Mini, digital camera used in broadcast from North Korea

August 13, 1997
Web posted at: 8:28 p.m. EDT (0028 GMT)

ATLANTA (CNN) -- CNN's exclusive live report Wednesday from Pyongyang, North Korea, marked the first time cutting-edge digital micro-camera gear was used for primary news gathering, CNN editors said.

CNN International President Eason Jordan, traveling without a crew, carried a new type of miniature digital camera. More sophisticated than the popular home video cameras, the 1-pound device also meets professional television standards. Jordan also carried miniature microphones, lights and a tripod -- all of which fit into a small briefcase.

Jordan's live report on CNN Wednesday morning was transmitted by the North Korean telecommunications agency to a satellite over the Indian Ocean. That signal was downlinked in London and relayed by digital satellite to CNN in Atlanta.

There are no direct telephone connections between the United States and North Korea, so communication had to be established through CNN's Japanese affiliate, TV Asahi. TV Asahi provided a special phone link that allowed CNN anchor Jonathan Mann to speak with Jordan in the North Korean capital.

The camera Jordan used is a Sony digital camcorder called DSR-PD1, which shoots 4-millimeter tape in the DVCAM format. The camera has a 20-to-1 zoom lens, built-in microphone, and a flip-out monitor to make it easy to see what it is capturing.

Jordan did not have access to editing equipment, so he fed 10 minutes of unedited video to Atlanta just minutes before his live report.

CNN will continue to make use of this state-of-the-art equipment and plans to apply it in its reporting worldwide.

 

• Newsmaker Profile: Kim Jong-il - North Korean President
• Newsmaker Profile: Kim Young-sam - South Korean President

Related stories:

• CNN gets rare glimpse of North Korea - August 13, 1997
• U.S. delegation: North Korea too secretive about food aid - August 12, 1997
• Rough patch amid Korean peace talks - August 7, 1997
• Korean peace talks resume after encouraging start - August 6, 1997

Related sites:

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• Sony Corporation
  • Information on the DSR-PD1 compact digital camcorder
• Korean War MIA/POW - Help Desk
• POW/MIA Korean War Project
• Republic of Korea Ministry of National Defense
• Korea Herald
• North Korea Information

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