User Report: by Stefan Hadl
Ikegami Makes News at WMUR
MANCHESTER, N.H.
WMUR is a local news-oriented television station that takes pride
in knowing New Hampshire and delivering informative quality newscasts
to the entire state.
An ABC affiliate, WMUR broadcasts on Channel 9 (NTSC) and Channel
59 (DTV). We also broadcast on three low power channels in New Hampshire's
North Country and the station is part of the large Boston market,
which is rated number in the country.
We decided to look at new ENG cameras because we're changing tape
formats for news acquisition. The change to DVCAM prompted us to
look at Ikegami's HL-DV7AW ENG camera.
Our sister station, WCVB, went with a similar camera last year
and to date has had no complaints about its performance. I also
have worked with the Ikegami HL-V77 cameras at KCRA and again had
no issues about selecting an Ikegami camera. We decided on the Ikegami
HL-DV7AW, which were delivered in May.
MANY FEATURES
Some of our favorite camera features include the ability to record
external video (a feature added just this year), iLink (IEEE-1394)
output, 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio capabilities, onboard wireless
microphone receiver housing, low-light capabilities, P.Func feature
(which is a user-programmable on/off switch for a user-defined camera
function) and auto hue detect function. Both the P. Func and the
auto hue detect were standouts for the videographers. Finally the
overall rugged construction of the camera chassis was a big plus-in
my opinion, this camera was built for the rigors of news.
Thus far, the ruggedness of the camera and its operational performance
have proved to be a good fit. The videographers find the camera
easy to use, and the camera's features and capabilities improve
the overall quality of video footage.
Shortly after the cameras were deployed in the field, the chief
videographer informed me that he saw a notable improvement in overall
video quality when comparing archive footage and newly shot video
footage. He also stated the images seem to have greater color saturation,
making the overall images more crisp and vibrant. All the videographers
seem to be very happy with the camera's abilities and functions.
LITTLE NEED FOR SERVICE
Although the service and support has been tested very little since
purchasing the cameras, the few questions we have had were addressed
in a timely and professional manner.
We recently held a one-day training session with Ikegami on the
camera and its features, which proved beneficial to both the videographers
and engineers.
We timed the training to take place after having the cameras in
the field for a month, this in itself being a testament to the cameras'
ease-of-use. We wanted to give videographers and engineers time
to accumulate questions and perhaps bring up important issues.
No issues were noted and all the user questions were answered with
ease. The Ikegami employees who conducted the training were very
knowledgeable about the technology and using the cameras.
The decision to go with the Ikegami HL-DV7AW camera has proved
to be a good choice. I am very pleased with all the features, abilities
and overall video quality it has brought to WMUR.
I feel confident that this camera, with its abilities such as iLink
connectivity, will serve WMUR into the future.
Stefan Hadl is the director of engineering for WMUR-TV and has
been worked in the industry for nearly 20 years, including an eight-year
stint in the Air Force. He can be reached at shadl@hearst.com. The
opinions expressed above are the author's alone.
For more information, contact Ikegami at 201-368-9171 or visit
www.ikegami.com
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