 "Great daytime picture quality, but night footage is a little dark" | 2009-08-04 |
| - Reviewed By User: A22BPC7LRSGSYQ |
First off, let me say that this is what is called a "hard disk" camcorder. That is, there are no tapes or DVDs that are used. Instead, your footage is captured and stored in the memory of a small computer (hard disk), which is the same as the hard drive memory in a typical personal computer (PC). Since no tapes or DVDs will ever be purchased by the user of this camcorder, you'll start saving money right away, as opposed to an 8 mm tape camcorder from years past where you not only have to buy 8 mm camcorder tapes to record your footage, but also a batch of blank VHS tapes or blank DVDs should you want to transfer the original footage onto either VHS or DVD (like if you want to preserve the master 8 mm tape and avoid overplaying it, which can wear it out and sometimes damage it).
I bought this camcorder two years ago. Overall, I've been pretty happy with it. The features it contains are many, and it is very lightweight, small and versatile. My only complaint is when I take footage in dark places. The picture quality is dark in these situations, even when I use the twilight setting. In order to brighten up the footage in dark places, I have to shoot using the slow motion feature (Nightalive). Compared to an 8 mm tape camcorder (the previous best technology before hard disk camcorders became the norm), the night footage clarity and lightness isn't nearly as good. However, this really is my only complaint when it comes to this camcorder.
Like I mentioned before, this camcorder has many features. To name a few, you can take still images (it's like having a digital camera built into the camcorder, flash and all), it has a night light for "putting light on the subject" so to speak, a picture stabilizer (to prevent hand shake), full screen or widescreen recording, different levels of picture quality (much like a VCR or DVD recorder), a Wind Cut feature (reduces noise causes by wind blowing), and special effects for both video and still images such as sepia, black and white, classic film, and strobe. Also, there are settings for specific conditions such as filming action sports, filming in snowy weather, etc.
The camcorder comes with a docking station for setting the camcorder into when performing certain functions such as transfering footage to DVD using a DVD recorder. You can also create DVDs through your computer (easy to install software and a USB cable are included).
This is one of those technological gadgets that comes with countless features, some of which you may never use at all, but they're there if you want to get maximum performance from your camcorder. Again, the nighttime picture quality is a little dark, but overall I can't really complain about this piece of modern technology. Twenty years ago a hard disk camcorder like this would have been unimaginable. Overall, I recommend this camcorder if you're not too fussy about footage in dark places coming out a little dark. 4 stars out of 5. |
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| "Great HD camcorder" | 2008-08-26 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3VOW19IJDH0GI |
| So far, I love this thing! I haven't had many chances to use it, but the ties I have, it has great zoom, and the best part to me, is it is very light weight! |
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 "Poor picture quality" | 2008-07-30 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2PPSE3GOPMDVH |
| When I first got this camera, I was very happy with its features. I like being able to cue up specific scenes without having to fast forward or rewind tape. I also liked the size and HDD capacitybr /br /But then I actually watched some of the video I had recorded on vacation. My jaw hit the floor - I simply could not believe how horrible the quality was. There were jagged digital artifacts everywhere. This camera cannot handle motion at all. It lacks clarity and the colors appear washed out. The poor picture quality is unacceptable at this price point. I returned the camera and bought a refurbished (with an extended guarantee) canon HV20 from this website. I am VERY VERY happy with this new camera - while it uses tapes it shoots in HIGH DEF and the picture quality is superb. br /br /Don't make the same mistake I initially made - avoid this camera like the plague. Read the review of this model on camcorderinfo.com to see just how poor the picture quality is. |
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 "Very Pleased" | 2008-07-24 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1454Z9XK2VHL0 |
| I chose this model because it was the highest rated of the Consumer Reports models tested that was compatible with my Mac's IMovie software. I have already used it for a family trip and for filming several of my kids basketball tournaments. It has been very easy to use. The features that I really enjoy: Fast transfer of footage from the camera to my computer. With HDD it is impossible to tape over previous recorded footage. Taping at highest quality it can hold up to 7.5 hours of footage. After a day of shooting I transfer everything to IMovie and then delete it from the camera. I edit the stuff I like with music and titles and then burn it to a DVD. Wow,its so nice not to have the mountain of mini-dv cassettes piling up in the hall closet and then trying to remember everything that was on them. Overall I am really happy with the camera, but even more pleased with how well it works with my Mac. |
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| "Perfect little camera." | 2008-02-22 |
| - Reviewed By byks102 |
I have used the camcorder for 3 weeks now, and it has worked perfectly under every condition I have tried. My son plays indoor basketball and the video this camera took was perfect. I have used it on hikes in the mountains and have used it while riding in a car. I have to admit I was very impressed with the video under every condition.
Downloading the videos from the camcorder to my pc was incredibly simple. I like that I have the ability to edit out the parts I don't like and to retain the video portions that I would like to keep.
I would highly recommend this camcorder if you want something that is simple and easy to use.
This camera does what it is suppose to do.
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| "Worst Camcorder EVER!" | 2007-12-29 |
| - Reviewed By User: A36UD3BCV7UYYX |
| We purchased this camcorder about 8 weeks after the birth of our son, hoping to catch the many wonderful memories that would occur in these precious first years. Not even 2 months after owning the camcorder, we turned it on one day only to get "communicating error" between the camcorder and battery. We tried charging the battery on the docking station, still the error, we tried charging the battery directly from the power cord to the outlet...same message. After only 2 months we couldn't believe that the battery that came with the camcorder was dead. We took it back to the store and tried to show the associate our problem...but it didn't happen there. Figures. So we went ahead and purchased another battery for $80, went home, charged it, and still got the same error message. The only way the product would work was if it was literally plugged into the wall while we were using it. Up to speed at 6 months, we contacted JVC only to find out that we have to send it off (shipping costs on us) to the factory and it will take 6-8 weeks for repair and return. We decided to wait until after X-Mas, since this was our babies first one and suck it up, use the device plugged into the wall during X-Mas and then send it in. Today, after putting down our son for a nap, who is now 9 months, we heard him making noise and went in to see he had pulled himself up for the first time and was standing holding on to the crib...we ran to get the video camera to plug it in to the wall to tape this joyous occasion, only to find the zoom function is broken and it is so far zoomed in, nothing is visible on the camcorder. After trying everything in the manual...we are SOOOOO P.O.ed! This is the worst product ever and our moments that we hoped to tape were priceless and now they are gone!!!! I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT. I wish we could return it and get our money back. I am going to send the product off on Monday with a letter to JVC to tell them how crappy this product is and see what happens next, but it still sucks that for these next 8 weeks, of which time it is very possible that my son could take his first steps, we will miss it, all because of this STUPID, NON-FUNCTIONING, AWFUL, and every other terrible name you can nicely put on this so-called camcorder. |
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Expedited Available
