Ikegami Unicam UHD camera, HDL-57, set to deliver for industry pros

Ikegami will show its wide range of systems and technologies at IBC2015 in Amsterdam, including demonstrations of new 4K and 8K cameras. Topping the list is the HDL-57 as well as Ikegami’s Unicam UHD 4K-native 3-CMOS 2/3-inch camera that provides the deep focus required for broadcast operation combined with ultra high quality colour reproduction. Ergonomic and operational features are the same as a conventional Ikegami Unicam HD camera. A 2/3-inch B4-mount allows direct docking with conventional lenses plus a focus-assist function.The HDL-57 is a compact high-definition camera designed for use on remotely controlled pan/tilt heads in applications such as parliamentary television or robotic studios. It can also be used wherever a high-grade fixed-position compact camera is required for intercutting with the output from full-size studio cameras. Camera head and controller are housed in a single robust rectangular unit measuring 90 x 103 x 180 mm (width x depth x height) and weighing 1.5 kg. The HDL-57 can be operated remotely or via its rear control panel.

Three advanced 2.5 megapixel 2/3-inch CMOS sensors are employed to deliver wide dynamic range and, in principle, no smear. Each sensor incorporates active processing circuitry and delivers a digital output to the camera’s digital signal processor, all in a very small device with low power consumption. The sensors are equipped with native progressive and interlace modes. 1080/59.94i, 1080/50i, 720/59.94p, 720/50p and 1080/23.98p are available from the camera head. 1080/23.98p output is available as an option.

Full digital processing is employed within the HDL-57, from imagers to HD-SDI output, delivering high signal integrity and high picture quality as well as stable and reliable operation. Master gain is processed through a high-grade low-noise amplifier with negative feedback. Video noise cancellation circuits deliver images of wide dynamic range even at high gain level. Specified performance parameters include F11 at 2,000 lux sensitivity, 60 dB signal-to-noise ratio and 1,000 television lines resolution in 1080i format (700 TVL in 720p format).

Among the operating features of the HDL-57 are six-position switchable gain (0 to +30 dB), six electric shutter speeds (1/100 to 1/2,000 second), four-position optical filter (100, 25, 6.2 and 1.6 per cent) and a two-position electronic colour correction filter (3,200 and 5,600 K). The optical filter wheel is motorised and can be operated from Ikegami remote control panels such as the RM-50B and OCP-300.  Using these filters in combination, the camera can handle a very wide range of lighting conditions. Auto-white-balance mode is available to cover the full range of colour temperatures.

The Ikegami HDL-57 operates on 12 volt DC power (11 to 16 volts), consuming 18 watts or less. It delivers two HD-SDI outputs and has a reference signal input accepting tri-level HD sync. The camera will be demonstrated on the Ikegami stand (11.A31) at IBC2015, Amsterdam, September 11-15.Compact and light in weight, the Unicam UHD camera is designed for easy integration into 4K studio and 4K field/OB truck systems. Uncompressed RGB 4:4:4 baseband is delivered from the camera head to the control unit to ensure the highest possible transmission quality.

Also making a first IBC appearance are the Ikegami BS-98/CCU-980 hybrid 2K/4K rack-mountable optical-fibre transmission links. When used in combination with current Ikegami Unicam HD cameras, the BS-98/CCU-980 can deliver HD and 4K processed UHD signals simultaneously. This allows users to employ their existing HD cameras and accessories, including lenses, for 4K productions as economical bridge equipment until they are confident that 4K viewing will become popular in the broadcast marketplace.

The Ikegami HDK-97ARRI broadcast-style production camera with digital cinema characteristics and HDK-97A 16-bit full digital 3G HDTV portable camera will be exhibited with the BS-98/CCU-980 hybrid 2K/4K optical fibre links in a demonstration of 4K live pictures. The HDK-97ARRI results from the combination of Ikegami and ARRI technology.

Ikegami introduced the world’s first generation 8K UHDTV camera in 2002 as a collaborative project with Japan Broadcasting Corporation NHK. A second generation Ikegami 8K camera followed in 2004 and third generation model in 2010. This year, through further technological innovation and collaboration with NHK, sees the demonstration of the SHK-810. Ikegami’s fourth generation 8K camera, the SHK-810 is one tenth the size and weight of the 2002 model and offers significantly improved operability.

The SHK-810 employs a single 33 million-pixel Super 35 CMOS sensor, achieving 4,000TVL horizontal and vertical resolution. The sensor allows the tight depth of focus often chosen for high-impact drama programmes. The camera provides 8K, 4K and 2K output, all in native quality. It can be used in a fully 8K production environment or alongside 4K and/or 2K cameras. Regular PL-mount lenses can be used. The SHK-810 will be demonstrated at IBC2015 in conjunction with an 8K monitor.

Also on show at IBC2015 will be a robotic camera system based on a combination of the Ikegami HDL-45E head mounted on a pan/tilt unit. Camera and pan/tilt unit are both controlled via an Ikegami iHTR-100 fibre-optic transmission link. The HDL-45E is a multi-purpose HD camera with three 2/3-inch 2.3 megapixel AIT CCD imagers, an LSI processor and high quality 14-bit analog to digital converters. It can be used in lighting levels down to  0.065 lux without frame accumulation, or 0.00054 lux with frame accumulation. Applications include 3D video rigs, pole cameras and security. The iHTR-100 link operates at distances of up to 10 km (6.25 miles) and can multiplex up to 20 gigabits per second of multiple format video. Ultra-low transmission delay ensures smooth remote camera control.