JVC has increased the lowlight performance of its ProHD camcorders with a new firmware update called LoLux that will purportedly increase the gain and sensitivity while introducing only a little more noise into the picture.

Called LoLux, the software gives the user 30, 36 and 42 db of gain, specs offered on more expensive cameras, in addition to the gain settings that ship with the camera’s standard software. LoLux is comprised of half electrical gain and half light accumulation through the shutter. The result is a clean image with few artifacts and little picture noise.

As a side-note, with the introduction of this new update, the Discovery Channel will allow certain HD programs to be shot solely with HDV camcorders. Up until now there was a strict policy that only 30% of source footage could be from an HDV camcorder.

Right now there is no mention that I can find of the update on JVC’s site, but you can bet there will be soon.

[ via Studio Daily ]