least, I'd like to present what I find out, and let each person draw their own conclusions based off what is reported.
 
I had a chance to show the camera to a group of producers in my area today at our "First Wednesday" meeting. We brought out a Sony Hi Def CRT monitor to view the footage in several different modes and I gotta say...it looked stunning. I hadn't really seen how good it can look.

Though I'm frustrated with the split screen in low light and want it fixed, I think this camera is a keeper. One of the guys there who has staunchly held out for the HVX admits he's taking a second look and liked it better than he thought he would.

I have to say that I've been as guilty as others who only point out the faults. I'm happy to say the camera is steadily growing on me.
 
WarrenS said:
Though I'm frustrated with the split screen in low light and want it fixed, I think this camera is a keeper.
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I'd be nice to see some content. A one minute movie challenge would be nice....
 
Just tested the camera at my local dealer, I tried to recreate the situations where the split is visable. The camera was connected to a HDTV Sony CRT screen. The split was there only at 18dB and very very hard to find. I knew about the split, otherwise I couldn't notice it. This was an HD100E, I don't know witch firmware version it had...

I noticed some horizontal flicker when moving the camera in 576 50p mode, it was visable on the viewfinder and on the HDTV. Is this normal?
 
I was wondering... is there anyone here who called directly with/spoke to JVC Pro? In any country? And did they gave any useful comment about an upcoming solution for SSE? I can't imagine that they deny the issue in a personal conversation.
 
Yes, I've spoken to an engineer at JVC UK. He tells me that the issue is fixed on all units shipping in the UK. He said that it was a problem they initially had tried to resolve with hardware and now they have a firmware upgrade that will compensate. I was categorically told by the engineer and the sales guy that JVC will replace any camera that exhibits SSE at any gain level. They seem pretty confident it's fixed. There wasn't much of a response about the CA on the lens, though. They did acknowledge that the batteries are a waste of time.
 
About the split screen I made a request to JVC Pro Germany - and have gotten no answer, well, till now, although they said, that they would answer. Maybe one day... In Berlin you cannot get a HD100 at present - maybe that is a hint of JVC trying to solve a problem...
 
Problems etc.

Problems etc.

The camera is unusable with the unpredictable split screen problem. JVC is replacing cameras with other defective cameras. Why are people still on this forum when the camera is a dud? (period) I don't care what anybody says. I have tested numerous hd100's from within north american first hand and each and every one has the split screen issue. JVC this is BULLSHIT.
 
Huiy Tang said:
The camera is unusable with the unpredictable split screen problem. JVC is replacing cameras with other defective cameras. Why are people still on this forum when the camera is a dud? (period) I don't care what anybody says. I have tested numerous hd100's from within north american first hand and each and every one has the split screen issue. JVC this is BULLSHIT.
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I understand where you're coming from amigo. Have you tried the white balance as suggested? You'd have to do that anyway right? Have you contacted JVC directly Huiy or worked with the dealer? They've got a thread over on dvinfo.net that is dedicated to calling JVC about the issue. You may want to browse on over and see what's up in that thread. You may find it interesting.
 
Huiy Tang said:
The camera is unusable with the unpredictable split screen problem. JVC is replacing cameras with other defective cameras. Why are people still on this forum when the camera is a dud? (period) I don't care what anybody says. I have tested numerous hd100's from within north american first hand and each and every one has the split screen issue. JVC this is BULLSHIT.
Click to expand...

True, but it's nice to see that most people have lots of goodwill for this camera. It shows what a blast the cam could be once the SSE is solved. It HAS to be solved, or else it will be a def. dud indeed.
 
Robert_Niemann said:
To sum up, you can say that the JVC GY-HD100 has the following problems regarding the picture:

1. Chromatic aberration
2. Smear (http://www.time-code-media.de/blitzer.jpg, http://www.time-code-media.de/blitzer2.jpg)
3. Split screen (http://www.time-code-media.de/split.jpg)
4. Dead pixels

Did I forget something?
Click to expand...

Here are the solutions so far:

1. Keep off the long end of the lens for best results or rent a better lens for your project.
2. Bring exposure down or reframe the shot to avoid smear
3. White balance the camera when repositioning or lighting conditions change.
4. Mask the dead pixels with the help of either JVC service or ask one of the users to email the routine.

Let's do these things and post some positive content? There are many great aspects to the HD-100. Let's spend some time on it's strengths?

I'd like to pass this along: Yusuf Thakur emails me they are shooting the HD-100 side by side with the Varicam and are able to get a color match in camera so that the footage can be intercut. This is on projects and not in "comparison" so he's talking real world. He writes that the results are great and a regular viewer would not be able to tell the difference of the intercut video. Now that's positive!

At this point, then next step is to find out of the 13x lens is worth it's price and can overcome #1 above.

best,
 
Tip toe around the HD100-who are we kidding but ourselves?

Tip toe around the HD100-who are we kidding but ourselves?

Look. What's the use in walking on pins and needles while you are using the camera. I like that people are focussing on solutions on how to cope with the camera. It helped me for a while, however when your shooting in unpredicatble situations it isn't always convenient to control the light, your position in relation to the short end of the lens. Though solution based thinking is helpful, this however puts absolutely no ownus on JVC to correct the problem. I recomend taking a refund and purchasing the camera again once the issue has been solved. It's amazing to me to see the great lengths people in this industry will go to convince themselvs that they have invested in a sound product. The split screen issue is a DEFECT, not a limitation, not a user error, it is faulty engineering that cannot be fixed with an economical software/firmware update. This is a hardware problem and JVC has to pony up and replace the sensors with a hardware upgrade. Correcting a camera with software based upgrades allows companies to exploit consumers by releasing the technology unfinished and unrefined. STOP the insanity. Let's get off these boards and start sending these comments to JVC. Please for the love of GOD return your cameras so JVC will release a new batch sooner than later with upgraded hardware. I will purchase one from that run.
 
Have worked with dealer and JVC

Have worked with dealer and JVC

JVC has replaced the camera several times. Each with firmware upgrades, but the split screen still is intermittent. Dealer or saleman seems apprehensive about burning a bridge with JVC and does not seem to question or confront them on the issue. I can only presume this because I have asked for a comment from both JVC and the dealer but to no reply. <sigh> what can you do other than cut your losses. I will purchase the camera again once a new line is released. I only sound bitter because I am.
Will check the other sources on the web. Also as an experienced videographer, I have tried white balancing and as I said before everything including tip toe around the camera as not to disturb it causing the split screen to rear it's ugly little head. I am the white balance king. Another word of caution I shot some footage handheld out the side of my vehicle. I've done this several times with other cameras, but the HD100 exhibited an abonormally high amount of drop outs in the process. Can anyone else do some testing with stability of the drums heads in relation to the contact to the tape?
 
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