WNDU looks ahead to HD with Ikegami           August 30, 1999, South Bend, IN: As Hi-Def production looms large on the horizon for NBC affiliate WNDU, the right gear and the right relationship were equal priorities for outfitting their production facilities. With their four new Ikegami HDK-790D Studio/field cameras, the station got both.           "The HDK-790D cameras are superb" says Greg Giczi, vice president of operations for WNDU-TV. "We wanted a camera that could serve us well in standard definition, today, and make the transition to HD later. With dual independent controls for HD and NTSC, you get the versatility to control each output. This long term flexibility was worth the moderate additional cost." "These units are replacing our Ikegami HK-322's which was the last great 30mm tube camera", according to Giczi. "We stretched their life until a camera such as the HDK-790 came along. Whenever those 322's needed a little extra TLC, Ikegami was there to help. So when it came to selecting our HD cameras, Ikegami's past support services gave them an extra edge."           Besides being on the set for newscasts, the Ikegami HDK-790D cameras will also be shooting for WNDU's video production company, Golden Dome Media. Floating between studios for a wide wariety of aplications, the HDK-790Ds make an impact for syndicated programs and live on the air. "It's important to have great looking video for newscasts - that's our bread and butter," adds WNDU chief engineer George Molnar. "We wanted the best on-air quality, and whether we're in NTSC or HD, the Ikegami HDK-790D Studio/field camera will make a noticeable difference to the viewer."           WNDU can work in every roduction format using Ikegami's HDK-790D Studio/Field cameras and the HDK-79D Portable Companion cameras, with their ability to deliver any of the leading HDTV formats from one system with no external converters. 2.2 million pixel 2/3" CCDs provide selectable native-interlace and native-progressive read-out modes for wasy switching between 1080I, 720P and 480P. An NTSC signal is always available, and can be independently switched to 16:9, 4:3 side-cut or 4:3 letterbox aspect ratios. "With its powerful combination of features and value, the Ikegami HDK-790D made the decision a lot easier to go with combo HD/Standard Definition," Giczi concludes. "It's all there in one camera."           Ikegami Electronics is one of the world's leading manufacturers of high-quality professional broadcast television cameras, monitors, and accessories. The company's High Definition TV Cameras (HDTV) have become the broadcast industry leaders as the change over to the High Definition Television format moves ahead.